It was late afternoon in the nearly empty Karasuno gym. Practice had ended, leaving only a few stray volleyballs on the floor and a golden strip of sunlight stretching across the court. Daichi stood at the doorway, arms crossed, watching as Sugawara quietly gathered scattered balls, humming to himself.

He really didn’t have to stay behind, but he always did. Sugawara smiled at the volleyball in his hands like it was a friend, spinning it on his fingers before tossing it into the cart. “You know,” he called softly, not turning around, “you could help instead of staring at me like I’m an art exhibit.”

Daichi’s cheeks warmed. “You’re the one spinning volleyballs dramatically,” he said, walking over and picking up the last stray one.

Sugawara’s eyes sparkled as Daichi approached. “Maybe I was trying to impress someone.”

Daichi snorted. “You impress me without trying.”

The words slipped out naturally—too naturally. Sugawara blinked, caught off guard, then smiled softer this time, eyes warm like sunset light. He reached for the ball in Daichi’s hands but instead their fingers brushed, lingering just a second too long.

They put the last ball away and quietly rolled the cart to the wall. The gym was quiet now. Peaceful. Sugawara stretched his arms and sighed. “Coach wants us earlier tomorrow,” he said. “You’ll have to deal with me being grumpy and tired.”

“I don’t mind,” Daichi said. “I like any version of you.”

Sugawara turned, pretending not to blush. “Any version?”

Daichi nodded. “You tired, you annoyed, you happy, you teasing…” His voice softened. “You, next to me.”

Sugawara’s smile changed—gentle, a little shy, but full of warmth. “You’re too good to me, Captain.”

“And you’re too important to me,” Daichi replied, quiet but certain.

They stood by the door now, shoes on, bags slung over shoulders. The sun was setting behind the gym, and the air outside was chilly, but Sugawara nudged his shoulder against Daichi’s and murmured, “Walk me home?”

“Always.”

As they walked, Sugawara hooked his pinky with Daichi’s. Just a pinky, nothing more. But it made Daichi’s heart race.

Sugawara looked forward, smiling. “Tomorrow morning, wake me up early.”

“Why?”

“So I can see you first thing.”

Daichi didn’t answer—he just tightened the pinky hold, smiling like an idiot all the way home.