Towards the end of summer, an invitation is extended to Sakamichi and the rest of the Souhoku team to participate in the Kumamoto Hi Province Mountain Range Race. The race draws in top-tier teams from all over the country, including Souhoku's rivals Hakone Academy, Kyoto Fushimi, and Hiroshima Kureminami, all vying to come out on top. The competition also features Kumamoto Daiichi High School's team, led by Shin Yoshimoto.