It is shown that Takeshi declined an invitation to an international piano competition because he believes that Kōsei will finally arise after an absence of two years. As Takeshi plays his set piece on stage, it is recalled that he worked tenaciously to improve his musical talent due to his aspiration to play like Kōsei. Takeshi receives a thunderous applause from the audience after he finishes his performance, and his hands shiver once he leaves the stage. After an intermission of fifteen minutes, Emi walks onto the stage to perform her set piece. Emi also vowed to become better at the piano after being in awe of Kōsei, but she lost her motivation to play when Kōsei vanished from the scene, unable to live up to her potential in her musical talent. Since Kōsei is finally back, she gives the performance of her life, expressing her emotions of anger and loneliness as she lets the music ring from within her. The audience gives a huge applause following her performance.