March Comes in Like a Lion (3月のライオン 前編)

Ladies and Gentlemen, please bid farewell to them now.

I heard they got hit by a drunk truck driver.

Just when he finally quit shogi and inherited the hospital.

The in-laws will take care of the hospital. The problem is the child.

The younger sister won't take care of him?

No way.

She's definitely not able to do that.

We will now lay them to rest.

Do you

like shogi?

Yes.

Next stop, Sendagaya. Sendagaya.

The exit is on the right.

The next station is Sendagaya...

In the 73rd Meijin championship

the resumption of the 7th game is about to begin.

The venue of the match is the Shoshazan Engyoji temple located at Himeji, Hyogo.

In the Jogyodo, which is regarded as a cultural asset of the country,

the Meijin (titleholder of the Meijin league), Soya Toji, is appearing right now.

The sealed move is Pawn 3-4.

- Pawn 3-4. - Yes, yes.

Whoa, scary.

Goto-san stares like a yakuza.

If Soya-meijin wins, it would be his 5th consecutive win and the 11th time he defends the title.

Will Goto-9-dan gather momentum and break this stronghold?

Let's observe the decisive game.

Are you doing fine, Rei?

It's pretty hot.

Even though it's not the rainy season yet.

Then, let's begin.

There's nothing I could move anymore.

I resign.

Soya-meijin will win.

The game is over. Kiriyama-5-dan wins.

The son wins against the father, huh?

I thought Koda-san would qualify for the final again after a long time.

Who had expected that his son would win against him.

If it was his real son, he would be satisfied.

Are you eating properly?

Yes.

You left home so suddenly.

Kyoko and Ayumu are worried about you.

That's a lie.

And now the news.

A self-employed man was killed in Nishihama, Saitama.

The police arrested the eldest son of the victim, a 17 year old high school student,

under suspect of murder.

According to the police

there is no doubt that he did it

and the suspect admitted the charges.

In addition, in the course of the investigation the murder weapon...

I resign.

According to the police...

The police have identified the murder weapon and the cause of death.

They say it seems there was a strong murderous intent.

They are now investigating the motive and the course of events.

The next news.

In Himeji, Hyogo,

the 7th game of the 73rd Meijin Shogi championship was played.

This is Soya-meijin's 11th time to defend the title.

Sorry about that.

So you're eating your meal on the rooftop again, Kiriyama-5-dan.

Are the game fees of professional shogi players transfered via bank account?

Yes.

You win quite often these days so you play many games, huh?

Well...

I don't want to think about it, but

could you have a higher monthly income than me?

It pisses me off.

Even though you don't have any friends.

You don't have to tell me that.

- 4 consecutive defeats? - Yeah, 4 defeats in a row.

Koda-san might be demoted next term.

It must have been a shock to lose against his son.

Good work. I'll be off.

Kiriyama!

Hello.

Accompany us tonight, okay? A special celebration. I'll treat you.

Ah, no. I have to...

If Matsumoto-kun treats you, the end of the world might be near.

So let him treat you for today.

Shut up!

Chairman!

Here they are, here they are.

Youngsters!

Oh, you finally came. Sit, sit down.

Welcome. Welcome.

Pleased to meet you. Please sit down.

This is Kiriyama.

It's been awhile since you came here.

I've been waiting for you. What do you want to drink?

What should we drink?

I'm a minor so I'll have some juice.

Okay, juice please.

Mama, Mama, Mama!

Please make him a man!

I think he's already a good man.

Look, he's crying, isn't he?

Matsumoto, come here for a moment.

Could it be he lost?

No, no, no. He won against his master.

Oh wow! That's amazing!

Thanks to that, his master missed the final and he feels guilty now.

So what? That's what matchplay is, right?

Of course, it's as you say.

But before that, well...

Before he became his master, he was the foster father who raised him.

Oh my. Is that so?

Well, such things happen.

Hey! Wait, wait, wait!

Geez. You're still a minor. You can't drink alcohol.

Are you okay?

If they make you drink, they should have taken care of you till the end.

What is it?

Father, I'm sorry...

What?

Father...

He's come back to life!

Where am I?

He's come back to life!

- He's awake? - Yeah.

Where am I?

Ow, ow.

You're in March town. It is across your condo at the other side of the river.

Good morning, Kiriyama Rei-kun.

Huh? Why do you know my name?

You told me last night. Don't you remember?

You were in a bad condition yesterday.

- Right? - Right?

Thank you.

Oh no! I overslept!

Good morning, Kiriyama Rei-kun. It's good that you look better now.

Sis, do you know where my newly washed gym uniform is?

It's by the couch.

I properly woke you up, didn't I?

Can you feed the cats?

In those red bowls.

Also, your clothes are there.

Don't worry. I was the one who changed your clothes.

I'm the only one who saw it.

- Hina! - Yes!

Momo will be late for nursery school so we'll be off!

- Take care! - We're off!

See you!

Momo, let's go.

Thanks for the food.

Ah, geez! I wonder why I always fall into sleep again.

Kiriyama-kun, aren't you going to eat?

I still don't feel well.

I see. Of course you are.

And I should leave too now.

Mom, I'm off.

I have to hurry.

I have to be in school on time.

- What? - Here's the house key.

Make sure to close the door when you leave. Thank you.

What? What? If I have it, none of you can reenter.

Don't worry. We'll get in somehow.

Please leave the key at the "Crescent Hall".

The Crescent Hall is opposite the "Moon Hot Springs". There's a smokestack so you'll know right away.

Bye! I have morning practice.

Wait a moment!

I'm off!

Hey, what's that? Wow!

How many meters is it long?

It's the first time I see one.

Kiriyama!

I have important news for you. Come out quickly!

I repeat!

Kiriyama!

Kiriyama!

I have important news for you. Come out now!

Hello...

It's from the Japan Shogi Association.

The pairings of the upcoming Newcomer tournament have been announced.

Kiriyama, accept it from my hand.

Okay, okay. I'll accept it, I'll accept it.

Just be quiet and leave.

Why are you so angry?

You have changed your phone number without telling me.

That's why.

It's all your fault!

No, that's wrong.

Kiriyama-sama. Please get on the car.

What? Huh?

Come on and get in.

It's a housewarming gift even if it's a bit late.

This is from Siberia, and this is from Ukraine.

I thought I should let you choose which texture you prefer.

It seems I can't exchange the Bishop in the next move.

You can just move the Rook.

But I'm a Static Rook player.

But why are you all sweaty when you only move light shogi pieces.

Unlike you, I'm a hard working player.

Like this.

By the way, Kiriyama. In the upcoming Newcomer tournament,

you are in block A. I'm in block B.

In other words, if we meet in the final, we'll be a legend.

What is it so suddenly?

I forgot the key!