In volume 10 we learn how Maho ended up with a boyfriend 12 years her senior. The group also has fun and excitement during a school trip to Kyoto and we flashback to the day of the entrance exam and how all of the characters worked through it. Arima was late due to making sure Shibahime made it, his disturbance upon arriving in the exam room after the start appears to have caused enough of a lapse in Miyazawa's concentration that she ended up in second place.
Volume 11 focuses primarily from the view point of Shibahime's step-brother Kazuma. Even though the band he was made lead singer of, Yin and Yang, is incredibly popular on the indy scene, he feels like an intruder. The rest of the band are established adults and he is a high school student who doesn't feel he brings anything to it. He struggles with thoughts of the band just being nice to him. He is also effected by the opinions of those around him that are critical. The band, sensing his unease, try to convince him to ignore the naysayers. As a way to encourage him to have faith in himself they invite him to start writing songs, to help facilitate a sense of belonging and ownership in the band. While he struggles with creating useful content, the band mates encourage him to keep going, understanding that he will improve with time and experience.
With summer making more time for Kazuma, the band decides to focus on playing as many live shows as possible. The constant performing and long nights out mean that Shibahime is not able to spend as much time with her step-brother as she would like. Kazuma enjoys spending time with her and cherishes her, but music calls to him in a way that he can't avoid. Miyazawa and the friend group attend one concert and are overtaken by the performance and Kazuma's part in it. Shibahime realizes that her desire to have Kazuma all to herself is impossible, recognizing the draw music has on him, she again finds herself coming in second place. All she desires is to have someone who cars about her above anything else, something she lost with her father, then lost with Arima and is now losing with Kazuma. When he learns about her past feelings for Arima and what the loss of him to Miyazawa means he also recognizes what his pursuit of music is doing to her.
It is unclear what type of relationship Shibahime wants with Kazuma. Is it the love of a companion or that of a husband? After recognizing the emotional turmoil she continues to go through, his love for her turns to more than just brotherly. These new feelings make him uncomfortable around her. He doesn't know how she will receive them and fears that the relationship they have will disappear if he tells her about his changing feelings. Them being step siblings complicates it further, but his band mates, recognizing their connection sooner, encourages him to be honest with her. In a moment of weakness, as she confronts him about his avoidance, he pushes her away. Unable to deal with the situation he leaves home, to stay with the band, while he figures out his situation.
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