All language subtitles for Chihayafuru.Part3.2018_English

Please...

Nobody breathe...

[ Original Work - Yuki Suetsugu ]

[ Ogura Hundred Poems Karuta
Meijin and Queen Final Tournament ]

[ Director / Script - Norihiro Koizumi ]

Wakamiya Queen doesn't make an opening to her opponent, Io Wagatsuma.

We have here Mr Ise, who have guided Wakamiya Queen.

What do you feel about this match so far?

Well, I think she has provoked the Queen.

In the last match, Wagatsuma

has caught up with only two card difference.

Her skills are there, and I may add that she's just one step behind.

Ms Wagatsuma has splendidly won the challenging deciding match

against Ms Chihaya Ayase, that she's given the right to play against the Queen.

And the one who's currently assigned to display the cards is that Ms Ayase.

~While all through the frosty night
I hear a cricket's lonely sound. ~

~ Though he forsook me,
For myself I do not care: ~

Ms Wagatsuma got the card.

Let's watch in slow motion.

Looks like the card came from the Meijin match.

It just means that there was someone faster than the Queen who took the card from behind.

Well, there is only one person in the world who can do that.

Having been the Meijin for four consecutive times,

Hisashi Suo Meijin is currently being threatened to be an Eternal Meijin.

He's currently in his 7th year as a university student.

He's still going to repeat his university studies this year.

It would have been better if he didn't repeated that part of him.

~ And, into my round rush-hut,
Enters autumn's roaming breeze. ~

~ Meeting on the path: ~

~ But I cannot clearly know
If it was he, ~

Isn't it against the rules to lay a hand to the cards before it's being read?

But he got the right card.

He recognized the sound in the instant the card is being read.

Even though the ability to distinguish the sound in competitive karuta

is called "intuition",

probably in the current karuta world, Suo Meijin

possesses the ability to have the best "intuition" in this sport.

How vulgar!

I know, right.

Hey, Ayase.

Pay attention.

Ah, I'm sorry.

If you've taken interest in karuta,

and you want to learn more about it,

my autobiography is currently on sale with great reviews...

Ah!

Ah...

In this moment, the fifth consecutive win for Suo Meijin has been decided!

And now, even in the Queen match, Wakamiya Queen

has accomplished three consecutive wins as she splendidly made her challenger withdraw.

Shinobu...

Congratulations! Please tell us what you feel right now.

Sir Harada, let's hurry and go to the waiting room.

How pathetic that I couldn't even move my hands nor feet.

- Please.
- Okay.

As you've now become the fifth Eternal Meijin in history, please tell us what you feel right now.

Ah, um, I'm sorry.

Please tell us what you feel again.

It's no big deal.

Ah, I see...

Ah, then, who would you like to dedicate what you feel right now?

Ah, Sir Harada!

Is your knee injury okay?

Ah, Meat Bun.

Where are his slippers?

He doesn't have one.

I thought once again I'm still far inexperienced.

Congratulations, Shinobu.

Who might you be?

Huh?

Please tell us your aspirations for next year.

You've announced before that you intend to retire after you've become an Eternal Meijin.

Haven't you changed your mind about it?

Well, there's no meaning to get stronger at this point.

I already thought of quitting.

Is that your final decision?

- Meijin!
- Please hold on.

Glasses, Glasses. He's currently being interviewed.

Mr Suo!

Glasses, please! I'm sorry, please excuse him.

Meijin! Please don't quit!

Please stay as a Meijin!

Meijin!

Shinobu!

Play karuta with me next year for sure at this place!

I will avenge Sir Harada!

Then one more year as an extra.

Your final words please.

Ow!

- Ah, Tsuboguchi!
- Yes?!

I'm sorry but I forgot my cushion.

- Ah, I'll go get it.
- Cushion?

Ah, thank you.

- I'll go get some water.
- Okay, thank you.

Arata.

Chihaya...

Actually...

I have another thing I want to do this year.

Huh?

I want to make a karuta club.

I want to play against your team here at Omi Jingu.

That sounds great!

Ah, yeah.

That would mean all three of us would be able to play karuta together again!

Ah, then that means the next time we'll see each other,

we'll be rivals.

True.

Mizusawa won't lose, you know.

Hm?

I love you, Chihaya.

Hm?

Chi-Chihaya...

Ah.

[ Club Activities Introduction
Club Activities Orientation for New Students ]

We're counting on you, Mashima, Ayase.

Or the club would be disbanded.

Yeah, I know.

What did you just say, Desk?

I said, "We're counting on you, Ayase".

No, no, before that! Wait, wait. Hm? After that.

Club would be disbanded?

The karuta club will close?

Well, nobody became a new member last year.

If there are no new members this year, and all of us would have already graduated next year,

there would be zero members.

No! That can't possibly happen!

Okay. We have to get new members this year no matter what.

Even if by force!

- No, that's too much.
- Hey, Kana.

I think it's better to show how taking karuta is after all.

No! Have you forgotten?

Don't you remember the faces of the new freshmen when you demonstrated how you really played karuta during the club activities introduction?

No! No! No! No! Nooo!

Kana, don't say that! Meat Bun has been traumatized with that!

For now, you and Captain, who can make major impressions with the way you look, should show the facade

and make the freshmen get interested, is the first priority.

And the rest would be later.

Okay, got it.

Then, guys!

Let's do that again!

Okay, let's go. Let's go, let's go. Okay.

Okay!

Mi-zu-sa...

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Ah, it should be me. Sorry. Once more.

What?

Mi-zu-sa-wa!

Fight!

I like his face but he's short.

He's okay just as a friend, less than a boyfriend.

Surprisingly, there's none who can be a candidate for a boyfriend.

Hey, Sumire, have you found any nice guys?

Whoa.

She's so into it.

Inada of the soccer club has 1.5 stars.

He seems cool at first but it's just his presence.

So you're really affected that your ex cheated on you.

Oh my.

Oh my.

He looks so handsome.

There?

We're from the karuta club.

Competitive karuta is a sport where a player should get

the read card faster than his opponent.

Doesn't Mashima act strangely lately? There was that awhile ago too.

Do you know anything, Kana?

Huh? No, I know nothing. Nothing at all.

