Chihaya is playing in the East Queen qualifier for a chance to face the Queen again.  Her first opponent is the grade schooler Ririka, said to be a child prodigy.  As Chihaya watches Ririka use speed play karuta, she begins to understand what it means to play karuta without speed.
The first round was tough.
La primera ronda fue muy dura.
La primera ronda ha sido muy dura.
A primeira rodada foi difícil.