Chapter Text
One year after the fated death of Kaori Miyazono, Kousei Arima lives a new chapter in his life, filled with people he never knew were so close to him. His renowned win at the finals earned him a top spot at Okutsu College of Music, where he continues to hone his piano playing surrounded by his self proclaimed rivals, Takeshi Aiza and Emi Igawa, as well as other piano prodigies from across the country. On the weeks where he has off, Kousei lingers between his own dusty house and his Hiroko Seto’s, his guardian. He watches as her daughter Koharu continues to grow and further teaches Takeshi’s sister, Nagi. At school, he spends time hanging out with his old friends, Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryota Watari extensively. But no matter how much he fills his schedule, a gaping hole is left in his heart, one that can’t seem be filled.
One year after the Eastern Japan Piano Competition Finals, Emi Igawa learns just how much Kousei Arima is ahead of them. But three years of music school is more than enough time to catch up, right? As she becomes more of a growing presence in Kousei’s life, she begins to learn more about his hiatus, his sudden return, and what followed the weeks after the enigmatic Miyazono’s death.
One year after being utterly humbled, Takeshi Aiza adjusts his perspective on his life. After years of straining his neck through a crowd for a glimpse of his mirage, Takeshi attempts to find new avenues of success for himself, which first involves becoming Kousei's best friend.
One year after Kousei finally spread his wings again, Tsubaki Sawabe’s feelings towards Kousei continue to fester inside of her. Unsure of both of their stances with the other, she tables the discussion and focuses on helping Kousei through Kaori’s death, and how she can figure out what’s best for herself, and for Kousei. Tsubaki struggles with differentiating love from assistance, her subconscious determination pushing her to do things, and make choices, she never thought she could.
One year after watching his best friend come back to life, and to die inside as well, Ryota Watari tries to steer Kousei towards new experiences and people, trying to leave the past behind. Watari wants what’s best for his friend, but the burden he’s placed upon himself as Kousei’s manager tires him, and his career as a soccer player is forcing him to decide between his best friend, and his own future. Despite what he tells himself, however, Kaori Miyazono left an undeniable mark on him, a mark present in everyone else’s life.
One year after his view of music changed, Toshiya Miike strives to meet his newfound idol, Arima, and learn what it means to be a true musician. Oblivious to the circumstances of Arima’s return to music and his transformation, Miike goes on a deeply personal and dangerous voyage through Arima's past, which involves actually talking to his classmate, Nagi Aiza.
One year after graduating from a regular old junior high school, Makoto Kobayashi barely slips into Okutsu College of Music. Coming from a mundane life, he fabricates his own lavish lifestyle the second he enters the school's walls, which echo a name, Kousei Arima. Set on his own beliefs of self identity, Makoto crosses paths with Kousei, as well as his friends, and makes a decision that will impact everyone’s lives.