So many great moments in these two volumes! Ukaku and Rin's relationship is great, the bit where Rin "died" and saw Sumino having to go beyond a kiss. And of course Ukeshi and Sugata's relationship. I was pretty excited to see that Rin didn't get killed off, too, it would've been really upsetting for her to lose to pros after we just saw a shinkenshi beat a meijin.
Speaking of that plot point, I wonder how big shogi fans in Japan would like this manga. Would that be a step too far for them?