Part 1
Stage SEKAI
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KAITO
Also, Miku, you were unbelievable!
Based on your speed alone, it's like you became a pro after playing just once last year!
Based on your speed alone, it's like you became a pro after playing just once last year!
Miku
But you did really well today, Len!
You got so many cards despite it being your first time playing.
You got so many cards despite it being your first time playing.
KAITO
Very true. You seem to have a knack for figuring out how to play these sorts of games, Len.
Len
You think so?
To be fair, I'm still nowhere near Miku's level, so I'd like to try harder next time.
To be fair, I'm still nowhere near Miku's level, so I'd like to try harder next time.
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Miku
Is everything okay, Rin?
You've had this cloud hanging over your head all day.
You've had this cloud hanging over your head all day.
Rin
*Sob*...!
Miku
Oh, is that why you've been feeling this way...? You really shouldn't beat yourself up like this since Len really does seem to have a talent for this.
Miku
He and KAITO even started playing chess for fun, but before we knew it, he'd racked up a huge winning streak...
Rin
B-But...!
I played last time...!
I played last time...!
Miku
Y-Yes?
Rin
Please teach me how to play Karuta, Master!
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Miku
Why I can get cards so fast...?
Miku
Well, the poems for “Hyakunin Isshu” are all organized in a certain manner. An upper half to go along with a lower half.
Rin
Right!
Miku
So in theory, knowing which half goes with which should help increase the speed in which you get cards.
Miku
Yes.
Rin
But you're an idol... You really memorized every Hyakunin Isshu poem...?
Miku
Huh? I mean, I thought it'd be more fun and spectacular if I did everything I could to prepare for it...
Rin
But that explains everything...
No wonder I couldn't beat you!
I'll try memorizing them too!
No wonder I couldn't beat you!
I'll try memorizing them too!
Miku
Great!
Once you've done that, we can start experimenting with how to get cards even faster.
Once you've done that, we can start experimenting with how to get cards even faster.
Miku
Think you know the other half, Rin...?
Rin
No...!
I tried memorizing them, but I can't remember which is which...!
I tried memorizing them, but I can't remember which is which...!
Miku
Oh, I know!
Miku
You're really good at memorizing lyrics, right, Rin? Why don't you try applying that method to Hyakunin Isshu?
Rin
Huh? But... I like memorizing the lyrics to songs because I want to sing them. This seems a bit different...
Miku
No, each poem is actually a song!
Miku
They're traditional Japanese songs, but they're still songs nonetheless... Wouldn't it help to think of them like that?
Miku
For example, that last poem... “Though a swift stream is divided by a boulder, it rushes on, though divided, until it is at last reunited.”
Miku
By Emperor Sutoku himself!
Rin
Sutoku...?
Hehe. That actually sounds like a good artist name!
Hehe. That actually sounds like a good artist name!
Miku
See? We can also try thinking about what this poem is talking about since they use such archaic language.
Miku
It's easier to learn lyrics when you know the meaning behind them, no?
Miku
It may take a while to figure everything out, but we can just take it one step at a time!
Rin
Okay!
Let's start with the part about a “swift stream”...
Let's start with the part about a “swift stream”...
Miku
On the surface, it appears to be talking about a stream literally crashing against a boulder...
One week later
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Len
Hm? Rin? Miku?
What's up?
What's up?
Rin
Len, let's play Karuta!
Len
Alright, I understand.
If that's how it is, then challenge accepted.
If that's how it is, then challenge accepted.
Rin
Yay! Thank you so much!