Seeing Rei being able to express himself, just emoting as much as he does, tugs at my heartstrings in the happiest way :')
If I can remember correctly, wasn't the "ticket" that takes him anywhere the "shogi train ticket" metaphor? If it's melting and disappearing from his hands, and he no longer wants to "go," is this hinting at Rei moving away from shogi?? I know there's been stuff discussing the possibility before (Hayashida saying Rei has never said he wants to become a grandmaster/etc.) that hasn't led one way or the other, but I can't tell if the story is wrapping up or if we're just leading into a new arc of "Rei Figuring Out What He Wants To Do With His Life."