Your profile looking up towards the blue sky
The stopped spiral of time
I'm always stubborn and hiding my feelings
I ache for you so much (I pine for you so much) that it hurts
I'm not actually that strong
In truth, I become afraid about the distance between us two
I want you to touch my heart
If I can still reach the goal taking the long way around
Start line
A story that unravels the heart
I'll say goodbye to tears and walk towards the future
Because I can go with the kindness I found clasped to my heart
Please, just for now, stay the way you are
"Suzuka"
I'm not so hesitant anymore!
I'm going to become the number one sprinter in Japan!
Why are you putting on airs and acting depressed for?
Why don't you celebrate a little bit more?
You're number one for the year.
It was just for a moment.
Look...
"Name Ranking Arima Emerson Yamato Akitsuki"
S-Second place...
"Name Ranking Arima Emerson Yamato Akitsuki" My time was 10.68 seconds.
"Name Ranking Arima Emerson Yamato Akitsuki" Emerson's time was 10.50 seconds.
He drew away from me easily, that bastard.
Umm...
But you're still awesome!
You'd have finished second at Inter-high.
And you even qualified for the metropolitan meet...
Second or third place means nothing.
Huh?
I... really want to be first!
Why is he getting so serious all of a sudden?
"Encouragement"
All right!
Akitsuki, you got a minute?
You mentioned you felt you were losing your speed
in the second half of the 100-meter run, didn't you?
Uh, yeah...
So, I was trying to figure out why...
What's this graph?
This shows you and Arima's passing time every 20 meters.
Hmm...
And the black curve is for the world's number one sprinter.
The blue curve is for Arima.
There are time differences,
but the curve is pretty much identical.
In other words, Arima is a potential world number one sprinter.
World's number one...
By contrast, the red curve, which is you, shows...
...that your top speed is almost the same as Arima's,
but since it comes at the early stages, you lose your speed afterward.
Hmm...
The point is, I need to extend the time that I run at top speed?
It's physically impossible.
Because the longest a human being can run at maximum speed
is about six seconds.
Does that mean I'll never beat that guy?!
Well, calm down.
It's impossible to extend the amount of time you stay at top speed,
but you can move your peak to the latter part of the race.
Huh?
In the first half, if you run by controlling your upper body,
and take your time in accelerating,
I think it will help you not to turn up the speed so soon.
Then will I be able to run faster than I do now?
Well, most likely...
But it'll be tough to change your running style fundamentally.
And there is not much time left before the metropolitan meet.
So if we're not confident about making it,
it's better to keep things the way they are now...
I'll do it!
Okay...
Then I'll set your new training regimen starting today.
Well, come see me after your interval running.
Thanks a lot for your help!
All right!
Asahina...
I figured out what I was trying to ask you about the other day.
What?
You know, I told you that I lost my speed in the second half of the 100-meter run...
Oh yeah... you were talking about something like that...
It seems my running style was not right.
But if I make a few changes, I'll be able to run faster.
R-Really?
That doesn't sound right to me...
It's true.
Miyamoto Sempai told me so.
E-Even so...
There're only two weeks before the metropolitan meet.
Is it okay to change the way you run at this point?
Huh?
Besides, you need more time to get ready.
I really don't think you can accomplish it!
What's wrong with you?
You're a little strange.
Hey...
Shut up!
Just leave me alone, you idiot!
Huh?
You can run however you like!
It's not my business!
Hey, Asahina!
Come on...
Geez! What's wrong with her?
Everybody is working hard.
Get set.
Start!
All right, a three-minute break!
Phew! It's so tough!
- Akitsuki, a towel... - Hey, Akitsuki!
You shouldn't be so tired out from that training!
You don't have enough stamina!
By the way, remember what you did in the last relay race?!
You were so worn out!
At least the team qualified for the metropolitan meet, but...
S-Sempai... you're hurting me!
But he managed his baton pass well.
Right, Akitsuki?
Y-Yeah.
Maybe it's because of my help!
Did you two do something?
Umm... well...
Nothing!
I'll compete against Arima in the relay race.
And I'm changing my running style. So I have to work harder.
That's right.
All you have to do is practice! Practice!
Yes!
I wonder if Akitsuki is still practicing...
11.23 seconds!
Really?!
Damn it! My time is dropping instead of improving.
Of course! Do you realize how many times you've run already?
You'd better stop now.
Then just one more time. Please!
Well, just one more time, okay?
Sorry to ask you...
I don't have anyone else I can ask.
You really feel sorry asking me?
I really am.
All right! Then, this is the last one!
Hey, did something happen to you?
What do you mean?
You seem to be completely different now... from when we practiced with the baton.
Really? I don't know.
But now I have a goal.
A goal?
Yeah, I want to become number one.
I want to beat Arima and be the number one sprinter in Japan.
I think there is a possibility for you to do it, Akitsuki...
But why did you start working so hard all of a sudden?
I don't want to tell you...
Because you still like Suzuka?
Am I wrong?
Yeah...
I'll confess my feelings to her after I become number one in Japan.
You know, even if you become number one in Japan,
that's not why Suzuka likes you...
I know that.
Asahina is not that simple and I didn't mean that, either.
But if I don't do it, I won't be able to be satisfied...
and I won't feel like I'm equal with her...
I see...
That's ridiculous!
Don't get me involved!
Hashiba...
Take me out to get something to eat.
Otherwise it's not worth the trouble.
Okay, okay.
Then how about going to the okonomiyaki place after this?
Nope! Something more expensive!
Why are you so mad?
- Yakiniku! - Yakiniku?
The three best Kalbi dishes!
