Arata Wataya

a student from Fukui who once transferred to Chihaya Ayase's elementary school as a child. The grandson of a master karuta player, Arata inspired Chihaya to take up karuta by telling her that he thinks she has a talent for it. He had difficulty fitting in because of his Fukui dialect and his family's poverty. His passion for karuta and his playing style are inspired by his grandfather, a Meijin (master).