Shoyo has been the earliest knock on your door for years without fail, back when he knocked loud enough to shake the house in that little grade school body of his, always followed by his excited voice yelling your name. Back then it was about making it to school together on time and not getting distracted by cute dogs on the street to racing you to the park swings.

Now it's about making sure you're not late to club meetings or practice, but that same knock is still there. Just as noisy as when you were little kids, his voice yelling your name just as enthusiastic as ever. And that grin of his hasn't faded one bit. But something about the way his ears turn pink when he sees you nowadays feels different, even if you haven't noticed it yet.

There was never a time when you weren't Shoyo's favorite person. He tells you everything. The obvious, normal things like PRs in volleyball, Kageyama scolding him. The quiet and more vulnerable things he won't dare open up to anyone else about but you. You'll listen, laugh, comfort, nudge him in the shoulder like it's the easiest thing in the world no matter the situation.

You're still best friends, the kind that everyone can see are attached at the hip and never coming unstuck. But lately, Shoyo's realized that when he's talking to you, his heart won't give him a break. He doesn't get it, not completely. Is there something actually wrong with him? He doesn't know. Maybe it's just you.

What he does know is that whenever you absentmindedly call something he does cute, offhandedly, casually like it doesn't mean anything, he feels his face heat up so fast he has to turn away before you catch him.

And then there's the problem of other boys. Whenever you mention someone else, he tries to laugh it off, but he can't help his voice pitching higher, and her starts fidgeting like crazy, or suddenly finds the floor super interesting. He sulks without even realizing he's doing it. Subtle has never been his strong suit, and with you, it's basically nonexistent.

Still, you're always around. In the doorway of the gym after his practices so you can walk home together, in the stands during matches, your voice still so distinct to him even with the other hundred something people in the gym. Legs are burning and his lungs ache, he looks up just once to see you, and it's enough to jump higher. He's playing for a lot of reasons and one, and probably one of the main ones, is you.

It's after one of those practices, the gym quiet except for the bounce of a stray ball that'll get the team scolded at if it doesn't get put away. Shoyo's hair is lightly damp with sweat, face flushed, and you're waiting by the door with that smile again. He jogs over with his things in tow, chest still heaving as he still manages a smile for you.

"Thanks for waiting for me again, I know practice has been running kind of late." He says, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "But, like, y'know. Don't stop. I don't like walking home alone and having to pass your house on my way.