After Hinata's class returns from the trip, the atmosphere in the classroom changes again in a different and strange direction. At long last, Hinata's guardians are being called in for a parent-teacher-student conference.

Hinata has been friends with Chiho since elementary school, but now that they’re third-year middle school students, Chiho has become the target of bullying by classmates. While other students pretend they don’t see anything happening, only Hinata calls out to Chiho and still tries to be her friend. However, the situation only gets worse...

Mr. Kokubu continues to remedy the class bullying problem. As the situation seems to be winding down, Hinata finally get a letter from Chiho.

On the night before she leaves for a school trip to Kyoto, Hinata has dinner at home with Rei and her family, but can't finish the food on her plate because of a stomachache. Rei also leaves the same day as Hinata, but goes to Osaka to challenge Junkei Yamazaki for the Newcomer Tournament final.

Rei finally pays a visit to his adoptive mother's residence, after neglecting to visit ever since he moved out. Afterwards, Rei invites Hina and Takahashi for some monja as a last farewell. But before Hina starts high school, she decides to do something drastic.

When Rei visits the Kawamotos, Hinata talks to him about school. Little by little, she confides in Rei about the classroom atmosphere. But one day during lunch, the baseball team’s ace and all-around popular guy, Takahashi, pops in to Hinata’s class?!

In the world of shogi, one can only continue making an effort, but Yamazaki finds that Nikaidou and Rei never falter and always throw themselves into the “deep end.” Nevertheless, Yamazaki is determined to win and after beating Nikaidou in the Newcomer Tournament semifinals, he faces Rei in the match that will decide the next Newcomer King.

Hinata has been studying intently for the high school entrance exams, when she learns in shock that Takahashi, the classmate she has long admired, will be going to a school far away. People she had assumed will always be with her keep leaving her… Depressed Hinata ends up getting a fever just days before the exam. Nevertheless, Rei comes by on the day of the exam, to walk to school with her.

Rei must pick up Momo from kindergarten. Nothing can go wrong with doing this errand, right? Unfortunately, this leads Rei to remember more of his past.

Rei sees his former homeroom teacher, Mr. Hayashida, for advice about bullying. Hayashida offers many examples and concludes with sound advice. After racking his brain, Rei also arrives at his own conclusion about what he can do to help Hina. Meanwhile, Akari has been carrying doubts in her heart about the incident, and opens up to Rei...

Rei begins a new school year, and embarks on new adventures. While looking back at the past, we'll look forward to the future.

It’s the final match of the Kishou Championship and the honorary title of “Eternal Kishou” is on the line for Yanagihara. As the shogi game approaches the final stage, Shimada is dominating. Yanagihara reflects on how he’s been entrusted with metaphorical relay race-like “sashes” from friends who have given up or retired from the professional shogi world. Even while feeling bound by this pressure, Yanagihara continues to play.

When the struggling Rei tells Mr. Hayashida that he wants to help Hinata and her family, his former homeroom teacher advises him to do what he can, one thing at a time. Taking those words to heart, Rei goes on a smooth winning streak with his matches. On the other hand, Nikaidou has suddenly been hospitalized?!

Smith prepares for his battle with the intimidating Gotou, and Rei is determined not to lose against Shimada. How will their matches go?

Rei Kiriyama moves in to town, and his past is slowly revealed. Alongside battling opponents in shogi, he also wants to find that missing something...

Rei has a match with the old Mr. Matsunaga. If Mr. Matsunaga loses one more game, he'll have to retire. How will Rei handle the match?

Shimada and Rei's battle continues as Rei begins to drown in his embarassment. Watch as their battle finally comes to a close

Rei is at the Shogi Hall with Nikaidou and other players to watch the live broadcast of the final game for the Meijin Championship between Souya and Kumakura. Meanwhile, veteran player Yanagihara describes the game as “chaos,” but what does that portend for the Meijin Championship?

Master Souya's challenger in the Lion King Tournament has been determined! Also, Rei decides to take a step in the direction that will benefit him in the long run.

What will Kiriyama and Takahashi talk about? Will it end well? Let's hope the cute kitties can teach us how to play shogi!

Who was that mysterious figure who stole his mail? And Akari's job is what?! Tune in as we continue to explore Rei's past.

Match Four of the Lion King Tournament begins in Kyoto. We find out a little more about the Challenger, and the reasons he continues to persist.

The After School Science Club merged with a proposed shogi club to become “the Shogi Science Club.” Club activities include Rei teaching the members how to play shogi and Rei being taught various science experiments. Rei realizes that he’s delighted to have a warm place where he belongs at school. With ramune in hand, he heads for the Kawamoto home.

Will Hina be able to give her home made lunch to the person she is concerned about? Tune in as a fateful meeting unfolds in front of our eyes...

Does Rei want to go somewhere, or just run away? Let's discover more of the Shogi world as Mr. Hayashida comes to the rescue!

During a lunch break between matches, Nikaidou pressures Rei to win all his matches so they can battle in the finals. Rei looks on coolly until Nikaidou points out feelings Rei never realized he had. Meanwhile, at the Kawamoto house, Someji, Akari, Hinata and Momo have a brainstorming session about Crescent Moon’s new summer sweet creation. Momo proposes novel ideas, but the usually cheerful Hinata seems down...