We’re still at the stage of Hinomaru Zumou where its drama was going to have to be mined from something other than suspense, because there was only one way this match could go. Daichi had to win against Hakurou, which meant that Ushio had to win his rematch against Tennouji (which he probably had to, anyway). In theory the finals return us to uncertainty, though I’m pretty sure I was mostly spoiled about that by a comment a few weeks ago, too. We’ll see.
In effect it seems as if poor Tennouji-kun’s role in the story boils down to being a catalyst and a foil – a sacrifice to the development not just of Ushio but Kuze Sousuke, too. That’s a shame because he’s rather a good character on the whole – a worthwhile opponent, formidable in his own right and possessed of a genuine sense of integrity. But he’s not the protagonist, and he’s not quite up to Sousuke’s level as a fated rival – he’s an overachiever in his own right, ironically too much like Ushio despite their current enormous difference in physical size. Sousuke is a chosen one – Tennouji is just a climber. He may be touched by the sumo Gods, but he’s not one himself.
Given all that, once more it was all about the way the result we knew was coming about would come about. I don’t think Tennouji took Ushio too lightly based on beating him two days earlier, but there was perhaps a bit of a hangover from having lost to Kuze. It seemed to be impacting the entire Hakurou team to an extent. I also wonder if the fact that Ushio had more at stake might have been a factor – that’s not to say that Tennouji wasn’t motivated, but he already has two straight team and individual championships and a certain pro career ahead of him. Ushio has two more years in high school, true, but he hasn’t really won anything yet, and his captain is soon to be leaving his team behind.
As to the bout itself, it was one of those occasions with Hinomaru Zumou when I wished I understood the nuances of sumo better than I do. Ushio and Tennoujin are both steel-trap sumo minds, and they had a pretty good bead on each other after their previous match. It seemed as if the only way for Ushio to come out on top was to find some combination of moves Tennouji had never seen before – in a straight-up battle Ushio simply isn’t strong enough. That cuts against Ushio’s nature, but he managed to find a way to change his style (incorporating those of his teammates) without betraying his “ever forward!” mantra.
Above and beyond the result of the finals (where Eigadai surely awaits), there’s the matter of the team lineup. Will Kei be fit to wrestle? I hope so as I’d certainly like to see him get one win before this series is over and done, but then again the more dramatic route might just be to have Kirihito finally make his return to competition (a bit of a narrative cheat if it happens, I think). I think what we can safely assume is that Sousuke and Ushio will both be picked to wrestle last, not just because that’s what the story demands but because that’s how you’d probably do it in real life, too.
