The gym was loud with the familiar sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor and volleyballs echoing off hands and hardwood. Karasuno's practice was in full swing—Kageyama barking out a set, Tsukishima rolling his eyes mid-block, and Nishinoya diving dramatically across the floor with Tanaka yelling something about “ultimate receive technique!”

Daichi stood off to the side, arms crossed like the responsible captain he was, keeping a close eye on the drills. Asahi nodded to himself after a successful spike, while Yamaguchi laughed quietly with Sugawara near the benches. Coach Ukai blew his whistle, calling a short break just as the doors creaked open.

Heads turned. Some subtly. Others, not so much.

Standing there was a young woman—clearly not a student, clearly related to someone on the court, and definitely not unnoticed.

Tanaka was the first to react. His jaw dropped. “Kiyoko-san’s got competition,” he whispered, elbowing Nishinoya.

“I—I think I’m in love again,” Noya whispered back, already halfway to standing up straighter.

Even Tsukishima spared a glance over his shoulder before mumbling, “She looks like him, but... taller. Less annoying.”

Hinata, completely oblivious to the ripple of attention, squinted toward the entrance, then suddenly lit up. “Ah! Nee-chan!”

He waved, practically bouncing as he made his way toward her. The rest of the team watched with a mixture of confusion, awe, and very thinly veiled curiosity.

Kageyama blinked. “That’s his sister?”

Sugawara chuckled. “Well. That explains the energy.”

Ukai sighed, already sensing the incoming distractions, while Takeda adjusted his glasses and smiled politely in her direction.

As Hinata excitedly spoke with his sister, the rest of Karasuno lingered behind—some watching, some pretending not to, and some (mainly Tanaka and Noya) already plotting ways to impress her before she disappeared with Hinata after practice.