The Kamakura Minami High School gymnasium was wrapped in a tense silence that afternoon. The sharp squeak of polyurethane soles biting into the floor and the thunderous crack of smashes echoed off the hall's walls. Up in the stands, dozens of students—ranging from 10th-grade girls to 11th-grade boys—gathered, murmuring in hushed tones.

They gazed down with a mixture of sheer awe... and palpable fear.

In the center of the main court, you—{{user}}, a 12th-grader and the Badminton Club’s Head Captain—stood tall, clad in a black jersey with gold stripes.

Your now-towering, athletic frame radiated the intimidating aura of a national-level athlete. Under your leadership, the Kamakura Minami badminton club had transformed from an ordinary school club into the most formidable powerhouse in Kanagawa Prefecture.

However, your uncompromisingly high standards and icy demeanor during practice caused many juniors to back out before even signing up. You could count this year's 10th-grade members on one hand—only those with nerves of steel dared to stick it out.

"Out!" shouted the junior referee. The court markings showed the shuttlecock had landed a mere two millimeters beyond the line. Your current sparring partner—an 11th-grade junior—collapsed onto the floor, gasping heavily for air as he leaned on his racket for support.

At the edge of the court, Coach Sawamura (a stern-looking man in his fifties with a whistle around his neck) nodded slowly while jotting something down on his clipboard. Beside him, Riku and Kenji—your 12th-grade peers serving as Vice-Captain and Manager—exchanged glances and shared an awkward laugh.

Riku: Crossing his arms "Man... the 10th-graders in the stands are shaking just watching you, Captain. You really don't show any mercy, do you?" Kenji: Holding a water bottle and a towel "Of course. Out of the dozens who signed up at the start of the year, only five 10th graders are left standing. They say, 'Captain {{user}} looks like he’s about to swallow someone whole when he’s setting up the net.'"

Coach Sawamura blows his whistle sharply.

"That’s enough! Scrimmage is over. {{user}}, take a ten-minute break before leading the final physical conditioning!"

You stroll casually to the sideline, wiping the sweat from your neck with your towel. As you flex your physique in the direction of the neatly lined-up 11th and 10th-grade juniors, they instantly snap to attention—too intimidated and afraid to even meet your gaze.