Kono Oto Tomare! 2nd Season

"National Qualifier!"

I'm sorry, Takezo... for not being able to get us a ticket to nationals.

I already know.

Since that day...

It's been a whole year...

"#22 Morning of the Showdown" Good morning!

"#22 Morning of the Showdown" Oh, good morning!

Breakfast looks like quite the feast today.

Today's the national qualifier, right? You need to get fired up!

I'll come hear your performance.

What?!

What, you don't want me to?

Well, it's not like that, but...

I know you've been working hard from early in the morning till late at night,

and yet, I've never heard your performance, you know.

I'll come with your dad to root for you.

Dad, too?!

I'm glad that the qualifier is on a Sunday.

I don't have any plans today, but I'm not going.

Hey, Takeru!

But if by some chance you guys make it to nationals, I guess I could go.

Thanks, Takeru.

Kurusu?!

What're you doing here? Did something happen?

Today we're meeting up at the station near the venue, right?

Um... Well...

If you don't mind... um... can we go together today?

I'm so nervous I feel like I'll end up getting on the wrong train.

Hold on a sec.

You can have this.

Hey, your hands!

They're very cold! How long did you wait?!

I-I didn't wait that long, really!

Hm...? Aren't your hands cold, too?

To tell you the truth, I've also been nervous since yesterday...

So I'm a little relieved now since you're here.

Let's go.

Chika. You got everything? Do you have your plectrums with you?

Who'd forget their plectrums when they're going to perform?

More people than you might think.

Oh. I'll come hear your performance with Takaoka today.

What? With Tetsuki? Why?

Well, I heard he was coming, too,

so I thought I'd give him a ride... by force.

Are you trying to kill him?

See you later.

Chika!

Snatch that ticket to nationals!

Of course we will, dummy!

"Kao School"

The award goes to...

...Kanagawa Prefectural...

...Hakuto High School.

Kazusa seems unusually nervous.

What's the matter, Nene?

Listen! You'll be number one!

What?

Ask me "why?"!

Wh-Why?

'Cause I'm rooting for you!

You're such an angel! Thanks, Nene!

There's no way I'm gonna lose.

I'm gonna take you to nationals for sure!

That's right, Kazusa. We, Himesaka, will never lose again.

Jeez, Mio! The bus is already at school!

It's still not...

What?

It's still not enough. Power... I need to charge it.

Mio!

Hey! Suzumori! So you found Kanzaki, huh? Good!

Mr. Yamamoto! But Mio says he still isn't coming yet.

What? Why?

Photosynthesis.

Oh, I see! Photosynthesis, huh? That sounds good! I'll do it, too.

Whoa! This feels good, Kanzaki!

You look like you're having fun again today.

Yep! I'm having fun!

Because the national qualifier is finally here today!

I've been excited for months now!

That's something.

I couldn't go to the traditional music festival because I got the flu, right?

Oh, yeah?

You don't remember?!

But seriously...

Thanks... for following me all this way.

I didn't really follow you, though.

What?!

Right, of course!

Whoa... I feel embarrassed. Forget what I just said!

Mr. Yamamoto! Mio! We'll be late!

Oh... Sorry, Suzumori!

Now, get up, Kanzaki. Let's go!

Listen, Mio... The fact is, Mr. Yamamoto is...

Kanzaki!

Hurry up, or I'll carry you to the bus!

Yeah, that's fine. Carry me on your back.

What?

"Yamawa Station"

Okay, guys. We need to take a deep breath. I heard exhaling is important.

It's not working! I can't calm down at all! My heart is about to pop out of my ear!

Oh, no! Put it back!

Calm down! We can try acupressure!

My mom said pressing here on our hands relieves tension.

I also saw on the Internet that it helps if we admit we're nervous!

Okay, let's do both! We're nervous!

What're you guys doing?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chika! Hozuki! Don't scare us like that!

Hey, why are you already so nervous?

This isn't even our first competition.

That's exactly why we're more nervous!

On top of that, today... you know... um...

We can't fail... for sure...

If you're thinking like that, you're gonna mess up.

Hey, you should give them a little bit of hope.

It's shock therapy.

Is your mom coming to hear our performance today?

No.

I sent her a letter and mentioned today's competition,

but she didn't write back or call me.

I see...

But...

...it's okay. My current performance and my performance with you...

This isn't the last chance for her to hear it.

--Yep! --That's right!

Good morning, guys!

Good morning!

Are we all here?

We are!

Miss Akira will join us later, right?

Yeah. Okay then, let's go.

It'll take ten minutes to get to the venue on foot.

U-Um, excuse me!

This may not be the right place to give these to you, but I'll do it while I can.

What? What is it?

A-Actually, nothing. I'm sorr--

Jeez! Stop being so hesitant.

--Hey! --Can I open it? I'll open it, okay?

Wai--

Are they... charms?

They're in the shape of a bridge! And they have our names!

Did you make these for us, Hozy?!

U-Um... I-I-I'm sorry that they aren't well made... Th-They look tacky, too.

I-I caused you trouble because of my family stuff.

Well, actually, I made them wishing that we could do our best today.

Hozy...

This is amazing! I'm so happy! Thank you!

These are filled with lots of love!

We're definitely gonna be okay today!

Thank you!

Here's yours, Mr. Takinami.

What? I've got one, too? Thanks.

Hozuki. Did you poke your fingers with the needle?

I did, but my fingertips are very hard now, so...

Oh, Chika? We need to get going or we'll be late.

What's the deal with him? He didn't even say thanks.

Kudo. That's the wrong direction.

Oh. He must be really happy.

Looks like it.

This might be the first time someone's given him a charm.

This is crazy. It's a charm just for me...

Don't ever show your face in front of me again!

We can just use him when fights get bad.

Shall we get going, too?

Hey, Granddad...

The koto club you created really is amazing!

I wish these days could go on forever...

Komaki! Hurry up!

"Monthly Hogaku Days" Komaki! Hurry up!

"Monthly Hogaku Days" We're gonna head out to the venue now!

"Koto for Beginners" What? Please wait for me, Mr. Tsukaji!

"Koto: You can play it, too" "History of Traditional Japanese Music" What? Please wait for me, Mr. Tsukaji!

In any case, do I have to go today, too?

When I go to concerts, I fall asleep in the middle without fail.

So I think it'd be better if you go alone.

Komaki!

Are you taking your job seriously?!

We publish a specialized magazine on traditional Japanese music!

And you're one of its editors, for God's sake! So act like one!

I got the job through my personal connections.

It's not like I'm interested in traditional Japanese music.

I've heard enough!

Don't you think koto is kinda a tough subject?

Then today's work suits you very well.

What?

It's Kanagawa's qualifier for nationals.

Koto is tough? Difficult to approach?

This is way beyond that.

Today a bunch of high school students in their prime battle it out!

"Tetsuki taken by force"

Whoa... So they're all our rivals, huh?

As expected, there are so many girls...

A total of 14 schools, was it?