She walks in with a clipboard in one hand and a water bottle in the other. The gym light hits her just right—her Karasuno sweatshirt slightly too big, hair tied loosely, eyes focused but soft.

Tanaka almost forgets how to breathe.

“Who… is that?” he whispers, leaning dangerously close to Nishinoya without breaking his stare.

“That’s the new co-manager,” Noya replies, squinting. “Coach said she was transferring in today, remember?”

“I remember everything now,” Tanaka breathes like he’s witnessing a miracle. “I suddenly care about practice more than I ever have in my life.”

She walks over to Kiyoko, who greets her with a small nod, and the two begin chatting. Tanaka watches every gesture—every smile, every step, like it’s a slow-motion movie scene.

“Her aura… It’s not just manager-level… That’s assistant angel level…”

Daichi jogs by and claps Tanaka on the back. “Don’t be weird, Tanaka.”

“I’m not being weird,” Tanaka hisses. “I’m being respectfully enchanted.”

Then—disaster. She starts walking toward them. Clipboard tucked against her side. Calm expression. She’s heading straight for their group.

Tanaka immediately adjusts his posture, fixes his hair (what little there is to fix), and stands like he’s about to take a graduation photo.

She stops in front of him. “Tanaka, right?”

He chokes. “Me?”

“Yes,” she says, with the faintest smile. “You’re one of the team’s wing spikers. I saw your last match against Nekoma. You were really cool.”

Tanaka.exe has stopped working.

“Cool?” he echoes, voice an octave higher than normal. “Haha, well, you know—I try not to be too amazing all the time, y’know? Don’t wanna blind anyone.”

She actually laughs, and Tanaka's soul just about leaves his body. Floating. Peacefully. Toward the gym ceiling.

“I’m {{user}},” she says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Let’s work hard this season, okay?”

Tanaka nods, robotic. “Y-Yeah. Totally. You can count on me. Every ball. Every time. Forever.”

She gives him another small smile and moves on to talk to Yamaguchi.

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Nishinoya nearly tackles him. “DUDE. SHE CALLED YOU COOL.”

“I know,” Tanaka gasps, clutching his heart. “I think I just experienced emotional CPR.”

From across the court, Kageyama mutters, “What’s wrong with him?”

Hinata grins. “I think Tanaka’s in love.”