Episode 8 of "I Am Running Mate" kicks off with a tense atmosphere as the students anxiously await the election results. Snag-hyeon, unable to contain his concern, ventures out to check on Jae-won, who remains confined within the police station walls.
Inside, Jae-won reveals to Snag-hyeon that Hee-chan has agreed to settle for a substantial sum of money. Snag-hyeon, ever the supportive friend, offers to chip in and help Jae-won cover the cost. However, Jae-won stands firm in his resolve to take full responsibility for the altercation. With that, he vows to foot the bill for the damages, abruptly ends the call with Snag-hyeon, tosses the smartwatch gifted by Snag-hyeon into a nearby dustbin, and exits the police station with a heavy heart.
The moment of truth arrives as Joong-gyu, the election announcer, unveils the results. Sang-hyeon secures a victorious 49% of the votes, clinching the position of school president, with Se-hoon and Jeong-hui following closely as vice presidents. Sang-hyeon reaches out to Won-dae, who gracefully accepts the defeat without stirring up any controversy. The red team joins in, offering their congratulations to the blue team on their well-deserved victory.
Elsewhere, Se-hoon and Jeong-hui find themselves pondering the post-election blues, wondering what lies ahead now that the excitement of campaigning has come to a close. Their reverie is shattered when Se-hoon receives a frantic call from his mother, summoning him to the police station.
An eyewitness has provided a sketch of two individuals seen swapping motorcycle plates and conversing in English. Se-hoon recognizes them instantly – Hyeon-su, the individual who provoked a fight with him at the birthday party, and none other than Sang-hyeon. The penny drops for Se-hoon; Sang-hyeon orchestrated the hit-and-run to garner sympathy votes.
Se-hoon hastily approaches Joong-gyu, the election supervisor, to report the incident. However, Joong-gyu remains unmoved by Se-hoon's unverified claims, citing the eyewitness's credibility as questionable. What if the witnesses had fabricated their story in hopes of claiming a reward? Instead, Joong-gyu reminds Se-hoon of his own infraction – sneaking into school during the sabotage of Won-dae's campaign posters, an act caught on CCTV. Confronting Se-hoon with the evidence, Joong-gyu accuses him of attempting to tarnish the reputation of a newly elected school president based on unfounded allegations.
What transpires with Sang-hyeon? Despite Se-hoon's innocence in tampering with the posters, he is caught red-handed attempting to dispose of incriminating evidence. The teacher turns a blind eye to his plight, prompting Jae-won to confront Sang-hyeon directly. When Se-hoon reaches out, Sang-hyeon feigns innocence, claiming to be hosting a family gathering. Undeterred, Se-hoon tracks him down at his residence, where Sang-hyeon is found indulging in expensive beverages with a clique of friends, mockingly discussing Se-hoon and others he exploited during the electoral campaign. Worse yet, Sang-hyeon casually reveals Hyeon-su's involvement in a hit-and-run incident.
The confrontation between Se-hoon and Sang-hyeon escalates into a violent brawl, with Se-hoon surreptitiously capturing the entire scene on record. Sang-hyeon, nearly striking Se-hoon with a whisky bottle, is interrupted by Jae-won's intervention. In a rage, Sang-hyeon hurls a decorative figurine at them, which they narrowly evade. The projectile sails out the window and crashes onto a passing vehicle below, causing damage and alerting the authorities. The police arrive promptly and apprehend Sang-hyeon. Subsequently, he departs to pursue further studies in the United States.
As for Se-hoon's fate post-election, he demands answers from Sang-hyeon, seeking to understand why he was chosen as a running mate. Sang-hyeon's revelation dawns on Se-hoon: he was selected not for his worth but for his expendability. Reflecting on the transformations he underwent and sacrifices made during the campaign, Se-hoon is left feeling foolish and disillusioned by the election's outcome. Resolute in not reverting to his old self—a bullied, studious individual who tolerated all—Se-hoon decides to withdraw from school. His peers offer him their blessings, and he reconciles with Won-dae and Gyeong-tae.
One year later, Se-hoon remains a school dropout, awaiting the results of his GED. When Jae-won inquires about his future plans, Se-hoon admits to having none, suggesting a period of uncertainty and introspection.
Has Se-hoon managed to mend fences with Ji-hun? Ever since the elections, Ji-hun has steadfastly refused to engage in conversation with Se-hoon, even when the latter personally seeks him out at his residence. Notably absent among the students bidding Se-hoon adieu on his school departure, Ji-hun's estrangement remains clear. A year hence, during a heartfelt chat between Se-hoon and Jae-won, it transpires that the rift between Se-hoon and Ji-hun has lingered unresolved since the fateful election day.
As for Jae-won, a full year has passed since election day when he arrives to pick up Se-hoon in a sleek, luxurious automobile. Jae-won has since ascended the ranks, now serving as a manager to celebrities. While he has distanced himself from Sang-hyeon and their mutual friends, Jae-won harbors genuine well-wishes for their well-being, albeit from afar.
