Kumiko and the others prepare for Sunrise Festival. Kumiko and Shuichi talk about Taki-sensei on the way home from school, when they run into Reina.

The band is hard at work preparing for the audition and the competition. Aoi has trouble with her part, to which Taki says, "when will you be better by?"

The audition for the competition participants has come. Everyone must demonstrate their abilities, whether they're a third-year or a first-year. And then, the results are revealed.

Taki-sensei's proposal relieves the upset within the band, and everyone returns to practicing. Reina no longer isolates herself either, much to Kumiko's relief. But then she sees Yuko, who's been antagonizing Reina, speaking with her.

The competition performance is "only" 12 minutes long. It's both a blink of an eye and an eternity. The Concert Band members bet their entire youths on this competition. And Kitauji High School Concert Band's performance begins.

Having won first place at the Kyoto competition, Kumiko and the band are preparing to compete in the Kansai competition. A shadow looms over them when an old member, Nozomi Kasaki, enters the picture.

The high school Kitauji fanfare begins its intensive summer camp before the Kansai competition. Kumiko is still trying to find out more about Asuka's refusal to reinstate Nozomi and intends to respect her promise to the girl.

Nozomi finally meets Mizore. She learns, the hard way, why Asuka had been keeping her away.

Asuka's mother wants her to quit the concert band. This upsets everyone -- including her mother.

Asuka is about to lose her seat competing in the Nationals. But that might not be why she invited Kumiko over.

It's the big day: the All Japan Concert Band Competition Nationals.