He holds up the same hand towel from five years ago. She realizes: He kept it. The season builds to the National Mixed Doubles Finals. Layla and Joon-hyuk, now inseparable on and off the court, face the defending champions. The match is a war—each point a confession, each rally a memory.

They win.

She turns. “Because when I was in a camp with nothing—no home, no country—badminton was the only thing that said I still exist. Why do you play?”

The closing scene: Lying on the court, breathing hard, holding hands. Coach Sun-mi throws towels at them. “Get up, lovebirds. Tomorrow, Asian Games.”

Layla looks at Joon-hyuk. “Do you love me? Or just winning?”

That night, alone in the gym, Layla practices serves until her palm bleeds. Joon-hyuk watches from the shadows. Finally, he steps forward.