1990 Shizuoka Winter
It's (Heisei 2 nen) November 4th, the 47th Shizuoka High School Ekiden Meet (Ekiden is a relay road race)…the gun goes off & the runners race off amid cheers…
A bus stops & a race official steps out saying “the runners of the last leg are here” & the runners troop out of the bus. As Narusei steps out of the bus & against scenes shows him preparing for the rate his voice can be heard saying… “at that point in time, we were running with everything we had, we only knew how to just blindly run ahead towards the end, just keep on running. ..” scene changes to show Kinoshita running the first leg of the race… “the high school where we were at didn’t really get much attention…” scene shows Satoru warming up… “our studies & sports were so so, we weren’t hated by girls but neither were we that sought after”…Kinoshita’s running… “living in a hometown in the countryside surrounded by mountains & the sea, we were no different from ordinary high school students…” Kinoshita hands over the runner’s sash to Satoru & falls to the ground in exhaustion while Satoru takes off… “But besides running, no…” Satoru goes the wrong way & people yell at him to come back.
Riki at the start of the next leg keeps looking around, gets ready saying “baka…” …Satoru finally shows up & hands him the sash with Riki saying “fallen to last place already…” & takes off while it’s Satoru’s turn to fall on his back in exhaustion “dame da”… scene flashes of Mt Fuji to Riki & Naruse’s voice continues “Now when I think of it, for all of us, that was the best time ever, like flying in the sky, with warm blood & sweat, that day, that point in time, we were in the wind…” At the next leg, Etsuro is waiting while an official yells “get ready, the first runner is approaching, get ready!” but Etsuro is kind of day dreaming, the official yells at him that their team is in 2nd place & to go get the sash. He gets it from Riki & just stands there like an idiot & Riki yells at him to run. He finally takes off…at the next leg, Naruse is getting ready, & the 1st runner approaches. He finally sees Etsuro coming & shouts “this way, this way, watch behind you” as another runner is fast approaching. Etsuro finally manages to hand over the sash to Naruse before falling on his back in exhaustion & race officials carry him out of the way.
At the stadium, all the runners are anxiously waiting for the runners of the last leg to appear…Kinoshita, Satoru & Riki are seating together & Etsuro joins them “How?” Kinoshita says “just a bit more, about 5 more minutes”…scene changes to show a runner in front of Naruse with the city as a backdrop…Naruse is running while his left shoe comes off. He’s flustered for a second but then continues ahead without it…the first runner appears at the stadium, Riki says “It’s not Naruse”…Naruse appears a couple of seconds behind & the whole team gets on their feet in excitement “he’s here, he’s here!” The whole stadium is cheering “Gambare!” Kinoshita looks surprised “He’s running barefoot!” A gorgeous shot of Mt Fuji slides down to where the 2 runners are battling out on the home stretch with the team members running along side yelling & cheering & Naruse just inches ahead of the other runner. Another absolutely stunning shot with Mt Fuji right behind Naruse as he hits the tape first & the rest of the guys come onto the track & throw him up into the air celebrating with cheers of “Banzai! Banzai”. Scene then shows the whole team is awarded the top prize.
1996 Winter – Tokyo
Naruse buys a Christmas cake & boards the bus home. The bus jerks & he dumps the cake onto the lap of a girl (Natsumi). “Sorry, sorry…” he mutters as he tries to wipe off the cream on the sweater the girl had on her lap, making it worse.
At home in the kitchen, he tells his younger sister Yako what happened, “I’ll clean it for you, then send it back, because it’s my fault…looks like she’s working at a property company”. His sister says “You look really happy, my dear brother” to which he replies “What happy?? messed up the cake I specially bought…” “Ah so you got her contact number, right?” Yako asks as she takes out the dirtied sweater. “Contact number...!!!” Naruse realises he forgot to ask. “Ah, you didn’t ask??!!”
