3-gatsu no Lion 41

Well this chapter was a lot of fun. And also man it has a lot in it... I've just got one more in this volume, right? Yeah. That and the omake. Allllmost there.

[3-Gatsu no Lion 41 Translation by Kewl0210]
Page 139:
Title: Chapter.41
Kyoto (2)

Page 140:
[Spacer page]

Page 141:
Shimada: Aah...
What a beautiful sunset.
---I found myself standing with a how in my hand.
I realized it was a dream pretty soon,
but it felt kind of nostalgic
so I spent some time swinging the hoe.

Page 142:
Shima: Someone is calling.
-----Ah,
it's my girlfriend that left 5 years ago.
Here, we never split up.
----Yeah, that's right. I couldn't make it through the 3-dan league and went back to my hometown, didn't I......?
The lights of houses.
I feel like I'm gonna cry.
----Everyone's here and they're so happy.
Grandma and Grandpa, too.
I missed them.
Guys: You really are good, ain'cha, Kai?
Nobody here's a match fer ya.
Incredible...

Page 143:
Shima: Dad, Grandpa,
everyone...
I'm sorry... I know you've all been
cheering me on for so long...
Guy: It's fine,
Kai.
Even if you couldn't become a pro.
Ya see, happiness,
is honestly
something you can find all over.
Really
you just need to live life to the fullest and yer fine...
It's okay,
Kai...

Page 144:
SFX: ZAAAAA... AAA......
Black bars: The only times I could smile,
even in my dreams, was when I was playing Shogi.
SFX: PI... PIPIPIPIPI PIPIPI TAH
Shima: ...
Oww

Page 145:
Black Bar: ---Still, when I thought 'I wanted to be a shogi player'
regretfully, my stomach hurt.
Somebody: I'll bet for Shimada 8-dan
this is a real nightmare.
At the rate he's going, there's a good chance he'll end up with 4 straight losses.
Forget about the duel at his hometown.
Shima: They do say 'When you talk about people behind their backs,
make sure it's behind their backs'---- don't they?
So immature.
And I really don't feel like being apologized to.
Handwritten: Ah, my stomach hurts...
Shima: Ooookay.
Guess I'd better get prepared.
The me that couldn't become a shogi player and went back to the country.
The me that bet everything to come here and is still close to losing 4 in a row.

Page 146:
Shimada: I'll get a thorough taste
of which one's the real nightmare.
Narration: Shishi-Ou Championship Day 2.
While on the first day, Souya had already formed a solid defense and attacked first,
Shimada-san struck back stupendously and managed to form a slight advantage.

Page 147:
Narration: 7-3 Kei.
Just as Shimada-san was going on the defensive, it was time for the sealed move.
Someone: Still,
don't you think that Shimada 8-dan is falling forward a bit with 7-3 Kei?
Yeah, I kinda get the feeling
it's not so much 'going on the offensive'
as it is 'rushing'.
Would you like some miso soup?
Rei: Ah.
Yes, than you.
Guys: Maybe he doesn't wanna draw this out? He doesn't seem to be looking good health-wise.
And anyhow,
Shimada-kun is doing his best, but it's not really coming to anything.
I guess that's what happens when you're up against Souya.

Page 148:
Guy: But it really looks like it's gonna be 4 in a row this time.
Shimada 8-dan won't be heading to his home town again, huh?
Yamagata sure is far off.
Rei: The opinion in the waiting rooms
have been thoroughly of the tone 'Souya has it' since yesterday.
Shimada-san is certainly being proactive this time.
----But he's definitely not rushing. He really seems to be going just the same as usual from what I saw.
The war of nerves continues,
but Shimada-san has not flinched in the face of Souya Meijin and has earned some minor points.
He shouldn't be hurting that badly.
Guy: Kiriyamahhh!
Why didn' ya tell me that Anijya wasn't feeling well?!
SFX: KIIN

