Dear god, so much stuff to comment on
Ok, let's go by order.
-The part with Nodoka felt even more irrelevant in the manga. Also, Yuuki looks horrible in achiga's style, even though Nodoka looks just fine.
-Teatime with Shiraitodai. Now, that I didn't see coming. And Teru's face looks so dull outside of the table. That is the face of someone who only feels alive playing mahjong. No mistress matters, they're only means for an end, it's all about the tiles. That's Teru's sin.
-"You didn't use it this time. That one that goes like whu-whu-whee"... Awai, what are you talking about?
So, no surprise here, but yeah, we have yet to see the true Teru train. Oh Yuuki, you poor thing, unknowing of true despair crawling onto your very soul with every passing second...
-YES!, Kuro finally realized the true ordeal, no, the ODDYSEY behind the match agaisnt Teru, or rather she was told about it, and she reacted in the most proper way: with tears.
-"Hanada-san...you suffered the biggest point loss, yet smiled the most"
HOW CAN I NOT HAVE A CRYING WAVER IMAGE IN MY ENTIRE HD!?
-Harue is acting like a coach!
What is this wizardry!?
-"A ritual to revive the dragon?". Even for Saki, that wording is a bit outhere. So, to reactivate the dora magnet after discarding a dora you don't need time, just to play a bunch of matches in a row, and practice matches count, even without a group of 4. That almost feels like cheating considering what we have seen of Kuro's skill so far, but it definetly makes things easier for achiga, since I'm sure many of us thought Kuro would have to make do without the favors of the dragon in the finals. This also confirms it was Kuro's mindset and nothing else holding her back until now. Hopefully she learned the lesson.
-OH WOW! Izumi's face when she got ron'd by Shindouji's player was just priceless. And right after giving a big inner speech about going after Shiraitodai. DENIED.
-And then she gets owned again by our resident sniper
-And Shindouji makes another win right after that
And speaking of that, it seems Shindouji has more of a plan than just using Kirame as a meat shield against Teru. One has to wonder why they would make one of their players change styles like that since they've already faced Shiraitodai before and found their way in. Maybe the prospect of facing both Shiraitodai AND Senriyama forced their hand.
-So, apparently, Shiraitodai's plan is to test the waters with every team to get a better feeling for whichever makes it to the finals with them. Until the captain's match, that is, which means Awai will be free to do her thing, whatever it is. A stealthy way to hype us even more for her.
-Harue keeps doing stuff! What is happening!? Is there a disturbance in the lesbian force!? Did a girl in the sakiverse go straight!?
Anyway, Harue is finally proving to be worthy of her legend status by essentially giving Yuu the key to defeat Sumire, and it's something not even Teru is aware: A tell mark, something that hasn't really been used in Saki before, as far as I can remember. Good thinking, Harue, and good eyesight too.
-May I add, for a series that focuses so much on fantasy for the juiciest parts of its matches, Sumire's bow looks pretty damn modern.
-Yes, Teru is actually concerned about Toki. Who's the monster now?
-Looks like Sumire has a pretty short fuse when things don't go her way (And of course, it's Izumi who pays the price
). Didn't expect that from such a "student council president" looking character.
-The match doesn't end in one chapter? Awesome!