Indeed, there were three really good things about this episode.
The first two involve the Concentration match. One, is that Taichi got his drive to be good at karuta back. The other is that he forced Chihaya to recognize her weakness in the same stroke. With her dominating so often, it would be hard to convince her that her game is only saved by her superhuman hearing and lightning reflexes. Taichi was about to give up completely because he felt outclassed and inferior to her, but now, he knows with a little drive and practice, he might be able to truly challenge her from the other direction (the cards that aren't first syllable, Chihaya's strong point). He could focus on those card positions, and beat her consistently until she learns. That match will allow the both of them to grow substantially.
The third thing was how similar Taichi and Tsutomu are. The only difference is that one is extroverted, and the other introverted. Both are plagued by striving to be the best, and giving up if they can't. Taichi forced to do so by his mother for years, and Tsutomu out of a drive to be useful at all, even if his classmates won't let him into their circles. But Taichi found something he wanted to do even if he was only second best thanks to Arata, and found it again thanks to Tsutomu's intervention. Now Tsutomu has found a group that will take him in. It might look like Chihaya just wants him to fill a body count, but thanks to Taichi, Tsutomu found something else to get out of the club, a place to be welcomed to. All he has to do is put in the effort.
A fourth bonus item is that now Kana might have someone to play with. She can't really compete with either Taichi or Chihaya because the two of them are completely out of her league as a beginner.
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Originally Posted by Ryllharu