It's probably pressure from his parents.

What's that?

We have entrance exams this year, you know.

Even if his grades drop a little,

he might be forced to quit karuta club immediately.

Ah, I heard about that.

That's why, I beg you, Desk.

Stay always being second.

Whatever I do, I can't beat Mashima anyway.

Hm?

Even though he's that serious in karuta, he still remains being the best in our year.

He's probably working very hard behind the scenes.

Oooh! So cute!

May it be boys or girls...

Wow! She's so cute!

Oh, oh, oh! That sounds great!

We've placed third in the nationals last year.

It is our aim to win the nationals in team competition this year.

Freshmen, would you aim to go to the holy ground of competitive karuta,

Omi Jingu, located in Shiga Prefecture, with us?

Um, the club members are all five of us in third year.

Even if you're a beginner, if you work hard, you can be a member of team competitions

and would be able to participate in tournaments.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

Oh my! He's so handsome!

Alright!

We did it, Kana!

Yes! This is great!

If it would be hard for the people in the back to see,

we don't mind that you would be crammed together.

Okay, okay. We will now start explaining how to play in competitive karuta.

Um, the match would be one on one.

There would be 25 cards randomly selected from 100 cards.

And the cards would be lined up like this in each other's territory.

Once the opening verse is read,

the players will have to get the corresponding ending verse.

It's that simple. Okay, to start...

We'll play.

~ Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms, but for winter. ~

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

~ To Nara's brook comes ~

- Okay!
- What?! What?!

I got it.

Ah! She got it!

When you got a card from your opponent's territory,

it's called "sending card" and you will pass a card from your own

territory to your opponent's. Repeat this proces

and the player who has no more cards left in their territory wins.

What? Just how would you be able to get that?

I can't tell!

Wasn't it too fast?

Since there are only 100 cards in karuta, once you get used to it,

you'll be able to know what card you should get

only by hearing the first few syllables of the card.

Oh, wow!

Ah, there are these called "unique syllables",

that there are one to six syllables in those cards.

Oh...

What? All of those?

- Yes!
- Ah, I see!

Then, is there anyone who has any questions?!

- I have one!
- Go ahead!

Are you, Ayase and Mashima, going out?

Oh wow! Nice question!

Ask questions that does not concert karuta later!

We'll continue with the explanation. Okay.

Sorry. I have to go on ahead.

Ah right, it's the day you have to go to cram school.

- I'll be counting on you guys.
- Sure!

Why is Mashima leaving?

Okay, we will now continue with the explanations.

I want to be taught by Mashima!

Will Mashima return?

Where is he going?

Hey, hey, hey! It can't be helped!

We're already third years after all!

Okay. Is there anyone here who would like to try playing?

Oh! Okay, come here!

Oh!

Let's have a good game.

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

~ Meeting on the path: ~

~ But I cannot clearly know
If it was he, ~

Got it!

Yeees!

[ Arata Wataya - How did you make your karuta club? ]

[ No hi? ]

[ Sorry. ]

[ It was all Chihaya's influence. I didn't do anything. ]

[ That's like her. ]

[ Will you make one? ]

[ I pushed wrong ]

[ Yes. ]

[ I got envious watching you two having fun. ]

[ Did you say something to Chihaya during the Meijin finals? ]

We're closing. Please leave the premises.

Thank you.

I told you, you have to at least have five members

before you can form a club.

I see.

Who are you calling stupid?!

I didn't say anything.

Thank you.

Wataya, if you're going to make a karuta club,

aren't you forgetting someone important?

So you're already a high schooler starting this spring, Io.

Don't bother me for now.

Karuta painting?

It's my own punishment for losing to the Queen.

You'll write these 100 times?!

Like you're worshiping temples one hundred times?

100? I'm already doing this for 23 weeks.

Io, I have a favor to ask.

I can more or less guess.

If that's the case, things would be easy.

I also have a favor to ask.

Since I finally became a high schooler, go out with me.

Sorry, there's someone else I like.

Mercifully quick.

I hope Mashima will get broken hearted soon.

Why?

Then I would suddenly appear right before him,

and gently heal his pain.

No, no, that's impossible.

Because Mashima and Ayase are so perfect for each other.

There's that! And besides, you won't feel like playing karuta.

Didn't you watch? It was insane!

Indeed.

Why is someone that handsome doing something like this?

Just how will he become close to me?

Become close?

Ah, no. That's not it. Um, it's just that...

How was yesterday? Do you find karuta fun?

Yes! Of course!

I've been thinking of changing already.

I see. That's good to hear.

To be honest, I was worried. Normally, people would back out.

L-looks like it.

Girls' changing room.

Huh?

Hm? Ah.

The girls' changing room is at the third building if you want to change.

I see.

Yeah.

Okay, off I go.

Hey.

Taichi!

Ow, ow!

Shoorry~!

Only one...

Only one joined...

Huh? When there are many who went yesterday?

Did something happen?

Hm?

But!

Tsukuba's incredible!

Who?

Tsukuba's incredibly strong!

Ah, sheesh, I get it already.

Forgive me!

First of all, fix your hopeless face.

Okay. I'll do that.

- Mashima.
- Hm? Okay.

As she mentioned, he's Akihiro Tsukuba from First Year Section 10.

I'm the captain, Taichi Mashima.

Are you strong at karuta, Captain Mashima?

Hm?

I don't really like to listen to people who are weaker than me.

Oh my, it's different than I thought~

Excuse me.

Huh? What's wrong?

- Huh?
- Huh?

Are you joining?

Well yeah, because of what happened...

Thank you!

Alright... Huh? Huh? Huh?

There are now two.

Mizusawa Karuta Club now became seven members!

In the end,

the members didn't change from the usual Fukui South Cloud Club.

I guess that's how it is, huh?

Do you have any complaints with us?

But if you think about it,

we have the strongest team. There's Arata and Io here too.

That's right. Even if you look all over the country,

there won't be any other high school team where this much Class A players are members.

Be we have to be on our guard.

Even if each and everyone is strong individually,

team competitions have their own way of competing.

I'll also study alongside with you all from now.

Our goal, no matter what is...

Become the winners in the nationals, right?

