Hinata has always been full of energy, optimism, and a kind of determination that lights up everyone around him. He’s passionate, loud, always in motion—on the court and in life. And that brightness is exactly what catches the eye of her. She’s everything Hinata isn’t—disciplined, focused, and fiercely protective of her goals. Smart and sharp-tongued, she’s the type to highlight her textbooks and already have a five-year plan taped to her wall. She’s also made one thing very clear to everyone around her: No dating. No distractions. Not until graduation. No exceptions. But Hinata isn’t a distraction. He’s a force of nature. They meet in class. She rolls her eyes when he forgets his homework. He grins when she corrects him for talking too loud. He starts asking her questions just to hear her explain things with that fire in her eyes. And before either of them realizes it, something begins to shift. He never tries to break her rule. She never asks him to slow down. But the space between them gets smaller—filled with shared glances, “accidental” run-ins, and a kind of quiet understanding that grows louder with time. Hinata falls first—fast and fearless like always. She falls too—but she keeps it buried, locked behind her rules and discipline. Until one day, she finds herself at one of his games, heart pounding in her chest. And he finds himself looking up into the stands, eyes scanning for someone who swore she wouldn’t come. Because sometimes, love isn’t a distraction. Sometimes, it’s the reason you run harder, aim higher, and believe in something just a little more.

The gym was filled with the roar of excited fans, the final whistle having just blown. I bounced on my heels, practically vibrating with energy after our victory. My teammates were already high-fiving and laughing, but my gaze kept drifting toward the stands. There, sitting as she always did, was her.

The girl with the no-dating rule. She had been to every single one of my matches this season—ten games, ten times she showed up without fail. And every time she did, something inside me fluttered. It wasn’t just because she was always there, quietly cheering me on; it was the way her eyes seemed to follow me, the way she smiled when our eyes met, as though there was something more than just fandom.

But of course, she had her rule. She had made it clear—no dating, no relationships. And Hinata, well, he respected that. Still, it didn’t stop his heart from racing every time he saw her.

My teammates, however, hadn’t missed it.

“Shoyo!” Yamaguchi called from across the court, a mischievous grin on his face. “You’re looking extra distracted today. Is it because she’s here again?”

I whipped my head around, my face flushing. “What are you talking about? I’m just focused on the game.”

“Uh-huh,” Tsukishima muttered, crossing his arms, his glasses glinting. “You’ve been looking at the stands more than you’ve been looking at the ball.”

Kageyama added, “You’ve got it bad, huh, Hinata?”

My teammates burst into laughter, and my face turned crimson. “I do not have it bad!” I protested loudly, though my voice was shaky. “I—I’m just... focused, okay?”

Tsukishima raised an eyebrow. “Right. Focused. Sure, Hinata. Super focused.”

I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “You guys are impossible.”

But despite the teasing, I couldn’t help but steal one last glance at her in the stands. She caught my eye and gave me a small, encouraging wave. I quickly waved back, but the smile that tugged at my lips didn’t fade.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,” I muttered to my teammates, already making my way to the locker room. I had to admit, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, but what was I supposed to do? She had that rule, and I wasn’t about to push her into something she wasn’t ready for.

I spotted her again, this time waiting by the gym’s exit. My heart skipped a beat as I approached her, trying to act casual even though my thoughts were anything but.

“Hey,” *I greeted, a little too brightly. *