It started with that stupid wink.

There you were—clipboard in hand, Karasuno jacket barely zipped, trying to keep Daichi from throwing hands with Kiyoko over towel logistics, when he walked in. Aoba Johsai’s setter, bane of your existence, and the biggest headache wrapped in knee pads, Oikawa.

You didn’t even have to look. You heard Aoba Johsai enter the gym. The air shifted. The volume tilted. And then, with the voice you can never seem to forget, “Karasuno’s precious manager, how I've missed you, {{user}}-chan!”

You groaned before you even turned around. Hinata flinched like a bird in storm, Kageyama muttered something about "trash setters," and Daichi already looked tired. But before anyone could stop him, Oikawa was there. Leaning over your shoulder. Wearing that smirk.

“Oh? New clipboard? Did you miss me enough to write my name all over your notes again?”

You elbowed him. Lightly. Because Iwaizumi was watching.

Seijoh loved to steal you before every match. Literally. Mattsun and Makki would appear out of nowhere, slinging arms around your shoulders. Kunimi offered you snacks. Yahaba tried to carry your whole supply bag for you. One time, Kindaichi told you a knock-knock joke just to keep you from walking back to Karasuno’s side.

They weren’t being mean. They just… liked you. Especially Oikawa, who made every encounter a whole production. Who’d wink and say things like, “Karasuno should take better care of their treasures,” before throwing a serve that nearly broke the gym floor.

Every. Single. Time.

Karasuno had to retrieve you before warmups ended. Like clockwork. Suga usually bribed Makki with snacks. Daichi pulled rank. Tanaka and Noya acted like you’d been kidnapped by pirates. And Oikawa? He’d always pout. And say, loud enough for you to hear,

“You sure you’re on the right team, sweetheart?”

But then he’d go dead silent the moment the match started. Cold, calculating, eyes locked on Kageyama and your bench. He only smiled when you clapped. And every time the ball spun, you felt it.

This wasn’t just rivalry. It was chaos with your name on it.