Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 5: CHARIOTS OF FIRE

The local neighborhood association has created a 10k running event co-sponsored by Fuji Speedway. Mr. Komaki convinces Haruka to participate while Koutarou flat-out refuses to run. Mr. Komaki’s son smells something fishy when his father is so eager to participate. Koutarou finds the hook. The prize is 5 kilos of marbled black wagyu beef. Meanwhile, Team Belsorriso and Alice also agreed to participate.

At the race, Haruka is struggling to get Koutarou to run. Each team requires at least two participants. Unfortunately, Mr. Komaki twisted his ankle forcing Koutarou to participate.

At the starting line, Haruka runs into Team Belsorriso. As the race begins, the commentary voice is oddly familiar. It is Mr. Komaki. Team Belsorriso is leading the back with Haru closely following. Satsuki brings up a good point while they’re running. The 10k allows them to compete without financial backing or other limiters. When they turn around to look at the competition, people are dropping out of the race including Koutarou. However, Mr. Komaki provokes Koutarou over the loudspeaker causing Koutarou to rejoin the race.

Koutarou continues to run the last leg which is mostly uphill. Finally, a saving grace. He sees a water station up ahead. However, there isn’t much water. The elderly neighborhood association tries to feed him food and hot tea.

Back at the race, Team Belsorriso is still leading. Satsuki recalls his favorite race and favorite driver. As he retells the race, he tells the other two that a lot of racing comes down to luck. As if it was a cute, the sole to Haruka’s shoe begins to come off. Meanwhile, Madoka makes his way down to the track. As Haruka lay on the track, he hears Madoka cheering for him. Madoka then takes his shoes off and throws them to Haruka. Instead of taking the shoes, Haruka kicks them out of the way, takes off his own shoes, and begins to run barefoot.

Haruka lays on the speed. He catches up to Team Belsorriso. It’s head-to-head. In the end, it is a three-way tie. Using rock-paper-scissors, they split up the prizes. Haruka ends up getting the second place prize of eels and presents it to Mr. Komaki for his birthday. In a celebratory hug, Madoka was able to take his next picture.

THOUGHTS

What a heart-warming episode. Despite his prickly nature, Haruka is really a sweet boy underneath. This episode was also quite funny. Who would have thought that the neighborhood association would totally misinterpret what a “water station” was supposed to be! They stocked up on all the neighborhood goodies to refuel the runners. We finally get some insight as to why Satsuki is so cheerful and bubbly. He models after his favorite driver and believes that karma turns into good luck. We learn a lot about Satsuki’s motivation as a racer. We also learn a lot about Haruka’s fighting spirit. It seems that luck is not on his side and that he has to create his own luck.

PREVIOUS EPISODES

Episode 1: The Man Who Races
Episode 2: Enthusiasm and Spirit
Episode 3: How Many Kilometers to the Winner’s Podium
Episode 4: The Past and Regrets