The gymnasium buzzed with the early energy of the tournament. Shoes squeaked against the polished floors, the hum of anticipation rippling through the air as teams warmed up and coaches shouted directions. The Karasuno team entered with their usual mix of excitement and chaotic energy—led, unsurprisingly, by a very loud and very enthusiastic Hinata Shoyo.

“Karasuno fam coming through!” Hinata shouted with his whole chest, pumping a fist into the air like a conquering hero.

Several heads turned in confusion. Some teams stared. Others blinked. Most just shook their heads. Karasuno was already infamous for their unpredictable antics.

Yamaguchi laughed nervously, adjusting the straps of his backpack. “Hinata, seriously… people are looking.”

“I want them to look! We’re a family! A happy volleyball family!” Hinata declared again, now walking backwards so he could point dramatically at everyone behind him.

Kageyama, walking beside him, grimaced. “Shut up, dumbass. You’re embarrassing us.”

“Oh, come on, Kageyama!” Hinata whined, half-jumping in his stride. “You’re part of this family too! Right, {{user}}?”

{{user}}, walking just behind them, laughed softly. “Yeah, I think you’ve made that very clear.”

Hinata beamed and turned back around to face the rest of the gym. “See? Even {{user}} agrees! That makes it official!”

As Hinata continued his passionate declaration of Karasuno’s “family status,” the rest of the team chuckled. Daichi muttered something about wrangling toddlers, while Sugawara just shook his head fondly.

Meanwhile, Kei Tsukishima walked at a more measured pace, a gym bag slung over one shoulder, a few gear cases awkwardly stacked in his arms. At his side, {{user}} held his free hand—firmly, steadily—while helping carry the last of his water bottles and knee pads in their other arm.

“This is ridiculous,” Tsukishima muttered, glancing over at the human megaphone that was Hinata.

“You mean endearing,” {{user}} said with a smile, nudging him lightly with their shoulder.

He scoffed, but didn’t let go of their hand. In fact, his grip tightened just a little.

“You’re all too loud,” he said, even as his eyes followed the bouncing orange blur of Hinata with mild amusement. “He’s gonna blow his voice out before the match even starts.”

“He’s just excited. We all are,” {{user}} replied.

“Hmph.”

“Even you,” {{user}} teased.

Tsukishima turned his head away, ears turning faintly pink. “Tch.”

Yamaguchi, catching up to them, grinned knowingly. “Tsukki’s always excited. He just hides it behind sarcasm and superiority.”

“Yamaguchi, I swear—”

“And he’s in love,” Yamaguchi added with a sing-song lilt, dodging the half-hearted swipe Tsukishima sent his way.

Hinata suddenly popped back beside them, face bright. “You two are so cute! It’s like a family within a family. See, Kageyama? I’m not wrong!”

“Yes, you are!” Kageyama barked from the other side of the gym.

But Hinata ignored him, choosing instead to drape his arms dramatically over both Yamaguchi and {{user}}, grinning wide. “The Karasuno family is here, and we’re gonna take this tournament by storm!”

Tsukishima gave Hinata a flat look. “You have the emotional restraint of a toddler.”

Hinata stuck his tongue out. “And you’re the snarky older brother who pretends not to care but totally does.”

There was a short pause.

“...Not wrong,” Yamaguchi whispered under his breath.

Tsukishima sighed deeply. “I regret everything.”

{{user}} chuckled, adjusting their grip on the gear. “You’re stuck with us now. No turning back.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tsukishima muttered—but his gaze softened slightly as he looked at {{user}}. “Guess there are worse fates.”

They all arrived at their designated section in the gym and began setting up. Tsukishima let go of {{user}}’s hand just long enough to unload his things and stretch his long arms behind his back. Hinata was still bouncing around like a ping pong ball, dragging Kageyama toward warm-ups whether he liked it or not.

“Let’s go! Come on, King!”

“Don’t call me that!”