Al perder a su abuelo, de quien heredó su talento con el shamisen, Setsu está destrozado y siente que ha perdido el sonido que lo significaba todo para él, así que decide irse a Tokio para encontrar su propio sonido como prometió a su abuelo en su lecho de muerte.

Setsu no tiene claro que quiera ir a la escuela a estudiar, pero su madre y su hermano pueden ser figuras clave para su decisión.

Sawamura descubre que Shuri, la chica del club de shamisen, conoce la canción de su abuelo. ¿Cómo es posible? Los recuerdos del joven, su miedo a no poder tocar la canción de su abuelo y el pasado del mismo se entrelazan en el presente.

Setsu intenta dejar atrás a su abuelo y encontrar su propio sonido, y su primer paso para ello será interpretar la pieza maestra de su abuelo para la abuela de Shuri.

Una nueva competencia aparece en el horizonte, y no faltos de ambición, en el club de shamisen deciden que es su oportunidad para probar suerte. Por desgracia para ellos, todavía están muy verdes y piden ayuda a Setsu para que les enseñe.

The owner of a shop selling traditional Japanese instruments, Oodawara Hiroshi, has taken the Tsugaru Shamisen Appreciation Club to Aomori for a training camp. The members start practicing right away, but Shuri falls into a slump and Setsu, caught up in his own worries, doesn't seem very interested in helping her out. Then, Oodawara tells them a little of the history of Tsugaru shamisen and it serves as a catalyst for Setsu to find the answer he's been looking for...

The Tsugaru Shamisen Appreciation Club has entered the tournament that Umeko is sponsoring, the Matsugorou Cup. Also participating are Tanuma Mai, who has thought of Setsu as a rival since they were little, and her older brother, Tanuma Souichi. With strong competitors like Osaka's Kaji Takaomi and Fukuoka's Arakawa Ushio gathered from all over Japan, the tournament is shaping up to be a fierce battle. And now, the curtain rises on the Matsugorou Cup's group competition!

Setsu has finally shown how he really feels. The Tsugaru Shamisen Appreciation Club is strengthening their bonds, but with their performance rapidly closing in, Shuri's insecurity and nervousness reach their peak. Shuri turns to Yui for support, but Yui's behavior seems strange somehow. Struggling with her own anxiety before the big event, Yui tries to act tough in front of Shuri, but she begins to collapse under the pressure...?

At last, it is time for Umezono Academy to perform. In spite of their nerves, the Tsugaru Shamisen Appreciation Club begins their performance boldly. Setsu's overwhelming sound overlaps and intermingles with the sounds of the other Umezono members who each hold their own. As the images that arise in their hearts come together, their sounds come together too. Where will their performance take them?

The Tsugaru Shamisen Appreciation Club has placed 3rd in the Matsugorou Cup. Next, the individual competition finally begins. However, someone unexpected has come to the venue—Kamiki Ryuugen. He reveals to Umeko that he wants Setsu to inherit the Kamiki School from him because...

Kaji has been struck by a misfortunate accident—a string snapped in the middle of his performance. Seeing him continue on two strings to give an amazing performance stirs Setsu's heart. Then, Umeko reveals her true motives for creating the tournament to Setsu. Will Setsu play his grandfather's sound or his own sound? At last, his performance begins...

Setsu plays, following his heart. He sets an image within the notes. With all his heart, he tries to convey it. The sound that pours from Setsu' shamisen draws forth memories from everyone who hears it. Then, the favorite for first place, Tanuma Souichiro's performance begins. The sound is overwhelming. Waves of it shake the auditorium and his performance charms the audience. With both of their performances over, the conclusion of the tournament brings...