That's right. But before that, we have to break through the Fukui prefecture preliminaries.

Arata, go out with me.

I have a girl I like. And then...

Whaaat?! Hey!

- That kind of timing?
- That cold response?

Here, Sumire. Go on.

Huh? What's this for?

Huh? You won't cut your nails?

No, no, no, no. I won't cut them!

That's because I only styled them yesterday.

If you play karuta, there are times where you hit other players' hands.

If you let your nails long, you might get hurt. Here.

I think I would be fine.

I don't really desperately play like I'll be hitting others.

But you'll get to be desperate if you'll play.

I was like that too.

I would be fine!

I'll now announce the pairings.

Sir Desk, please hold on.

I have a proposal to everyone.

There is less than two months before the Tokyo preliminaries.

I don't feel any sense of tension at all

just by repeatedly playing practice games.

How about we decide the top, second, and third players

based in the results of the order of top scores?

I see.

"I see" is not the right response there, Ayase!

Of course we won't allow that.

No? I guess I should quit this karuta club.

Don't go bribing us.

No, I think that's a good idea.

Huh? Hey, hey, hey, hey!

I checked the new rules of the Tokyo preliminaries.

It makes sense as a strategy to choose

the order of the players based on strength.

So he said, Sir Meat Bun.

Of course, I support you as your adviser　of the club.

But as your teacher, I'm not sure...

Ah, geez. You're nothing compared with Mashima.

Um, which university is Taichi aiming to admit?

He aims to get admitted in Tokyo University's Science department's Section III.

In other words, the medical department.

He said that he will both study hard and be a member of

the karuta club until the summer national tournament.

[ Tokyo U Karuta Assembly Hall ]
the karuta club until the summer national tournament.

[ Tokyo U Karuta Assembly Hall ]

But to think he's aiming to be admitted in the medical department,
[ Tokyo U Karuta Assembly Hall ]

But to think he's aiming to be admitted in the medical department,

that's still too much for Mashima...

Okay...

Looks like even his parents

persuaded him to quit karuta.

I see...

Well, enough about Mashima.

I'll now change the question.

What is your second choice other than being a Queen?

It's him...

I heard that there would be a sacrificial lamb from Mizusawa.

But I didn't thought it would be the captain himself.

Sudo, could it be the senior you mentioned was him?

He's too strong that nobody wanted to play against him.

And all Hokuo members who play against him, end up their tail between their legs.

Seriously?

At best, he goes for a bloodbath even before the battle starts.

Let's have a good game.

Good luck.

Fight!

Are you...

...in A class?

Huh?

~ When I turned my look ~

~ Toward the place where I had heard
The cuckoo's call, ~

I understand fully that you're serious.

But being the Karuta Queen is not a profession.

Write down the profession you aim seriously next time.

I'm sorry.

Ma'am, hello.

Chihaya, a moment please.

Huh? Huh?

Ah, goodbye Ma'am!

Hey! No running at the corridors!

W-w-w-w-what's wrong? What?

This is serious. It has become a rumor!

What is?

It's about Arata confessed that he loves you!

What?!

Mr Tsuboguchi said that all the people in the karuta community knows.

Whaaat?

Have you given an answer to Arata?

I didn't. What should I do?

It's the first time since I was born that someone said that to me.

It's as if

your beauty is wasted.

What do you plan to do?

Hmm... But...

I think it's better that I would give him an answer once I see him personally.

For now, I would mislead everyone in the karuta club

so that they would not find out.

As for you, Chihaya, prepare your answer.

Okay.

Huh? Why do we have to keep it a secret to everyone?

We just have to!

Okay.

Ah, wait!

Now's my chance.

You're dumbfounded as expected.

In the end, all sacrificial lambs should be like this.

So there's this kind of karuta.

You don't want someone like him to be a Meijin, huh?

It would have been better if he would just be a legend sooner.

But that damn Wataya did something unnecessary.

Sudo.

Don't you feel anything when you play against Mr Suo?

I only feel discomfort.

No.

Besides his karuta...

I wonder what it is.

Oh, summer course training?

Since the trip is troublesome, I'm thinking of turning it down.

Okay. Okay.

Mr Suo.

There is someone I would like you to play karuta against.

Want some?

Thank you.

Does that someone love karuta?

Yes, that it's not ordinary anymore.

Then I refuse.

Huh?

It's tiring to play someone who loves karuta with everything.

I like that about you in that aspect.

You're not "all in".

I won't say it.

Hanano.

'Morning.

Ah, Mashima. Good morning.

I wonder if we rode on the same train. It's a coincidence.

Yeah, I wonder.

Hey, isn't that Mashima?

Hey, is she his girlfriend? I'm really shocked.

I don't get it.

Which reminds me, it looks like Chihaya told you something last time.

Something about your nails.

Ah. She said I should cut my nails.

She had always been into karuta since we were kids.

I don't think she never grew her nails long.

Mashima.

Hm?

I heard something.

What about?

I heard Ayase and Oe talk about someone named Arata.

Who is this Arata?

He's a childhood friend of me and Chihaya.

I see.

It seems like Arata confessed to Ayase.

And Ayase would properly give her answer

once she and Arata personally meet.

Couldn't this actually mean she would answer yes?

Doesn't it sound good that the two of them would be happy?

It's none of my business.

Huh?

This was something my former teacher said to me.

"There are no door knobs in an opportunity".

You won't be able to open it yourself.

It's up to you whether you're going to anxiously jump in when someone opens it for you,

or when your heart is ready for it.

The paper that's being distributed to you

are the results of the proficiency test you took last time.

The scope of the university entrance exams are not limited to textbooks.

Everything about your life is included.

From now on, it is critical.

[ Science Standing - 1/152
Year Standing - 1/300 ]

For better of worse, the outcome of this summer would be...
[ Science Standing - 1/152
Year Standing - 1/300 ]

For better of worse, the outcome of this summer would be...

Ogura Hundred Poems Karuta Championships Tokyo Preliminaries.

The deadline of submitting your roster would be at 8:15.

Please submit them at the roster reception desk inside the arena.

Ayase.

You see...

It's about Mashima...

You know something?!

Well...

Hey.

What is it? Tell me.

It's Ms Miyauchi.

Hello?

