This episode felt like it had 3 eps worth of comedy in 20 minutes. I'm not complaining about that. If anything, it made this episode one of my favourites this season. For one, Chihaya's dilemma and epiphany was non-forced.

Knowing Chihaya, that "reaching out" comment should be non-romantic, but anybody else (particularly through Taichi's lenses) would see otherwise. Unless you knew of Chihaya's air-headedness and pure love for karuta, it looks exactly like what Taichi does to approach Chihaya.

As for Arata's craziness, it won't be solved unless rules were available in English (or someone translated them for us). Perhaps if it's still "one swing" you're allowed? Or if you can hit as many cards as you want until the correct one goes out of play?