Riki is on the streets saying he’s a scout for models & talking to a girl when his hand phone goes off. “Kurosawa desukedo” “It’s me, Et-chan. Today…” & Riki hangs up. Etsuro tries again “Sorry the line got cut off” “I hung up” “E?” “Why do you keep calling me?” “If I don’t you will avoid me” says Etsuro. Riki asks “Why? It’s not a class reunion why call everyone to meet up? “Just come & you’ll know why” replies Etsuro. In the background a guy (Karasawa Toshiaki) keeps watch on Riki. “What are you talking about?” Riki seems to be getting a little annoyed & Etsuro says “I’ll tell only you…I’m getting married! Are you surprised?” Riki says “No, but if that’s the case, I guess I'll come…”
“Are you Kurosawa Riki?” asks this guy who’d been keeping an eye on Riki. “No” replies Riki & turns to go. “You’re Kurosawa Riki.” insists the guy & grabs him on the shoulder, pulling out police id. “Can you come have a word with us?”
Etsuro mutters to himself “Hung up on me again…” when his boss whacks him on the head with a roll of paper “Mizoguchi,, who are you calling? Go out & get business, don’t just sit hear & make phone calls!” “Yes, I’m going now” & he goes off in his bicycle…
At the college, Kinoshita says to 2 of his college mates “There’s 100,000 yen in this wallet. If I pretend & pass it to her saying “Excuse me, this is yours…” of course, there’s no card or identity in the wallet, even if one keeps it no one would know. What do you think?”
On the way out of the building on the steps, with his 2 friends watching, Kinoshita bumps into Kawakami on purpose & drops the wallet. He picks it up, goes up to her & says, “Ah excuse me, you dropped your wallet. Wow, there’s about 100,000 yen here, it’s yours isn’t it? Sorry, I opened it & looked.” He hands over the wallet. After a little hesitation she takes it, & Kinoshita looks disappointed & walks off with his 2 friends following behind.
That evening, at the Calen Restaurant & Bar, Kinoshita arrives to see Satoru at the table alone waiting & munching. “Kino senpai” Satoru greets Kinoshita who says “a little early huh.” Satoru bursts out “I’m here to meet someone” Kinoshita “Me too, Etsuro called…” Satoru shows his little finger & says “I’m waiting for my girlfriend! I don’t know if she’ll show up but she’ll probably show up wearing red underwear!” “E? You mean it wasn’t Etsuro who called you to come?” asks Kinoshita. “Yes, but when I was telling my girlfriend about meeting my friends from high school, she said she wanted to come too. So I said ok.” “That’s ok” laughs Kinoshita. “Naruse san, you’re here!” greets Satoru. “Why are you dressed up like that? Neck tie & all. Aren’t you still a student?! asks Naruse “Yes, but …actually I have a favor to ask…tonight please lie for me…” Kinoshita looks puzzled…
Muranaka tells Etsuro that she has to go for an arranged -marriage meeting. She says “It’s setup by a business client of my father’s…” “E? Than what about us?” asks Etsuro. “This is my parents’ wish, I’m sorry. I can’t persuade them on my own, I can’t go against their wishes & be with you…”
Etsuro goes to the Calen Restaurant & Bar & meets up with his friends. “Ah, you guys came. Genki?” he asks everyone. “What did you want to speak to us about?” Naruse is the first to ask Etsuro. Etsuro lies & says “Um, it’s been a long time since we met, just wanted to get together & have a drink.” Satoru also asks of Etsuro “Etsuro chan too, dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu” When Etsuro looks puzzled, Satoru says “I am, for today, a 24 year old elite salaryman in a big corporation” Etsuro amused “What’s this?” Kinoshita says “That’s what he’s told his girlfriend.” Etsuro asks “Satoru, you already have a girlfriend?” “Um, he’s no longer that little fellow who secretly went into the hills for vegetables & dragonflies!” teases Naruse & everyone joins in ribbing Satoru about when he was young… “Whatever was just said, you can’t say it in front of her!” Satoru exlaims. “I haven’t even held her hand.” “Then you can’t call her your girlfriend! Kinoshita says. “Our relationship is very innocent” tries to explain Satoru. Naruse exclaims “Busu!?” (Busu = a plain looking girl) “Busu?” repeat Kinoshita & Etsuro. “She’s here” Satoru says when she arrives. The others turn round & look a little bit stunned…
It’s Sonoko, looking very matured & sophisticated. She tells them about herself & it turns out that she restores paintings. She then asks “What does everyone do?” Naruse starts “I’m a marathon runner at a sports company. Altho I haven’t ran in any special races, that’s my dream.” “He managed to get into that Heart Sports company...” adds Etsuro. Sonoko replies “That’s a famous sports company, that’s great” “No no, it’s nothing…ah, he works in a credit bank” Naruse points at Etsuro. Etusuro says “It was only through a friend’s introduction that I got in” “You don’t have to say that” Naruse says. “But it’s true” replies Etsuro. Sonoko then asks “Kinoshita san, what about you?” “I’m still a student” to which Etsuro adds “He wants to be in Pediatrics” “Sugoi da ne” says Sonoko. “& I am a salaryman” adds Satoru. Sonoko exclaims “Everyone’s really working very hard.” to which Satoru says “But nothing in comparison to you…”
In the meantime, Riki is questioned by the police (Karasawa Toshiaki) that he entices women off the streets to go work at night clubs…
Back at the Calen restaurant, Sonoko is making a phone call & the four guys are just gaping at her. Etsuro asks “Where did you meet such a great women?” “I met her at a dance studio. Ballroom dancing is very popular now…” “But you haven’t even held her hand” says Kinoshita “But I will from now…” Sonoko comes back & says she “I have to go now, I have to go to another party….tonight was fun, sayonara” & leaves. Naruse tells Satoru “Really, telling her you’re a salryman…” Satoru replies that “You don’t understand. You have talent, you & I aren’t the same, I only managed to get into a 2nd rate university…” “What are you saying? If you think like that no wonder you can’t get a girldfriend” says Naruse. Kinoshita says “It’s late, I have to go” Kinoshita says. “But Riki hasn’t come! He said he would!” Etsuro explaims. Naruse mutters “He just says without meaning it…let’s go”
As they leave the restaurant, Etsuro says “Everyone’s living in Tokyo now, we should meet up more often, just like before. Where we used to cut classes & get together…” Naruse tells him “That was 6 years ago, things can’t be the same anymore…ja” Everyone says goodbye & leaves while Etsuro just stands by the doorway looking upset…
Outside the police station, Riki looks at his hand phone & says “Past 10 already…” Date & time on his hand phone shows 1996/12/25 22:23. He ends up calling some girl instead…
The next day, Naruse is training when his colleague Shimano pulls a muscle. At the hospital his coach tells Naruse that Shimano has to go for an operation. As they walk out after, that colleague says that Shimano will be out for 3 months & won’t be able to enter an upcoming race so it’s all up to Naruse…Naruse listens but suddenly spots the girl whose sweater he ruined boarding the bus. He runs after the bus yelling “Your sweater! Wait!” Finally the bus stops & she gets off. “Ah your sweater is with me but I didn’t get your contact number. It must have been a Christmas present” “Yes, from my boyfriend.” she replies & Naruse is disappointed to hear that. “Ah boyfriend! So it’s because of that special sweater that you got off the bus.” “No, it was the way you were running after the bus” she says.
At a bar, Riki asks Etsuro “So how’s it going? The marriage?” but Etsuro doesn’t say anything. “What’s wrong?” “Umm nothing, I’m glad you called” replies Etsuro. “Ganpai”
At a restaurant Naruse tells Natsumi about the high school race where he raced barefoot… “…lost my shoes but couldn’t help it, just had to keep going. The next day the paper said “Barefoot runner – Naruse” …from that day I became somebody in my hometown…but running during high school is not the same as now, takes more to run in society today. No matter how high the mountain, have to think of some way to climb it, have to find your own way to walk, run…” They laugh & have a good time together…
Riki tells Etsuro on their way home that he’s living with a girls. “Have to introduce her to us the next time” says Etsuro. “Have to meet again!” “Next time with girls” laughs Riki “Ah I go this way…ah how’s he? Eturo replies “Naru chan? He’s fine…training hard for the next race. Haven’t you seen him all this while? Riki say “Why meet? I can’t stand sweaty people. Prefer it like this…ja” & leaves Etsuro who looks a little depressed.
