The change in Hino’s performance has been the talk all around the school, and both students from the regular school and the music school share the same opinion that it would be better for her to just quit. The teachers are also saying that the present concours is full of trouble, most of which are due to Hino taking part in the competition. “It feels like this year’s concours is already over… looks like it was a mistake to let a regular student take part in the competition after all” is what the other students say. Hihara’s classmates also share the same sentiments and says that it was impossible right from the start.

Hihara absent-mindedly stares at the window, gazing at the sky when his classmate wakes him up from his dazed state. His classmate tells him to go practice, since the competition is coming close, and now that Yunoki’s gone, he’s the only representative of the 3rd years. After being told “how could you not give it your best”, he was reminded of being told a similar thing in the past. “Don’t give up on winning the competition”, he tells Hihara, then tells him that the seat Hihara is seating on is his ^^;;

After that, we see Kanazawa-sensei and his cat, commenting on how it has gotten fat… ^^;; Just then, Hihara approaches Kana-yan and asks him, “Is simply liking music is not good enough? …it doesn’t make sense to me… winning, being worried about who’s not here” Kana-yan tells him that the concours is indeed like that. Hihara tells Kana-yan, “But playing music to win against people…”, with which Kana-yan tells him that his enemy is not other people but himself. Kana-yan tells him, “Give it your all, continue striving to be better than what you are now… don’t give any excuses. And then in the end, you’ll be able to let go of your past self (worries in the past).” Hihara thinks about what Kana-yan said about ?past self…’ After giving this advice, Kanazawa-sensei tells himself “What am I saying? I’m saying things like some teacher again “… then advises Hihara to not simply think about it on his own, but rather think about it together with his trumpet - what his own music should be. With all this advice he gave Hihara, he reflects on his own life and tells himself “Geez… is this something I should be telling other people?”… then comments on how great youth is… ^^”

Hino is on the way to practice, when she sees Hihara practicing on the rooftop. Noticing the change in the way Hihara plays, Hino thinks about what Yunoki told her (that there’s still someone whose music is yet to changed / there’s another person whose music has changed… not sure which… >.<) and thinks that Yunoki was probably referring to Hihara.

Hino goes to the rooftop, then as she was just about to say something, Hihara tells her “You know, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately… why I actually wanted to play the trumpet. I already said it before, that I used to be in the track and field club up until junior high. I’ve been a member since elementary… I didn’t find it hard, and I was able to gain friends too…” and then we see a flashback of when Hihara was still in the track and field…

He made a new best lap record, with which his friend (Yuu) who was also an active member of the track and field, is so proud of… since they’ll be sure to win at that rate. Just then, they hear someone practicing trumpet, and Hihara was awed by how its sound resonates even until the school grounds. He wonders if it’s Miyauchi-sempai (it was not shown here, but in the manga, Miyauchi sempai is a senior girl who influenced him to gain interest in playing the trumpet), Seeing how excited Hihara is with hearing the trumpet than in the upcoming competition, Yuu frowns and tells Hihara that the competition is near, and that not all freshmen can take part in it. Then tells Hihara “How can you be a contender that way?”, then the flashback ends…

Hihara tells Hino that he started the track and field simply because he liked running, so winning and even participating in competitions didn’t mean much to him. Hino realizes that perhaps he feels the same way towards the concours.

Hihara continues with his story, telling Hino that he ended up quitting the track and field, and joined the brass band. Yuu, on the other hand, did his best and practiced every day as he was chosen as the representative in the competition. What Hihara did was cheer him up with his trumpet on the day of the athletic meet. Yuu was quite surprised and happy to see him there, cheering for him. Hihara cheered, “Yuu, do your best!! I’m sure you’ll be alright… just do it like you always do!!” then he was chased because he was causing some commotion… (and because what he was doing was dangerous) ^^;;

The athletic competition is over, and Yuu goes to see Hihara who’s sitting under a tree. Hihara asks him about the result of the competition, and Yuu tells him he placed 2nd. Hihara was so happy for him, but Yuu tells him that Hihara would’ve done so much better, and that if he was sure to win if he joined. But then Hihara never thought about that… Yuu asked him about having any regrets quitting the track and field, then Hihara says he doesn’t feel any regrets, because quitting the club doesn’t mean he already quit running. He still likes running, but really doesn’t have any interest in joining competitions… “You concentrate hard, but then you control all your emotions as you run… it’s not that I hate it, but I just don’t think I’m up for such competition. But playing the trumpet is different! With this, I can give it everything I got and release my emotions as I blow. It feels soo great!! I want to practice more and more, then I’ll be sure to go cheer you again with my trumpet the next time you compete!” he tells Yuu.

But then after that, Yuu moved to another place, so they were not able to meet again. Then Hino tells him that winning 2nd place in the competition was a great feat, and that Hihara’s trumpet surely made an impact on Yuu and became a source of encouragement for him (received energy / gained energy from, is what she literally said ) “The sound of the trumpet resounds in one’s entire body, just like how our very cells and heartbeat overflows us with energy. I also gain strength / encouragement from Hihara’s music. With those words, Hihara remembers a similar thing said to him by Yuu, that he gains strength from Hihara’s trumpet… “You’re still not that skilled, but it was able to give me strength, that overflowed in my body. Thank you, Kazuki”

