Archive of Our Own ^beta

Dating Sugawara Koushi is... warm.

It was soft whispers during late-night calls, light teasing over textbooks, him bringing you your favorite snacks without a word, and the gentle brush of his fingers against yours when no one was looking.

He didn't need grand gestures to show he cared. He was thoughtful in a way that felt deeply personal, just for you.

That was exactly why you both had agreed to keep things private. At least for now.

It wasn't that you didn't want the team to know. But this was Karasuno we were talking about—the moment they found out, you would never know peace.

But it turned out to be harder than you thought, especially since Sugawara wasn't as subtle as he thought he was.

You didn't realize how obvious you both were until Nishinoya started squinting at him during warm-ups.

"Suga-san," Nishinoya drawled, lazily bouncing a volleyball. "Why are you smiling like that?"

Sugawara, who had very clearly been watching you from across the gym, blinked like a deer caught in headlights—but, as usual, he recovered smoothly. "Huh? I've always had a great smile. You're only noticing now?"

"Yeah, but this is different," Nishinoya said suspiciously. "It's like... an 'I'm in love' smile."

Sugawara nearly dropped the ball. "What does that even mean?"

Hinata perked up immediately. "Wait! I saw it too!"

Kageyama frowned. "Saw what?"

"SUGAWARA-SAN'S IN LOVE SMILE."

"Hinata, you really should focus on your receives." Then he chucked the volleyball at him. Lightly. Mostly.

You thought you were better at hiding it—sneaking glances, fixing his collar when no one was looking, brushing your fingers against his in passing—but Sawamura wasn't fooled.

One afternoon, he cornered you by the lockers, arms crossed and voice low.

"You and Suga," he said, watching you carefully. "What's going on?"

Your heart stopped. "W-what? Nothing! Nothing's going on!"

Sawamura raised a brow. "You're acting weird. He's acting weird. Together, you're being... weird."

You opened your mouth to deny it, but Sawamura stared at you for a long moment before sighing and running a hand through his hair.

"I've known him a long time," he said, softer now. "I can tell something's up. But if you guys aren't saying anything, I won't push."

You thought you were safe—until he turned back around.

"Just so you know," he added, glancing over his shoulder, "Tanaka and Nishinoya are onto you. If you want to keep this under wraps, you better try harder."

After that, it turned into a ridiculous game—pretending nothing was going on while the team slowly, painfully put the pieces together.

Like today—

You handed Sugawara a water bottle after practice. A completely normal, innocent gesture. Except, apparently, it wasn't.

Nishinoya gasped. "Did you see that?!" he hissed to Tanaka. "That wasn't normal. That was—"

"—Suspicious," Tanaka finished, squinting at you both.

You whipped around, voice a little too high-pitched. "It's just water!"

"Is it, though?" Nishinoya said dramatically, eyes narrowed.

Sugawara hid his smile behind the water bottle, looking far too entertained. "You guys are imagining things."

Tanaka crossed his arms. He was absolutely not imagining things.

Across the gym, Sawamura sighed like a man who had seen too much. "I don't get paid enough for this."

The rest of practice was torture because Tanaka and Nishinoya took it upon themselves to narrate your every move.

"OH WOW, LOOK AT THAT TEAMWORK!"

"SO MUCH CHEMISTRY."

"YOU GUYS SHOULD REALLY BE TOGETHER. YOU'D MAKE SUCH A CUTE COUPLE!"

Sugawara, the traitor, just chuckled.

You, meanwhile, were seriously considering faking a transfer.

The more you tried to avoid becoming gossip, the more you seemed to attract it.

*********************************************************************************

Over the months, the intensity of practice had only grown heavier. After that painful loss to Aoba Johsai, something shifted—quiet, burning determination settled over Karasuno. No one said it outright, but everyone could feel it: the Spring tournament qualifiers were coming, and they weren't leaving anything to chance. Especially the third years, who had decided to stay for one last shot at playing volleyball together.

Meanwhile, you and Sugawara were still holding onto the fragile hope of keeping your relationship private. It wasn't because you were ashamed or scared—far from it.

You both just wanted something that was yours and yours alone. Especially now, with everyone so focused, it didn't feel right to let your relationship become a distraction.

So far, you thought you were doing a decent job. You brushed off teasing remarks, deflected curious glances, and pretended not to notice the occasional suspicious squint from Nishinoya or Tanaka.

But now, spending a week together with more people around, your resolve was being tested.

