That practice Karuta match we did was so much fun!

I agree.
So much so that I'd like to do it every year.

Also, Miku, you were unbelievable!
Based on your speed alone, it's like you became a pro after playing just once last year!

Hehe... Thanks!

But you did really well today, Len!
You got so many cards despite it being your first time playing.

Very true. You seem to have a knack for figuring out how to play these sorts of games, Len.

You think so?
To be fair, I'm still nowhere near Miku's level, so I'd like to try harder next time.

...

...?

Rin!

Hi, Miku...

Is everything okay, Rin?
You've had this cloud hanging over your head all day.

*Sob*...!

M-M-M-Miku...!
I'm tired of losing!

Eep!
Wh-What are you talking about?

She lost to Len at Karuta today...

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.

He and KAITO even started playing chess for fun, but before we knew it, he'd racked up a huge winning streak...

B-But...!
I played last time...!

Wait, Miku, I know what to do!

Y-Yes?

Please teach me how to play Karuta, Master!

M-Master...?!

You can ask all you want, but I really wouldn't know where to start...

Okay, in that case... Why are you able to get cards so fast? Can you explain that?

Why I can get cards so fast...?

Well, the poems for “Hyakunin Isshu” are all organized in a certain manner. An upper half to go along with a lower half.

Right!

So in theory, knowing which half goes with which should help increase the speed in which you get cards.

That's why I went ahead and memorized them all!

A-All of them...?!

Yes.

But you're an idol... You really memorized every Hyakunin Isshu poem...?

Huh? I mean, I thought it'd be more fun and spectacular if I did everything I could to prepare for it...

M-Miku...!
Your aura's overwhelming...!

But that explains everything...
No wonder I couldn't beat you!
I'll try memorizing them too!

Great!
Once you've done that, we can start experimenting with how to get cards even faster.

Though a swift stream is divided by a boulder...

Think you know the other half, Rin...?

Hold on... Wait...
“A swift stream”... That's...

No...!
I tried memorizing them, but I can't remember which is which...!

I see...
I don't blame you. The language they use is very archaic and cryptic...

Oh, I know!

You're really good at memorizing lyrics, right, Rin? Why don't you try applying that method to Hyakunin Isshu?

Huh? But... I like memorizing the lyrics to songs because I want to sing them. This seems a bit different...

No, each poem is actually a song!

They're traditional Japanese songs, but they're still songs nonetheless... Wouldn't it help to think of them like that?

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.”

By Emperor Sutoku himself!

Sutoku...?
Hehe. That actually sounds like a good artist name!

See? We can also try thinking about what this poem is talking about since they use such archaic language.

It's easier to learn lyrics when you know the meaning behind them, no?

Yeah, you're right...!

It may take a while to figure everything out, but we can just take it one step at a time!

Okay!
Let's start with the part about a “swift stream”...

On the surface, it appears to be talking about a stream literally crashing against a boulder...

Hm...?

Turn and pose...
Then...

Len...!!

Hm? Rin? Miku?
What's up?

Len, let's play Karuta!

Huh? Right now...?

Please, Len!
I practiced a lot and want to finally get a win!

Alright, I understand.
If that's how it is, then challenge accepted.

Yay! Thank you so much!

(Good luck, Rin...!)