Kyo Kasahara/Synopsis

## Plot

Kyo is practicing with Taiki, whom is talking about his crush Chinatsu Kano. He tells Taiki that he doesn't have a chance at dating her. He explains how Chinatsu is more popular and skilled than Taiki as well as having nothing in common. However, Taiki says they have their mothers being former teammates in common. He goes on about how you have to rise to the challenge or else you will miss every opportunity you don’t take. Hearing those words, Kyo says that Taiki needs to aim to get Chinatsu’s number or have her learn his name.

At that moment, Hina comes up and startles Taiki. She asks them what they are talking about. Taiki tells her nothing, but then asks for advice on what girls like guys to do for them. Hina starts listing off different things, which only overwhelms Taiki. They both walk off as she continues to talk. One day after practice, Kyo decides to head on home as Taiki goes back to retrieve his towel.

As they are practicing, Kyo asks Taiki why he is so energized instead of sad. Taiki tells him that he can be happy about things that make him happy. Ky says he understands but to make sure that no one finds out that Chinatsu is living with him now. He explains how she has admirers, who will be upset over Taiki getting to live with his crush. He goes on about how they could end up dating, but Taiki says it will not happen. Taiki explains that Chinatsu’s situation has inspired him to make it to nationals. Kyo asks if he is serious about going to Nationals as a first year. He reminds him that only a few have achieved that goal, but Taiki says he will strive for it. When Taiki asks for another game, Kyo declines as he goes to take a break.

Hina comes up to him as she notes that Taiki is practicing with someone else. She asks if Taiki’s been practicing nonstop since his arrival. Kyo tells her that it is due to his new goal of making it to nationals. Hina asks if Kyo believes that Taiki will do it, but Kyo remains silent. They bother continue to watch Taiki practice.

One day, while having lunch, he is with Taiki discussing the situation earlier with Chinatsu. He tells Taiki that he should’ve told Chinatsu that he wanted living situation a secret. He goes on about he wouldn’t blame Chinatsu for thinking Taiki wants nothing to do with her. As they continue to eat, a coach asks them to help with the chairs for the entrance ceremony. The coach asks Hina and Chinatsu to help as well. Kyo tries to leave, but Taiki quickly grabs his shirt preventing him doing so. As they help with the chairs, they watch as Hina ask Chinatsu about whether she has a boyfriend or not. Taiki asks how can she be so blunt, which Kyo says it should not be a surprise. He continues to watch Taiki as he freaks out over Hina asking Chinatsu questions. Once they'r done with the chairs, Hina asks if Chinatsu is angry at Taiki for something. He says they're a better match than he originally thought. As they practice, Taiki sees Chinatsu fall on the floor. Kyo comments on Taik's worry for her, but tells him that he can't speak to her as she's supposed to be a stranger to him.

Kyo, Taiki, and Hina attend Eimei's private school entrance ceremony. After their first day, Kyo and Taiki attend badminton club practice. The coach tells the team how the national qualifiers are coming up, and they will holding matches between members the following week. Kyo tells Taiki that he needs to beat Haryu, whom placed third in the prefectures the previous year. He asks what is Taiki's record against Haryu, but Taiki tells him not to ask. Taiki comments on there are a lot of spectators in the gym. Kyo says half of them are there to see Chinatsu, and the other half are there to see Hina. They watch as the rhythm gymnastic coach give Hina remarks on her routine. When she notices them watching, Hina jokingly asks for a spectator fee. He silently watches as Taiki and Hina banter with each other. Taiki notices Chinatsu and hurriedly runs off to go practice.

The next day, Kyo watches as Taiki is freaking out over Haryu and Chinatsu talking to each other. He asks him what did he expect as those two are MVPs. When Taiki can't handle watching them anymore, he drags Kyo to come practice with him.

The following week, the club matches between team members have began. He asks Taiki did he win another match, which the latter says he did. Taiki says he has only been playing first years, and that Haryu has won all of his matches. This causes Kyo to ask what become of the situation with Chinatsu and Haryu. Taiki says he will not his emotions get the best of him. They overhear Haryu talking to Chinatsu and other second years. Taiki tries to claim he doesn't care, but Kyo has doubts. They hear Haryu talking about Chinatsu with his friend. He says he likes girls who work hard at something which clearly bothers Taiki. Kyo silently thinks about this is the worst time for Taiki to hear this conversation.

Later on, he watches Taiki and Haryu's match. Hina comes up to him asking if Taiki is alright as the latter is losing the match. Kyo tells her that it shouldn't be a surprise as Taiki and Haryu are on different levels. As they continue to watch the match, he notices that Chinatsu is watching as well. The first half of the match ends, and Kyo asks if Taiki is okay. Taiki asks him if the last move was a close one. He goes on about how he needs to do better in his performance. Kyo says he is surprised that he is so amped up as he thought Haryu's earlier conversation would affect him. Taiki tells him that although Chinatsu is the reason he's trying so hard, he doesn't want her to be the reason he loses. He watches silently as Taiki goes off to start the second half of his match with Haryu. Kyo, along with everyone, is watching the match with intensity.

A while later, they are both cleaning up the gym. Kyo tells Taiki that he was great despite losing to Haryu. He says that with his record he could have a chance to make the national qualifiers team. However, Taiki says he is frustrated with the way the second half went. Days later, they both found out that Taiki has been paired with Haryu for the national qualifiers. Kyo says he's relieved he doesn't have to pair with Taiki, which the latter calls harsh. Taiki talks about how his goal was to beat Haryu. Kyo says that the situation is awkward now as he's Haryu's partner. As they continue talking, Haryu comes up telling Taiki to start practicing. Later on the week, he and Hina are discussing how exhausted Taiki looks in class. Taiki tells them both to shut up as he says the classroom is the only place he can relax. Kyo says he didn't expect that Haryu would be doing so much for Taiki. He thought that Haryu would only care about himself despite being paired with Taiki. Hina says that she thinks this is Haryu's way of letting Taiki know to stay away from Chinatsu. She says he's showing how they're on different levels. Taiki tells them that he actually sees the difference. He talks about Haryu performs with his regimen and praises him, which Kyo and Hina calling him a masochist and badminton nut.

On a Friday afternoon, Kyo is in class talking about Chinatsu with Taiki. He notices that Taiki has settled down with the living situation. He comments on how nothing has happened yet. Before Taiki could explain why, he receives a text message from Chinatsu. They both read her text about Taiki grabbing her gym uniform by mistake. Kyo watches as Taiki rushes out of the classroom to meet Chinatsu.

Kyo stands next to Haryu as the singles matches - particularly Taiki and Ichiro's - begin. He brings up Haryu involving Chinatsu's phone number as part of the bet for the match. Haryu says it will be fine as he believes Taiki will win. If not, Haryu has a special training regiment for him. Kyo thinks about how he's glad that he is not partners with Haryu. They continue to watch as they comment on Taiki's skills. After awhile, Chinatsu and her teammate show up to watch as well. All of them continue to watch the match and praise Taiki's performance. Kyo prepares to leave for his upcoming match. When he passes by Chinatsu, he asks her why she isn't standing with the others. She tells him that she wants to stay where she is. Kyo explains to her how he knows she is living with Taiki. Also, he informs her of the stakes of the current match. Before leaving, he asks if Chinatsu would take Taiki out to the aquarium or somewhere if he wins the match. Kyo explains how her influence on him as helped Taiki a lot. Thinking it over, she agrees to take Taiki to the aquarium.