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 and Taichi make a vow to one another, believing that it will allow them to meet Taichi once again: We'll get stronger, and then we'll wait for him. They soon find themselves with new friends, drawn to their passion, and together, they make the Mizusawa High School Karuta Club a reality! In order to make it to the national tournament's team competition, they first enter the Tokyo qualifiers. Will they be able to make it through this tournament teeming with veteran schools? Watch as the team shows the strength of their devotion to competitive karuta in volume 3 of Chihayafuru!