Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)

Only three of you are running under thirty minutes.

I'm impressed you're all able to run a 10K now, but...

We still have three weeks until the qualifier.

20km is the base distance for cross country, but none of us will drop out.

On the track, I'm planning to push the build-up runs we'd been holding back on this spring,

so we can finish the last thousand meters in 2:50.

I'm impressed.

You got a bunch of total amateurs to the qualifier.

That's more than good enough to hold your own coaching lecture.

Making it to the qualifier isn't our goal.

Well, yeah.

My legs and hips are shot, but I still have my experience.

I'll tell you everything I can.

Anyway, qualifiers are...

Looks like your legs and hips still work.

Run with the Wind

Kansei University

Kansei University honors the spirit of Matsudaira Sadanobu,

Chairman's Office

who promoted the Kansei Reforms.

We value both academics and athletics.

Wow! That's us!

We're in the paper! Yay!

I never thought I'd appear in a newspaper.

“Aiming For the Top” 10 men take on the Hakone Ekiden

Okay, smile.

Since you haven't made it through the qualifier,

getting you into the sports section might be difficult,

but your attempt itself is captivating.

I'll have your story run in the local news section.

Thank you!

Yaokatsu

Chairman's Office

We're all hoping you'll make it through the qualifier.

I wish I could run right now.

Place of Destiny

My parents called.

They saw us in the paper.

They were so excited.

So did ours.

They yelled at us for throwing peace signs.

My parents told me to smile more.

What are your parents like? I can't imagine it.

They're normal. Normal, with faces that look like mine.

What do you think my parents are?

Everyone's so devoted to their parents.

Right?

I guess so.

Actually, we even received an interview request from Nippon TV.

T-T-TV?!

I didn't know, but the qualifier is televised, too.

They even broadcast interviews with a handful of particularly notable schools.

And we were chosen for that?

That's great news.

I haven't responded yet, though.

Why not?!

If the cameras prevented us from focusing on the race,

we'd be putting the cart before the horse.

Damn honor student!

We should accept their offer!

I want to be interviewed! I want to be on TV!

Well, it'll certainly be good for promoting the team.

What do you think?

I don't care either way.

Me, neither.

I wonder if they'll send a lady reporter.

We'll finally be popular with girls.

This is insane, Jota.

What should we do?

It's finally happening.

Are you okay with this?

What?

Won't appearing on TV cause trouble for you?

Sorry. Shouldn't have asked.

They're so young.

Huh?

We're gonna be on TV.

What? That's amazing!

I'll definitely be watching!

Yuki, Shindo, Prince, get ready.

Okay.

My “maybe” became a “definitely” today.

The twins and Hana?

Yes.

Didn't I tell you I made a discovery when we were in the bath together?

That attitude.

That atmosphere.

They're definitely those of a woman in love.

There's no other reason she'd make that face.

Hana definitely loves one of the twins.

Youth is beautiful, isn't it?

Kakeru, Musa. Joji, Jota. Let's go.

Okay.

You got this!

But which one?

They're practically the same person.

Yes, so it's one or the other.

It's huge!

The Hakone qualifier starts at the Self-Defense Force base,

adjacent to Showa Memorial Park.

We'll start by running two laps around the airstrip and taxiway.

That's about five kilometers.

Then we'll head out onto the road, pass the station,

and cross under the monorail bridge.

That's about ten kilometers.

The turnaround point is at 11.2 km.

When we return to the park, we'll have run fifteen kilometers.

We'll run a lap through the hilly park.

The finish line is next to the Minna-no Harappa Field.

How plain.

I expected the finish line to be flashier.

You'll see the day of the race.

It won't matter if it's plain or flashy anymore.

And they'll announce the results here?

That's right. This is where our destiny will be decided.

Do you think I'm being soft?

Huh?

Should I have made them run more?

Before I sleep, while I'm eating, when I'm in the bathroom.

My doubts are constantly following me.

Should I have imposed more rules like a stronger school

and forced them to run more?

You can't force a person to run.

The only thing that makes a person run is their own will. Right?

Yeah.

I was constantly suffering when I ran during high school.

I don't ever want to be restricted like that again.

This time, I'll run of my own free will.

Freely, far away, to the end of the world.

We still have time.

Thanks.

People always want to be strong.

We have two weeks until the qualifier.

It's a battle of concentration now.

We'll need to focus and exercise self-control,

so we can go into the qualifier in top physical and mental shape.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

We've trained more than enough.

We just need to turn that pressure into a rasp and polish our minds and bodies.

Imagine yourself running as a beautiful blade on the day of the qualifier

and diligently polish yourselves to a fine point.

How poetic.

I understand, though.

We should be like tempered katanas.

We'll be screwed if we polish too much and break before the race, though.

That's right.

Listen to your minds and bodies and polish carefully.