Ep 19. As the Years Pass

In Chihayafuru season 1 episode 19 titled "As the Years Pass," we see Chihaya and her teammates preparing for the national tournament. Chihaya is determined to win and is practicing day and night, but doubts start to creep in as she realizes that her opponents will be much stronger than she anticipated. Despite this, Chihaya remains determined to give it her all and hopes that her team can win together.

Meanwhile, Taichi is struggling with his own insecurities. He feels inadequate compared to the other members of the team and worries that he may hold them back. His frustration peaks when he struggles to memorize the poems necessary for the tournament. However, he ultimately finds the motivation to continue practicing after he realizes how hard Chihaya is working despite her own fears.

In a brief moment of relief, the team takes a break and spends time at a fireworks festival. Chihaya is ecstatic to be there but also saddened by the realization that this may be the last time they all spend a summer together as a team. As they watch the fireworks, a sense of camaraderie and determination washes over them, spurring them to work even harder towards their goal of becoming national champions.

The episode closes with Chihaya and Taichi alone on a rooftop, admiring the beautiful summer night sky. Taichi finally confesses his feelings to Chihaya, but is met with little response as Chihaya seems preoccupied with the upcoming tournament. Despite this, Taichi seems content with finally expressing his feelings and the two return to their homes with a newfound understanding between them.

Overall, this episode is one of both personal growth and camaraderie. The characters are battling their own insecurities but are ultimately brought together by their shared goal. The brief moment of levity at the fireworks festival provides a much-needed respite from the intense training, but the characters remain focused on their dreams. The episode ends on a bittersweet note, leaving the viewer eager to see how the team will do in the upcoming tournament.