The episode begins with a discussion in the office about the recruitment competition by Sunpick Ltd. Shinozaki feels the pressure, especially since the prize is a trip to a luxury resort in Okinawa. His manager, Hayakawa, and Katase support him, but there’s a lot at stake. Kurusu Akari from Development Group 1 is his main rival, and her boss Takatsukasa reveals that he will have Shinozaki’s manager transferred to his group if she wins.

Shinozaki works hard on his proposal but is visibly stressed. Katase notices this and offers him food shaped like the kanji for "person" to encourage him not to fear failure. Meanwhile, Kurusu also feels the pressure and struggles to create an illustration for her project. Katase, who is working overtime, offers her advice and emotional support, prompting Kurusu to open up about her insecurities.

The day of the competition arrives, and the tension is palpable. Shinozaki and Kurusu exchange words before their presentations, acknowledging the pressure they’re both under. Shinozaki’s team presents a project titled "Meowtaro, the Super Friend," designed to help people with shared activities. The presentation is well-received, but so is Kurusu’s.

Surprisingly, Yamagishi from Public Relations wins the prize for the most successful newcomer, while Shinozaki and Kurusu receive the Excellence Award for outstanding performance. Despite their initial disappointment, both teams are satisfied with their achievements. Shinozaki’s manager assures him that the Excellence Award is still a significant accomplishment, and Kurusu’s boss apologizes for the added stress and promises to support her in the future.

The episode ends with a closing party where everyone celebrates their hard work. Shinozaki and Katase admit that the competition was an emotional rollercoaster for them.