From the moment you boarded the bus to Saitama, the universe had already stacked the odds against you. Yachi was quick to claim the seat next to Kiyoko, and Asahi smoothly settled beside Daichi. So when Sugawara slid into the seat next to you with that easy, familiar grin, you didn't think much of it.

The darkness of midnight helped hide the warmth that crept into your cheeks when his shoulder deliberately pressed against yours.

The two of you sat quietly, eyes fixed straight ahead like you were determined to burn holes into the back of the seats in front of you. But the faint smiles tugging at your lips gave you both away—neither of you pulling away from the warmth and closeness that settled between you.

Most of the team dozed off quickly, exhaustion claiming them one by one. Only Hinata remained awake, rambling softly about how cool it was to travel at night—until even his energy burned out, his head dipping forward in sleep. The bus was left in peaceful quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the road, the occasional bump in the pavement, and the low murmurs of the adults chatting at the front.

It was then that Sugawara moved.

His hand found yours, slow and deliberate, his fingers lacing with yours in the shadows. His thumb brushed gently over your skin, a quiet reassurance that made your chest ache in the sweetest way.

"Get some sleep," he murmured, voice low and warm, meant only for you. His thumb traced soft, soothing circles against your skin—the kind of touch that made it impossible to resist the pull of sleep.

You looked at him this time, letting yourself hold his gaze for a moment longer than you probably should. Then you squeezed his hand in response as you mouthed, goodnight.

And in the safety of the dark, with his hand in yours, sleep found you easily.

When the bus finally rolled to a stop in front of Shinzen's school grounds, you blinked awake—only to realize your head was resting against Sugawara's shoulder. You pulled back instantly, nearly launching yourself into the window, cheeks warm again, hoping no one noticed.

"Good morning," he greeted softly, his voice low and amused, a bright, sheepish smile tugging at his lips. He didn't give you a chance to respond—just stood up and moved along like he hadn't just made your heart stumble over itself.

As you stepped off the bus, stretching your stiff arms, the team quickly fell into their usual rhythm of greetings and playful banter. The familiar noise and energy made it easy to relax—the tension from the long bus ride finally starting to fade.

You hadn't even taken in the view of Shinzen's school grounds when—

"Oi, country bumpkins."

You turned to see Tetsuro Kuroo strolling over, his usual lazy smirk firmly in place. You recognized him immediately from the golden week match against Nekoma back in Miyagi.

Kozume Kenma trailed behind him, looking a little more awake than last time, though still wearing that perpetual I'd rather be anywhere else expression.

Hinata, predictably, lit up at the sight of Kozume, practically bouncing on his heels as he excitedly chattered about volleyball, video games, and cell towers.

The rest of Karasuno fell into the usual rhythm of greetings. Tanaka and Nishinoya immediately honed in on Yamamoto, slinging playful insults his way, which Yamamoto threw right back without missing a beat. Kageyama glared at Kozume for no apparent reason, only to receive a lazy, unimpressed glance in return.

Even Sugawara and Morisuke exchanged greetings like old friends, their laughter blending with the rising hum of conversation.

Just when it felt like the noise couldn't get any louder, another voice boomed across the courtyard.

"Hey, hey, hey! The freak quick team has finally arrived!"

Your head snapped toward the sound.

Near the gym entrance stood a tall, broad-shouldered guy with spiky hair and a grin so big it practically radiated energy. Beside him was a calmer, more composed figure who gave a slight nod, his eyes scanning the group thoughtfully.

You recognized them instantly—Bokuto and Akaashi from Fukurodani. Sugawara had told you all about them after the last training session you missed, his voice animated as he described Bokuto's ridiculous energy and Akaashi's deadpan patience.

You weren't expecting Bokuto to notice you so fast, though.

"Hey, Akaashi, Karasuno's got three managers now!" Bokuto called, his voice brimming with exaggerated excitement. His gaze landed on you, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "We should get one more too!"

Akaashi sighed, his tone dripping with the kind of practiced exasperation that said this wasn't the first time he'd heard one of Bokuto's ideas. "Do you have to make everything a competition, Bokuto-san?"

"It just looks fun!" Bokuto beamed wider, then turned his attention fully to you. "You've gotta be pretty tough to handle all these guys, huh?"

You smiled a little at that—he was way too energetic first thing in the morning. And honestly? He wasn't wrong. Karasuno was chaotic on any given day.

Before you could respond, Kuroo stepped in smoothly, smirk still in place.

"Bokkun, you're fast at finding my friend."

