Chapter 1
Departure for Tōkyō

The lights of the platform faded as the Shinkansen surged towards Tōkyō. Takeshi watched the outlines of the buildings melt into the night, their presence recalling the ōgi pieces he had handled all his life—motionless, yet full of potential. A full moon, perfect and immaculate, ruled the ink-black sky, casting a silver veil over the passing landscape.

At this late hour, the premium carriage offered a bubble of quiet. Only the hum of the rails and the discreet breath of the air conditioning accompanied his thoughts. This solitude suited the champion. He valued these moments when the world seemed to hold itself in suspense, when each thought could unfold without constraint, like a strategy spreading across a game board.

His fingers brushed the tray table in front of him, absently sketching the moves of imaginary pieces. Tomorrow, the reality of competition would reassert itself. The spotlights, the pressure, the expectations—all of that awaited him in Tōkyō. But for now, lulled by the rhythm of the train, Takeshi let himself be absorbed by the dancing shadows of the rice fields and the sleeping forests.

The air seemed different tonight, denser, almost palpable. Perhaps it was fatigue, or simply that abnormally bright moon turning the everyday into something more... singular. Takeshi shook his head slightly, dismissing these thoughts. A champion must not let himself be distracted by such reveries, least of all on the eve of a major tournament.