It's something a bit different, but I don't blame you guys for thinking that... Though you could argue they both have something special about them that makes them far more attentive of details than your average player, as if they have 'instincts' for Shogi.
Also, Umino-sensei's Omake at the end reminds me of how my ex would play with my ponytail, both when I was merely friends with her before we became a couple, and during our relationship. She was a funny woman.