Your brows lifted in surprise at the word friend. Back during golden week, you'd had a weird run-in with Tetsuro after the matches. You'd been gathering stray volleyballs when you overheard him talking to his teammates—something about chemical bonds and reactions. You hated chemistry. The disgust must've shown on your face because when your eyes met his, he'd laughed outright. That was apparently all it took for him to declare you his friend.

"Hey, why weren't you in Tokyo?" Tetsuro asked casually, tilting his head—acting like you were longtime friends instead of this being only the second time you'd ever spoken. "Don't tell me you actually tanked your chemistry exams?" His grin widened, full of playful teasing.

You scoffed, shaking your head. "Of course not. I got Kou—Sugawara to help me out."

The words slipped before you could stop them.

The second they were out, you regretted it.

Tetsuro's grin froze for half a second—then stretched wider, eyes glinting with mischief.

"Ohhh. Suga-chan, huh?" he drawled, voice oozing amusement.

Before you could backpedal, Tetsuro threw an arm over Bokuto's shoulder and tapped him with exaggerated glee.

"I think this week's gonna be a lot of fun."

Bokuto blinked, slightly behind on the conversation but still grinning. "Of course it is! It's a training camp—it's supposed to be fun!"

You scolded yourself for that slip-up.

Tetsuro was sharp—too sharp—and the glint in his eyes told you he wasn't about to let this go anytime soon. He seemed like the type who loved poking at things just to see what would happen, especially if it meant getting a reaction.

You made a mental note to tread carefully around him.

Sugawara, still chatting with Morisuke and Nobuyuki a few feet away, didn't seem to notice the exchange—or maybe he was just pretending not to. Either way, his easy, relaxed smile didn't falter.

It hadn't even been an hour since you'd arrived, but somehow, trouble was already brewing.

After everyone had settled in, the camp quickly fell into a rhythm of heated matches, rivalries, and relentless chaos. It was only the afternoon, but Karasuno was already all over the place—Kageyama still couldn't sync his new toss with Hinata, Azumane's jump serve seemed more determined to land out of bounds than in, and Sugawara even messed up the timing on their synchronized attack.

Though, to be fair, he looked painfully adorable when he apologized for it—all flustered and earnest. It tugged at your heart a little more than you'd like to admit.
Then there was Nishinoya, who over-jumped on a back-row set so badly that he missed the ball entirely.

Yeah. Karasuno was definitely surprising the other teams—just not in the way they wanted to.

During a water break, you were scribbling notes on your clipboard when a voice cut through your focus.

"You know," drawled Tetsuro, "something's different about Suga-chan compared to last time in Tokyo."

You glanced up, careful not to give him the reaction he was clearly fishing for.

Tetsuro grinned, never one to back down. "I mean, the only difference is... you."

You blinked at him, expressionless. "I don't know where you're going with this, but as you can see, I'm busy. So please excuse me, friend?" You hoped that was enough to shut him down.

He tilted his head, looking far too smug. "Well, if you take a good look at him, you'll see exactly what I mean."

His eyes flicked pointedly toward Sugawara—who was standing with Sawamura and Azumane a few feet away.

Against your better judgment, you followed his gaze.

And sure enough, Sugawara's eyes were already on you.

The moment your gazes locked, he smoothly looked away, turning back to whatever Sawamura was saying—like he hadn't been staring at all.

But it wasn't just now.

You thought back—the way Sugawara stood a little closer than necessary during huddles, how your paths always seemed to cross more often than they should, the lingering glances exchanged across the court. Small, harmless things. The kind of things no one else would notice.

But Tetsuro wasn't "no one else."

You inhaled sharply, heat creeping up your neck. "That's—"

"No need to explain." Tetsuro cut you off smoothly, voice dripping with amusement. "It's more fun figuring things out on my own."

Before you could even think of a comeback, he was already turning away, his grin lazy and sharp.

"I'll be watching," he added over his shoulder, sounding far too entertained for your liking.

Not reassuring. Definitely not reassuring.

Just then, Sugawara walked past, pausing only long enough to set a cold water bottle beside you. The movement was so casual, so effortless, that anyone not paying attention wouldn't think twice about it.

You stared at the bottle for a second before glancing up at him.

"Don't overwork yourself," he murmured, voice low and warm, a small smile tugging at his lips before he walked off like nothing happened.

Your heart hadn't even finished skipping a beat when Tetsuro, still lingering within earshot, chuckled to himself.

"Oh yeah," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "this is gonna be good."

*********************************************************************************

That night, when the camp had finally settled into a rare moment of quiet and the gym was dark except for the faint glow of a streetlamp and the stars above, you slipped out.

