The chapter opens with a soliloquy by Tomoya, in which he describes his dream of becoming a master of the game of karuta. He says that he wants to be able to play the game for the rest of his life, and that he wishes he could play it forever. He tells us that he has learned a great deal about the game by reading aloud, but that he does not know if he can do it as well as the other players. He also tells us about how he feels sorry for himself because he is so stupid. Tomoya tells him that he should go to a different club practice so that he can practice alone.