Shota is 30 years old in 2007. His income is close to 9 million yen a year (~$84k). Shota is proud after he is chosen as a project leader. He forced Kojima to go with him to a joint party where he shares his pride. Shota joins a gym like Hayashi in order to stay active on the weekends. He meets Kojima and the two have a bit of an impromptu running competition. Kojima falls. Later, the two are drinking together and Kojima tells him "Don't look down on me!".