Honestly, it felt like this series had lost a little momentum before these past few chapters, but the tension and pace has really ramped up again, especially with Hikaru's performance! I love what has been done with her character - there's no personal spite or malice directed at Akane or anyone else, just a drive to prove to oneself the limits of one's ability and ambition, and the same goes for the rest of the contestants. No doubt whoever wins this competition, everyone partaking of it leaves the venue enriched by the Rakugo they get to experience. I'm very excited to see the climax of this arc.