Just before Sakamichi and Manami's race to the finish, Kuroda pulls for Manami from their position behind the lead riders. One year ago, after falling into a depression when he was beaten by Manami in the qualifier, he resolved to restore Hakone Academy to its former glory when Arakita entrusted him with the team. Kuroda, who rides shrewdly when he activates his switch, endures the pain in the leg before finally trusting Manami with his own hopes and sending him off. Manami spreads his wings and accelerates. Meanwhile, as Sakamichi falls behind, for some reason a song begins playing in his head!
Until then, I'd been the best
 at everything I did.
Bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt war ich
in allem die Nummer eins.
Hasta entonces, había sido
el mejor en todo lo que hacía.
Hasta entonces, había sido
el mejor en todo lo que hacía.
Ma fierté que j’avais fait passer
avant tout le reste
Fino ad allora, 
ero sempre stato il migliore in tutto.
Até aquele momento, eu sempre
me considerei o melhor em tudo que fazia.
До этого я всегда и во всём был лучшим.