Chapter 5
The Marriage of Games

She suddenly stood up, breaking the quiet of the moment. With a gesture, she pointed me to a free chess table.

Forgive my curiosity, I said as I rose, but hadn't you mentioned shōgi?

What if we played all the same? she replied with that smile that was beginning to feel familiar.

We sat down facing each other. I offered her the white pieces with a courteous gesture. She accepted with a nod.

That was when she did something unexpected. Her fingers began to remove the white pieces one by one. The queen was the last. She held it between her fingers for a moment, then stood it at the edge of the chessboard, apart from the others. I frowned, intrigued.

From her sleeve she drew a small embroidered pouch and emptied out its contents: shōgi pieces of lacquered wood, with engraved characters.

You are mixing the two games? I asked, fascinated in spite of my perplexity.

She methodically set out her pieces on the first three ranks. Lances, knights, silver generals... and, beside the king, a single gold general.

Should I adapt my game? I asked.

That is not necessary. Keep your pieces, please.

I contemplated the transformed chessboard. This woman had just created something unique before my eyes. A hybrid between two worlds.