They rush to the auditorium and after parting ways, Kousei is faced with a the tense atmosphere in Towa Hall, hearing the hushed whispers and observation all around him. Memories of his mother forcing him to play returns and before he gets into a panic attack, Watari's "What's wrong?" brings him back. However, Tsubaki didn't forget to notice how peculiar Kousei was acting and the slight twitch in his fingers.As they make their way to their seats, people start to recognize Kousei as 'Arima' and dubbed him the youngest to ever win the Saiko competition.
As the participants continue with their piece (Beethoven; Violin Sonata No.9, The Kreutzer), Kousei states how this competition was jsut starting to get noticed and the winner would be able to play on a Guarneri (A type of violin, courtesy of Google) owned by the sponsors in a recital. Tsubaki also notices how Kousei's fingers follow the accompaniment as he silently cheers a participant on.
When it's Kaori's turn, Watari and Tsubaki cheer loudly, with Kousei failing to keep them quiet. As Kaori appears, she wonders if her music will reach the audience. Before she plays, she chants, "Elohim, Essaim, Elohim, Essaim, I implore you."
Her playing attracts a few people at first, one of the bored judges, the Tsubaki, Watari and Kousei (the trio), and soon, everyone gets entranced by her playing. As one of the judges say, her playing is all over the place as her tempo and dynamics are and how she isn't following with the pianist.
Everyone is taken aback by her playing and commends her brilliantly. Even Kousei praised her 'beautiful' even though he also mentioned what violent behaviour she has. And, Kousei also wonders how she can seem so happy while playing and also knows that winning isn't her purpose.
Next, she claims she doesn't care about winning and runs towards the trio. After a few words exchanged with Watari, she goes up to Kousei and asks of his opinion of her playing. Kousei doesn't forget to notice her shaking fingers, and she returns to Watari.
She wins the Audience Choice.
We're brought back to school where Kousei is lying on the floor, surrounded by music sheets (Beethoven; Sonata No.9 in A major, Op.47). Yes, as he talks to Watari, Kousei indulges in a self-depreciating mood as he confesses to Watari that no girl would ever come to like him.
As he walked home, he remember Kaori's playing yet again. He tells himself that he feels as if he wants to see her, yet not; he wants to hear her play the violin, yet not. Then he wonders: What do you call that feeling again?
Kaori confesses that she was waiting for Watari, and Kousei covers for him. So, she walks home with Kousei instead.
