Yuki comes down with a fever. Although Tohru tries to convince him to stay home, he accepts a challenge from Kyo to a contest: he must win the endurance run at school the following day. Tohru meets Hatsuharu Sohma, the Ox of the Chinese zodiac, during the endurance run. Hatsuharu has difficulty with his sense of direction and has been lost for three days while looking for Kyo. Hatsuharu intentionally trips Kyo during the challenge against Yuki because he has come to challenge Kyo to a fight. Kyo refuses at first, which triggers "Black Haru", Hatsuharu's dark side, and they begin fighting. However, as Tohru and Yuki watch the two fight, Yuki feverishly collapses. Hatsuharu clasps Tohru to transform into an ox, so he can carry Yuki back to the household residence. Later on, Hatsuharu explains to Tohru why he used to hate the clever Rat for insulting the foolish Ox. However, he further explains how he later came to forgive himself and love Yuki.