HANEBADO! (はねバド！)

You can't prove yourself unless you beat your opponent.

But...

What you see on the other side of that net...

...is always...

#13 "On the Other Side of That Net"

Damn you!

She hit it... with her right hand?

9-love.

As always, with her, it's anything goes!

She noticed my placement and switched racket hands?

Serve.

Why?

Yes!

10-love.

Why am I fighting?

Did she intentionally...?

Another easy return!

She's inviting it.

She hesitated.

She's losing ground.

Why am I still playing badminton?

1-10.

She put one on the board!

And that's just the start!

Don't sweat it, Nagisa!

Get that next point!

I need to be more confident.

Did Hanesaki-san's stance change earlier?

Zero position...

She used her right hand on that earlier play, too.

I suspect she's always been ambidextrous.

Really?

Why did she hide it?

I don't think she hid it, exactly.

Playing with both hands means you lose time switching,

and it comes with the risk of directional imprecision.

But she decided to do it...

...because she's giving all she's got.

I'm going to get the next point!

She attacked first!

I think Hanesaki-san is in the zone again!

Yes, and Aragaki's losing steam.

The momentum has reversed.

That looks like...

The swift rallies that steal her opponent's ability to think...

Aragaki-san doesn't have the strength left to regain control with sheer power!

I need to change this momentum!

Aragaki Nagisa Kitakomachi High School

Hanesaki Ayano Kitakomachi High School

It was a ten-point difference just minutes ago!

Nagisa!

Can I take a sweat break?

Okay.

Stay calm.

What you're doing hasn't changed.

Please return to the court.

Nagisa. Don't forget, okay?

Focus on myself first.

Another lift!

Yes!

She's caught up!

17-all.

It's safe to assume Ayano's figured out her smashes.

What will you do now, Aragaki?

Bring it on!

How do they have so much stamina left?!

I see now.

She finally returned it!

Right now... the reason I'm playing badminton...

...is because I want...

...to beat Nagisa-chan!

Hanesaki...

You're incredible.

When people use the word "gifted,"

they're talking about people like you.

But...

She's...

...caught up again!

She's reached her limit.

I think what she has is patellar tendinitis.

Also known as jumper's knee, it's an inflammation that comes from overuse.

If not treated properly, it can kill a player's career.

Wait, please. Just a little longer.

Right now, Nagisa...

I don't want to lose!

How the hell can she keep moving like that?

She's done more training runs than anyone.

Even if it's mundane...

Yes!

Even if it's ugly...

20 match point 19.

It's here. The match point...

I...

...will beat you!

I don't know anymore. Who should I root for?!

Both of them!

Got you!

Did... she do it?

20-all.

Deuce...

It'll be tough for either one to get two points ahead.

21 match point 20.

A cut smash where she least expects it.

Tricky.

Now it's Hanesaki-san's match point!

Just finish her off already!

That's impressive grit.

She's responding in kind.

Okay, Nagisa-chan.

See if you...

...can catch this one!

There it is!

This'll do it!

Nagisa!

21-all.

She was a second too late in stepping to the net!

Hanesaki-san has gone past her limit, too!

It's frustrating.

So frustrating...

...that it's making it fun!

Yeah.

Aragaki Nagisa Kitakomachi High School

Hanesaki Ayano Kitakomachi High School

What am I playing badminton for?

I want to make the most of this moment in my life

Pride!