Ayano Hanesaki, a high school student burdened by childhood trauma, initially shuns badminton after her mother Uchika—a former champion—abandons her following Ayano’s illness-induced defeat in a pivotal middle school match. This abandonment fuels prolonged depression and a fear that failure in the sport will invite further rejection. Recruited by coach Kentaro Tachibana for Kitakomachi High’s badminton club, she resists reengagement before gradually rediscovering her footing. Petite with piercing green eyes and long brown hair secured by a handkerchief, Ayano adopts a defensive playstyle, leveraging surgical precision and psychological manipulation to dismantle opponents. Her "Empty Eyes" emerge mid-match, signaling a cold, hyper-focused persona that dominates the court.

Media depictions diverge: the manga portrays her as an Idiot Savant whose immaturity drives comedic yet fierce rivalries, while the anime heightens her trauma into brooding intensity, depicting her as a verbally combative strategist torn between loving badminton and resenting its ties to maternal abandonment. Childhood friend Elena Fujisawa provides steadfast support, contrasting rival Nagisa Aragaki, whose confrontations force Ayano to confront her fears. A climactic match against Nagisa sees Ayano innovating with jump defensive returns and ambidextrous maneuvers, battling physical limits and self-doubt to carve an identity distinct from Uchika’s legacy, even in narrow defeat.

The anime concludes with Ayano tentatively inviting Uchika to play upon her return, seeking reconciliation without closure, while the manga leaves their conflict unresolved. Post-series manga content reveals her continuing to compete, blending ferocity with newfound balance. Across both narratives, Ayano’s journey shifts from trauma-driven obsession to redefining badminton as a personal passion and bridge to connection, disentangling self-worth from her mother’s shadow.