The badly disadvantaged Midousuji sends Mizuta after the King of the Mountains title to bait a reaction from Ashikiba and his pride in the champions Hakone Academy. The mountain title goes to Ashikiba, but he expends precious stamina. Seizing his opportunity, Midousuji accelerates. Imaizumi also races for the finish line with Sakamichi and his team's hopes on his back. Yuto finds himself unable to understand the actions of Ashikiba, who was supposed to compete for the finish line as the team's ace. However, Ashikiba tells him he hasn't given up on the finish line yet. Yuto thinks back on when he first joined the bicycle team and how he clashed with upperclassmen who only saw him as the younger brother of Hayato...