Rikuoh

Miyazawa, the CEO of a long-standing tabi sock company in decline, considers using his business's techniques to create new running shoes.

Miyazawa wants to use the special Silk Ray material for the soles of the Rikuoh shoes, but getting the patent owner's permission proves difficult.

After running in the Rikuohs, Mogi says they're comfortable but the soles are too soft. Iiyama gets to work adjusting the Silk Ray with Daichi's help.

Determined to make the Rikuoh the best shoe in the world, Miyazawa persistently pursues Mogi. A Daiwa employee urges Mogi to retire due to his injury.

With development costs mounting for the Rikuoh, Miyazawa decides to create a new tabi shoe using Silk Ray. Atlantis offers to sponsor Mogi again.

The New Year Ekiden begins. The Kohazeya employees cheer on Mogi as he receives the sash in the sixth leg, with Daiwa Food having fallen far behind.

Daichi volunteers to search for new upper material. Later, Kohazeya faces a financial crisis when an accident renders the Silk Ray machine unusable.

Feeling offended, Miyazawa rejects Sakamoto's shocking proposal. Yasuda suggests the Kohazeya employees enter a relay race to promote the Rikuoh.

Mogi decides to wear the new R-IIs to save Daiwa's track team. Meanwhile, Misono invites Miyazawa to go fishing to ease his fears about the sale.

Kohazeya remains in dire financial straits with no way to make more Rikuohs. Eventually, Misono reaches out with another tempting yet risky offer.