Todos han conseguido sus tiempos oficiales y por fin podrán participar en las clasificatorias de la Hakone Hekiden. De un día para otro, reciben el reconocimiento de la universidad, de los alumnos, de los fans e incluso de los medios de comunicación, lo que aumenta las expectativas del grupo con respecto a la Hakone Hekiden.

Hanako cheers for him on the sidelines. Pieces of memories run through his head. Finally realizing his romantic feelings, Jota accelerates and climbs in the standings. As the older twin passes the sash to his younger brother, Joji is informed about Hanako’s feelings and becomes distracted. The sudden Hanako panic leaves the other members of the team disconcerted as well. In order to get the race back on track, Kakeru asks Tazaki to deliver a message. Meanwhile, Haiji calls Shindo, who has arrived at the relay station. Their time feels simultaneously too long and too short. A tragic resolve spreads through Shindo’s burning, feverish body…

Sakaki’s fighting spirit verges on tragic. As though dragged along by it, King loses his pace. He thinks back on a conversation he had once with Haiji. The words he can’t say, the reality he can’t escape. Will Haiji’s words free him from the doubts that cling to him? King’s thoughts eventually arrive at the day he arrived at the Chikusei-so. It was the beginning of a lonely but also dream-like time. That small disappointment, that small pride. Carry all of it with you as you run. The men continue to fight to find themselves…!