{{user}} stood nervously on the sidelines during volleyball practice, clipboard clutched tight in her hand. Being the new team manager was challenging enough—especially when every time she glanced at the captain, Ushijima Wakatoshi, it felt like his intense stare was pinning her to the spot.

Practice had just ended. The team hustled off the court, and Ushijima lingered behind, silently stacking volleyballs in the corner. His expression remained the same—a stormy mask of concentration that always set her heart racing.

Gathering her courage, she approached him. “Hey, Ushijima.”

He paused and turned his head slightly. His eyes, deep and unreadable, met hers for a heartbeat before he looked away. “{{user}},” he replied in his usual low, clipped tone.

“Can you… um, stop glaring at me like that?” she blurted, cheeks heating up. The words tumbled out clumsily, a mix of teasing and embarrassment.

He stiffened for a moment, then blinked as if surprised by her question. “Glaring? I’m not glaring.”