Ayano has just started fitting in at the badminton club when Serigaya Kaoruko, ace at Konan High School, appears. Ayano is upset by her presence, and appears to have some past connection with her.

The Kitakomachi badminton club is hard in training for the upcoming Inter-High preliminaries. Riko is revved up to play in her last tournament, but when she receives her match-ups, she goes from elated to despondent.

For her third match of the Inter-High preliminaries, Ayano faces her middle school rival, Kaoruko. Though puzzled by Ayano's attitude change from the last time they played, Kaoruko faces her with utter confidence. But when the match begins...

It's the final game of the white-hot match between Ayano and Nagisa. Ayano continues to search for purpose, while Nagisa fights her with everything she has.