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!
Chihaya, Arata, and Taichi go to compete in a team tournament, their last chance to do so as elementary school students. Beyond it is their graduation ceremony, both a fork in the road and a lesson in how painful endings can be. Chihaya goes on to high school, but continues to be weighed down by her emotions. She knows that while she and her two friends are apart, they all still share the same passion for karuta. But when she calls Arata to tell him about her latest karuta promotion, he tells her something unbelievable. Chihaya is sure that karuta connects her to her friends, but is it really true? Find out in volume 2 of Chihayafuru!