Chihaya and Taichi are now in their final year of high school. This is their last chance to shine together at the national karuta championships under the Mizusawa high school banner. For his part, Arata has set up a team at his high school in Fukui and is looking forward to competing against his former classmates. However, just before the qualifiers, Taichi decides to leave the karuta club to focus on his university entrance exams.