Sneaking out wasn't new to you—you'd done it before, like on the last night of golden week. But that was months ago. And now, things had shifted between you and Sugawara. There was a new depth to your relationship, subtle changes that made being alone with him in the stillness of the night feel... different.

The air was cool and crisp, wrapping around you like a quiet, familiar embrace. The distant hum of the city murmured softly in the background, but out here, just outside the gym, it felt like the world had paused.

Leaning against the metal railing, you let the chill bite through your clothes. The tension in your muscles eased—just a little. It was the first real breath you felt like you'd taken all day.

As always, Sugawara found you effortlessly. He didn't call your name or make a sound—he simply appeared behind you, quiet and sure. His arms slipped around your waist from behind, his chest warm against your back, gently anchoring you between him and the railing.

The light scent of his soap and detergent filled your senses. This man always smells like a baby—cute, you thought.

Neither of you spoke at first; the silence was too peaceful to disturb.

For a moment, you closed your eyes. His steady embrace felt grounding, like he was holding you together after a long, exhausting day. His head rested lightly on your shoulder as he sighed, the soft sound tickling your neck.

And then, as you basked in his warmth, a tender memory surfaced.

You remembered the early days of your relationship—how Sugawara had been endearingly shy. The first time his hands found your waist, they trembled, as though he feared he wasn't doing it right or was crossing a boundary. His nervous, lopsided smile had been almost too precious to bear. Back then, his shyness colored every hesitant gesture, every fleeting, flustered glance.

Now, he held you with quiet, steady confidence. A transformation that filled you with both nostalgic longing and a newfound ache. It was almost unfair how, after all this time, your attraction to him hadn't faded. If anything, it had deepened, growing stronger with each passing day—like your heart was rediscovering him over and over again.

But before your thoughts could wander too far, his voice broke the quiet.

"This is silly. I've seen you all day, but... how was your first day here?" His voice was low and sweet—the tone he reserved for moments like this, when it was just the two of you.

You sighed, letting your head rest against his shoulder. "I think I'm gonna collapse from running around and helping Kiyoko-san all day."

"I got you. If you collapse, I'll carry you back inside." Sugawara chuckled softly, his breath warm against your ear.

A shiver ran down your spine, goosebumps rising along your skin—you chose to ignore it.

You scoffed, tilting your head slightly to glance at him. "You say that like you wouldn't collapse first. You did more than ten hill sprints today. And you lost all your matches."

"Excuse me," he gasped, pulling back just enough to shoot you an exaggeratedly offended look. "I still have a lot of strength left. Your boyfriend is very strong, I'll have you know."

"Uh-huh. Sure you are." You smirked, voice laced with playful doubt.

"Seriously, I could totally—"

Before he could finish, you turned and poked him in the side.

The reaction was instant; he flinched, a sharp yelp escaping before you quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide in panic.

You stared at him, processing what just happened, and then a slow grin spread across your face.

"...You're ticklish?"

His expression betrayed him before he could even deny it—his eyes narrowed in reluctant defeat, lips pressed together like he was trying to will the truth away.

"...No."

"Liar."

"...Please don't abuse this information," he mumbled against your hand, voice muffled.

You leaned in closer, your voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "No promises, Koushi."

He groaned, letting his head fall to your shoulder in defeat, a helpless chuckle escaping him. "You're evil."

The teasing faded into something softer, more intimate. His arms tightened around you again, pulling you closer, like he was afraid to let go.

"...But on a serious note," he murmured, voice dipping lower, rougher. "It's getting harder, you know? Pretending we're not together. I hate not being able to hold you like this during the day."

Your smile faltered, the weight of his words settling in your chest. You rested your hands over his, lacing your fingers together. You squeezed gently.

"I know," you whispered, voice barely holding steady. "Me too."

He tilted his head, brushing his nose lightly against your temple. The gesture was achingly tender, his warmth seeping into you.

"But you're not really the type to be all showy in public, are you?" you teased, though your voice was quieter this time.

Sugawara leaned in a little closer, his voice low and full of mischief. "Baby, you have no idea what a proud man's capable of."

You snorted softly, though your heart wasn't in the teasing anymore. "Yeah? Well, Sawamura would shut you down so fast."

Sugawara laughed, his arms squeezing you just a little tighter. "Yeah... probably." He paused before slipping into a gruff, exaggerated impression.

"SUGA!! THIS IS PRACTICE!! NO FLIRTING ALLOWED!!"

