Ep 5. Gray Skies

Kousei's latest competition is looming, and despite the fact that his piano playing is as technically perfect as ever, he's struggling to find the emotional connection he needs to truly excel. When he comes up against another talented musician, named Takeshi Aiza, Kousei starts to realize that he's been approaching music all wrong - while he's been focused solely on the technical aspects of playing, Aiza plays from the heart, using his music to express emotions that he can't put into words.

Meanwhile, Tsubaki is dealing with her own internal struggles, as she starts to face the fact that her childhood friend Kousei is growing up and changing in ways she doesn't fully understand. As she tries to navigate her feelings about their relationship, she finds solace in her friendship with the aspiring athlete Saito, who offers her support and understanding in a way that Kousei never has.

As the day of the competition arrives, Kousei is more nervous than ever - but he's also more determined than ever to tap into the emotional power of his music. With Aiza playing like a man possessed on stage next to him, Kousei must fight to keep his focus and deliver a truly unforgettable performance. And even as he struggles with his nerves, he begins to realize that the music is starting to speak to him in a way it never has before, unlocking emotions that he never knew he had.

In the end, both Kousei and Tsubaki come away from the competition with a deeper understanding of themselves and their own strengths and weaknesses. They've both grown up a little more, and in doing so, they've taken important steps towards discovering who they truly are.