Character Arc
Haiji Kiyose is the de facto leader and resident manager of Chikusei-so, a fourth-year university student with a calm, persuasive demeanor and an unshakeable dream of competing in the Hakone Ekiden. He is the one who recruits Kakeru and the other tenants, slowly and strategically revealing his goal of forming a team capable of qualifying for the legendary relay despite their inexperience.
Beneath his easygoing charm, Haiji carries a hidden burden: a serious knee injury from his own competitive past that threatens his ability to run. Much of his arc involves the tension between his role as mentor and motivator and his private determination to run the Ekiden himself, even at great physical risk. His belief that true strength lies in perseverance and heart, not just speed, becomes the philosophical core of the series.
As the team comes together, Haiji's quiet leadership transforms ten ordinary students into genuine runners. His unwavering faith in his housemates, his patience in coaxing out their potential, and his willingness to push his damaged body to the limit make him one of the most beloved figures in the story. His final run in the Ekiden is a culmination of everything he has worked toward.