Taichi isn't here yet. He doesn't answer no matter how many times I called.

I was thinking he might be in some kind of accident.

What?

Taichi will quit?

He's concentrating for the entrance exams?

Okay. Thank you.

You knew?

Why didn't you tell me?!

He said to not tell you!

I don't get it.

I don't understand at all! This would be our last chance this year!

Everyone did their best until now.

Why would he easily...

It wasn't easy, Ayase.

It wasn't easy.

I am also in the same specially promoted class so I know.

I know very well that this is a very important phase for his future.

No...

We will soon close the submission of your rosters.

Chihaya!

Chihaya, don't go!

If you go, everything will be over.

You should stay!

It's not the time to quarrel.

Everyone is eager to beat us.

~ Naniwa Bay, ~

~ now the flower blooms, but for winter. ~

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

Fight Mizusawa!

- Yeah!
- Yeah!

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

Taichi...

~ If the maple leaves
On Ogura mountain
Could only have hearts, ~

For the final rounds,

we will conduct round robin games for these four teams that won the preliminaries awhile ago.

Just like last year, the top two who has the highest number of wins

will be able to participate in the national tournament.

~ And my sleeves are growing wet
With the moisture dripping through. ~

~ To the dim cottage
Overgrown with thick-leaved vines
In its loneliness ~

Ah, Ms Miyauchi.

How are they?

They managed to win the first round somehow.

Then on the second round, they lost to Kaimei High.

Ah!

If they don't win the next round, they might not be able to go the nationals.

And to think they are fighting Hokuo Academy this time.

~ Comes the dreary autumn time: ~

~ But there no people come. ~

~ In this dire distress ~

~ My life is meaningless.
So we must meet now, ~

Ayase.

Good luck.

Thank you very much.

Meat Bun.

Desk.

Kana.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Tsukuba.

We can't end it like this!

Let's go, Mizusawa!

Yeah!

~ Even ~

~ for ~

~ a ~

~ time~

Ayase's

somewhat so amazing.

Yes!

Got it!

- Yes!
- Alright!

They're pushing Hokuo!

Dammit.

Meat Bun, let's get the next one.

- Nice one, Kana!
- Nice one, Kana!

Mizusawa...

...one win!

Mizusawa only needs two more wins. Let's get the cards one by one!

Yeah!

Dammit.

~ If it were my wish ~

~ To pick the white chrysanthemums,
Puzzled by the frost ~

Hey Tsukuba, shout anything.

It can be anything like "Got one" or "I got a chance".

That will help with the flow of our game.

Will you get better in karuta if you do that?

Isn't a team competition just five single competitions lined up together?

It's different. The sense of unity is important for team competitions...

Please refrain from talking with your teammates.

I'm sorry.

That's great, Tsukuba.

You found someone who would team up with you.

But I wonder if he knows

that it's your first time to play in a team competition.

Shut up, Ota. Losers only say their excuses when they lose.

Hokuo, one win!

Hokuo, two wins!

Ah.

They made a comeback!

Hokuo only needs one win!

Send your card already.

Wait.

Hurry it up.

Oh no.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! No, Tsukuba!

I've transfered "Better".

Ota.

We would be able to win together.

Ah!

They got them.

What's going on?

That's Hokuo's "cards combination".

Cards combination?

Yeah.

That's one of the tactics in the endgame of team competitions.

Since it's overwhelmingly advantageous to

protect a card in luck of a draw,

they divide the cards left within the territories of each team member.

Since Hokuo only needs to only win once,

so that whichever card will be read will be for the won in a luck of a draw.

No way!

Tsukuba...

They're totally cornered...

~ Let me remember only this:
One final meeting with you. ~

~ Better to have slept ~

~ Care-free, than to keep vain watch
Through the passing night, ~

~ Till I saw the lonely moon
Traverse her descending path. ~

The outcome between Hokuo Academy versus Mizusawa High:

With three to two, Hokuo Academy wins.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

It's over.

Our karuta

is over.

No, not yet.

It's not over yet.

Yeah.

The outcome between Tomihara West High versus Kaimei High:

With three to two, Tomihara West High wins.

They're tied.

Besides Hokuo, all are tied with one win and two losses.

With the results of the current matches, having acquired three wins, Hokuo Academy will be participating for the national tournament.

Yes!

For the remaining spot,

since all three teams are tied with one win and two losses,

according to the rules of the competition, from the order of the first player,

the spot will be decided by the number of wins of each player.

The results of the first player and second player of each school are tied.

To continue with the third player, Kaimei and Mizusawa are tied.

Sad to say that with this outcome, Tomihara West is disqualified in this preliminary.

And for the fourth player

Kaimei High's fourth player has one win and two losses.

As for Mizusawa High's fourth player...

Second place!

Because of Desk, we made it into the nationals somehow.

Congrats.

Good luck on the nationals.

If you're joking, it's not funny at all.

You can't do this, Taichi.

It's impossible for you to just quit the club.

Why?

Why?

Hey, why?

Why?

Hey, why?

Hey.

Hey, why?

Hey.

Why?! Why?!

You're an idiot.

You'll really be the idiot Taichi.

I...

...was playing karuta for you.

I started the karuta club for you.

But I can't do it anymore.

[ Hundred Poem's 43rd Poem of Love ]

~ That I have become confused;
But my love for you remains. ~
[ Hundred Poem's 43rd Poem of Love ]

[ Hundred Poem's 43rd Poem of Love ]

~ Though I would hide it, ~

Meat Bun just pushed it just now. Meat Bun just pushed it.

No, no, stop joking, stop joking.

No, you really pushed it.

You touched it. I didn't touch it at all.

Okay, you've got a fault. There, a fault.

[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

Then be sure to lock them.
[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

Okay.
[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

Bye bye. See you.
[ Karuta Club will go to the Nationals ]

Bye bye. See you.

[ Do not use ]

"When I turned my look".

So you were here.

I've been looking for you.

[ Tea Ceremony Club Equipment ]

I got this old one from the tea ceremony club.

There are three more so help me out.

I thought that it would be better that Ayase and that someone named Arata would end up together.

I thought that if Mashima would be broken hearted, he'll be mine.

But I didn't think it would end up this way.