Natsumi goes home & tells her boyfriend about the guy who ruined the sweater. The boyfriend turns out to be Riki! When he hears that the guy is Naruse he is stunned but doesn’t tell her that he knows him. He sure doesn’t treat her well…
At the medical college, Kawakami comes up to Kinoshita in a corridor “I heard that you intentionally dropped that wallet, to see if I would reject it…despicable.” Kinoshita says “You took it didn’t you? I lost money” to which she says “If you want your money back, go to the office & ask for it!” & walks off.
At the office, Kinoshita gets the wallet back & is surprised to see that all of the money is still in it. The lady in charge tells him that she does volunteer work at the welfare centre.
At the volunteer centre Kawakami is helping a little boy walk again. Kinoshita comes by & she spots him. “What are you doing here?” she asks. He replies “nothing, just came by to see what you were doing.” “Volunteer work, you can see for yourself” She tells him about that little boy she was helping. “The kid lost his parents in an accident & was very reserved when I first started volunteer work half a year ago. But with a bit more courage & encouragement, he’ll walk again soon” she says. Kinoshita very cynically tells her “Instead of working about others, you should first worry about yourself…ja”. As he leaves, the little boy comes up & calls him “Are you her boyfriend? That lady in the glasses? Wow she has such a cool boyfriend” Kinoshita replies “no, we’re just in the same university.” “So you’re going to be a doctor too?” “Yeah, I guess” says Kinoshita. The boy says “I wonder if I can walk again…last year, I won a race at the sports meet, I wonder if I can do it again this year. Will you come & cheer me on?” “Um, yes.” Kinoshita agrees.
Satoru calls Naruse to tell him about mochitsuki taikai (making rice cakes). “We stopped mochitsuki for 6 years, it’s being revived!” Satoru tells Naruse. Naruse asks “What revival?” Satoru replies “In any case, Kinoshita told me to tell you & you have to tell Riki.” “Why do I have to tell Riki? I don’t even have his number!” “I’ll give you his hand phone number” Satoru says. Naruse interrupts “I’m going out now”. He calls Riki but Riki’s in the shower & doesn’t pick up the call.
Natsumi leaves to meet up with Naruse to get the sweater back. She leaves some money for Riki but Riki really says some nasty things to her… Naruse meets up with Natsumi & returns the sweater & is about to leave when she asks him, “Since you’re here, how about going for a movie?”
Satoru has a date with Sonoko. They are having a drink after a classical concert & she looks really sophisticated. But she makes some excuse & leaves in a hurry when Satoru tries to take the relationship further…
Back at Riki’s place Riki’s father walks into the apartment…Riki doesn't look pleased at his father's appearance.
Naruse & Natsumi end up at this baseball batting range & they have a great time batting…
While waiting for Natsumi, Riki’s father tells Riki that his mom has fallen ill & asks him to return to Shizuoka…
As Natsumi & Naruse leave, she asks him if he wants to go for a movie...he tries to console her as she feels down about her relationship with Riki…she returns the next morning just as Riki’s father leaves the place. She doesn’t see him but he does. As they are talking, Riki’s father, wanting to see Natsumi, comes back into the apartment & overhears Riki saying awful things about him, that he's just some farmer from the countryside & doesn't count for anything...
When Etsuro is working, Nakamura comes to see him… “How’s the marriage meeting?” he asks her “Tomorrow.” Etsuro is upset & says “I have to work, see you” & goes off. Etsuro goes to see this old couple who run a bike shop & there’s a debt collector there. After the guy leaves the old man asks about the wedding but Etsuro is upset & doesn’t want to talk about it…
At the dance club, Satoru is having a dance session & tries to find out about Sonoko from his dance partner (Nogiwa Youko). She tells him that she’s married! "Tsukada okusan" “Married?” He goes to look for her & finds her rather shabbily dressed talking to her daughter in the playground. When she goes buy something for her daughter to eat, the little girls hands her a piece of paper. It's Satoru's hand written invitation to the mochitsuki taikai (rice cake making gathering)...
At the Heart Sports Company, Shimano has been told he has to leave the company. He tells Naruse not to just think about running for the company, it won’t do him any good in the end.
