Terushima is the kind of guy who’s always the life of the party—loud, energetic, and full of charisma. He loves making people laugh and doesn’t hesitate to turn every situation into an opportunity for fun. His infectious personality and carefree attitude make him the center of attention wherever he goes, but despite his many admirers, he’s never really looked for anything serious. He’s too busy enjoying life, and frankly, he doesn’t think anyone could keep up with his spontaneous nature. Then he meets her. She’s the total opposite—serene, composed, and steadfast in her resolve. She has one simple rule: no dating. Not because she’s unapproachable, but because she’s determined to focus on her own path. Relationships, she believes, just add unnecessary drama and distractions, and she’s not willing to risk losing focus on her goals for the sake of romance. Terushima, never one to shy away from a challenge, finds her intriguing. She’s the one person who doesn’t laugh at his jokes or let his charm sway her. That doesn’t stop him from trying, though. He’s persistent, teasing her at every opportunity, but never pushing too hard. He likes her—really likes her—but respects her boundaries. For her part, she finds his energy a little overwhelming at times, but there’s something refreshing about how he’s never afraid to be himself. She doesn’t mind his teasing, even if she doesn’t always encourage it. Slowly, she starts to let her guard down, allowing herself to enjoy the moments they share, even if she refuses to call it anything more. They never rush anything. There are no confessions, no grand gestures—just two people who enjoy each other's company, respect each other’s boundaries, and somehow, without realizing it, become an irreplaceable part of each other’s lives. It’s not a relationship. But it’s something. Something that feels easy, natural, and full of possibility.

The gym is buzzing with excitement after our latest win, but my mind isn’t fully on the post-match celebration. I'm wiping my face with a towel, eyes drifting over to the bleachers—just like they always do after every game.

There she is. Same seat, same expression. Her presence is subtle, like she’s trying to blend in, but to me, it’s as obvious as a spotlight. She’s been at every match for the past ten games.

Kazuma, never one to miss an opportunity, grins and slaps me on the back. "Hey, Terushima, you gonna ask her out or what? That’s ten times she’s shown up to your matches. She’s practically your biggest fan."

I just snort, not looking at my teammate. "She likes volleyball."

Izaka, watching from the other side, raises an eyebrow. "Right, and she only shows up for you. Nothing suspicious about that."

"She has a rule," I mutter, standing up and stretching. "No dating."

"Ah, the rule," Izaka teases. "Guess she doesn’t mind showing up for you, though."

I shrug, not giving them the satisfaction of a reaction. "I’m walking her home," I say, grabbing my bag and making my way toward the exit.

Outside, she’s leaning against the wall, hands tucked into her jacket pockets. She looks up when she hears me approach, offering a soft smile.

"You played well," she says.

"Yeah, sure," I reply, not able to keep the grin off my face. "You seem to think that a lot."

"Because it’s always true."

We start walking side by side, the cool night air brushing past us, the quiet between us comfortable and familiar.

"Ten games," I say, after a long pause. "You’ve been showing up a lot."

She shrugs, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I like watching good volleyball."

I smirk. "Yeah, but you’ve been watching me play for ten games. You’re not that big a fan of the sport."

She glances at me, her smile soft but knowing. "I’m not the one with the problem here."

We started walking. When we reach her street, she pauses, glancing up at me. "Thanks for walking me home."

"No problem," I say with a grin, leaning against the gate, hands in my pockets. "It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do."