Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)

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Run With The Wind

Chikusei-so

What a carefree bunch.

Inbox

AKECHI Co. new graduate hires Initial screening results

What you said was truly remarkable.

I understand the fondness you have for Aotake.

How many times have you said that?

I was moved, too.

I usually ignore what you say since you use such difficult Japanese,

but I understood exactly what you said this morning.

You've been ignoring me?

He said he wasn't sure if we were friends, though.

Neither are we.

Oh, right.

That guy was a jerk, though.

Aren't you embarrassed to run at their level?

We have to, at least, beat him.

Um...

Huh?

I'm sorry.

Why?

Because he...

It's not your fault.

He's just a jerk.

Well, some way or another, they're acquaintances.

Don't be too hard on him.

That doesn't matter.

Kakeru's our friend now. Right?

You're supposed to agree!

Yes!

Yes, Shindo?

I'm gonna try to run in the Hakone Ekiden!

At first, I just thought my parents would be happy

if they saw me runnin' in the Hakone Ekiden,

but with fast guys like Haiji and Kakeru around,

I feel like we could actually do it.

But like that guy from the Sport University said, we're extras.

No, we're a burden to—

Enough already!

I don't wanna be like that!

We've chosen to stay here, so let's run!

I'll make my own choices of my own free will!

In other words?

I'll make it into the Hakone Ekiden on my own strength!

Well said!

Thank you!

Yeah!

Let's get lots of girls, Shindo!

Huh? But I have a girlfriend.

What?! You do?

Don't get so excited.

Just so you know, I'm still opposed to running in the Ekiden!

Quit acting like we'll all be running!

Right, Musa?

Musa!

I'll run, too.

Shindo's words touched my heart.

You're so moved, you've lost your mind.

Another toast!

Yeah!

With all your might

You can do it

We won't let anyone beat us!

We'll get tons of girls!

I'm goin' to Hakone!

I'll start by buying shoes!

For my health!

You can't peer pressure me!

Um, I never said I'd run...

How about you, Kakeru?

I...

I never said I'd run.

I'd like to become a better speaker.

What kind of reason is that?

Are you a comedian?

Then I'll toast to the resolve of my friends!

I never said...

The mountains of Hakone...

...that I would run.

The steepest in the world!

The Ones Not Chosen

Haiji.

4/29 Tokyo Sports Uni track meet!!

What is this track meet?

Competitions take place in the spring and summer.

University- or corporate-sponsored races are held practically every week.

Track meets are one of them.

Why do we have to run in that?

I explained that the other day.

Not everyone gets to run.

You have to qualify for the qualifier.

You need an official record of 5,000 m in less than 16:30

or 10,000 m in less than 30:00.

Oh.

I only got that you were kinda mad.

You'd better learn to be a better speaker.

I see. In order to do that, we'll have to run in track meets.

That's right.

Kakeru 14:53:54 Joji 16:48:08 Jota 16:50:01 Shindo 18:52:23 Musa 19:01:36 Yuki 19:45:11 Nico-chan 19:50:03 King 20:01:06 Prince 34:59:28

So that's why our goal is around 16 minutes.

Looks like you're down to half your numbers.

It seems like it'd be faster to change the flow of time

than improve our running ability.

Could you extend my deadline, then?

You're doing software development work again?

Naturally, there will be more than just the one meet in April.

We'll try multiple times in May and June.

We just need to achieve our target time eventually.

Not going to sleep?

Are we really running the Tokyo Sports Uni meet?

They're no match for them.

At least wait until May.

What point is there in putting it off?

They'll just get hurt.

Why force them to face reality?

They're amateurs.

Are you sure?

Huh?

Are only the chosen allowed to participate?

Is that what running is about?

We're talking about a competitive sport.

You're right.

But that's why we need to face reality.

Otherwise, we can't even try.

Hakone isn't a dream.

It's reality.

What?!

I said we're meeting outside this evening at five.

But we just got back from running!

The morning jog is a warm-up.

Starting today, we'll start holding proper practices in the evening.

We're officially starting.

Are we done with class by then?

It's probably fine for us to ditch.

Shindo.

Could you teach me about shoes later?

Of course.

This is crazy. You're crazy.

You're acting like a track and field team!

But we are.

Say something!

Huh? Oh...

I'll pass. I've got a seminar today.

You can't reschedule?

Reschedule?

I'll have to reschedule my entire life, too.

Will you take responsibility for that?

I've rescheduled my life like crazy.

What are these? Voodoo dolls?

My hands keep looking for cigarettes.

I made those while trying to distract myself.

When did you stop smoking?

Don't tell me it was the day Haiji brought up Hakone.

Of course not.

It's not easy to quit.

It hasn't been a week yet.

That means you've quit for now!

Shut up.

You should be glad.

You used to complain every day.

In other words...

this means you're running, right?

Despite staying up all night to work all the time,

you're participating in our morning jogs

because you want to run in the Hakone Ekiden.

I don't dislike running.

Give me a break!

If you join them...

But ability's a different story.