: Despite the loss, discussions indicate Inori may still qualify for the Junior World Figure Skating Championships based on her previous JGP performances and overall ranking. Where to Read
Later, the emotional weight breaks Inori’s composure. Although she initially smiles and tries to maintain a brave face for her family, she eventually runs away from her rivals and hides in a bush, where Hikaru finds her curled up and crying. This moment highlights the "raw" vulnerability of the series, showcasing that Inori's greatest competition is often her own internal expectations. This loss is a strategic shift for the story.
Chapter 49 is included in Volume 13 of the Japanese release.
Her subsequent 3Lz ends in a fall, leading to her lowest performance score yet. The Aftermath: