Takeshi you've received an invitation from the Schuberstein Competition.
The Maihou Competition's around the same time but let's cancel that one.
Mr. Takayanagi.
I won't be going to Germany.
What?
I'm going to enter the Maihou Music Competition.
But why? They invited you you know!
It's a golden opportunity that almost never comes up!
And you also need to get overseas exposure before the Chopin Competition!
You already won Maihou last year so there's no reason to make it a priority.
But there is a reason.
Kousei Arima might be competing.
You waited enough saying that.
But he hasn't shown his face in public for two whole years now.
There are even rumors that he can't hear anymore.
He might be competing this time.
Takeshi!
I know it's ridiculous.
But my goal isn't to go overseas or to play in the Chopin Competition.
My goal is Kousei Arima.
The competition that he'll be playing in.
It's gonna be all right. You can do this. You can play it!
I like your expression. Don't get overeager Takeshi.
All right that's a great start.
Takeshi!
Is she listening to another person's performance?
What an intrepid soul!
Arima?
Are you watching?
Are you listening?
Arima?
Could this be the same piano?
He sounds totally different than everyone before him.
Confronting the music with sincerity.
A strong will to stand up to fears.
An unswerving fortitude at his core.
This is Aiza's Chopin.
I'm grateful to you Arima.
You're the one who made him grow up.
Just by existing...
you pushed the pianist Takeshi Aiza to the top.
I was able to hang in there during the two years you were gone...
because I always believed that you'd be back one day.
Have I caught up to you yet? Or am I even further behind?
Will you let me chase you down like a mirage again?
Will you be the one I aspire to be?
Answer me. Show me what you've got!
Come on now it's your turn.
Kousei Arima!
Wow!
Bravo!
Well I gotta admit he's pretty cool.
Just as expected!
Awesome awesome!
He looked this way!
He's so cool!
- What's that? - The Takeshi Brigade.
A rival is a special thing.
All the more so for adolescent boys.
A rival can make you grow far more than being taught by someone.
It's all because of you.
It was you who made Takeshi reach those heights Kousei Arima.
It was all for the sake of catching up to you.
That's what his piano says.
Do you feel that way too?
Don't make me laugh.
It's over!
That was great.
Good job!
Now they start trembling!
Good job.
Well? Did you see that Arima?
Yeah.
You were amazing.
Hey that was nothing.
Creepy...
There will now be a 15-minute intermission.
He was really cool wasn't he?
That was really tight!
Aiza sure has great presence!
You could even say he's imposing.
He didn't make any real mistakes either.
You can tell how grueling his practice sessions must be.
He doesn't look it but he's a diligent player.
Even though his mentor Takayanagi is so shallow!
Name of mentor: Akira Takayanagi
First place in all of his recent competitions.
He's certainly flying high at the moment.
He's a phenom ready to take the world by storm.
In comparison...
She's fallen quite far behind the pack.
She's cute!
Let's see.
Oh crap!
Oh it's Igawa. She's popular too.
I knew they seemed familiar. When I used to go cheer Kousei on
both that Aiza and Igawa
I used to see those three together all the time.
I remember because their names were always at the top.
But of course it was Kousei who always ended up in first place!
Why are you acting so smug again?
So is this Emi any good at the piano?
She's got to be good. Because she's hot!
I know how to size people up.
I bet Emi's gonna run away with this competition.
'Cuz she's so cute!
- Already using her first name? - Jerk...
But Igawa seems to be struggling lately.
An honorable mention at the Kumagai Competition
third place at the Tanizaki Music Festival
and the other day she didn't even make it past the preliminaries.
Sounds like she's been running hot and cold.
To think that those three always used to be a lock for the Top 3.
Pardon me.
Oh Mr. Takayanagi.
Hello Ms. Ochiai.
Tell me
how's it going with your student Igawa?
What a snide man.
Aiza's performance was masterful.
I'm sure it's all due to your instruction.
Well thank you very much.
In my case the student has surpassed the master!
But I do believe it's time for him to start thinking globally.
Since there probably isn't anything left for him to accomplish domestically.
No one can challenge him anymore in Japan.
You saw that yourself didn't you?
In everyone's eyes Takeshi is number one!
Today he'll destroy Arima and head overseas!
Feel free.
So how's Igawa doing?
That girl Emi can be so temperamental you see.
The most trivial thing can have a drastic effect on her performance.
