Ep 13. Love's Sorrow

Kousei has been overwhelmed by the news of his mother's death, which he recently discovered. The weight of this revelation has greatly hindered his piano playing ability, causing him to freeze up whenever he's at the piano.

But Kousei's childhood friend and fellow musician, Tsubaki, won't let him just give up. She's determined to help him get back on track, even if it means being tough on him. She knows that Kousei has the ability to be an amazing pianist, and she's not going to let him waste that talent.

Meanwhile, Kousei's rival, Takeshi, is also dealing with his own struggles. He's been pushing himself to become a better pianist, but he's stuck in a rut and can't seem to break through.

As Kousei tries to regain his confidence and Takeshi struggles to find his way, they both receive an unexpected visit from a new competitor. Emi, a talented pianist who's been watching Kousei and Takeshi's performances, decides to challenge them both to a musical showdown.

The three pianists face off, each bringing their own unique style and energy to the competition. It's a thrilling battle, with each performer pulling out all the stops to try and come out on top.

But as the competition heats up, something unexpected happens. Kousei begins to realize that he's not just playing for himself, but for the memories of his mother. And when he channels that emotion into his playing, he creates a sound that's unlike anything he's ever produced before.

In the end, the competition is a life-changing experience for all three pianists. They've each learned something about themselves and about the power of music. And for Kousei, in particular, it's clear that he's regained a sense of purpose and passion that he thought he had lost forever.