A story about being a sore loser in Shogi.

I have a second son who loves Shogi.

He just started first grade this spring. Even so, he can sit properly in front of the board and play for two hours straight.

At first, I used to go easy on him. I would make mistakes on purpose and lose on purpose. I loved seeing the look of joy on my son's face when he shouted, 'Yay!'

But then, at some point.

I stopped being able to win.

I think seriously, I play seriously, and yet I still lose.

'Mom, that's wrong.'

It's not 'wrong.' I know. I know, but I have no other moves!

And the other day, I won for the first time in a while.

I instinctively pumped my fist in the air.

A genuine fist pump, against a first grader.

'That's so childish,' the thought crossed my mind. But my hand was already in the air.

I suddenly wonder. I think I've played Shogi with my son over 400 times now. But out of those 400 times, my recent win rate is probably less than 30 percent.

And just for the record, this is my win rate without any handicap (in fact, I often have him play with a rook and bishop handicap). It's sad...

I am writing this on the final day of the #400note festival. I am sitting at my PC now, taking a breather while looking at notes I scribbled in the kitchen, where the calls of 'Let's play Shogi!' were ringing out loudly toward my back while I was making dinner.

A mother who has played Shogi 400 times is sliding in just in time to participate.

My son, having finished dinner, says, 'Let's play next.'

Wait a second. Let me post this first.

I am grateful to everyone I met today.

Sharing.