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?

one last thing i loved about this chapter was kana being chihaya's board girl on her last match. it feels so fitting to have the person who has stood by your journey this whole time to be supporting you in the final steps as well.

suetsugu-sensei really has some explanation to do for this scene