Page 149:
Nikai: I sent a limousine to Kyoto that had a bed in it, ya know!!
And what the hell? The two of you have been studying together all this time?!
What didn't you invite me?!
Handwritten: I'm Anijya's little brother disciple and your senpai in the study group, ain't I?!
SFX: MOKIIIH
Rei: I... I'm sorry.
I was gonna call you, but...
In Bubble: Shimada-san, he......
Nikai: Anijyaaaah! Are you okay?!
I'll be there in a minuuute!!
Shima: Stop. He'll make a huge ruckus. I might not be able to stand it and it'll really open a hole in my stomach.
Handwritten: Please don't tell Bou~~
Shima: There was one time when he flew a helicopter into the schoolyard of a nearby elementary school, you know.
SFX: BARARARA RARARARARA Uuum... Uuum... KIRI KIRI
Nikai: I would've flown out there
if I didn't have a match, so
Kiriyama, take care of Anijya for me.
And make sure you stay by his side even after the last game.
No matter what happens,
you can bet that Anijya'll play his heart out to the very end.

Page 150:
Rei: Okay, I got it.
I'll make sure I
see him all the way home.
Sign: Authorized Persons Waiting Room
Guy: President, please just...
Just for the morning broadcast.
Just for the sealed move----
It'll be okay, I'll do it right!
In Bubble: I can really do iiiiit!
Handwritten: I came in these new Japanese clothes and everythiiiing~~~~
Let me be on TV~~~~
SFX: GOHO GOHO GEHO GOHO GEHOH ZURUZURUZURU (Dragging) SUTA SUTA SUTA (Briskly)
Guy: He has the flu. Main-observer Tsujii 9-dan.
We just found out and, well, as you can see...
Pres: Everyone, rise your mouths out!! Disinfect your handssss!!
Anybody else?! If you've got the flu, speak up!
If you infect one of the competitors I'll wring your neck!

Page 151:
Guy: Er, well,
I thought he was walking with a bit of a swagger and coughing a lot since yesterday,
but I never expected that he would be hiding a cold because he wanted to be on TV...
Yeah.
The phrase 'disappointing for someone so handsome' seems quite fitting for him...
Rei: ......
SFX: UOHHON GOHO... GEHO... OHHON OHON GEOHO GOHO...
Pres: -----So, Smith, I'd like to take this opportunity to promote you from Vice-Observer to Main-Observer! ☆
Smith: J-
Just like that?
Handwritten: Okay, to the match room, GO!!!
(Smith): 10 minutes before it resumes?!
SFX: BONN BISHIIH GUHHHH EEEH???
Smith: And right before the sealed move is opened?!
You want me to do a big job like that with no practice?!
And uh~~~~~~ I'm being an observer in somebody else's match~~~~~ before my own title match?!
In Bubble: What sorta omen is that? That seems sorta really unlucky!
Pres: It's fine, it's fine, barely any of the players here have ever been in a title match, after all.
Though
I am here, I guess.
Forehead: 16th Meijin
SFX: BISHIIH
Smith (Handwritten): Ah, I can't believe I'm gonna be opening somebody else's sealed move before I make my own......
This is like using my seal as a witness to a friend's marriage license before I get married myself. ☆ Ain't it?
...No...... That's a good thing...
SFX: HARA HARA

Page 152:
Narration: ----And
the curtain on day 2
rose quietly.
Smith: Now then,
I will unseal the envelope.
The sealed move
is 6-6 Gin drop.
SFX: PASHA PASHA
Pres: Like... uh
Hey, Kiriyama.
Handwritten: C'mere, c'mere
Rei: ?
Guy: Ladies and gentlemen, starting now
we will begin the board commentary for day 2
of the 20th Shishi-Ou Championship Game 4.
SFX: PACHI PACHI PACHI WAAA WAA PACHI PACHI

Page 153:
Pres: First
explaining this big event on the big board is
Fujimoto Raidou Kiryuu!! [Kiryuu is a made up title, apparently.]
Rei: ...................
SFX: PACHI PACHI PACHI PA DOZUNN
Pres: Also at the big board doing commentary is Sahara 8-dan. And...
we had originally planned for Observer Tsujii 9-dan, but he's sick with the flu, so
we have Kiriyama Rei 5-dan.
Rei: Th-Thank you for having me.
SFX: PACHI PACHI PACHI (Applause)
Pres: As you all know, Kiriyama 5-dan
has garnered much attention for being the 5th middle school pro shogi player in history.
Though when we talk about 'middle school pros', everyone comes after Souya Meijin.
You could say he's in the process of becoming a 'Meijin', or perhaps he's 'an egg that will become a meijin in the future'. But he himself is...
Rei: Uh
Um......
I...
I'm really not all that much if you compare me to my senpai like that. Sorry.
Raidou: Truly.
On Page: So nervous he's holding it with both hands.