Hihara thinks about the rumors and talks about Hino, then realizes just how she’s been working hard despite all that. Hino tells him that she still hasn’t worked hard enough, and that she needs to work hard even more. Just then, Hihara plays the trumpet for her (cute~). “There’s nothing I can do but this, to cheer up Hino, with my music. To cheer you up with this trumpet of mine… I want to give encouragement to the people I cherish. Indeed, this is my music… Kaho-chan!” these thoughts filled Hihara as he played the trumpet…

Kanazawa-sensei and Yunoki are in the faculty room, as Yunoki was getting some documents from him. Kana-yan hears Hihara playing and comments on how he was finally able to get back to his old self. Then Yunoki leaves…

Then we see this sort of random (?) scene of Yunoki in the woods / bamboo… o.O

Anyways, Hino is practicing with Mori, her accompanist.. Mori tells her she’s performing better than before, but then Hino tells her to be frank with her and tell her exactly what she thinks about her current performance. Mori tells her that she thinks with her current level, she’ll have a hard time in the concours… then tells Hino “But then, I’m looking forward to it (or rather looking forward to Hino playing). Seeing you play with all your heart will make us (or everyone) think there’s more to this competition than winning. Something like that~” Hino tells Mori that the final selection will indeed be hard, then asks Mori if they could go on the stage together. Mori says “of course!”

Tsukimori wonders if Hino could bear all the rumors and gossips about her before the final selection comes. Then Tsuchiura says Hino is strong. Tsukimori remembers the event where Hino cried… then shows some worry (regarding Tsuchiura’s comment of Hino being strong) Tsuchiura asks Tsukimori whether there’s something else she knows about Hino, and Tsukimori replies that he doesn’t. Tsuchiura says “She looks like Cinderella who lost her magic, eh…”, and tells Tsukimori that’s what the store owner told him. Tsuchiura believes that up until the present, the hard work Hino’s been showing is genuine and real, not simply some magic.

Mio and Nao meets up with Hino (or rather, suprises her ^^;; ), reminding Hino not to forget to take care of her body despite working hard in practicing Kana-yan sees this, and perhaps thinks that it’s great that Hino has such friends who supports her.

Hino continues practicing during lunch time, then Shimizu and Fuyuumi exchange comments regarding Hino’s music…

Shimizu: It’s Kaho-sempai’s music…
Fuyuumi: Kaho-sempai has been practicing really hard.
Shimizu: Sempai’s [real] feelings towards music is showing in the way she plays…
Fuyuumi: It’s said that sweets are good for easing tiredness… Perhaps I should bake some cookies for sempai next time…
Shimizu: Ahh… it feels like some music which fell down from the skies.

Hearing Hino practicing reminds Kana-yan of his past…

In the rooftop, Amou-san visits her and shows her some pics of her… it includes a sleeping Hino, which Hino takes away form Amou since it was an embarrassing pic Then, Amou-san showed her this pic from the 2nd selection (where she won), and tells her that even people who haven’t known her personally would know that she surely loves violin (just by looking at that pic). Amou gaves Hino that pic, and tells her it’s like some “trump card” for her, as she will be reminded of how good she played that time… just like how soccer players replay videos of how they play to see their strengths [and weakness, though this wasn't mentioned anymore ] Hino thanks her, and Amou cheers her up to do her best in the final competition.

After school, Hihara catches up with Yunoki who was also on his way home. Hihara tells Yunoki that he must be doing a lot of preparations… in the same way as he is preparing for the upcoming competition. Hihara said he’s in a kind of “super practice mode” Hihara tells him “Music is great after all”, which somewhat strikes Yunoki.. And then, Hihara congratulates him for winning the 3rd selection…as he doesn’t remember doing so before (because of a lot of worries he had). Then tells him to do his best even in England.

Kanazawa-sensei goes to the rooftop and tells Hino that time for staying in school for practice is over… Kana-yan tells Hino that she’s been practicing really hard every day. Hino tells her it’s not so, because despite doing all this, there might be no meaning to it… then, apologizes to Kana-yan for saying such things (she said that there are really times when she just blurts out things, when she’s not at ease…). She tells him that she’s decided to practice real hard. Then Kana-yan tells her “How admirable you are… [As for me] I wasn’t able to get over it”. He leaves and tells Hino to be careful on her way home.

Just as when Hino was going to get out of the school, Yunoki arrives in his car and drags her along for dinner… ^^;;

At the restaurant, Hino thinks to herself “Feels like something like this has happened before…” Yunoki sees Hino in a somewhat dazed state, and asks if there’s something wrong with the food. Hino tells him that’s not it, it’s delicious and it’s her first time eating in such a classy restaurant.

“This is the last dinner”, Yunoki says, which makes Hino wonder what he’s talking about. Yunoki asks Hino if she’s going to continue playing the violin, and Hino tells him she was unsure of her feelings before but now she has clearly decided to continue on, and do her best in the final competition. Yunoki compliments her for her determination, with which Hino tells him it’s because she was “persuaded” / “encouraged” by him to do so…

Hino then asks if he’s still going to continue playing the flute after he goes to England… Yunoki was unable to reply, and Hino follows it up with another question “Are you absolutely not allowed to do so?” Yunoki then asks her… “Are you trying to tell me that you want me by your side?” Hino tells Yunoki it’s not like that, she just wants him to continue on playing music, and not quit… with this, Yunoki smiles (an honest, from-the-bottom-of-his-heart kind of smile~ ^^)

“I’m glad, Kahoko.” (or rather, ‘you made me have a pleasant time’) Yunoki said. “You were perfect for killing my boredom.”

Then Yunoki leaves for his flight… (he paused for a little, looked back and smiled… most likely remembering about Hino )