Sawamura Matsugorou, the grandfather of a young Tsugaru shamisen player, Sawamura Setsu, has died. In losing the grandfather whom he'd always admired, Setsu has lost his own sound, and so he has gone to Tokyo with no plans other than to search for what he's lost. When he gets caught up in some trouble, he's saved by Tachiki Yuna, a woman who works at a hostess club. Events progress, and Setsu ends up unveiling his musical skills as the opening act for a live concert...

Setsu's unconventional mother, Sawamura Umeko, has suddenly descended and forced him to enroll at Umezono Academy. In helping to assemble a shamisen which has lain long disused, he meets Maeda Shuri, a girl in the same grade as him. While all this is going on, Setsu reunites with his older brother, who he hasn't seen in a while, and they play shamisen together...

Shuri is caught listening to music during class and has her cellphone confiscated. The song heard through her earphones is Setsu's grandfather, Matsugoro's, improvisation piece "Shungyou." How? How does she know that song? When Setsu asks about it, Shuri tells him that's a song that holds precious memories for her and her grandmother.

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...

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...