Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)

Final spurt!

Yes!

We got official records!

Yeah!

Run with the Wind

Tsuru-no-yu

Hot! It's hot!

Please stop doing that!

Hey! Hey!

Please stop!

We'll get in trouble if we make too much noise!

Everyone's unique.

Naturally, so are runners.

Some are better at running on the track than on roads.

Some go for sprints while others excel at managing their pace.

Uphill, downhill. Everyone's good at something different.

So we shouldn't worry about it?

Uniqueness certainly sounds nice,

but doesn't that mean some people aren't suited to running at all?

I'm worried.

Times aren't everything.

But isn't that our goal?

We need official records to run in the Hakone qualifier.

But as long as you feel it's working—

But we're amateurs.

Unless you tell us what's working, we won't know what is.

True to its name, long distance running is a battle of endurance.

It's not easy to compare results.

Sorry, but I'm at my limit.

I meant with the water.

Overflowing Drops

Can we even run in this?

They're not very breatheable, but we don't have a choice.

Some of you weren't wearing clothing suitable for rain.

We should get proper matching ones already.

It can't be helped. This is temporary.

Let's go.

Sorry, Nira. You need to stay home today.

So hot.

It's so stuffy, this is no different from getting rained on.

Let's imagine that's the point of this practice.

I feel like I just came back from the pool.

I know what you mean. I'm exhausted.

If you don't dry off, you'll catch a cold.

Should we count this as showering today?

Yeah, let's.

Please go back to your own room!

Our room leaks when it rains.

I've got first period, so I'll see you guys later.

See ya.

See you later.

Shindo never skips class.

Is he okay?

What?

He seemed pretty depressed after yesterday's meet.

And he's so earnest.

But he has a girlfriend, right?

Hey, that's right.

Who cares, then? He's totally fine.

He's so busy. When does he get to see his girlfriend?

Maybe at school.

Kansei University

What? You've seen his girlfriend?

Not a single time.

I don't think anyone's seen her yet.

Maybe Shindo pushed himself so hard...

That he imagined a girlfriend who doesn't exist...

Hey, were you waiting long? Sorry.

Come on! Don't sulk.

Yikes!

Monthly Track and Field Report

Acupuncture/Massage

Iimura Chiropractic Clinic

You're protecting the opposite side.

I've been trying to be conscious of it.

Well, once something breaks,

you've got no choice except to take your time fixing it.

Yes, sir.

Monthly Track and Field Report

Damn that Fujioka.

Field Closed Due to Rain

Nope. It's closed today.

Should we use the field? We can focus on just cross country today.

No way.

The mud makes it too hard to run. I'm against it.

You just don't want to get dirty.

What should we do?

Let's run on the roads.

We just need to watch out for cars.

Yeah. We'll choose the safests course we can.

Let's get this over with so we can go to Tsuru-no-yu.

Nice.

Can't we at least use the club budget to buy rain coats?

We should be using it in some meaningful way.

They're supposed to be our fan club.

We still only have fifteen members.

That's all?

We still don't have enough to buy matching track uniforms.

We have the support of everyone at the shopping center,

but we need a little more.

If only the Trans America Quiz was still on.

I'd win us some prize money.

Perhaps we could win some kind of tournament.

After all, we haven't achieved anything.

You're right.

Isn't there some kind of national event we could run in?

There is one.

What's it called?

The Inter-College.

The All-Japan Intercollegiate Championship.

Kanto Track and Field Intercollegiate Championship

Look, I found it.

Huh. The Kanto meet was in May.

Did you read Fujioka's article?

I happen to have.

There were some curious things written in it.

Fujioka Kazuma Runner Interview Boulder of a Race

I ran the race I wanted this time,

but there are more strong runners hiding in Kanto.

I believe they'll be ready by the time Ekiden season rolls around.

I'll make sure not to underestimate them as I wait.

Kakeru,

do you know what the greatest compliment you can give a long distance runner is?

Is it to call him fast?

No.

It's to call him strong.

Strong?

You can't survive long distances on speed alone.

You hold out through difficult phases to keep on moving your body forward.

Every day, you have to push yourself a little harder in practice.

What long distance runners need is strength.

Fujioka is strong, both as a runner and as a captain.

But Fujioka is Fujioka.

I regret that we weren't able to show him your abilities at the Inter-College,

but there's no need to panic.

Believe in yourself.

It takes time to become stronger.

Fujioka's on your mind, too.

I understand what you're trying to say, but why are you telling me this now?

Are you anxious?

Anxious?

5000m Best Times Kakeru Joji Jota Shindo Musa Yuki Nico-chan Prince

Half of our members still haven't achieved an official record.

Shindo and Yuki haven't improved much in a month,

despite practicing so hard.

Is that why?

When Prince's time improved, I felt like I understood running a little.

But it's still difficult.

Honestly, I'm anxious.

How's this?

Well...