The day of the Karaku Cup qualifiers has arrived. This year's focus is on Karashito Renmaya, a university student who has won the Karaku Cup two years in a row, and Hikaru Takaragi, a rising young voice actress. Meanwhile, Kaisei, who is hosting the event, tells reporters that an unknown high school girl named Akane is the favorite to win. Koguma, Guriko, and Iwashimizu are also in the audience, watching over Akane. With such formidable rivals, will Akane be able to win the qualifiers with her "Jugemu" performance?

The Karaku Cup finals. Following Karashi, voice actress Takaragi Hikaru takes the stage. Determined to change the current situation where voice actors are often judged on their looks rather than their acting ability, Hikaru enters the Karaku Cup and presents a human interest story that will allow her to showcase her expressive abilities. Coincidentally, the story she performs is "Shibahama," the same story that Shinta performed in his promotion exam to master rakugo performer six years ago. Hikaru's passionate performance electrifies the audience. In that atmosphere, it is finally Akane's turn to take the stage.