You burst out laughing, slapping his chest lightly. "That was way too accurate!"

"I've been studying him since middle school," he said solemnly, though his eyes gleamed with amusement.

The laughter faded too quickly, leaving only the quiet hum of the city beyond the gym.

"So, allow me to hold you a little longer now, hmm?" he said softly. "Just until we have to go back inside."

You nodded, leaning into him fully, sinking into his warmth. Neither of you spoke after that. You just let the night wash over you, the distant hum of the city filling the space between breaths.

After a long moment, his lips brushed lightly against your temple again, lingering this time. His voice was quiet, but steady—like he wasn't afraid to let the words hang in the air anymore.

"I love you."

The words weren't new. He'd said them a hundred times before—but they still hit you the same way they always did. Like they carried all the weight and warmth of the first time he'd ever said them.

Your chest tightened painfully, your throat closing up as you turned in his arms to face him. You cupped his cheek with one hand, his skin warm beneath your palm.

He leaned into your touch instinctively, eyes searching yours, unwavering in that quiet, endless affection that made your heart ache.

Your voice wavered, but the words came easily. They always did.

"I love you too, Koushi."

*********************************************************************************

The second day of training camp wasn't any easier for Karasuno.

Actually, it was worse.

They still hadn't won a single match. Which only made them play harder, desperate to steal at least one set.

During breaks, you and Sugawara were failing miserably at being subtle.

To be fair, it wasn't entirely your fault. He was the one constantly pushing the limits.

Like when you were standing by the bench, checking the stats you'd jotted down—and suddenly, he was beside you, pretending to examine your clipboard just as an excuse to let his fingers brush against yours, lingering a second too long.

Or when you handed him a towel, and instead of taking it like a normal person, he caught your hand, holding it for a heartbeat longer than necessary. His eyes waited for you to look at him—warm, teasing—before flashing that soft, knowing smile when you finally did.

The worst part? More people were definitely noticing.

Across the court, a few of the boys had huddled together.

"Suga-chan is smooth as hell," Tetsuro muttered, eyes glinting with mischief.

Bokuto, terrified of missing out, immediately nodded. "RIGHT?! Did you see that hand thing?"

Akaashi sighed, monotone as ever. "It's not a hand thing."

Haiba mumbled, "What's a hand thing?"

Morisuke, stretching nearby, groaned. "Guys, stop gossiping."

Bokuto looked deeply offended. "Whaaat? We're not gossiping! We're making important observations."

And then, as expected, things spiraled.

Somehow, Tetsuro and Bokuto decided it was their personal mission to uncover whatever was going on between you and Sugawara.

During another break, Tetsuro snuck up next to you, voice dripping with amusement. "I'm 99% sure I've figured you two out. How long have you and Suga-chan been dating?"

You nearly spilled the tray of watermelon slices you were carrying. "Excuse me?!"

"C'mon, don't lie!" Bokuto chimed in, throwing a heavy arm over your shoulders like you were old friends. "The looks, the tension, the lingering touches—it's so obvious."

Before you could even respond—or figure out how to remove his arm—Sugawara appeared, faster than humanly possible.

His hand landed lightly on Bokuto's arm, smooth and casual as he pried him off you. His smile was perfectly polite... but his eyes? Oh, his eyes were sharp.

"You're awfully comfortable," Sugawara said lightly, his voice sweet, but with an unmistakable edge underneath.

Bokuto blinked at him in surprise.

Tetsuro's grin stretched even wider. "Oho~?"

You wished the ground would swallow you whole.

It only got worse from there.

Every time Tetsuro or Bokuto teased you—or hit you with a joke that actually made you laugh—Sugawara would appear, like clockwork.

"Oh, you think they're funny?" He'd slide up beside you, hands on his hips like an old man. His voice stayed light, but the possessiveness was impossible to miss. "I'm funny too. Probably even funnier."

When Akaashi handed you a stray water bottle, Sugawara intercepted it, offering it to you himself with a soft grin. "Don't worry, I've got it."

The entire time, Tetsuro looked like a scientist whose experiment had just wildly succeeded.

Later that evening, practice was winding down, only a few players left in the gym.

You and Yachi were off to the side, gathering stray volleyballs and trying (failing) to serve them back over the net. Neither of you was any good at it, but that only made the giggles louder.

Bokuto, ever the chaotic golden retriever, perked up. "Hey, I can show you how to serve better! It's all in the wrist—here, I'll help!" For once, he was actually sincere and not just messing around.

