Rei realizes, too late, that he underestimated Shimada’s skills. He is stuck in the middle of a match that is going badly, and can’t make a comeback. Overcome with embarrassment and confusion, a shaken Rei manages to play to the end thanks to Shimada’s subtle messages. After the match is over, Rei flees in shame from the shogi hall. Shimada watches him go and, recalling the words of his young disciple, Nikaidou, thinks about inviting Rei to join his shogi workshop.
14
