Chihayafuru – 18

「はなそむかしのかににほいける」 (Hana zo Mukashi no Ka ni Nioikeru)
“The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same”

What seems clear is that what’s true in chess and tennis is true in Karuta – the best way to get better is to play people better than you are, as long as you pay close attention.  Mizusawa (Fight-o!) is the living proof of that, and they should be a formidable team if their competitive (and romantic) passions don’t break them apart.