While Ai is the primary disciple, she faces significant competition for Yaichi's attention:
: Their relationship begins when 9-year-old Ai approaches Yaichi to fulfill a forgotten promise he made to become her master. Despite initial reluctance, Yaichi is stunned by her aggressive and deep-reading shogi talent. While Ai is the primary disciple, she faces
: Yaichi’s senior apprentice and childhood friend. In Volume 11 of the light novel, Ginko and Yaichi officially become lovers after he confesses his feelings to her. While Ai is the primary disciple