You're in love.

You're making that face when you think about Captain.

"Though I would hide it"?

Did you know that "Thought I would hide it" has paired poem?

No.

It's a poem that even though the person tried to hide it, the unrequited love became a rumor.

"It is true I love, but the rumor of my love had gone far and wide,"

Go on.

"When people should not have known that I had begun to love."

The love that was hidden, "Though I would hide it", and the love that became a rumor, "It is true I love".

Actually, both poems were composed at the same time, at the same place.

They were both made public a thousand years ago in a poetry contest.

Poetry contest?

It would be like the New Year's Red and White Singing Contest of today.

The first class poets would mutually have their honor and pride on the line.

And they compete with their skills in poetry.

The matches are one on one.

It was just like competitive karuta's team competition.

And above all, both "Thought I would hide it" and the"It is true I love"

are known to be excellent poems that it was hard to choose which was better.

It was said that it has not been decided until the last moment.

The feelings where people get confused with being in love didn't start only now.

You're a little weird.

Hm?

You pick up poems just like candy.

I've been told that often.

Cheer up, okay?

Umm...

I'm Suo, the one in charge to teach you in this special short essay writing planning course.

Nice to meet you.

But that's how Eyelashes is.

Putting himself aside

then exhausting himself for someone else.

Even if he himself will get worn out.

Are you alright?

Did you

quit the karuta club?

Yes.

Have you always been searching for a reason to quit?

I always thought you were remarkable.

You've worked very hard surrounded by people who loves karuta.

It must've been hard.

Don't you feel better?

I also think that entrance exams are far more important.

I don't like karuta too.

Then why is it that

you go as far as playing karuta like that?

When actually...

...your eyes have a hard time to see.

It's because

that's all I had.

[ We've broken through the Fukui preliminaries. See you at Omi Jingu. ]

When you were in your first year,

wasn't there a time when Glasses quit karuta?

What did Eyelashes say at that time?

"We should get stronger

and wait for him."

"There are no door knobs in an opportunity".

You won't be able to open it yourself.

It's up to you whether you're going to anxiously jump in when someone opens it for you.

Hey, hey, hey, hold it, Chihaya. You're...

See?

Ah, Sir Harada,

thanks for the food!

Chihaya! Slow down!

Hey Ayase! Don't do that!

You should carefully look at your surroundings before you send a card.

You shouldn't send a card too soon or too late.

You're the one saying that?

Ah, well, you know...

I had a lot of things going on that time...

Um, well... I'm sorry.

Huh? What? I can't hear you.

What did you just say just now?

What? What? What?

Huh? Tsukuba?

- Ah!
- Hey!

I'll play you.

Three matches.

Okay.

Okay, a little more.

Okay!

Okay, Tsukuba, you should go up higher.

Meat Bun! Higher!

Hmm!

Hey! Isn't she the Jr Queen, Io Wagatsuma?!

Huh?

Whoa! It's really Io!

Why didn't you notice?

Not just her. With her are

the Matsubayashi brothers who are the champions in the A Class tournament.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

By the way, you should go out with...

Sorry, I have someone I like.

Just two syllables.

He has too much intuition.

Even though they said I have good intuition,

for me, it's just a matter of what sound I hear.

And it doesn't mean that they're not something ordinary people can hear.

Sounds that you shouldn't suppose to hear and things that aren't appear to be sounds.

I just unconciously crossed that line.

Distortion.

Preconception.

Patterns.

I listen to the bare sound before it went to those kinds of filters.

When I crossed the line drawn by myself,

even the familiar scenery became a different world.

It seems like the sounds I've heard thus far

cannot be called sounds before.

Fight! Fight!

Mizusawa! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Mizusawa! Fight! Fight! Fight!

How is he?

He is still inside the line.

Hm? Line?

Please raise it slowly.

I'll be ready by this year's Meijin preliminaries.

Isn't it frustrating

to just let Suo retire like that?

I won't let him get away with that with me having 42 years of karuta history.

It's also for karuta world's future.

What? Is it funny?

No.

I just think you're great.

Huh?

Aren't you scared to go that far and nothing will be left?

When all that's left is regret.

That's impossible.

The sense of touch will always continue to remain.

For years, for decades.

Even though you might know differently,

let me tell you something that will benefit you a little.

Okay.

Actually, the luck of the draw

is not about luck.

What?!

Wait...

What? What? You are friends with the with glasses?

Yes.

Also, you can say that Sir Harada is my teacher.

Hey, you should've told me those sooner.

Then that would mean that I am your enemy?

Well, that looks like it.

But the one who will challenge you next year

if not Sir Harada, it would be Arata.

Why?

Because he's...

overwhelming.

He's always walking way further than me...

Well, in a lot of ways.

I see.

Twice cooked pork special and fried rice set.

Ten sesame seeded dumplings. That would be 3110 yen in all.

Thank you.

I'll be getting that summer course training we talked about after all.

The fee will be paid in cash, and it's necessary to give me advance for the travel expenses.

When?

July 20...

Where?

Kyo...

Can you also give me advance for the travel expenses of my assistant?

Ah, Kana, bye bye.

Bye bye.

Chihaya.

Ah. Kana.

What are you doing?

Hmm, look.

Everyone is preparing for their entrance exams.

Even though they don't say anything during karuta practice.

Yeah...

What will you do after graduating?

I intend to go to a university where I can study the classics more deeply.

That's so like you.

Everyone's amazing.

I'm being left behind.

You carry that around?

Yeah, I don't know when I would get an inspiration.

Do you remember?

This is where you

asked me to join the karuta club.

Of course. If I didn't meet you here,

I probably continue not knowing anything about the poems.

Me too. I couldn't think that my high school life would be spent mostly into karuta.

Don't you regret it?

Regret?

Yes.

They're my treasure.

I'm wishing that these kind of days will always continue.

But this would be the last summer where all of us can play karuta together.

To Nara's brook comes evening, and the rustling winds stir the oak-trees' leaves.

Not a sign of summer left but the sacred bathing there.

The Hundred Poems are like pictures.

Moments are captured in just 31 characters.

And to think that a thousand years later, we would feel the same.

I wonder what kind of poems we would leave behind for a thousand years.

