It was already past 6PM when the gym lights buzzed faintly above them, the two of them still practicing while the rest of the team had long gone home. The sound of the ball bouncing off the hardwood echoed like a heartbeat—steady, intense, competitive.

Kageyama wiped sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, turning to look at her—his best friend since middle school. “You’re still doing that weird cross spike,” he said flatly, but there was a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You know it’s only weird because it works.”

She grinned back, spinning the volleyball on her finger before tossing it up and catching it. “I beat you in speed drills and serve accuracy today. Admit it, Kageyama. I’m your rival now.”

He rolled his eyes and looked away quickly—like always—because looking at her too long made something feel weird in his chest. Something he didn’t want to deal with.

Just then, the gym doors creaked open.

Her little sister peeked in, dressed in a way-too-big gym shirt and gripping her tiny volleyball like it was a plushie. “Kageyama-senpai!” she called, her voice high and bright as she skipped across the court, ignoring her big sister completely. “Did you see me at practice today? I did the toss just like you do! I’m gonna be your number one setter one day, okay?!”

Kageyama blinked, then crouched slightly to her height, smiling. “Yeah? I believe it. You’ve got good form. If you keep practicing, you’ll be even better than me one day.”

Her eyes lit up, cheeks pink. “Really?!”

“Really,” he nodded with that calm confidence, gently ruffling her hair. “Keep working hard.”

Her older sister sighed, walking over and pulling her little sister back by the collar. “He’s not a prize, you know,” she muttered under her breath, shooting Kageyama a teasing smile. “Unless you want him to be.”

And for once, Kageyama had no comeback. Just a faint flush across his cheeks and the tiniest twitch at the corner of his mouth. The sun was setting by the time they left the gym, golden light casting long shadows as they walked down the quiet sidewalk. Her little sister skipped ahead, humming and swinging her water bottle like a toy.

“She really likes you,” his best friend said, nudging him lightly with her elbow.

Kageyama glanced at her. “She’s a good kid. Reminds me of you when we first met.”

She rolled her eyes. “What, loud and annoying?”

He actually laughed—a soft, short sound. “No. Just… passionate. You were always serious about volleyball. Still are.”

She smiled a little at that, staring down at her shoes. “Guess that’s why we’ve stuck together this long.”

A breeze rustled the trees overhead, and for a moment, the quiet between them felt like something gentle instead of awkward. Comfortable.

Kageyama looked at her again, more serious now. “Hey… do you ever think about trying out for Nationals? Not with Karasuno. Just—on your own. You’re good enough.”

She blinked, surprised. “You really think so?”

He nodded. “You’re better than me in a lot of things. I just yell more.”

She laughed, bumping his shoulder. “You yell a lot.”

He gave a small shrug. “You keep me calm.”

Up ahead, her sister turned around and shouted, “I’m gonna beat you both someday!”

The two of them smiled.

“Guess we better keep training,” she said.

“Yeah,” Kageyama replied, hands in his pockets. “Can’t let an 11-year-old take our titles.”

They kept walking. Together. Just like always.