Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to China for high-altitude training.

I wanted to encourage Kiyose before leaving Japan,

Famous Confections

but I'm still not familiar with your home base.

Thanks for the escort.

Home base?

They've got an exchange student?

I know. I wish they'd run an all-Japanese team.

The school's probably paying for it to promote themselves.

They're the words of amateurs.

Don't let them distract you.

I know how you feel.

People have always dealt with that criticism.

There are two reasons not to let it bother you.

First, there's the logic that recruiting an exchange student is unfair.

What about the Olympics then?

It's only natural that there's some difference in individual physical ability.

Moreover, sports are fair and impartial.

Those who question its fairness don't understand

what it means to compete in the same sport on the same stage.

The other reason is that they think winning is everything.

Mens Relay — “Spectacular Achievement”

Is the only thing that matters that a Japanese person places first?

New Japanese Record

Spectacular Achieve in Track and Field

No. That's not the true nature of competition.

Mens 10000m Finals 1 Fujioka Kazuma Rikudo 2 Yamamoto Hayato Kofu Academy 3 Kobayashi Ryutaro Boso 4 Suzuki Riku Manaka 5 Nakagawa Kenta Jonan Bunka 6 Ito Kaito Dochido 7 Takagi Kazuki North Kanto 8 Uemura Akira Akebono

Even if I finish first,

if I feel like I've lost to myself, then it's a loss.

In this world where times and standings change at dizzying speeds,

what determines who's the best?

Don't we keep running because there are ideals and goals we value more than that?

You've gathered good members. It's his kind of team.

Are you and Haiji close?

We were teammates in high school.

He was supposed to be wearing a Rikudo uniform, too.

What?

Run with the Wind

4 Years Earlier —

Congratulations Track and Field Team

One, two, three, four.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Two, two, three, four.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Three, two, three, four.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Four, two, three, four—

Those fireflies you hate so much will be back soon.

I don't hate them.

There are just too many around here.

This is our last year. Savor it.

Let's go together.

To Rikudo. Then we can—

It's already been decided.

But you were recruited.

The care they offer their athletes is top-class.

I've already spent two years with this leg.

I know my body better than anyone else.

What did the coach say?

“Be patient.” That's all.

That was a lot of talking for him.

I'm happy about this year, though.

Last year, I didn't get to run with you once because of PT.

My athletic career may be over, but we—

It's not over!

Believe in yourself.

I'm not that strong.

He should be telling you this himself.

If he hasn't told you yet, then he probably doesn't think it's the right time.

I shouldn't have said anything.

And Then, Morning

Haiji isn't back yet.

He's not answering his phone either.

I see.

I'm sorry.

Then, the next time I'll see him will be in the new year.

Good luck to both of us.

Tell him that.

I will.

Oh, this is for you guys.

Red bean paste. Better than cream, right?

Oh, yeah. Thank you.

I'll be waiting at Hakone!

I wish I could've seen him.

What did you talk about with Fujioka?

What did we...

I was just wondering if you got along.

More or less. It went fine.

What does that mean?

Haiji.

I think I'm finally starting to understand.

I mean, I don't understand yet.

What are you talking about?

What it means to be strong.

You told me about how Fujioka is strong.

I understand now what you meant.

He's been pursuing a much higher level of running than I've been.

It's hard to explain, but—

You can, too.

Become strong, Kakeru.

I will.

By the way, I brought Fujioka here once,

but he didn't last ten seconds.

Tsuru-no-yu

In that regard, I'm stronger than him.

You two sure are close.

Race Completion Certificates Issued Here Saitama Ageo Athletic Field

Welcome to Ageo

Welcome to Ageo! Ageo City Marathon/Ageo City Half Marathon Sponsors: City of Ageo/Ageo Board of Education/ Ageo Sports Association/Saitama Track and Field Association

The Ageo City Marathon is about as long as Hakone's sections.

It's the perfect dry run.

Make sure you experience what it's like to run on city streets

and the tension of a race.

Anyway, I won't say anything else.

Go enjoy yourselves.

No one's enjoying himself more than you.

Haiji!

They said they want to do “the mountains of Hakone.”

What?

What are you talking about, Hana?

Didn't you say hearing Haiji do that fires you up?

Hana's such a good girl.

Yeah.

The twins missed their opportunity to apologize to Haiji.

And she's giving them a chance to return to normal.

Now we wait for Haiji to come through.

You want to do it?

You guys want to do it that badly?

Kiyose Haiji doesn't play along that easily.

Come on. Put out your hands.

Hey!

Are you okay?

Your face is bright red.

Don't worry about it!

Go ahead!

The mountains of Hakone are?

The steepest in?

In the world, right?

It's in the world.

In the world.

Perfect! You can do it!

Should we not have joined them?

You're pretty bad, too.

What?

Ageo City Marathon

Sendai J High School Track Coach Claims incident with KK is “in the past...” and refuses to speak...

Reveals Actual Name

Sendai J High School track coach claims incident with KK

is “in the past” and refuses to speak?

If you weren't going to talk, don't accept an interview request!

J and KK? They're identifying them!

Don't let it bother you.

Chairman's Office

For this incident...