Back at their apartment, Natsumi tells Riki “I’m thinking of going back to my previous company to work.” Riki says “Did you see this magazine? There’s something about trying again to fulfil one’s wishes… lies…you’re too naïve, what dreams! Just like that marathon runner” Riki replies & Natsumi tries again “Why won’t you try to understand how I feel? Like this I can’t be with you…” “With me what?” interrupts Riki. “Together? Do as you please!”
Kawakami goes after Kinoshita down the stairs of a college building “Why are you doing this?” “Doing what” “Giving this money to Takahiro, what are your intentions?” she asks him, rather annoyed. “E? That boy is called Takahiro?” Kinoshita nonchalantly asks. “He’s trying hard to learn how to trying hard to learn how to walk again!” & stuffs the money into his hands “This is pity!” Kinoshita replies “In comparison to hypocrites like you, I’m better” to which she retorts “Hypocrite?!” “I’m sorry if I have offended you but without money, it’s inconvenient” Kinoshita says rather cynically. “I can’t believe you! Why does someone like you want to become a doctor?!” she asks him angrily. “Umm, my father’s a doctor, I can earn good money & I won’t be affected by any economic downturn…” Kinoshita replies & gets slapped. “It’s an embarrassment to be in the same college as you. You don’t have the right to be a doctor!” & she storms off.
Kinoshita goes over to Naruse’s for dinner with him & his sister. Naruse tells them about Shimano, his ex-colleague who got injured & was fired, generally talking about his running when the phone rings. It’s Natsumi…
Naruse goes off to meet Natsumi. He asks “What happened?” “Nothing, I just wanted to hear your voice, didn’t really expect you to show up” she says, making Naruse feel a little uncomfortable. “Although I haven’t known you very long, I feel I can count on you…” she continues. Naruse tells her “Although I’ve only just met you, I really wanted to see you.”
At a nightclub, Riki is trying to persuade a girl to go back & entertain some businessman. Scenes show him leaving the nighclub & scouting for girls on the streets & Natsumi’s voice saying “I’ve spent 3 years only thinking about Riki, never thought about myself.”
Scene switches back to one of her & Naruse in a cab & she continues… “That’s why from now on, I’m only going to think about myself.” The cab pull over & he lets Natsumi off. “Ah, tomorrow, can you come to the mochitsuki taikai?” “Can I?” “Of course! I’ll introduce you to everyone! Ja” “Arigatou” says Natsumi & walks home & Natsumi gets back into the cab & drives off.
At the mochitsuki taikai the next day, Satoru & Naruse are going it at pounding the rice cake with Etsuro’s grandparents. Satoru says “Sonoko will come, I believe she will come today!” “Oh, so you’re waiting for a girl friend too?” “Too? Too?” asks Satoru. Naruse says “well not quite girldfriend but…” Esturo says “It’s late…” Naruse aske him, “Are you waiting for a girlfriend too?” “Riki, you told him right?” & Naruse looks guilty because he has forgotten. He calls Riki but he isn’t around. Natsumi is packing but doesn’t answer the phone either…
[There’s a part missing from my VCDs so I don’t know what happened. From the following scenes later, it appears that Riki & Naruse had a fight, Natsumi finds out that Riki & Naruse are old friends that don’t get along, & that Naruse realises Natsumi’s boyfriend is Riki.]
Kinoshita & Etsuro are walking along & talking about Riki & Naruse. Kinoshita says “The two of them have never gotten along, even way back on the Ekiden team. Riki would have been the one who got all the attention if Naruse hand’t shown up. Although Riki was the record holder, but team captain, gold medal & glory went to Naruse. Besides, Riki had all the girls for friends…” “But we are still his friends. Back then, we were fighting for the same goal together. Doesn’t that count for something?” Etsuro asks Kinoshita.
