Quote Originally Posted by Kraco View Post
Like you said, Ryll, I don't think this ended up demoralising Ririka at all, after Chihaya herself almost crying and then defending her, especially since (I guess) Ririka likes karuta itself and not only the praise it gains her.
Ririka didn't seem to like karuta the way Chihaya likes karuta, so I didn't feel that Chihaya was empathizing with her that way. Ririka's mother pointed it out very simply to the audience. Ririka gets bullied about her large ears (and so did the mother apparently) and was trying to hide them. In karuta, Ririka found an activity where those are a huge benefit, and she finds it fun, which is all Ririka's mother really hoped for. Karuta gives Ririka something that she can be proud to have large ears. No one will bully Ririka over her ear size in karuta, they wouldn't even notice it, they'd only see her resulting increased reaction speed.

But Chihaya's support (and display of skill) will certainly help Ririka continue to enjoy karuta. Just imagine if poor Ririka had to face Sudo!

I think Chihaya was moved to tears by Ririka's determination. Even when Chihaya began to overwhelm her, Ririka refused to let it get to her after her initial sniffles. That's the attitude of a future contender for Queen!