Synopsis

Chihaya fell to Yumi by a margin of four cards. The defeat stung, yet observing Dr. Harada and Tsuboguchi in fervent play brought a stark realization: she had much further to go. Elsewhere, Arata’s run ended in the fourth round of the West qualifier. He carried a regret for time spent away from karuta, and now practices with renewed intensity to bridge the gap. For both of them, the experience is a catalyst, propelling them toward the next stage of their growth.