Ep. 21: Taichi and Chihaya compete in separate tournaments while Arata faces Suou

Taichi participates in the Takamatsu Memorial Cup, whereas Chihaya and her friends attend the New Year's Karuta Tournament in Tokyo. Tsukuba declares his ambition to win the C class tournament and succeed as the next Mizusawa Karuta Club president. At the same venue, Retro and other Hokuo members compete, but Retro loses the Class B final to Midori Tamaru. Chihaya advances to the Class A final against Sudo. Meanwhile, Taichi encounters Arata at Oumi Jinguu, who claims Chihaya is absent. The two rivals meet in the top eight, expressing their feelings for Chihaya through the Chihayafuru card. Suou returns to claim the winner's trophy and observes the competitors, pondering who will challenge him in one year. Ultimately, Chihaya defeats Sudo, while Arata becomes the runner-up after losing to Murao in the final. Suou and Taichi then return to Tokyo together by bullet train.

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