Okiku Hikaru is a woman without compare
the specialty two-page spread is killer (as always) but I also absolutely adore the page with Ikken talking about imitating a friend's voice as the essence of rakugo. It's such a perfect concept for Hikaru to execute on as this voice actress spurred on by the people around her, and that imitation just makes her own voice that much more distinct (Okiku shifting from a representation of Akane to a representation of Hikaru herself... so good........)
she sets a high bar but I'm sure Karashi and Akane will meet it, strong ass start to the finals of this event 🙏