As a child, Chihaya Ayase had just one dream: to watch her older sister, Chitose, become Japan's most successful model. However, after defending her ostracized classmate, Arata Wataya, from his bully—Chihaya's childhood friend, Taichi Mashima—she discovers the world of competitive karuta and quickly becomes enamored with the sport. Based on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu anthology, this card game, which involves studying poems, demands excellent memory, agility, and tremendous endurance from its players. Full of hope, Chihaya joins the Shiranami Society alongside the newly reconciled Arata and Taichi, embarking on an exciting journey to win the title awarded to the top-ranked female player—the Queen of Karuta. Since middle school, Chihaya had grown distant from the dispassionate Taichi and separated from Arata. However, to improve her skills, Chihaya decides to establish a karuta club at her high school. With the help of Taichi, another veteran player, and a few spirited newcomers, Chihaya's newly founded Mizusawa Karuta Club aims for victory in the Omi Shrine's national championship.