Status Updates From Chihayafuru, Vol. 7 (Chihay...

Ch. 41 completed
Great finisher. This chapter is mostly about fleshing out more about newly established characters with little to no previously known background. (Current Queen, Former Queen, Current Master, and relationships between the characters)

Ch. 40 completed
Lots of new characters introduced/teased. Former Queen and current Master.

Ch. 39 completed
Chihaya plays against prodigy. Wins. Chihaya introspects a bit more. Sensei says it's ok to use her speed.

Ch. 38 completed
New character is introduced at the end. Supposed prodigy similar to Queen. Chihaya passed classes.

Ch. 37 completed
Arata loses his match. Taichi is depressed. Sensei can see it and offers to promote him for his efforts anyway despite not formally meeting qualifications. Taichi refuses. Chihaya gets a pep talk from Tsukue and starts to lock in on her studies.

Ch. 36 completed
Chihaya struggles to get to the match but eventually makes it. Arata and Taichi briefly meet. Arata tells Taichi to give Chihaya his contact information he wrote on a note. Taichi is rattled by seeing Arata and does not win his match to qualify for promotion. Taichi has not given Arata's contact information yet despite meeting Chihaya after his loss.

Didn’t expect Ayase would see Arata play this soon. I was low key expecting Arata to win his tournament but he is rusty. This new queen contender is…interesting I guess.

I'm team Taichi all the way, but I love Arata as well 😭. I hope Taichi continues to develop confidence and I hope Ayase becomes more aware of the dynamics at play. Like, at this point you're purposefully being naive especially towards Taichi's feelings toward you, not cool... Not Cool.

Verse 37, p. 18: I'm screaming icb the author is having chihaya compare a karuta poem to her and arata's relationship!!! I love this moment so much it's so indulgent and great and actually also ic