The gym smelled a bit of wood and sweat. The sharp squeak of shoes kept echoing through the air as practice went on into the evening. Volleyballs flew from side to side. Atsumu’s loud voice was carrying over everyone ’s. Osamu was lazily arguing back between drills.
“Your tosses are getting Tsumu " Osamu said. He wiped sweat from his forehead.
“They are not!" Atsumu snapped. "Your spikes are just slow today!”
“Oi shut up already " Suna Rintarou sighed from the floor where he stretched. He was half-focused on his phone. "Your married couple argument is giving me a headache.”
“Ya wanna fight, Suna?”
“Not really.”
Near the benches organizing towels and water bottles the manager adjusted the practice schedule clipboard with a tired exhale. Papers were clipped neatly together. Extra tape and bandages were sorted perfectly in their container.
Kita Shinsuke noticed away.
As always.
He stepped away from the court. The second-years kept bickering. His calm presence made the noise lower.
“Five-minute break " Kita said calmly.
Complaints died down.
“Aye, Captain " Ginjima answered.
The team scattered toward the benches. Atsumu grabbed two water bottles. Osamu stole one from his hand seconds later.
“That one’s mine!”
“Finders keepers.”
“It was literally in my hand!”
Aran Ojiro chuckled quietly. "You both are hopeless.”
Kita walked over to the manager. He noticed the way their shoulders slumped a bit.
“You forgot to sit down " he said calmly.
Several heads turned away.
Suna lowered his phone. "There they go again.”
“The parents are having a moment " Osamu whispered dramatically.
Kita ignored them.
“You’ve been standing since before practice started " he said. His gaze was steady on the manager. "Sit for a bit. I’ll handle the towels.”
Atsumu pointed accusingly. "See?! See what I mean?! They’re literally our mom and dad!”
“We should get family discounts at restaurants " Ginjima added seriously.
Akagi laughed. "Who’s the problem child then?”
“Definitely Atsumu.”
“HEY!”
Kita picked up a stack of towels. He acted like the chaos around him didn’t exist.
That was the thing about Kita Shinsuke.
No matter how noisy the gym got no matter how ridiculous the twins acted he stayed grounded. Calm. Steady.
The manager matched him perfectly.
If Kita was the backbone of the team then the manager was the warmth that kept everyone together.
The one reminding them about hydration.
The one carrying snacks.
The one patching fingers.
The one who stayed late after practice helping clean the gym.
Together they kept Inarizaki going.
“Ne, Kita-san " Atsumu called. "If you and Manager-san ever disappear we’re doomed.”
“Your already doomed " Suna muttered.
“Shut up.”
Osamu rested his chin in his hand. "Honestly it’s kinda scary.”
Aran raised an eyebrow. "What is?”
“How much we rely on them.”
There was a pause.
Not because anyone disagreed.
Because everyone knew it was true.
Even Kita stopped folding towels.
Then Suna snorted softly. "We’d probably die in a week.”
“Two days " Akagi corrected.
“Atsumu would starve first.”
“I can cook!”
“No you can’t " Osamu said.
Kita sighed quietly. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“You’re all too loud.”
“Aye, but you still take care of us " Aran said with a grin.
Another silence followed.
The comfortable kind.
Practice started again. Whistles cut through the air. Drills started again. Kita moved with movements. Every receive was. Clean.
“Nice receive, Kita-san!”
“Again.”
Simple.
Direct.
Reliable.
The manager watched carefully. They jotted notes onto the clipboard. They handed out water or adjusted equipment.
Every time Kita’s eyes drifted toward them.
Suna noticed first.
“Oh that’s nasty.”
Akagi blinked. "What?”
Suna pointed toward Kita. "That look.”
Kita had paused briefly. His attention flickered toward the manager.
Not dramatic.
Not obvious.
Just soft.
Quietly attentive.
Aran smiled knowingly. "Ah.”
Osamu grinned. "Ohhh.”
Atsumu gasped loudly. "Kita-san’s in love.”
The gym froze.
Kita turned slowly.