Friend A.Kōsei, Kaori, Tsubaki and Ryōta make it to the concert hall, where the second annual junior high division violin competition is being held, ten minutes before it begins. When Kōsei, Tsubaki and Ryōta enter the auditorium, Kōsei breathes in the nostalgic scent, and some people recognize him as a former piano prodigy. As the first round of the preliminaries starts, each contestant plays the same set piece with a piano accompanist. Kaori is the fourth contestant to come onto the stage and play the set piece, but she plays it in a very unique manner, wowing the audience. After the competition, Kōsei observes from the sidelines as Kaori runs towards Ryōta, almost like a scene from a romance movie. Because of this, Kōsei feels like he is playing the role of "Friend A", pondering his newfound mixed emotions for Kaori. The next day, since Ryōta has soccer practice after school, Kaori offers Kōsei to stand in for Ryōta in the meantime.