A thousand years later, huh?

Hmm...

So we're here again, Chihaya.

Oh! Hey, here's a little different variety again.

You really don't want some?

Enough with comparing sweets like that yatsuhashi.

We should get going.

Then let me try a bit of the salted yatsuhashi...

What are you talking about? Your lecture will start soon.

Okay.

Check them out later.

Did you come to watch the team competitions?

No way.

I just prayed that the weather would be nice today.

Is that so?

I was certain you came here to cheer for Wataya's team.

Arata?

Arata in team competition?

That's good for him.

If the respected Queen would observe,

I think everyone would be encouraged.

I'm going to Lake Biwa.

I have some important business to attend to. Goodbye.

Is there something going on at Lake Biwa today?

It's Snowmaru's first outdoor live concert.

Hm? What-maru?

Goodbye, Sir.

Fair tidings to you.

[ 39th National Senior High School
Ogura Hundred Poems Karuta Championships
Please wait until the start of broadcast ]

Good morning everyone.

It finally begins again this year, the 39th National Senior High School

Ogura Hundred Poems Competitive Karuta Championships.

The commentator for today is the same as the last Meijin-Queen finals.

You can befriend him with the nickname "Maro".

Sir Daijiro Ise 8-dan from Kyoto Morning Star Society.

Tsukuba.

The third years decided what the roster will be.

1st, Ayase. 2nd, Kana. 3rd, Meat Bun. 4th, Tsukuba.

5th, Hanano.

M-m-m-me?!

Here, Sumire. Let's do our best!

Wa-wa-wait! Why me?!

I'm fine not participating! I'm fine just cheering!

Meanwhile, me and Ms Miyauchi will go scout

other schools and gather information.

We're counting on you, Hanano.

Ms Miyauchi, if you please.

Leave it to me.

I'm good at this. Okay!

I'll go submit the roster.

Please.

I'm fine not participating. I don't like this!

Hey wait! It's impossible for me to win!

It's time to tighten your stomach, Hanano!

Nooo!

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

Mizusawa fight!

Yeah!

Damn that Meat Bun.

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms.~

~ In the summer night
The evening still seems present,
But the dawn is here. ~

Yes!

I got it!

Sumire, nice one!

Good going, Hanano!

You did it.

Yes!

~ Not the snow of flowers,
That the hurrying wild wind whirls
Round the garden court: ~

~ In this ancient house,
Paved with a hundred stones, ~

Thank you for the match.

Thank you for reading.

~ Let me show him these!
Even the fishermen's sleeves
On Ojima's shores, ~

~ If I see that bridge
That is spanned by flights of magpies
Across the arc of heaven ~

Masuguchi, one win!

- Sumire, nice fight!
- Don't worry about it.

Thank you very much.

In other words, you pursue self-realization. It means people who restore themselves to society and others

search for a location in the medical field.

Any questions so far?

So there are none. We're moving on ahead.

Mr Suo.

Over there.

Ah.

Your question?

How would an abundant lifestyle...

West Utsunomiya High versus Fujioka East High.

I will now announce the roster.

West Utsunomiya High 1st Player: Sakai.

Here.

Fujioka East High 1st Player:

What?

Um...

Hm...

It's too stylized.

Shun, rewrite it.

Ah, okay.

Hm?

Here is the roster for the third match. 1st player: Meat Bun. 2nd player: Me.

3rd player: Ayase. 4th player: Tsukuba. 5th player: Hanano.

H-hey! I already told you I'm fine!

What would you do if Mizusawa loses because of me?

I'm going to ask you, Kana, for data gathering this time.

Okay.

Hang on! Please take my place.

I observed the next team we'll be playing against, Chikuho Girls Academy.

Hey, please listen.

Listen.

Listen, one sided haired!

Hanano.

It's not that they don't to play the matches.

Then why?

They know the risk and giving us many experience as we can.

We'll be the starting players next year after all.

They are quite good with cards with three unique syllables.

They don't usually make faults. The strategy would be...

[ Komano:
We won in the second round.
If we win next, we'll be in the best eight. ]

[ Kana Oe:
Sumire and Tsukuba are doing their best. ]

[ Meat Bun (Nishida)
We are winning! ]

Okay. That is all for the lecture.
[ Meat Bun (Nishida)
We are winning! ]

Okay. That is all for the lecture.

Thank you very much.

[ Color of the flower... ]

[ Color of the flower Has already faded away, While in idle thoughts
My life passes vainly by, As I watch the long rains fall. ]

Hundred Poems? I thought lecture's over?
[ Color of the flower Has already faded away, While in idle thoughts
My life passes vainly by, As I watch the long rains fall. ]

[ Color of the flower Has already faded away, While in idle thoughts
My life passes vainly by, As I watch the long rains fall. ]

Ono no Komachi?

Um...

I...

didn't go to cram school but got admitted to Tokyo University.

Well, when I look at all of you

waste your youth at this place...

To be honest,

"Heh, serves you right."

is what I think.

That's why, let me say this...

I didn't have

any days

that I can say

youthful days.

He hit his elbows.

Then one day,

I noticed something with deep feelings.

There is a light in this world

that can never be recovered.

Even though there's nobody who can go against the hands of time,

like this poem who have reached a thousand years to the future,

please don't forget

that we have the power to eternally

stop a moment in time.

What are you

doing here?

Huh?

Third years. Make these current emotion of frustration in losing

good use for your future selves.

Yes, Ma'am.

I pray that these three years you've spent in karuta

become engines of your life.

- Second years, don't cry!
- Yes, Ma'am.

You will be the ones who will face next year's summer again without losing!

Yes, Ma'am.

~ And crushed upon the shore,
Remembering what has been. ~

~ Just because she said,
"In a moment I will come,"
I've awaited her ~

Ho-Hokuo fight!

Yeah!

The results of the semi-finals between Mizusawa High and Nakatsu West High:

with three wins and two loses, the winner is Mizusawa High.

Thank you for the game.

Thank you very much.

Alright!

Yes!

Alright!

You did well.

Yeah, I've watched you all carefully.

Don't cry! Hm?

I am happy to have spent your youth together with you!

Sir!

Thank you.

Next is finally the championship.