Akitsuki... he's doing all that just for Asahina...
"Asahiyu"
I wonder if Yamato is still practicing...
He said the competition is coming up,
so he's working hard, I guess.
But it's very unusual for him to get that enthusiastic.
I feel like doing something to support him.
Yeah... I'll make something delicious the day before the competition.
Right, Suzuka?
Huh... yeah...
What should I cook?
How about something hearty?
Thanks for the dinner.
Oh? You had enough already?
What is it about him?
I... really want to be first!
What's going on with me?
"Inari-Daimyojin"
"Sakurai"
Nana... Sorry to call you... I know you're busy...
Are you working now, Nana?
No, I'm on the road now.
Anyway, did something happen to you?
Yeah...
Well, I have something to talk to you about...
Is it... about Yamato?
Yeah...
You want me to come and see you now?
Sorry, you must be busy...
No, it's okay.
I'm on the way back home, anyway...
Plus I've been so busy recently that I couldn't see you.
Actually I was worried about you.
Haven't you gotten over him yet?
Nana... I...
When I get my confidence,
I thought I would confess my feelings to Akitsuki again...
But he's practicing so hard because of Asahina...
Maybe Asahina likes Akitsuki, too...
There's probably no place for me between them.
Just forget him.
Forget about someone who won't even look at you.
It'll be all right.
You'll be able to have a real boyfriend soon, Honoka. Okay?
Nana...
But you're such a hard worker!
Even though you want to become the number one sprinter in Japan,
you're practicing from morning to night.
Yeah...
Though your motivation is misplaced, I'm impressed with your passion, really.
I want to do everything I can.
Whatever I can do to become the number one sprinter.
I thought you were "Mr. All-Talk and No-Action."
Well, just control yourself and don't blow the real thing, okay?
Okay...
Last one!
Run seriously, Akitsuki!
Yes!
Okay, let's break for three minutes!
Phew! Finally done!
Akitsuki, you got a minute?
Yeah...
I made a graph of your running pattern for the past week.
Huh?
Especially this graph from yesterday showing your time...
Is there any problem with my running form?
No, that's not what I mean...
Look... You're still at practice, so your time is not the best,
but the shape of your speed curve looks very close to that of Arima.
Really?
Yeah, if you keep this up, you'll probably do well at the meet.
All right! I'll keep doing my best!
Don't work too hard, okay?
Okay!
Asahina!
Just now, Miyamoto Sempai told me that my running pattern was improving.
Asahina?
Even if you do well in practice,
it's possible things won't go well at the real thing, you know?
Umm... well...
But...
Even though you're doing well right now, you'd better not be overconfident.
H-Hey, Asahina...
What was up with her, anyway?!
She doesn't have to say something like that...
Who does she think... I'm working so hard every day for!
You know, even if you become number one in Japan, that's not why Suzuka likes you.
I know that...
N-No... but I have to practice, practice!
That's all I have to do right now.
All right! We're all done for today!
- Yeah! - Yeah! - Yeah!
Boy, we've done!
Hey, let's go get something to eat before going home.
Akitsuki, do you want to have something to eat with me?
I'll treat you.
Ah, sorry! I want to run a little bit more.
Okay, well, there is not much time before the meet.
I don't want to see you injured by overpracticing.
Don't worry!
See you then.
Good job in practice!
Well, let's start running!
Ah, you're also practicing on your own, Asahina!
Good luck!
Do you have the time to cheer up others, Yamato?
You changed your running style all of a sudden...
You'd better be careful;
otherwise your old running style will return.
Y-Yeah...
I don't get it. Did I do something bad?
Damn it! I'm so irritated.
Why does she always say that stuff to me?
Ahh, stop thinking!
I should concentrate!
Hey!
Huh? What do you want?
How long are you going to practice?
Why don't you go home already?
Running so many times has the opposite effect, you know.
Are you stupid?
I-I know what I'm doing!
Really? Because you're always so full of it.
I don't believe you at all!
Cut it out already!
Why do you hate me so much?
She doesn't even know why I'm working so hard...
...and she says what she likes...
That's enough. I'm going home.
W-Wait!
Come on!
Hey... Ah...
Wait...
Sorry... I didn't mean that...
So don't get so angry...
No, well, I'm not angry...
Then it's okay...
Y-Yeah, don't worry...
Asahina?
Anyway, good luck for the metropolitan meet.
H-Hey!
"Good luck"...Huh...
Even you don't tell me so...
I'll become number one!
Omelet...
It looks delicious!
"Tokyo Metropolitan Rookie Championships"
Ah, I'm getting so excited.
Why are you getting so nervous?
Because it's the metropolitan meet!
I wonder what kind of feeling it is to run in a meet this big.
Why don't you go and give it your all?
You're really a mean guy!
That's why everyone says I'm such a great guy.
Crazy guy!
Now it's going to take place...
Yeah.
All right!
When I turn around, you are soon next to me,
Always with that smile.
You were too close and I couldn't see.
I was always wandering around lost and alone.
Little by little, I came undone and changed color.
If I just call your name,
I will become happy.
When we're together,
I become strong,
I can be gentle.
When we're together, gazing at each other,
I understand the meaning of eternity.
Let's search for the goal, the two of us!
I still like you after all, Asahina!
What are you saying, all of a sudden?
You don't have to answer me right now.
I'll practice harder, and I'll run faster than I do now.
"Next Episode: Disappearance" I'll practice harder, and I'll run faster than I do now.
"Next Episode: Disappearance" So...
"Next Episode: Disappearance" Stop it!
"Next Episode: Disappearance"