Ryutaro Mine is a violinist who needed a piano player for his violin jury. But when he chooses Nodame as his partner, little did he know his troubles were just beginning. The piece performed in the episode is Sonata No. 5 "Spring" for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Chiaki takes part in his first competition as a conductor. But he ends up having to face strong contestants like Jean Donnadieu, one of Sebastiano Vieira's apprentices.