Chika and the other club members are having trouble understanding Satowa's instruction. Later, 2 girls from the elite Himesaka Girls Academy randomly show up at the clubroom that seem to know Satowa!

The club decide to do a training camp so they can really focus on practicing their next piece. However, while everyone else seems to be improving, Kota's still struggling and feels left behind.

The training camp has come to an end and the High School Students' Kanto Region Traditional Japanese Music Festival is finally around the corner. To the gang's surprise, the koto clubs from Meiryo and Himesaka are participating in the festival too.

The piece for the qualifier has been decided. It's the piece that Satowa played at the National Koto Competition. Since Takinami's arrangement requires two 17-strings, Satowa goes to see her mother to borrow one.

The day of the qualifier for nationals has finally come. Seeing other students upon their arrival at the venue, the Tokise koto club members realize that they're all there seriously aiming to go to nationals.