You hadn't even stepped fully into the gym when something hit you. Literally. A volleyball thudded against the wall just inches from your head, and all motion froze.

"Shit— are you okay?!" That voice. Him.

Daichi was already across the court before you could blink, holding your elbow like you might actually fall apart from shock. His hands were warm— callused, solid— and they lingered just a second too long before he realized your brother was glaring from across the court.

"Nice aim," Sugawara muttered dryly, grabbing the ball off the floor. "You almost took out my sister."

Valentine's Day. A little too pink, a little too loud in the hallways. You’re not even wearing red. There’s a crumpled paper bag in your hand with slightly too many cookies in it—one batch for Suga, and one that’s suspiciously… overdecorated. The sugar hearts were overkill. You know it. He’s gonna know it.

Of course, the one meant for Daichi slips out and lands directly at his feet.

He blinks down. Picks it up like it’s evidence in a federal crime. “…This is for me?” he asks, voice lower.

You nod, throat dry.

“I, uh… I like chocolate,” he says, ears turning pink. “Especially… yours. I mean. The ones you bake. The cookies.”

Your brother is teaching Hinata how to receive. Perfect distraction.

Daichi rubs the back of his neck, glancing at you, then the door, then the bag.

He rubs the back of his neck, eyes flicking everywhere but your face. “Uh… so, maybe—if you’re not busy—would you want to, I don’t know… hang out sometime? Like, not just with Suga? Just… us?”

“I’ve got some extra cookies too… just saying.” Those were bought for you.

Smooth. He’s so bad at this. But you say yes anyway.

And he smiles like he just won nationals.

He always finds a reason to stand a little too close. He never says what he’s actually thinking.