Kaboku is settling in at the dance club—in fact, he’s doing so well that he’s one of the few first-years chosen to be on the squad that will dance in an upcoming competition. Hikari’s on the team too, but as they get down to some serious practice, they find themselves confronted by a classmate who didn’t make the cut and wants to know why. In fact, Kaboku isn’t sure he belongs on the team, considering his reluctance to dance in front of an audience. And a chance encounter with the only other male member of the club, Iori Itsukushima, further shakes his confidence. Kaboku thought he was starting strong, but these blows to his morale have him wondering: What does it really mean to dance well? And what does it really mean to dance together?

A SHY TEENAGER HAPPENS ON A CLASSMATE DANCING ALONE, AND HER JOY TURNS A KEY, UNLOCKING SOMETHING IN HIS HEART… Kaboku Kotani is starting high school, and he plans to do what he’s always done: go along with his friends, keep quiet, and not draw too much attention to himself. After all, it’s hard enough to get by with a stutter like his— why make things worse by standing out from the crowd? But then he sees another first-year, Hikari Wanda, dancing like no one is watching—or like she doesn’t care who sees her. It makes Kaboku wonder: Could he reach that same freedom? To find his way to Wanda, he does something he never thought he could: He joins the dance club. After all, every routine begins with a single step, right? Join Kaboku and Wanda as they freestyle their way to life and love!

Kabo and Kabe face down Zara for victory in their battle competition. They both dig deep, but do they have what it takes to come out on top? Then, with the battle and the showcase over, Kabo's attention shifts to the dance arena contest, where Ichirin will have another chance at making their mark on the national stage-but only if they can get through the regional prelims first. It's almost time to pick the team for the Dance Arena contest, but Kabo finds his heart is elsewhere. He ruminates on a surprising suggestion from Iori, but even as Kabo tries to figure out what he really wants from dance, the qualifying round draws closer, and he might not have time to polish his routine-even if he realizes he'd like to be a part of it. Ichirin isn't the only school with their eye on this contest, either-formidable dancers from around the country are getting ready for a showdown that might just propel some of them to new heights!

While Wanda pursues a part in Assay's dance showcase, Kabo will have to decide whether he wants to forge ahead with hip-hop, or if the siren call of breakdancing will make him part of Kabe's circle. He'd better choose fast though, because there's an all-B-Boy competition coming up, and Kabe wants Kabo to partner with him-but only if he can polish his breakdancing basics before the battle! Meanwhile, Kabo isn't the only one facing his own insecurities-On-chan reveals she has her own bouts of self-doubt and shows Kabo her secret to dealing with them. Meanwhile, Wanda throws herself into the showcase, but will she be able to prove herself among Assay's handpicked dancers, or will she discover that the big star of a backwaters high school is just another face in the crowd when it comes to the wider world of dance?

Kaboku and Wanda take the dance floor in their own respective dance battles, and they soon learn that competition and cooperation are both just ways of sharing what's in your heart… Kaboku and Kabeya show up for their B-Boy battle, where figuring out a team name is only the first of their problems. They soon find themselves running into old friends, old antagonists-and at least one fearsome dancer who seems to have it out for Kabeya… If he and Kaboku are going to make it to the top of the contest, they'll have to figure out how to understand each other on the fly, or they might just get buried in the first round! Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Wanda is turning heads at Assay's showcase practice, and earning more than a little jealousy along the way. But when her fellow dancers see how devoted she is to her craft, they begin to open up to her, and new friendships seem like they could start to bloom…

When it comes to dance battles, the dancers aren't the only ones out on the floor-pride is also on the line! But sometimes, there's more than pride at stake in a battle… The semifinals pit Kabo against Kabeya, challenging the young, inexperienced dancer to confront a street-smart opponent who's made battling his life's mission. As if the contest wasn't lopsided enough, Kabeya adds insult to injury when he taunts Kabo, covering his eyes and refusing to watch him dance. But what's he really hiding under that mask? Iori, meanwhile, has a serious talk with Assay, and discovers a kindred spirit. He then makes a wager that will put an extra spring in his step as he battles his way through the night, but Iori's next opponent is looking to take him down a notch. Can dance bridge the gap between styles, worldviews, and former friends?

Ohtani is a funny, nice guy. When he saw Mari smile, he couldn't help but fall head over heels. She is a quiet and shy girl, but thanks to Hikari and Asagiri, Ohtani has been slowly getting to know her. But her eyes seem to drift away in the direction of a certain teacher…