THE COMPETITION HEATS UP There's a new kid in town, and Nodame had better be on guard. Her new rival plays timpani like a dream–and has the hots for Nodame's crush, Shinichi Chiaki. Plus, a wretched old man has his eyes (and hands) on Nodame. It's a lot to handle, for a girl who has trouble just keeping her room clean. . . . Shinichi has his own problems. A famous conductor starts a new orchestra at school, and Shinichi finally gets his chance to conduct. But he soon discovers there's more to the craft than just following notes on a page. Could this hard lesson unexpectedly turn his life around and change his destiny? Take a look into Nodame's world and find out!