Okay since this episode was basically all shougi and I’m pressed on time so I’m going to write a shorter summary than usual. This episode starts off with Shion tearing up as she finally recognizes Ayumi as the guy that saved her earlier. Everyone outside wonders WTF is going on when they seem to stop for awhile. Finally Ayumi and Shion resume playing.

Shion pulls off some new moves that shock everyone and piss off Ayumi. Well actually, she’s just imitating Ayumi’s moves which is rather unusual from her usual manipulative style. The audience believes that Shion is up to something and Hani-meiji (who just dropped by) speculates that Shion is doing this so that Ayumi can’t use her regular style of shougi. Shion once again mentions that she has that desire to win beating in her heart.

Ayumi suddenly breaks the casual exchange of moves with a much more agressive one. Hani-meiji comments that “It’s a sudden love letter. What will the little lady do?” Shion responds with another unusual move. The fellow apprentice that babysits Shion (forgot his name) comments that it’s not a bad move and it’s Shion shougi. Hani-meiji puts his arm around him and tells him that Shion will probably surpass him soon and that he should quickly take Shion home or to the hopsital after the match. But Hani wants to watch the match first as Ayumi notes to himself that this is the first time he’s remembered how much fun shougi is.

As such, Ayumi continues to pull off another agressive move. Everyone thinks Shion is screwed shit when she responds with a rather weak move that Ayumi can easily attack. The babysitter comments that it’s a Shion-like move and Hani says that’s exactly why it sucks. Shion’s shougi is one that avoids conflict but the point of shougi is to kill the king. But all of a sudden, when it looks like Shion’s gone she manages to “check” Ayumi’s king. The tables turn and now Shion is at an advantage. Ayumi is in a major pinch but he is able to play a “terribly good” move that kills Shion’s pieces. Ayumi observes that the king is crying and looks to see that it’s actually Shion. Shion forfieted the match.

Everyone sees Shion cry after the match. Hani-meiji asks Ayumi if it was instinct that made her play that move and Ayumi answeres that it was. Hani-meiji tells her that’s a gift from the heavens much to the shock of Saori. After everyone leaves, Ayumi asks Shion if she calmed down. Shion says she has, thanks Ayumi for saving her, and tells Ayumi that she won’t lose next time before passing out.

Impressions: Well yeah, this was all shougi and I’m not an expert so I can’t say too much. However, I do give further props for Shion playing in the state that she is. I hope she’s okay though. I know she has a main character shield but that’d suck if she endagers her own health up to a point where the effects are lifelong.

This episode also distinguishes how much farther Ayumi is from Shion. Shion’s a child genius and she’s wonderful at shougi but Ayumi is even better. I forgot to mention this in the summary but Hani-meiji also comments that Ayumi’s shougi is almost like a man’s shougi. OH THE IRONY :P.

Oh and I should probably mention this is where the manga scanlations stop so that’s the end of my knowledge. From here on out, it’s all new to me. I need to get the manga but I think my kanji is pretty much nonexistent except for numbers so I may need to wait for a few years…

Coming up next week: OMG Shion’s being rushed into ER or something O____O. Oh and Ayumi and Saori play against each other.

Tags: Shion no Ou

Category: Episode Synopsis

I believe myself~