Naoko (奈緒子)

Naoko.

A small island floating in the sea of Japan, Namikirijima.

That summer, I left Tokyo.

In order to treat my asthma at a quiet place.

I apologise for making you give us a ride in your boat.

We haven't been fully paid back for last time yet.

We haven't yet... Money.

Ah, no problem! We don't accept money from island visitors.

That's right, we won't accept any.

You're not entitled to say that!

I'm sorry, thank you very much.

I'm sorry, thank you very much.

- *blackfish - Can you fish Girella punctata* in this environment?

Girella punctata?

Yes.

- *ln Oita prefecture you call it "Kuro" - Ah! You're talking about the Kuro*!

Ah, Kuro! Yes you can fish a lot around here.

He's still running!

What?

Your son.

Like father, like son.

Like father?

He was a marathon relay runner.

He was really fast.

He was called "The Wind of Japan's Sea".

That was back in the day.

He looks fast as well.

What's his name?

Yusuke.

Yusuke?

Running Yusuke was really fascinating.

I couldn't gaze after him.

At that moment, I was still in a much darker place.

Naoko!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!!

Help!

Help!

Naoko!

Here, here.

Come on, a little more!

Strech out your hand!

Got her!

Help me...

Does it hurt anywhere?

Are you ok?

She's ok, thank you so much.

Does it hurt anywhere?

You startled me.

You startled me, you startled me!

Kensuke-san, catch this!

No need, no need.

It took me by surprise all of a sudden.

Everything is fine now.

It's ok.

Are you ok? Everything is fine.

Shit...!

In the water!

Kensuke-san, Kensuke-san!

Kensuke!

Kensuke!

Kensuke, Kensuke!

He's not on my side, what about you?

He's not here either.

Kensuke-san!

What's the matter? Are you ok?

Keep breathing.

Keep breathing slowly.

Keep breathing.

Slowly, slowly...

There is nothing in the sea apart from my floating white hat.

The form of Yusuke's father was nowhere to be seen.

Naoko

You went running again, didn't you?

I only made a few rounds in this area.

If you're not careful your asthma will attack again.

I know.

I still disagree with you being in the athletic club.

What? Isn't today your day off?

It's the athletic club again.

What was it? For the record meeting of the accepted runners.

Eh? Naoko will be there?

I'm only helping.

Shall we eat then?

Yes.

Excuse me, hasn't he arrived yet?

No, he hasn't yet...

What is he doing? This guy is really..

Please wait a little more.

Everybody's counting on him.

It's nothing.

I will search for him.

I'm already finished.

Ah, that would be a great help, thank you very much.

It's him, Iki Yusuke.

Iki Yusuke.

I'm home!

Didn't I tell you to enter through the front door?

Say hello.

Mom, that's her.

Come in.

It's that girl's faut.

Don't say anything and put down your backpack.

Give my Dad back.

Give my Dad back!

Give him back right now!

Yusuke!

Wait, give my dad back!

Let me go, give my Dad back!

Yusuke!

Quit it! Apologize to Naoko-chan.

No!

Yusuke.

Excuse me, are you Iki Yusuke, the runner who is enlisted for the 100m sprint?

Ah, the receptionist?

Wait a minute, it's the best part now.

The one in red, he will get ahead of the others at the next curve.

See!

Thanks for letting me know.

I'm Shinomiya Naoko.

When I was in the 6th year of elementary school, your father saved me.

I've already forgotten about it.

I'm not blaming anyone for it.

Ready,

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Yusuke running.

This time, without closing my eyes.

What's your next goal?

You probably want to participate in the Olympic Games in the future?

The next goal is the marathon relay of Kyushu.

Marathon relay?

Our Senior High School participates each year.

So you're putting aside plans for short distance races?

Such a waste.

Iki-kun is the raising star of 100m races!

She said I'm the raising star of 100m races!

Weren't you the one who said you wanted to participate in a marathon relay?

Why the marathon?

Because I've always wanted to participate in one.

It's been my wish since I was a child.

I want to see Yusuke running.

I'm fine with watching him from afar.

At that moment, I only had this intention in my head.

10 seconds to go!

Get set..

This was the starting shot.

Here are the senior high school student. The

participants of the Kyushu marathon 2007.

The 42.1km marathon with 30 runners has begun.

Ah, someone has fallen!

Seems like it's runner Okuda from Namikirijima Senior High School.

The Namikirijima Senior High School which attracted public attention

due to Iki Yusuke's decision to participate in this marathon.

He was successfully running though.

Okuda-kun can't get up!

Maybe it's a cramp.

Seems like he's fine.

He stands up and... he's running again!

The majority of the runners are quite ahead,

I think at about 200m.

We hope he will do his best!

The race has just started!

Excuse me...

Yes?

Could you tell me where Iki Yusuke's section is?

It's the last section, so...

It's at the next lap.

About 3 km away, I guess.

Thank you.

I don't want it.

I said I don't want it!

Got it, I'll drink it.

Do your best...

Do you best, do your best

As expected Shin Kuroda is leading...

Wait, it seems like there is a runner who is catching up!

Senior high school student from Namikirijima: Iki Yusuke.

Within 3 minutes he has caught up 8 runners!

Get ready!

Runner Kuroda has arrived!

Runner Kuroda, take the water!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry...

Nagazaki Todai.

Daiyu Denki.

Do your best!

I can't do this on my own.

Nagazaki Todai in second place and Daiyu Denki in third

place, both seem to have accepted the water bottle.

Information: Seems like a candidate in white is drawing near!

Iki Yusuke of Narikimijima is arriving.

He will soon reach the station where he'll get water.

Excuse me...

Yes?

I have a favour to ask of you.

Uhm, I don't know if I can do this...

I'm begging you... We don't have a lot of assistants in our athletic club.

I'm the only one who can fill this vacancy.

And I'm also the only one distributing the water.