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!
It's now the semifinals for the East Japan Master and Queen Match preliminaries. Chihaya and Taichi find themselves in intense matches as Chihaya faces Rion Yamashiro from the powerhouse that is Fujisaki, while Taichi faces Sudo. After a string of misfortune, they find themselves at a disadvantage, but Harada-sensei's decision to let them know that Arata has made it through the West Japan preliminary reminds them of how they play karuta. Chihaya begins to focus like never before, this being her final chance. It's time to make destiny into a reality in a battle where every card matters!