Ep 2. As My Love First Came

As My Love First Came is the second episode of the second season of the anime series Chihayafuru. The episode continues the story of Chihaya and her passion for the traditional Japanese card game called Karuta.

The episode begins with Chihaya and her friends discussing the results of the previous tournament. They are disappointed to learn that their teammate, Tsutomu, did not make it to the final sixteen. Meanwhile, Chihaya's coach, Arata, is shown participating in a tournament in Fukui.

Chihaya decides to take a break from Karuta and focus on her studies. Her friends, however, are determined to keep practicing and convince her to come along. During their practice session, they notice that one of their opponents, Rion, is using a different technique to memorize the cards. They are impressed by her skills and ask her to teach them the technique.

Later, Chihaya and Taichi run into Arata at the train station. Arata tells Chihaya that he has been accepted into college and will be studying in Tokyo. Chihaya is happy for him but also feels a sense of loss, as she realizes that her mentor will no longer be available to help her with Karuta.

Chihaya returns to her school and starts studying again. However, she cannot seem to focus on her studies and finds herself thinking about Arata. She realizes that she has strong feelings for him but is not sure how to express them.

The next day, Chihaya's club participates in a tournament. Chihaya is not feeling confident and decides to sit out of the first game. Her teammates struggle without her and lose the match. Chihaya feels guilty for not participating and vows to do better in the next game.

In the second game, Chihaya faces a tough opponent but manages to win the match. She gains confidence and decides to participate in the final game. The game is intense, and Chihaya and her opponent both have a chance to win. In the end, Chihaya manages to pull off a win and earns a spot in the final sixteen.

As the episode concludes, Chihaya is shown reflecting on her love for Karuta and her relationships with Arata and Taichi. She realizes that she still has a lot to learn and decides to work harder to become a better player.

Overall, As My Love First Came is a character-driven episode that focuses on Chihaya's personal growth and her relationships with the other characters. The episode features some intense Karuta matches and explores themes of friendship, love, and loss. Fans of the series will appreciate the deeper insights into the characters' personalities and motives.