Shukichi Haneda, a 28-year-old professional shogi player, dominates the shogi world under the moniker “Taiko Meijin”—a title honoring both his mastery of the game and the kanji in his name, echoing the legendary Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As the middle child of the Akai family, he bridges the dynamic between his older brother, Shuichi Akai, and younger sister, Masumi Sera. His tousled dark brown hair and habitual glasses, discarded only during matches or interviews, contrast with his siblings’ maternal resemblance, favoring instead his father’s features. Formerly Shukichi Akai, he adopted the surname Haneda, likely paying homage to the late shogi prodigy Koji Haneda. Driven by a vow to claim all seven major shogi titles and win the approval of his then-girlfriend Yumi Miyamoto, he earned the Meijin title. Though their romance dissolved after Yumi severed ties, his resolve to conquer the titles endured, cementing his legacy. His bond with Yumi sparked on a train when drowsiness led him to rest his head on her shoulder. He later entrusted her with a sealed marriage registration form, pledging she’d open it upon his seventh victory. Despite their separation, her ghost lingers in his matches, fueling his strategic precision. Shukichi maintains tight familial bonds, frequently collaborating with Masumi on cases via phone and earning Shuichi’s steadfast support. His buoyant, occasionally childlike charm masks a razor-sharp mind; he boasts unrivaled memorization skills and a detective’s knack for unraveling mysteries, from decoding suicide notes to exposing culprits. Patience and tenacity anchor his shogi conquests, while Yumi’s unresolved influence weaves through his ambitions. A blend of competitive fire and emotional loyalty, Shukichi navigates life as both a cerebral tactician and a man tethered to the past.