Yamato works hard at track. Miyamoto and Yamato develop a plan to beat Arima. When Miki wonders what has gotten into Yamato lately, he replies that he has a goal now. Miki guesses it is because of Suzuka. Sakurai later calls Nana for advice about Yamato and what to do. Sakurai tells her that she thinks that Yamato and Suzuka like each other and that there is no place for her anymore. Nana comforts her, telling her to find someone else. Suzuka is increasingly bothered by Yamato's seriousness at track, and acts cold to him. Yamato confronts Suzuka about this, and she apologizes.
Show: Suzuka
Yamato Akitsuki travels to Tokyo alone to study in one of the high schools located within the area. He lives in with his aunt who operates a public bath solely for the ladies in the local district and begins his normal high-school life. One day, he chances upon a girl in school and is immediately mesmerized by her beauty. He is shocked when he realizes later that the girl, Suzuka, is actually living next door to him. From then on, Yamato's ordinary life begins to change little by little.
Preparation
Before the race, Yamato receives counciling from Yasunobu, revealing that he still likes Suzuka. The appearance of Miyamoto and his recount of Kazuki then reveals to Yasunobu what Yamato keeps worrying about. Somehow, though, Yasunobu's words sparks something in Yamato, and he then resolves to becoming first. After his first spectacular performance, he is met by disappointment by his teammates, because the first race was unimportant, he was just wasting energy. When he finishes second in the entire meet, Suzuka approaches to congratulate him, but he reveals to her that he wants first.
Regret
Although Yamato resolves to stay on track, he just can't seem to be able to catch the baton, repeatly dropping it. To help Yamato, Miki decides to take matters into her own hands and train Yamato. After many hours of practice, Yamato still fails to receive the baton properly, due to Suzuka occupying his thoughts the moment of receival. Eventually, Yamato reveals that his poor performance is due to his regret of lying to Suzuka. Miki offers to talk to Suzuka about it, but Yamato declines the offer, stating that he should stop making excuses and talk to her himself. Yamato tells the truth to Suzuka and reveals how valuable her friendship is to him. Suzuka later calls him to say she is not angry anymore and encourages him to work hard at track.
Support
Yasunobu talks with Yamato over the relationship, when Miki interrupts and gets in a heated argument with Yasunobu over her headstrong personality. The entire track-and-field team has been grumbling over Honoka's no-show, and for good reason after they learn what happened from Yamato. Miki had heard from Suzuka on what happened, and confronts Yamato about it. Yamato gives the same lie he gave Suzuka, but Miki isn't fooled and fishes out the truth. She then has Yamato treat her to dinner at an okonomiyaki place where she gets to understand Yamato a little better. Meanwhile Nana helps cheer Honoka up, and she gets brave enough to continue managing the track and field team with the hopes of confessing to Yamato properly in the future.