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!
Shinobu Wakamiya, the reigning Queen, leaves a mark on Chihaya with her unbelievable strength. Everyone is struck by the way Chihaya throws herself back into practice, in search of greater heights. She has to become even faster, even sharper. The next official tournament the club enters, its members all begin working toward the goals they've set for themselves. But in the first round, Chihaya goes up against an opponent who discovers a surprising weakness in her game... In the process, she discovers she competes against one thing, and one thing only—her heart.