"BAM! Read them and weep!"

Ren blinked as Ryuji slapped some magazines right on top of the shogi board before he even set up the pieces. Looking over them, all of them did look like official publications. No offense to his friend, but his calling card design certainly left something to be desired. Maybe they should try and make it a team effort next time, at least to help make a more eloquent message for next time.

In the meanwhile, Ren spotted one particular magazine of interest and picked it up, opening it up and looking at the page. "Well, I certainly see something…"

Ryuji nodded. "Yeah, what did I- wait a minute."

Recognizing the magazine that was in Ren's hands, Ryuji immediately snatched it out of them and stuffed it back in his bag. Silence lingered between the two, red growing on Ryuji's face and a smirk on Ren's.

"So… the Track Princess, huh?" "SHUT IT!"

"Okay, okay…" Holding up his hands to show that he was letting go of the subject, Ren looked at the rest of the magazines that were actually shogi related. Picking one up that had Ryuji's face on a corner of the cover page, Ren opened it up and began to read the article.

After defeating his opponent, 1st Kyu Eichi Kurosaki, for the opportunity to play against Ninth Dan Isamu, 1st kyu Ryuji Sakamoto had this to say: "Yeah, Eichi was pretty good, but then he had to embarrass himself by refusing to shake afterwards. Look man, you really feel that bad after losing to me? Let me tell him something, if he wants to do something about it, then he could go ahead, get better, and come find me again.

Ren looked up at Ryuji. "This Eichi guy, was he really that bad?"

Ryuji blew some air through his lips. "Yeah, he's one of those elitist pricks. Takes one look at me and already decides that he is better than me just because he's got his natural hair color. Made me want to wipe that cocky look right off his face."

He then grinned just a little maliciously. "Then I whooped his ass. Oh man, you could tell then that he wanted to cry like a baby just because I outplayed him. Heh, what a baby."

Ren nodded. "Hearing it from you, certainly sounds like he was. In the end, what does it matter what your opponent looks like? He's here to win just like you."

Ryuji grinned. "YEAH! You took the words right out of my mouth!"

Smiling, Ren looked back down at the magazines and started to page through them again, looking at the various interviews inside that Ryuji gave. As he looked through, he began to notice something about Ryuji's answers.

Q: Do you have anyone special in your life?

A: What, don't you have something better to ask? I thought this is supposed to be a shogi piece, not a gossip rag. Besides, even if I did, why should I tell you? Just because you asked me to, no thanks?

Q: Some of your past opponents have gone on record, calling your behavior 'immature and juvenile.' How do you respond to those comments?

A: Easy, let me recommend this drink to them. I drink it every day before a match, it's called 'git gud.'

Q: One of your critics of your behavior is one of your teachers, Mr. Suguru Kamoshida. Does it get awkward during his classes?

A: ...I'd go ahead and do this.

Ren whistled as he saw the picture that went along. "Wow, you were a real badass during these interviews. You weren't scared about the negativity?"

Ryuji leaned back as he considered something. "Well, maybe if they stop asking for interviews and paying me for my time, then maybe I'd consider it. It's like… I remember watching this thing on tv about that really famous boxer guy. It's on the top of my tongue, starts with an M…"

"Muhammad Ali?"

"Yeah, that guy. He was talking about this one wrestler guy from America…" "I don't follow American Pro Wrestling. Go Ace btw." "Go Ace. Point is, that wrestler told him something that I'm just following, people will pay to see someone shut your mouth."

Ren smiled. "Words to live by."

Ryuji smiled back. "Right?"