Moé Moé Rabu

Chiaki has decided to play Brahms Symphony No.1 as his orchestra’s first performance, a piece that Stresemann wouldn’t let him perform with S-Orchestra. He meets up with Kimura who is taking care of the details and has gotten the help of the school director in reserving a hall. Keiko and Sakuma also drop by to help out in advertising about their performance, and Mine’s father jumps in to help as well. As they are discussing the performance, Kiyora comes rushing out from the back of the restaurant as she is teaching Mine as a form of payment for rent, though she can’t right now since she is running late.

On the way to school, Chiaki runs into Kuroki who is carrying a plant he wants to give to Nodame. Chiaki warns Kuroki about Nodame’s bad habits, but Kuroki doesn’t believe him. During practice he notices how Kuroki’s playing has improved, but is worried what will happen when he gets his heart broken. Mine meanwhile talks to Kiyora about focusing too much on the upcoming competition and not enough on the orchestra. Though he also finds out that many of the members don’t plan to stay forever as some are even returning overseas. Everyone thinks that Chiaki should go overseas as well, but of course this causes Chiaki to be angry as he had serious plans for this orchestra, so he stops the practice and tells them they will resume after the competition. At home, Nodame wants to tape a Puri Gorota movie, but this ends up reminding Chiaki about a tape of the Berlin Philarmonic. Watching it he sees Stresemann and remembers what he taught him about Brahms, thus causing Chiaki to spend the next few days studying music.

Meanwhile Nodame’s lessons with Etou continue and they eventually finish the final Mjoa Moja Suite. Though Nodame thinks that she is done, Etou reminds her of the contract and dumps several musical pieces on her. When she returns home, she finds an unshaven Chiaki still studying and decides to drag him to the bath. Although Chiaki is conscious enough to kick her out before she could remove his shirt. Kuroki is walking down the street and sees Nodame rushing off for a time service sale. However she only gets knocked back and ends up with nothing. She explains to Kuroki that even though she can’t help him in music, she wants to give him more energy. Kuroki then realises that Nodame is in love with Chiaki and how Chiaki probably knows due to his warnings before.

At the competition, Kuroki’s mind wondered too much that the reed he is using was soaked for too long, and that his turn was next. Kiyora did a wonderful performance but only ended up getting second place, so she cries to Mine about having slept in an awkward position. Kikuchi won first place in his performance, however all his girlfriends come to congratulate him and end up fighting. Chiaki later finds out the results online and is surprised to not see Kuroki on the list. He goes to ask Nodame about it and she does mention they did talk about love before, and Chiaki realises what has happened. Later that night, Kuroki feels that he betrayed his oboe because of his love for Nodame. Kiyora meanwhile wakes up fromhaving slept with Mine, knows that the awkward position reason was just an excuse. So both Kiyora and Kuroki want another chance and swear to perform better at their next performance. The next morning, Chiaki is jogging to get back in shape as rehearsals start again tomorrow.

Preview:

Impressions

Things are definitely moving at a fast pace here and it seems that Chiaki’s orchestra’s debut performance isn’t that far off. Though now with Kuroki’s heart broken and Kiyora is together with Mine, I think they will end up playing better and that they will make up for their performances during the competition. The whole love parts here just seem a little odd as Nodame Cantabile really isn’t a romantic type of series, so I don’t think we’ll be seeing anymore couples or love circles forming throughout the rest of the series. But I must say the whole Mine x Kiyora came as a bit of a surprise as there really weren’t that many clues leading up to that except in last week’s episode. I do wonder how far their relationship will go but I don’t think it’s really an important issue.

Chiaki really is serious about music which is really admirable. Seeing him study like that for days without break reminds me of myself during high school exam periods. But of course, he is working not just for himself but for the orchestra as well as he does want it to be the best that it can be. Another is how Chiaki’s drive to study is also what motivates Nodame to actually sit and study music. With her completing the Moja Moja Suite, she now has to uphold Etou’s side of the contract which will be interesting as we’ll be seeing Nodame play the piano seriously this time. I look forward to the upcoming performances.