"The residents of the Chikusei-so will run in the Hakone Ekiden together." Kakeru responds strongly to Haiji’s rash suggestion. All the residents are amateurs when it comes to long distance running. Nobody takes Haiji’s words seriously. The residents attempt to carry on with their college lives, but Haiji’s shadow approaches. Threatened by Haiji’s mysterious pressure, several tragically fall to Haiji’s hand. Kakeru tries to leave the Chikusei-so, but he runs into Nico-chan in the city. Meanwhile, the Chikusei-so’s bath breaks for unknown reasons, and they decide to go to the "hellish" public bath instead…

"It’s been a while…" Sakaki smirks fearlessly. He and Kakeru are old acquaintances. Kakeru is unable to hide how shaken he is by their unexpected reunion. Swirling inside Kakeru was the loneliness he experienced as a high school student due to his talents. Kakeru runs as though fleeing from shadows, when before him appears "the other Kakeru." It is the desperate man he used to be before he met Haiji. Kakeru glares resentfully at his past. Just as he’s about to lose hope in himself, someone with a kind voice reaches out to him. It’s Prince and his friends…

Kansei University’s battle to achieve official records formally begins. Having already achieved their official records, Musa, Jota, and Joji watch the race with Hanako. Kakeru joins the lead pack and competes with exchange students from strong schools. Meanwhile, the stagnating Shindo and Yuki utilize their strengths to make a strong effort towards achieving an official time. During the final lap, Haiji’s words cut through Kakeru’s mind. "Do you like running?" In that moment, something inside him opens, and Kakeru bangs out an astonishing time. After the race, a lone reporter approaches Kakeru, and…

A runner from another school trips and falls right in front of Haiji. Fortunately, he’s able to avoid crashing into him, but he puts all his weight on his right leg. The fall causes a commotion at the water station. The cold rain mercilessly pounds down on the runners and the fans watching over them. Eventually the races moves into the city streets, and the runners’ race for survival accelerates.

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…!