Badminton team member Mizushima Ryo dreams of attending Yokohama Minato High School with the player he admires, but he had given up on that dream because he thought it was impossible. But one day, the high school's badminton coach Ebihara visits Ryo--

Thanks to Ebihara, Ryo gets to participate in the badminton team's practices before entering high school. His practices at Yokohama Minato with students recruited by Ebihara from other schools and his idol Yusa begin!!

The final ranking match between Ryo and Matsuda begins! No matter where Matsuda aims his shots, Ryo tenaciously returns them, and the frustration causes Matsuda to set aside his normally cool play in favor of recklessly chasing down the shuttle. The other team members who have finished their matches can't take their eyes off the game. How will their back and forth match end? And what will be the results of the ranking matches?

Five-time Inter-High champions Saitama Futaba Academy arrive for their practice match. However, the third-years that make up the main force of their team are absent. When they realize they've been underestimated, the members of Yokohama Minato are eager to fight. However, once the matches begin, it becomes clear that the difference in skill is great, and the first-years are defeated soundly. Among the Saitama Futaba players is a standout player named Date. With the skills to defeat even Hongo, he apparently has some history with Yusa...

The training camp from hell begins. Ryo decides he'll make use of his perseverance, which is his greatest strength. As Ebihara taught him, he watches closely and thinks carefully as he follows the training schedule. While doing his laundry at the end of the first day, Ryo is deep in thought about Yusa and the other upperclassmen. They build their stamina regularly and seem perfectly fine even after a hard day of training. While Ryo is contemplating how impressive they are, Akira comes along. He seems to have figured something out and tells Ryo a certain story about Yusa...

The training camp comes to an end. Ryo and the other first-years head to Akira's home for an after party and barbecue. Later, they head to a fireworks display with Ayumi and her friends. Ryo and Sakaki become separated from the others while visiting the food stands. Now that they're alone together, Ryo works up the courage to bring up a subject that's been bothering him: the fuzzy topic of dissolving their doubles team. Ryo wants to know how Sakaki really feels, but Sakaki dodges the question and refuses to face Ryo--

Ryo's long-awaited match against Shizuo and Hiroto begins unexpectedly. At Ebihara's instructions, Ryo targets Shizuo, who is injured. Though Shizuo is playing well, he suddenly feels a sharp pain in his leg and falls. Ryo is distraught, but Ebihara tells him to continue the attack. Ryo attempts to steel his resolve, but the burden accumulating in his heart clearly causes him to play poorly. When the match resumes, Ryo's mistakes become increasingly obvious

Spring arrives, and Ryo becomes a second-year. His class is selecting committee members, but nobody volunteers to take on the burdensome responsibilities of the recreation committee. Ryo reluctantly accepts the job so the class can move forward. He holds a meeting to plan a class party, but his classmates are unenthusiastic. Ryo does his best to make the party a success despite the trouble they're giving him. Meanwhile, Yokokawa has troubles of his own. The badminton team is experiencing its own problems.

The prefectural tournament begins. Yokohama Minato is off to a smooth start as they win their matches. However, Matsuda is shut out by Hojo High School's Okazaki in the quarterfinals. Okazaki burns with a fierce fighting spirit. This is his last year to get revenge on Yusa. His sharp and determined eyes have the intensity of a beast pursuing its prey. It's up to Ryo to avenge Matsuda as he takes on Okazaki in the semifinals. Ryo attempts to ignore Okazaki's provocation and focus on playing his way, but...

Ryo is panicking. Only one month remains until the Inter-High. Unless he acquires the thing he lacks, he won't be able to beat Yusa. However, his desperation has made him lose sight of his surroundings. He's antagonizing his teammates, but he doesn't have time to worry about them. Unable to ignore his selfish behavior, Hana the manager finds the courage to give him some candid advice, but Ryo refuses to listen. Ebihara steps in, and Ryo is suspended from practice...

The Inter-High has finally begun. Yokohama Minato makes steady progress and advances to the semifinals. Ryo nearly breaks under the pressure, but he overcomes it with help from his friends. Then the semifinals begin. Their opponent is Hirayama. Misaki is eager to play against Yusa in order to conquer his past trauma, but he doesn't get his wish and is instead matched up against Ryo. Ryo faces Misaki's resolve and passion and meets them with all his heart and soul!!

At last, the finals have begun. Yusa immediately begins attacking at the start of the match. He is clearly rushing the game. He must still be tired from the doubles final. Ryo settles on a strategy of running Yusa around the court. He eventually makes an impressive shot, but Ryo's careful observation of Yusa's movements reveal to him that that was no ordinary mistake. Yusa is protecting his right leg. Ryo is determined to win and goes on the offensive, targeting Yusa's weakness.