Page 154:
Raidou: While you may have debuted in middle school,
if you suddenly halt progress at C1 like this, it's meaningless.
I debuted in my first year of high school, but I was in B2 by the time I was his age.
To be perfectly blunt, I'm saying that 'I am superior'. [quote big/weird font]
And so what?
The world showers praise on someone just because of the words 'middle school debut'. I cannot say I agree.
Future meijin? Are you really that naive?!
Rei: ......
......
It really sticks in my craw when someone has the goal of 'becoming a pro' and when it doesn't seem like they have the goal 'to do whatever they have to do to become a meijin.'
Japanese are rather insistent that 'having no desire' is a beautiful thing,
but don't you think it's strange to say that goals are good but desire is bad? They're the same thing, aren't they? ["goal" and "desire" white/bold with shadows]
SFX: NECHI NECHI KUDO KUDO

Page 155:
Raidou: By the way, I wish to be one.
I've been hindered from achieving that goal for all this time because of that miraculous Souya-chan,
but I swear I'll drag him off his throne and become a Meijin.
Until then, I haven't the slightest intent to step down from A class!!
Handwritten: Mhmm. Mhmm...
Handwritten below frame: Regulars
Beginners
SFX: HOKKORO... Paa... Eh... POKAAAN
Raidou: ----In fact, once I do get the title, I won't be giving it back! I'll cling to it to the day I die!
SFX: KUWAHH
Raidou: That is all.
Rei: SCARYYY...
----P.S. Shimada-san...... You've been fighting every day surrounded by people like this? In a way, you're a monster by just getting through it with stomach pains.
I can't though! No way I could handle A class!!!
SFX: HAWAAAHH
Bottom: Chapter.41 E N D

Page 156:
Top Right Small: An article by Senzaki Manabu
Top Right Big: Senzaki Manabu's Lion Shogi Column
Big Right: Even Pro Shogi Players' Analyses are Surprisingly Wrong?!
Article: While doing live analyses of in-progress games is one way for shogi players to study, reporters also have the job of giving explanations. On the 4th floor of the Tokyo Shogi Association building, the game floor, there is a waiting room where players gather. And quite a few of them will be there on days when there are major matches going on. Also, when there is a title match going on in one of the halls or something, there is a spot for analysis in the corner of the room that reporters use and the observers and the players working there clap and study the game currently going on.
Okay, so there's definite value in analyzing a game live. Compared to other contests, they take an overwhelmingly long amount of time. So naturally, there is plenty of time for analysis.
The players that are at about the same skill level as those playing can rave about every little thing and since they're moving pieces as they're analyzing, the should always be correct about what's a good move and what's a spectacular move most of the time...... but that doesn't happen.
The reason for that is simple. Compared to how tense the people playing the match are, the analyzers are far more easygoing. It's a shogi battle between two people after all. No matter how much fire goes into the analysis, there's always going to be a limit.
And in the game of shogi, it goes without saying that there are many variations that can occur, making analysis hard. It happens pretty frequently where on one board, there may be 3 moves which even the person playing can't decide which among them is the right one. At times like that, the predictions frequently are wrong. No, actually all predictions made in the waiting rooms are all over the place. That's actually what normally happens.
Still, there is a need for reporters to have a unified opinion. That is generally the point of view of the highest ranking player there, but it's not uncommon for it to be the 'view of the waiting room'.
There is such a large scope of openings that the staff there, even those at amateur rank will say 'I would play it this way' and that may end up being the right move. This isn't infrequent, which makes shogi a very troubling game. At times like that people applaud the 'great amateur'.
Actually, the analysis frequently guess right during the endgame. This isn't because they're putting their heads together or anything, it's because at the game's conclusion when there are easy mates that can be made soon, when they're waiting for more moves the analysis team's predictions for how the pieces will move tend to be correct more often. And further still, it is not uncommon for the players in the match to find brilliant moves that the analysis group did not notice.