The both of them head of for ramen & Kinoshita tells Etsuro “That time to be doesn’t matter. Even if I don’t have it, it’s ok”. Etsuro gets even more upset “That's not true! Aren’t you also trying hard to become a doctor?” "Trying hard for the sake of a place in school that was bought? My parents donated money to that school so I'll become a doctor, or whatever...my start will always be because of money, the most beautiful a lie can never cover that up. " says Kinoshita. "It has nothing to do with money!" Etsuro says heatedly. "The most important thing is how much effort you put into it!" "Kinoshita loses his cool "Of course it has everything to do with money! Etsu, it's better if you grow up..." Etsuro looks upset. He seems to want things the way they were in high school & looks really sad..."We still haven't done fireworks this year..." he mutters...
At a restaurant, Natsumi & Naruse talk. Natsumi apologies "I didn't go yesterday, sorry. What happened to your lip?" Naruse's lip is bruised. He ignores her question & says instead "After you move out, what do you plan to do? If you don't want to listen to his cold words anymore, you can come over to my place." He asks her to go home with him today as his sister has returned home for the new year.
Etsuro goes to the bike shop to see the old couple. He gets upset when they tell him he went to see Muranaka's parents & begged him to let Etsuro marry their daughter. Etsuro ges mad & yells at them "Why did you do that? It has nothing to do with you! Why did you do such an embarrassing thin? Leave me alone!" as he storms out. Later alone, Etsuro starts thinking & realises that the old man was trying to help him & he decides to help them out instead by re-arranging the loan that they have.
At the dance club, Sonoko tells Satoru how mundane her life is, looking after her daughter & husband, washing, cleaning, watching tv... "Meeting you reminded me of how I used to feel when I was single..." she tells Satoru. "Sayonara" she says as she leaves.
At Naruse's apartment, Natsumi tells Naruse "I didn't know you & Riki were friends" "No we not friends. Besides you & he are over, I don't mind..."
Riki's been fired & he goes looking for Etsuro. Etsuro is really working hard trying to make amends to the old couple & doesn't have time for Riki...
The old folks finish a meal together & look really down...Etsuro comes by the bike shop but doesn't go in. Instead he heads off to meet Nakamura. He apologises to her "The man that came by the other day, I'm sorry. He was my first customer when I first started out at the bank & they've always treated me very kindly..." He tells her that after the new year he will see her parents himself & ask for her hand. Muranaka is thrilled to hear this.
Etsuro goes back to the bike shop eager to surprise the old couple. But he finds a letter that says "Et-chan, thank you for everything. The mochitsuki was very enjoyable. Sayonara." Etsuro rushes into the bedroom in shock yelling "Ojichan!!..."
Etsuro calls Naruse but Naruse is more concerned with Natsumi. She is on her way home & Naruse tells Etsuro that he can't talk now & hangs up on him. When Naruse asks Natsumi to stay, she tells him "I just broke up with him, why are you so eager to be with me? It's because of Riki isn't it? "It has nothing to do with him" he replies but she says "I see Riki's shadow when I'm with you...I mind."
Etsuro dejectedly goes back to the bike shop where the neighbours & cops have gathered whispering "what happened? The old couple committed suicide..."Etsuro takes his bike & leaves. All of a sudden he gets mad, gets on his bike & rides off. He doens't notice at the pedestrian crossing that it's changing to red & cycles across. All of a sudden two motorbikes come roaring by & slam right into him. As he lies there he has flashbacks of the old couple, his girlfriend & back to the time in high school...
At the hospital Riki arrives to find Satoru & Kinoshita already outside the operating theatre. Kinoshita says "It's bad" & Naruse arrives soon after. The four of them sit in agony waiting. After an eternity, the doctors come out & say "We tried out best" & Riki doesn't quite believe it. He gets agitated & Kinoshita has to hold him back...Satoru charges into the operating theatre while the other 3 wait outside. They hear him yell "Etsuro san!!!"
Satoru lights a joss stick in the room where Etsuro is lying while Naruse sits in a corner & Riki solemnly stands by Etsuro. Kinoshita walks in & tells him that Etsuro's sister would be making the funeral arrangements. Then Naruse goes over to Etsuro & pulls off the white cloth covering Etsuro's face. He says "Gomen na Etsu, warukatta Etsu..." then he screams "Etsu!!! Warukatta na, warukatta..."& the others fight to hold back tears.
