p1 As always, thank you for the instructional game, Sakura-chan! Don't mention it! After all, it's thanks to you that we can hold our tournaments, Mr. Sponsor! Shogi professionals will sometimes act as instructors for the corporations that sponsor their tournaments. You're such a nice girl, Sakura-chan... If only my grandson could also find a *partner* as good as you... ...Huh? p2 Home 72: What is a "good partner"? -Sakura's situation- *Shiver* *Shiver* A few days later... He seemed so desperate when he made that request... I just couldn't turn him down... Please! I haven't got too much life left in me! Won't you go out on a date with my grandson!? Huh...? Sidebar: Sakura is waiting for... Yuu's "good partner" remark has thrown the three Mikadono sisters into total confusion, What IS a "good partner"!? and meanwhile, Yaotome Sakura was facing a date with a partner candidate of her own. I haven't even met him before! But it's the sponsor's grandson! Aah...! p3 And lastly, following her from the rear... Aah...! I'm so nervous, I feel like I'm going to vomit...! *Shiver* *Shiver* Yaotome-san is going on a date!? I mean, you know how clumsy Sakura is. I'm kinda worried... But, I've got an important game on that day... Yuu-kun! Look after Sakura in my place, okay!? ...Am I really the right person for this, Miwa-san...? Just as clumsy Sorry for making you wait. p4 You're the girl grandpa was talking about, right? Uooooh! A tall, handsome guy... He's like a prince from a shojo manga...! I-I'm Yaotome Sakura! I'll be in your care today! p5 Ah! Nooo! Sh-shall we go? Yaotome-san... She's as clumsy as ever...! I'm sure I saw them go in that store... *Rustle* p6 There you go! Nice and clean again! B-but... Giving me an expensive dress like this... Don't worry about it. I've got plenty of cash. Th- The world of shojo manga is coming to life right in front of my eyes...! Eek! Walk a bit closer to me. p7 ...It's like I'm looking at Kazuki-san! He's following up every opportunity perfectly! He really is a prince...! Looking at them, they seem to be getting along just fine even without my help... Haha... You really are an ideal woman, Sakura-san. You're small, delicate, and you naturally make me want to protect you. p8 It's as if you're a princess, don't you think? ...A princess, huh... W-well... You're still in high school, if I'm not wrong? A-ah, yes. It's in 〇〇 ward... Oh dear... *That* place? Hrm? You won't have much chance getting into good school from *there*. Oh, but maybe you're more concerned about finding work? I hear you've got money troubles. ...He's the sponsor's grandson... He's the sponsor's grandson...! p9 You don't have to worry about money. I can take care of you. Ah, That reminds me... Sakura-san, You're good at shogi, right? *Female shogi professional I... I don't know if I'd phrase it *quite* like that... My grandpa really loves shogi, you know? I'm not too familiar with it myself, though. From what I recall, they say that women can't really beat men at shogi, right? That's... p10 There's this other girl called... Err... Who was it? ...Something-something Miwa, I think? Grandpa supports her, as well... But really, she really should stop wasting her effort. It's best for girls to just quietly sit back and let others take care of things for them. ...Huh? p11 What the...!? Y- YUU!? What going on? A crazy fan or something...? Th-the hell do you think you're doing, you shrimp!? "Delicate"? "Makes you want to protect her"? Sure, being a princess might be nice as well... p12 But these girls... They're noble, strong, and fiercely battling professional warriors! They don't have to depend on someone like you for protection. They can fight their own battles! ...Huh? Warriors? What are you going on ab- Please, get on my back. ...Huh!? Note: In Japanese, this is a wordplay between "shogi professional" and "knight", both pronounced "kishi". p13 H-hey, wait a... Sign: Park *Wheeze...* *Wheeze...* ...Running while carrying someone else... Really is too much for me, after all... p14 Just because Miwa asked you... What on earth were you thinking!? Yuu! Why would you barge in like that!? I'm... I'm sorry... *Pat pat* My feet... And this shirt, too... You really pay attention to everything, don't you. Well, I noticed that you started walking kind of awkwardly along the way, Yaotome-san, and they said that we'd be dropping down to early spring temperatures today... p15 ...Thank you, Yuu. It's just like you said. We're professionals. We don't need any princes riding on their white horses. p16 p17 I'll keep moving forward with my own power. I'll have to pay them back for these clothes later... If only he could find a partner as good as Sakura-chan... Still... "Good partner", huh... You're searching for a partner too, right, Yuu? I heard about it from Miwa. p18 Oh, yeah... It's just something my mom asked me to do, really... Hmmm. ...A "good partner"... I wonder what kind of person that means... No matter how good-looking they are, or how much money they have, or how much talent they've been blessed with... Those things don't mean they'll be a good partner. No... There's definitely something that's more important.. p19 ...You really are hopeless, Yuu! ...Huh? You won't even have to go searching for it... A "good partner" is something that you'll find... Much closer than you realize! p20 ...Close, you say... That's right! Although... ...Could it be... That I'm also...? ...No, what the heck am I thinking!? Stupid!! Bottom: The killer pass that Sakura served at Yuu... Seems to have bounced right back into her own face. Next time, Yuu faces a matter of great importance...? p21 p22 p23 p24 p25 p26 p27 p28 p29 p30 p31 p32 p33 p34 p35 p36 p37 p38 p39 p40