: Tsukuba, an experienced player in "second-verse" karuta (Hokkaido style), struggles with being a substitute. His frustration leads him to try and sneak into the starting lineup by changing the order, but he is caught by Tsutomu Komano.
: Sumire, who initially joined only for Taichi, finds herself pushed into her first official match. Through the match, her character begins to shift from unlikable and superficial to someone the audience can relate to and sympathize with as she experiences the pressure of competition.
: Instead of punishing him, Komano shows maturity by defusing the situation and allowing Tsukuba to play, demonstrating how the second-year members have grown into leadership roles.
: While the high school tournament ramps up, Arata is seen elsewhere, continuing his own journey back to competitive karuta and winning matches to advance his rank.
