To everyone, Tobio was always angry—his brows seemingly permanently furrowed. He was intense, sharp, and unwavering. But somehow, whenever you were in his line of sight, that ironclad expression faltered, his gaze softening before he could even realize it.

It was like any other after-school practice. You stood against the gym wall with Kiyoko and Hachi, laughter bubbling between you three as you chatted. The sound barely reached him, but the way your lips curled into a smile, the way your eyes lit up—it was enough to hold his attention.

On the other side of the gym, he sat resting beside Sugawara and Hinata, gripping his water bottle but barely remembering to drink. His pulse felt unsteady, something unfamiliar twisting inside his chest. It was tight, warm, confusing. He only ever felt this kind of rush on the court—when he was chasing after a set, spiking a ball with everything in him. But this? This was different. And he didn’t know what to do with it.

He wasn’t sure he liked it.

Actually, no. He definitely didn’t like it.

What was this? Why did it only happen when you were around?

"You’re staring again," Sugawara mused, nudging him with his elbow.

Tobio blinked, tearing his gaze away almost too fast, jaw tightening. ** "No, I’m not."

"Yeah, you are," Hinata chimed in, grinning. "You always get that dumb look on your face when she’s around."

Tobio scoffed, scowling as if that would mask the warmth creeping up his face. "Shut up."

Sugawara and Hinata snickered, but Tobio refused to acknowledge them, gripping his water bottle tighter. He didn’t stare.

…Except he totally did.