Yako returns from home & brings loads of things from the countryside. Naruse is still feeling down & his sister tries to cheer him up. "You haven't been training? she asks. "Whatever for?" he replies as he flips through some new year cards & come across one that Etsuro had sent - Wishing Naru-chan a good year too this year...Mizoguchi Etsuro.
Natsumi tells Riki that she heard from Yako Nuruse hasn't been training although the race is coming up. She asks him to go talk to Naruse as she can't anymore. Riki tries to stop her from leaving when she asks "Why are trying to make me stay?" "Because I love you" he says. "You're lying! It's because you don't want to lose out to Naruse!!!" & as she's about to leave Riki's father walks in. "Shitsurei shimasu" she says awkwardly & leaves...
Riki's father brings him something his mother had made. "Although the left part of her body is paralyzed, she weaved this for you with one hand. She said that it's alright if you don't come back, children have their own lives to lead. I came here to tell you that, that's all" & he leaves.
After he leaves, Riki flips through some new year cards & comes across one that Etsuro sent. He out runs after his father & tells him to thank this mother for the present & that "I'll come home..." His father instead scolds him "Although I'm only a farmer, I have every right to say this. Because your mother told me that although she's half paralyzed, she has been very lucky to be with me. If you can't let a woman be happy, don't come home!" Riki is shocked...
At the Calen Restaurant & Bar, Kinoshita brings Muranaka to meet Satoru, Riki & Naruse. She says everytime Etsuro spoke about them he would be very happy. From Etsuro's sister, she got something that Etsuro had treasured, his running shoes from the Ekiden together with a picture of all of them. Kinoshita asks "Shall we sign it?" & takes it from her. She says "Etsuro always said that Kinoshita appeared cool but he actually understood people very well & had a kind heart. Kinoshita will become a very good doctor"...he hands the shoe over to Satoru as he signs it Muranaka continues "Although Satoru was really cool, sometimes he would run the wrong way & then get scolded by everyone. He always made everyone worry, like a little brother"...Riki grabs the pen from Satoru & writes on the other shoe...Muranaka says "Riki joined the 4 of them at the Ekiden right? Etsuro said that when he got scolded by Riki, he was very nervous but proud that Riki helped him...when he was with Riki & Naruse, he was sure he wouldn't fail."...Riki hands over the shoe to Naruse... & the scene changes to a slow-motion shot of Etsuro running...
The four of gather for fireworks. They light those sizzlers in the order of the relay race - Kinoshita to Satoru, to Riki & as Riki hands out a firework for Naruse to light his, Naruse holds back & looks away. He sees Etsuro watching them with a smile. Then he lets Riki light his firework...& they have a good time...Riki tells them about the last time he saw Etsuro, how he was rushing & working...he lauches a firework into the sky & all 4 of them look up...
At the welfare centre Kinoshita shows the little boy the picture of his friends & gives him a brand new pair of shoes. "When can we run together? Slowly is ok. We'll try together..." Kawakami comes in just in time to hear him say that. He smiles & leaves.
Satoru goes looking for Sonoko & at the apartments, a man (Kishitani Goro) is selling hot sweet patatoes & shouting through his mike. Satoru borrows it & tells the whole neighbourhood that being a mother, a housewife is something to be proud of. People gather round & cheer him on & when he leaves, the guy gives him a couple of hot patatoes. "Sonoko comes running out after him. He breaks off one of the patatoes & hands it to her "Sayonara" & she smiles "Arigatou."
At the stadium, Naruse & Riki talk & sort out their differences. Riki tells him to take good care of Natsumi, he's going back to his hometown, & that Naruse isn't running by himself., they're all with him...they tell each other to "Gambarre" & Riki tells Naruse "If there's anything...call me...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" As he leaves the stadium, he bumps into Natsumi who comes by to see Naruse...
Natsumi tells Riki "You made up with Naruse, not because of me...I love you" Riki says "Me too. I don't want our friendship to change either, really...thank you"
As the credits roll & theme song play...
Naruse is training again...Kinoshita meets up with Kawakami & the little boy...Satoru gets a job...Riki goes back home & helps his father in the orchard...Yako goes to the race to cheer Naruse on...the gun goes off, the show ends with a shot of Naruse running in the marathon...
