"if there's a strength that makes you want to quit karuta, there must be one that makes you want to keep playing." suo's strength is undeniable but it is by 'borrowing' chihaya's strength (through the tasuki) that arata stops being scared and become composed for the final match.

i especially love taichi's part as he starts to truly realize what he wants. he had pushed on his wishes regarding suo to arata yet still desires to see its conclusion, along with witnessing chihaya's dream fulfilled.

but taichi recognizes his limits. as he is now, he realizes that his desires cannot be granted by himself ("omi jingu is no longer a place i can be"). and yet, he still wishes to be a witness anyway even if he thinks he has no place in omi jingu.

tsuboguchi's words give taichi clarity. taichi needs to be there to watch over his friends' triumph or defeat. this journey started with the three of them, and taichi has always been an integral part in the fulfillment of chihaya and arata's dreams.

chihaya's moment was truly what made this chapter for me. the lie she was told when she was young allowed her to get to omi jingu. however, she reframes that lie as a truth she chooses to believe in. and who can contradict that when everyone else believes in this truth as well?