We won't lose to them this time.

Guys, big news!

Hm?

Hokuo Academy lost.

No, no, no.

Hokuo didn't score?

Hokuo lost.

No way!

Five - Zero?

Fujioka East?

Arata.

Mizusawa intends to win.

Bring it on.

She's very pretty.

Yeah.

She's Mizusawa's ace. She's strong.

By the way, Arata...

Sorry, I have someone I like.

I haven't said anything yet.

What is it?

It's her, right?

Huh? H-how can you tell?

I can't lose.

The finalists, Mizusawa High and Fujioka East High,

please pass your roster.

Ah, I'll pass it.

Ah, thank you.

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

Ah, Mr Tsuboguchi!

Hey.

What are you doing here?

Hey!

I'm managing the tournament. I was asked to fill in with Sir Harada.

I'm currently the referee for the third placer matches.

Thank you for your hard work.

No, no, no, it's okay.

We also competed here when we were in high school.

It's something like what goes around, comes around.

You guys too should do this after you graduate high school.

- Okay.
- Okay. Ah.

I'm secretly rooting for you guys, okay? Bye!

Thank you very much.

Huh? Shinobu?

Shinobu. What happened?

It's your fault because you did things that don't suit you!

Cause it rained, the concert is canceled!

Concert?

What should you to fulfill this?!

Shinobu!

T-this is!!!

An autographed premium members only collaborative towel!

Use it!

I can't use this.

Wakamiya Queen, it's terrible! Can I have moment please?

Sir Ise, what are you doing?

Why don't you go home if you need to rest?

He strained his back.

As you can see, I'm in this state.

Will you...

Ow!

take my place as the commentator?

Sir Ise, don't joke around.

I will just bring shame to everyone. Goodbye.

Even if you appear together with him?

Ah, excuse me.

Ah...

The championships will soon start.

We would like to ask the spectators to please turn off their mobile phones and wait.

Okay!

Sumire, Tsukuba.

You know,

I've always had this feeling ever since the two of you

joined the karuta club.

It seems like

something very special has begun.

I feel like

I finally understood it today.

These past three years

I was always the one on the receiving end.

I received too much that I can't hold them.

All of it

made me strong.

That's why

it's my turn to give.

It's my turn

to give to the two of you.

Will you accept them?

Let's be the best in Japan.

So that the Mizusawa Karuta Club will continue on and on.

Next year, and the year after the next too.

And a thousand years after that!

I will now announce the roster.

Fujioka East High 1st Player: Shun Matsubayashi.

Here.

Mizusawa High 1st Player: Yusei Nishida.

Here.

Fujioka East High 2nd Player: Hiro Matsubayashi.

Here.

Mizusawa High 2nd Player: Akihiro Tsukuba.

Here.

Fujioka East High 3rd Player: Io Wagatsuma.

Here.

Mizusawa High 3rd Player:

Chihaya Ayase.

Here.

Ayase is against the Jr Queen.

Fujioka East High 4th Player: Arata Wataya.

Here.

Huh?

Oe, hang on...

Mizusawa High 4th Player:

Taichi Mashima.

Here.

Mizusawa High 5th Player: Tsutomu Komano.

Here.

Then please go ahead and line up the cards.

Let's have a good match.

[ Mashima ]

And now, finally, the battle where who will be

the best in high school karuta begins.

The ones who you would immediately notice is the rematch between

Io Wagatsuma Jr Queen and Chihaya Ayase.

The two of them had a fierce competition last year in the challenger deciding match to go against Wakamiya Queen last year.

Would Ayase, who regrettably lost, be able to get revenge this time?

Since the time is up, we will now commence the championships.

The reader would be the full-time reader Ms Serino.

Let's have a good game.

Thank you for reading.

~ Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms, but for winter. ~

Mi! Zu! Sa! Wa!

Fight!

Yeah!

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

Fujioka East Fight!

- Alright!
- Okay.
- Yeah.

~ Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. ~

~ Over Mika's plain,
Gushing forth and flowing free, ~

It's okay, it's okay.

Wagatsuma immediately made a cross hand.

Together with Ayase,

Wakamiya Queen has played against both of them.

What are your impressions within the two?

Let's see.

Both of them are offensive type players.

But Wagatsuma is good in using the cross hand.

Even her tactics in sending a card is...

What's with her surreal comments.

What are your thoughts with the match between Arata Wataya,

who was last year's Japan's West representative and Mizusawa High's Taichi Mashima?

The two doesn't have a good match.

It might become an unbearable gruesome bullying.

I think it would be better for children to refrain from watching this match.

~ I do not know if we have met:
Why, then, do I long for her? ~

Yes!

Got it!

Let's go get them next.

- Okay!
- Yeah!

Eyelashes is pretty much having a good fight.

Oe.

Isn't Mashima's arrangement strange?

Normally, one would arrange the cards

to fill up the empty spaces, right?

That is a defensive style of karuta

emphasizing on guarding.

So Eyelashes' way of spreading them out

was defensive style of karuta.

Ayase and Wagatsuma have been

exchanging the "Though I would"/"Shino" card.

It's probably that both of them aim to get "Though I would hide it," / "Shinoburedo".

Speaking of "Though I would hide it," / "Shinoburedo",

isn't it your best card, right Wakamiya Queen?

All of them are my best cards.

Please hold on.

I think I was the one who took the last card.

Huh?

I was the one who did...

I was able to touch the edge of the card using my middle finger.

Ah, you see...

It's the first time I saw Io dispute a card.

No, no, no. But I was able to wham it.

I whammed with my index finger.

I touched it with a bam!

- What?
- I touched with a bam!

And it was my card.

No, it's mine.

- No, it's mine.
- No, no. Mine.

- Mine.
- Mine.

I will be the one who will get "Though I would" / "Shino"!

~ But now it is my heart's desire
It may long, long years endure. ~

~ Meeting on the path: ~

~ Over the wide sea
Towards its many distant isles ~

~ My ship sets sail. ~

As expected, they are strong.

~ Why do the cherry's new-blown blooms
Scatter like restless thoughts? ~

~ Even when the gods
Held sway in the ancient days,
I have never heard ~

All of them didn't get it.

Even Chihaya...

