Chihaya is a girl in the sixth grade, still not old enough to even know the meaning of the word zeal. But one day, she meets Arata, a transfer student from rural Fukui prefecture. Though docile and quiet, he has an unexpected skill: his ability to play competitive karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.Chihaya is struck by his obsession with the game, along with his ability to pick out the right card and swipe it away before any of his opponents. However, Arata is transfixed by her as well, all because of her unbelievable natural talent for the game. Don't miss this story of adolescent lives and emotions playing out in the most dramatic of ways!
The finals tournament of the National Team Tournament, where a loss means you're out. Chihaya and the rest of the Mizusawa High team have made it out of the preliminary block stages, and they now face Akaishi First Girls' High School, who has the skills of Megumu Ousaka, the West Japan representative who many hope will become a candidate for Queen. Two strong wills collide in the close battle between Chihaya and Megumu, but the other members of Mizusawa are having a tough time gaining momentum. The 5-on-5 match is becoming a struggle where each member naturally begins to give everything they have. Some will win, and others will lose! Who will be the first to get three wins and advance themselves to the team tournament finals?!