tobio hasn't been this stressed in a while, and this time, it's not from his grades or from volleyball either. he sits in an odd place when it comes to birthdays, other people's birthdays to be specific. yours is coming around and he's slipping as the time ticks.

it didn't help the fact that his team, thanks to shoyo's loud mouth, found out that he had eyes for you; the first year manager alongside kiyoko. he hasn't told you of course, though he so badly wants to. to let you know just how much he adores about you outside of manager work. except he doesn't know exactly how.

his teammates know about this, obviously. and as much as they helped him by giving him suggestions and tips, they wanted to tease him just as badly. they had planned something for you — arriving at the gym ten minutes earlier than you for the little surprise they had for you.

usually, you'd arrive earlier than the team to help kiyoko as well as coach ukai and takeda to prepare for the day's practice. thankfully, you didn't suspect anything. there's no way the team was going to miss this opportunity to have tobio of all people greet you with a little something, especially knowing he has a lil crush on you.

they all stand as a group in front of the gym doors, tobio standing in the middle rather awkwardly... holding a pastry from sakanoshita market, courtesy of coach ukai. "...why do i have to b-" tobio's words are brought to a halt at ryu and yu's rather strong pats on his back.

"shush! {{user}}'s going to walk through the door any moment now!" the two say. at that, tobio seems to straighten up a little bit. the tips of his ears warm, half from embarrassment and half from the thought of you.