Fujioka East One Win!

Alright! Nice one!

Desk, good job.

Good work.

Good work.

I have caught up!

Nice timing.

Timing? What do you mean?

I'll turn it around!

Alright!

Okay!

Okay.

A teammate's shout of enthusiasm contradicted the heavy atmosphere

and their bodies feel lighter,

as if wings have grown.

Got it!

- Yes! I got it!
- I got it!

Yes!

Alright!

Yes!

This karuta...

is just like the Queen's...

How far will you become stronger?

Mizusawa High's flow of the game has come.

But they are still in a tight spot.

Wataya only has one card left.

Mashima is being cornered.

There is a six card difference...

This is going to be difficult match.

I think there's nothing more for me

to continue playing karuta.

Because I got too strong.

But...

But there's one thing I found out when I was looking over you.

The people who are really strong

are the people who can make the people around them strong.

They give hope to their juniors.

They give respect to their rivals.

They give courage to their teammates.

Crossing over time and space,

they will become immortal.

I'll leave the match with the boy with glasses to you.

I will withdraw in the next Meijin tournament.

Why?

Even though it started on a whim,

your intuition in karuta was somewhat fun.

Don't tell me...

But never again show up in the karuta society.

Aren't you losing your sight?

You can already hear it, right?

The bare sound.

All that's left

is for you to cross that line.

Mr Suo.

Sir Harada.

The one that the two of you are putting on the line

are far from your youth...

are far from your youth...

Three card difference!

Two card difference!

The cards being sent are coincididng with Captain's flow!

Is it even possible to overturn a six card difference?!

Wow...

It became true.

After Mashima and Tsukuba send a card,

all four pairs will be the luck of the draw.

In order for Mizusawa to get three wins, they have to choose between

Nishida's "It is true I love" card and Ayase's "Though I would hide it" card to get.

Which card will Mizusawa High choose?

Everyone is waiting.

But...

There hasn't been a time when the card Mashima chose

had been read in the luck of the draw.

Yes.

Then Mashima shouldn't choose the card to send!

But...

Even so...

We would like to believe...

The "It is true I love," card

can already be taken with the first syllable.

The theory here is that the "Though I would hide it"

has a longer unique syllable.

Fool.

Don't you want to win?

Mashima sent the "It is true I love" card

that has a shorter unique syllable.

Could this end up as a regretful mistake?

[ "Though I" - "Though I" - "Though I" - "It"
"It" - "It" - "It" - "Though I"]

Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Mashima is an idiot!

No.

Huh?

I've heard about something like this.

Among the top players,

there are people who knows what card would be read in the luck of the draw.

That's suspicious.

It is said that it's been descended to them.

It is only descended to those people who are stubbornly facing karuta.

The luck of the draw is not about luck.

~ All my being is aflame,
Awaiting her who does not come. ~

~ In the autumn fields
When the heedless wind blows by
Over the pure-white dew, ~

Ah, I don't like this anymore. I can't bear with it.

The next card would be the 99th card.

The game will be decided on the next card!

Come!

Come!

Come!

Come!

Come!

Come!

Come!

The love that was hidden, "Though I would hide it".

and the love that has become a rumor, "It is true I love".

It was hard to choose which of the two poems were better.

In the end, which poem was chosen a thousand years ago?

The poem that was chosen to a thousand years ago was...

The one that was chosen was...

I don't know if I can put everything on the line

just like Sir Harada and Mr Suo.

But...

I can be certain of this:

In this match,

I'm the strongest I've ever been!

~ And now he questions me:
"Is something bothering you?" ~

Taichi.

Smile.

If you don't,

I would be the one who will be sad.

Thank you for the game.

Thank you for the game.

They won!

- Mizusawa...
- Mizusawa are the champions!

That should be my line!

Welcome back.

Welcome idiot Taichi.

Sorry.

I'm sorry, Chihaya.

[ Mizusawa Competitive Karuta Club
2017 National Tournament Files ]

[ Taichi Mashima ]
[ Mr Suo, if what you said is real strength, ]

[ Then in the end, you're the strongest. ]

- It's really pretty.
- It sure is.

Let's be the champions next year.

It's not that easy.

Huh?

We should start choosing who would be the next captain next term.

Yeah.

Who will it be?

You look miserable.

We lost with Mizusawa's three years of experience.

Nice touch.

- Come on.
- Huh?

Ah.

Ah, well, Arata. You see...

It's just that

I wasn't able to give my answer.

About what?

Well...

My response when you said you love me.

Huh? Ah...

Well, instead of an answer or response, I would like to say...

Well...

My feelings r-right now.

Right now?

Okay.

I...

I want to be stronger at karuta.

Hm?

Become stronger

and be like Shinobu who can give their strength to people.

In order to do that,

I want to be best in the world.

Huh?

Yeah. I also feel the same.

With me losing with Taichi,

I cannot face the girl I love.

A the Meijin Tournament Preliminaries,

be sure to don't lose.

See you.

[ Suzu Hirose ]

[ Ogura Hundred Poems Karuta
Meijin and Queen Final Tournament ]

[ Shuhei Nomura - Arata Mackenyu ]

[ Mone Kamishiraishi - Yuma Yamote - Yuki Morinaga - Hiroya Shimizu ]

[ Mio Yuki - Hayato Sano - Kaya Kiyohara ]

[ Mayu Matsuoka - Kento Kaku ]

[ Miyuki Matsuda ]

[ Jun Kunimura ]

[ Team Chihayafuru ]

[ Original Work - Yuki Suetsugu
"Chihayafuru"
Kodansha "Be Love" Serialization ]

[ Music - Masaru Yokoyama ]

[ Director / Script - Norihiro Koizumi ]

In this year's national tournament,

finally, only the championships is left.

For several years, the Hokuo Academy have prevented Mizusawa High in claiming the overall championship title.

This year, it is somewhat different.

Believe in your teammates

and make this finals the most enjoyable karuta you have ever played!

Yes, Ma'am!

That's because the newly assigned adviser for this year's karuta club is

no other than the 66th Karuta Queen.

~ Even when the gods
Held sway in the ancient days,
I have never heard ~

~ That water gleamed with autumn red
As it does in Tatta's stream ~