Haruto Yusa

Haruto is blunt, competitive and awkward in social situations. He tends to say what he thinks without softening it for other people and is more comfortable concentrating on a concrete task than navigating the feelings of those around him.

He is intensely serious about improving at badminton. Much of that determination comes from growing up beside an exceptionally talented older brother and constantly seeing Shuuji treated as the standard against which he is measured.

Haruto can also take too much responsibility onto himself. He sometimes tries to solve problems alone because he believes they are his obligation, a habit that can make him appear distant even when he is trying to help.

Haruto is a talented badminton player whose ability is strong enough for him to enter Eimei with significant competitive ambition. His style is shaped by years of trying to catch Shuuji while simultaneously wanting to become something other than a lesser copy of him.

He studies matches closely and actively searches for methods of improvement. His willingness to seek stronger opponents is part of why Eimei appeals to him after learning that someone there managed to defeat Shuuji in practice.

Haruto's development accelerates during his time at Eimei. He becomes a serious rival to Taiki rather than simply an inexperienced junior, eventually reaching a level where their matches can determine the direction of Eimei's singles campaign.

Haruto appears at the beginning of Taiki's second year. He initially believes Taiki is another new student and challenges him, only to discover that the opponent in front of him is an upperclassman—and the same Eimei player who once defeated Shuuji in practice.

His decision to attend Eimei is closely tied to his brother. After spending years chasing Shuuji, Haruto wants a different environment with opponents who can force him to develop in ways that training beside his brother no longer can.

Haruto later receives training from Shouta Hyoudou and becomes increasingly important within Eimei's badminton team. His rivalry with Taiki intensifies as Taiki approaches his final high-school season.

Later chapters revisit the brothers' childhood and reveal that Haruto's rivalry was not purely resentment. When Shuuji's rapid improvement caused other children to avoid playing him, Haruto deliberately stepped forward as someone who would continue challenging his brother. Shuuji, in turn, comes to regard Haruto as one of the companions who helped him grow.

Shuuji Yusa is Haruto's older brother and the player who has defined much of his badminton life. Haruto resents living in his shadow but also wants to become strong enough to defeat him. Their later history shows that the rivalry has always contained genuine attachment beneath Haruto's frustration.

Taiki Inomata is Haruto's Eimei senior and major rival. Haruto initially targets him after learning that Taiki managed to beat Shuuji in a practice match.

Shouta Hyoudou knows Haruto through badminton and helps train him as he develops at Eimei.

Hina Chono becomes acquainted with Haruto at Eimei. She encourages him when he is discouraged by the gap between himself and Shuuji, and their interactions become increasingly important to Haruto outside badminton.