Franz von Stresemann, a renowned conductor, sends his top music protégés - Shinichi Chiaki, Megumi "Nodame" Noda, Ryuutarou Mine, and Masumi Okuyama - to the Nina Lutz Music Festival in Nagano to learn from acclaimed masters. While driving to their destination, Chiaki becomes annoyed by his friends' playful behavior but eventually dozes off, only to wake up to find out that they have taken a detour to a beach in Niigata. Mine basks in the sun's rays, Masumi and Nodame go for a dip in the water, while Chiaki stays indoors, hiding his fear of the ocean. Despite his apprehensions, when Nodame suggests renting an inflatable boat to visit a nearby island, will Chiaki be able to keep his fear of the water a secret?