Like her new shoes pinching her toes
or her neighbor humming in a bizarre way.
She can even be swayed by the weather that day.
For the last two years
it's been so hectic for everyone trying to keep her motivated.
Because the goal she should have vanquished had disappeared.
But it's different today.
The last two years... The goal she should have vanquished?
The goal she should have vanquished!
Are you implying that she doesn't see Takeshi as her goal?
Well neither does Aiza see Emi as a rival.
"The results speak for themselves." It's written all over your face.
Are you trying to pick a fight with me Ms. Ochiai?
You're the one who threw down the gauntlet Mr. Takayanagi.
We women are combative creatures. Do you understand?
Little boy?
We will now resume judging.
Aiza's reign will end today. Emi will bring an end to it.
Ugh goosebumps.
My skin's turning red!
It's been a while since I felt this way.
That's right.
It's been two years.
When I was five
I went to a piano recital to cheer on a friend.
Just when I was about to fall asleep from boredom
he appeared onstage.
He was such a bundle of nerves
my heart started pounding.
That was Arima?
I found out later...
that was the first time he'd ever performed in front of other people.
That moment of silence before his fingers touched the keys.
The time he took to bid his hesitation and confusion farewell.
The moment his fingers touched the keys
my future was decided.
I did it!
What you started bawling?
Embarrassing I know.
I'm sure it was awkward for young Arima!
He was crestfallen and beat it out of there.
My heart wouldn't stop pounding and tears were filling my eyes.
All of my emotions came gushing out at once.
I was just so moved.
As if I was embodying all the pleasure music brings.
But he Kousei Arima changed.
- Like a machine. - His mother's puppet.
- A slave to the sheet music. - A pianist made only for competitions.
So Kousei Arima's mother Saki Arima was dreaming.
I can understand that.
She entered her son in that competition to test him
and her dreams for him began with his magnificent performance.
The dreams that she could never realize for herself.
And so she drilled him...
to give performances that would get results and win competitions.
Exactly what the score calls for. Like a machine.
I get it.
As an instructor it's painful not to be able to deny that.
But you're different aren't you?
Because you're a strong child.
You know she is unfriendly and says harsh stuff
but she really has a thing for you Arima.
For me?
Yeah it's like she's in love with you.
She was always telling me...
"Takeshi you don't know the real Arima do you?"
So beautiful.
Pretty!
She just takes my breath away. The girl and the black piano.
Really what a sight!
What a lovely sound. But...
if that's all she's got.
It's true that Emi can be erratic.
Like a stormy sea
the waves of her emotions are surging unsteadily.
That being the case. Today...
it wouldn't be a surprise to see those waves reach their crest.
Hey hey.
I'm in sync with the piano. My fingers feel light.
Today I'm in the zone. It's probably...
because the scone I had for breakfast was so good.
Because my new dress looks good on me. Because I'm having a good hair day.
That's got to be it.
No of course that's not it!
I'm not a child.
So why am I making excuses to myself?
He's here. After two years he's so near.
He's gotten taller. He looks a little more mature.
But I recognized him at a glance.
Ever since that moment my excitement has been surging.
He's right there and he's watching me.
Do you feel that way too?
Don't make me laugh. Because I...
I've been playing the piano all this time in order to reject Kousei Arima.
I know that she has the technique. But not at this level.
Go! Go! Emi!
Let it all out with a bang! Let your feelings reach them!
A fourteen-year-old girl has this audience enthralled.
Is she really a junior high student?
I'm going to reject you.
Even if I lose even if I get trounced I'm going to reject you every time.
I don't want to hear the Kousei Arima that plays for competitions.
I'm going to reject you with my playing.
What I want to hear is—
Red yellow yellow.
Are these her emotions?
Red and yellow. Anger and—
Do you feel that way too?
Yes I do.
I'm only here because of you.
Just under four minutes.
A performance lasting just under four minutes.
That's what made me a pianist.
Come back come back
the Kousei Arima that I looked up to!
Let it ring! Let it ring!
Let it ring!
My piano!
Let it ring! Let it ring!
Let it ring!
I see.
Red and yellow. Her anger and her loneliness.
Chopin's Étude
Op. 25 No. 11.
"Le vent d'hiver" - Winter Wind.
Super-cute!
Dial it down Watari!
I see. You play by pouring your soul into the notes too.
Let it ring.
Episode 8 Let it Ring
Let it ring.
Episode 9 Resonance