Ep. 2: Chrono recruits Taiyou and attempts to teach Kazuma Shouji Vanguard rules.

2

To qualify for the U20 Championship, Chrono must assemble a team by recruiting two additional fighters. He successfully enlists Taiyou but still requires a third member. At a card shop, Chrono encounters Kazuma Shouji, an apathetic Harumi High School student who formerly played Vanguard. Kazuma asks Chrono to review the game's rules, leading to a teaching match. Although Kazuma appears disengaged during the lesson, he shows interest when given the opportunity to stride. However, he abruptly quits when Chrono attempts to secure a win on the next turn, convinced he has already lost. Chrono urges him to never surrender until the end and to trust in his potential, demonstrating a heal trigger that could have kept Kazuma in the game. Kazuma reacts defensively when Chrono touches his cards and departs, leaving Chrono puzzled by his behavior.