KÅsei, Kaori, Tsubaki and RyÅta make it to the concert hall, where the second annual junior high division violin competition is being held, ten minutes before it begins. When KÅsei, Tsubaki and RyÅta enter the auditorium, KÅsei breathes in the nostalgic scent, and some people recognize him as a former piano prodigy. As the first round of the preliminaries starts, each contestant plays the same set piece with a piano accompanist. Kaori is the fourth contestant to come onto the stage and play the set piece, but she plays it in a very unique manner, wowing the audience. After the competition, KÅsei observes from the sidelines as Kaori runs towards RyÅta, almost like a scene from a romance movie. Because of this, KÅsei feels like he is playing the role of "Friend A", pondering his newfound mixed emotions for Kaori. The next day, since RyÅta has soccer practice after school, Kaori offers KÅsei to stand in for RyÅta in the meantime.