The next morning, Hiroshi finds himself in the middle of a conversation with Asahina, a young professional cyclist who has just returned from a trial team in the U.S. Hiroshi wants to buy a new road bike, but he knows that the price of the frame alone will make it impossible to do so. He also wants to build a carbon road bike so that he can compete at the Cycliste World Championships, which are held every two years in Europe. The two men discuss the upcoming race, which is to be held next week.