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 team tournament at the High School Karuta Championships. Chihaya and the rest of Mizusawa High faces off against the elite squad and frequent title holder that is Fujisaki High. Each of their players is forced into a difficult battle where they feel the difference in skill between them and their opponent. Chihaya is paired up against Rion, who like Chihaya has a strong "feel" for the game. Chihaya knows that she cannot allow Rion to build any more of a lead and launches a daring attack in order to force the momentum back on her side. But just as she leaps for a card, a sharp pain runs through her finger. How will Chihaya get out of this predicament...? In Volume 15, Taichi's bout holds the key to everyone's fate.