Opening Scene – The Aftermath of Fear
The episode opens in silence.
No music, no cheers—just the hollow sound of Akio's breathing.
He stands alone on the empty tournament court, staring at the spot where Sora's final shuttle had struck the day before.
The polished wood gleams like a mirror beneath the harsh stadium lights, and in its reflection, Akio sees himself as a child—the trembling, tear-streaked child who was once the Tallentless Worm.
Akio's thoughts:
"He's stronger than ever.
Faster than ever.
And... he's here to destroy me, just like before."
A single drop of sweat—or perhaps a tear—falls from his face to the floor, rippling through the reflection.
The reflection morphs into Sora's mocking smirk.
Akio gasps, stumbling backward.
"No... no, I'm not that child anymore! I'm not!"
From the darkness, a hand grabs his shoulder.
Akio spins around, only to find Yukiko, his best friend, looking deeply concerned.
"Akio," Yukiko says softly, "you've been standing here for almost an hour. Come on. Let's go back to the dorm. You need rest."
Akio shakes his head violently, trembling.
"If I rest... if I close my eyes... I'll see him again."
Yukiko squeezes his shoulder, grounding him.
"Then we'll face him awake, together. But not like this. Come on."
As they walk off together, the camera lingers on the empty court.
The faint sound of Sora's laughter echoes, chilling and distant.
Training Montage – Preparation Through Pain
The next morning begins with intense preparation.
The team gathers at the practice hall, rallying around Akio.
Though his body aches and his spirit wavers, he throws himself into training with relentless determination.
Montage visuals show:
Yukiko feeding shuttles at lightning speed while Akio returns them, sweat pouring down his face, muscles screaming.
Akio collapsing to the ground, gasping for air, only to rise again with fierce determination.
Slow-motion shots of Akio's footwork improving, his smashes gaining power, his defense becoming airtight.
Brief flashes of Sora's cruel smirk overlaying the imagery, haunting Akio like a phantom.
Akio's voiceover:
"I don't care if my body breaks.
I don't care if I collapse on this court.
I will not let him drag me back into the dirt.
I will rise... even if it kills me."
By the end of the montage, Akio stands tall, drenched in sweat, his grip on his racket unshakable.
Yukiko grins at him proudly.
"You're ready," he says firmly.
"No... you're more than ready."
Second Round Match – The First Test
The second round begins that afternoon.
Akio's opponent is a skilled veteran named Hiroshi Tanaka, known for his deceptive playstyle.
The match is brutal.
Hiroshi's tricks nearly overwhelm Akio, who struggles to adapt.
At one point, Hiroshi lands three consecutive points with feints that make the crowd roar.
Akio staggers, gasping, his old doubts whispering in his mind:
"You'll never win. You don't belong here."
Then, from the sidelines, Yukiko shouts:
"Akio! Remember what we practiced—feel, don't think!"
Akio closes his eyes briefly, centering himself.
When he opens them, his movements shift.
He begins anticipating Hiroshi's feints, flowing like water instead of reacting rigidly.
The final rally is breathtaking.
Akio dives for a near-impossible save, then counters with a blistering smash that wins the match.
Final Score: 21 – 18, Akio.
As the crowd cheers, Akio bows deeply to Hiroshi, who smiles and says,
"You've got real fire, kid. Don't let it burn out."
Between Matches – Sora's Shadow Looms
Backstage, Akio drinks water while Yukiko massages his shoulders.
Though he won, Akio's exhaustion is clear.
Yukiko pats his back.
"Two more rounds, and then... him."
Akio's stomach churns.
Every time someone mentions Sora, he feels a cold, creeping dread.
Nearby, Sora leans casually against a wall, surrounded by adoring fans and reporters.
He catches Akio's gaze and winks mockingly.
Sora:
"Oh? Still here?
I expected you to run by now, Worm."
Akio clenches his fists but says nothing.
His silence only makes Sora laugh harder.
Third Round Match – Rising Pressure
The third round is even fiercer.
Akio faces Kenta Arashi, a powerhouse known for sheer speed and raw power.
The first half of the match is disastrous.
Kenta's smashes are so fast they seem to blur, forcing Akio into a purely defensive position.
Every point lost feels like a dagger, and the crowd's cheers for Kenta echo like mockery.
During a break, Yukiko kneels beside Akio.
"You're overthinking again," he says urgently.
"You're playing to survive, not to win. Fight back!"
Akio takes a deep breath, remembering Yukiko's words.
He pictures Sora's smirk—not as a threat, but as fuel.
When the match resumes, Akio unleashes his own speed, countering Kenta blow for blow.
The rallies become lightning-fast exchanges, the crowd on its feet.
In the final rally, Akio performs a breathtaking leap, striking the shuttle at the perfect angle.
It lands just inside the line.
Final Score: 22 – 20, Akio.
Akio collapses to his knees, overwhelmed.
The victory is his, but his body is nearing its limit.
Backstage Breakdown
After the match, Akio retreats to the locker room, trembling from exhaustion.
He stares at his hands, which are red and raw from gripping his racket.
Akio's thoughts:
"Two victories...
But at what cost?
Can I really face him like this?"
Yukiko kneels beside him, offering water.
"Don't doubt yourself now," he says gently.
"You've come too far."
Akio looks at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Yukiko... what if I lose?
Not just the match—what if I lose myself?"
Yukiko grips his shoulders firmly.
"Then I'll be there to pull you back.
You're not alone, Akio.
Not anymore."
The Build-Up – Sora's Mockery
The final announcement comes:
"Next match: Akio Mune vs. Sora Hirotsuki!"
The stadium erupts into deafening cheers.
As Akio steps onto the court, his heart pounds like a war drum.
Every step feels like a march toward execution.
Sora is already there, perfectly composed, his golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
When he sees Akio, he laughs softly, the sound sending shivers down Akio's spine.
"Well, well, well," Sora says, his tone dripping with false surprise.
"Look who managed to crawl his way here.
I must admit, Worm, I'm... impressed."
Akio glares at him, shaking but resolute.
"I'm not the same person you used to torment."
Sora tilts his head, smirking.
"Oh, I see.
This is your big redemption arc, isn't it?
How adorable.
But let me be clear—this court?
This world?
It still belongs to me."
He steps closer, lowering his voice to a whisper only Akio can hear.
"Did you really think you'd escape me?
No matter how high you climb, I'll always be there... waiting to tear you down."
Akio's breath catches, but he refuses to back down.
"Not this time."
Sora's smirk widens, sharp and predatory.
"Good.
Then let's give them a show."
Cliffhanger – The Match Begins
The referee raises his whistle.
The entire stadium goes silent, the tension suffocating.
Akio and Sora lock eyes across the net.
For Akio, time slows.
Every memory of pain, every moment of humiliation, coalesces into this single instant.
Akio's thoughts:
"This is it.
My past.
My future.
Everything comes down to this."
The whistle blows.
Sora serves with blinding speed, the shuttle a silver streak across the court.
Akio lunges forward, swinging with every ounce of strength he has—
And the screen cuts to black, leaving only the sound of the crowd's deafening roar.
Ending Scene – Sora's Voice
Over the black screen, Sora's chilling laughter echoes, followed by his voice:
Sora:
"Rise, Worm.
Rise as high as you can.
Because when you fall...
I'll be there to watch you shatter."
Final Shot
The final image before the credits is Akio's face, frozen mid-swing, determination and terror mingling in his eyes.
The words "To Be Continued..." appear in blood-red letters.