Before you could stop him, he moved to stand behind you, hands hovering like he was about to guide your arms.

Internally, you screamed.

You knew exactly how this looked.

And exactly who was going to lose his mind.

Sure enough, Sugawara slid in like it was choreographed.

"Actually," he cut in smoothly, resting a hand on your lower back—light, gentle, but unmistakably territorial. "I've been helping her with that."

Message received: Back off.

Bokuto blinked.

Tetsuro snorted.

Kozume, barely glancing up from his phone, muttered, "He's jealous."

"I am not," Sugawara shot back immediately—a little too fast.

You shot him a worried, apologetic glance, but he only smiled. It didn't quite reach his eyes.

Instead, he turned away, busying himself with gathering stray volleyballs, his movements unusually focused—like he was trying a little too hard to stay calm.

On Karasuno's side, absolute chaos.

Tanaka whisper-yelled, gripping Nishinoya's arm. "Bro. Did you see that?"

"I felt it," Nishinoya whispered back, eyes wide. "Our ship is sailing—or maybe it's sinking? I can't tell."

The other second-years exchanged looks. Ennoshita slowly shook his head like he was watching a car crash in slow motion.

Azumane sighed, rubbing his temples. "Suga's not even trying to hide it anymore."

Yamaguchi, confused, leaned toward Tsukishima. "Do you think they're, like... pining for each other? It's kinda sad."

Tsukishima adjusted his glasses with a scoff. "They're way past pining, Yamaguchi."

And Sawamura? Over it.

"I don't want to know," he muttered as Tetsuro poked his shoulder, grinning.

"Aw, come on, Captain," Tetsuro teased. "You sure you don't want the juicy details?"

"Nope. Ignorance is peace."

*********************************************************************************

Later that night, the moment the other girls were fast asleep, you wasted no time slipping out of your room.

You found Sugawara waiting for you outside—like he knew you'd come.

The cool breeze tugged at his hair as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking unfairly handsome under the dim moonlight. His expression softened the second he saw you, but you could still see the weight of whatever had been bothering him all day lingering in his eyes.

"You okay?" you asked softly, stepping closer. It was a ridiculous question—you knew he wasn't.

"Of course," he replied easily. Too easily.

You tilted your head, unconvinced. "Koushi..."

His gaze flickered away. "What?"

"You know what I mean." Your voice remained gentle. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it—I'm here."

There was a beat of silence before his shoulders finally sagged, and he exhaled, his voice quieter now.

"Okay, fine. Maybe I was... a little jealous."

Your lips twitched. "A little?"

"Just a tiny bit." He tried to joke, pinching his fingers together for emphasis. "Barely noticeable. Blink and you'd miss it."

"Oh, so hovering around me all day was barely noticeable now?" you teased, raising an eyebrow.

"That wasn't hovering!" His voice pitched higher than he meant it to, making you bite back a laugh. "That was... strategic presence."

You snorted. "Right. Very strategic."

He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks flushing pink. "I know it's dumb. I know they're just messing around. But still... I didn't like the way they—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "Forget it."

Your teasing faded when you realized he was being serious.

"No. Say it. Try me, Koushi." Your voice softened.

He swallowed hard. "It's just... they make you laugh so easily. They're so comfortable with you—like it's nothing. But when it's me... I don't know. It feels different. Like I have to try harder. And I hate that I feel this way. I'm usually more logical than this, but with you... I can't help it."

Your expression warmed. You thought you understood how he felt, but clearly, you had no idea just how deeply it ran.

"Koushi..." The way his name fell from your lips made his breath hitch.

"Feelings just don't always follow logic," you murmured, thinking back to the time you let your emotions cloud your judgement. "And that's totally okay. Actually, they're just waiting for us to crack. Kuroo notices everything—but I should've shut them down before it got to you."

You stepped closer, voice steady despite the ache in your chest.

"And for the record... you don't have to try harder. You already make me happy—more than you know. They might make me laugh, but you're the one who makes me feel safe, loved, and understood. You're the one I want to be with. None of that stuff they do even comes close to what you mean to me."

His eyes widened slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing as your words sank in. But he wasn't done.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I didn't mean to let my emotions get the best of me. It wasn't fair to you. I just... I love you. More than I know how to handle sometimes. And it hurts, even when I know it shouldn't. I just... don't want to burden you with it."

Your heart ached.

"Hey, it's not a burden. Keeping us private is weighing on you too, and yet you're still handling it better than anyone else would. You'll never be a burden to me."
He huffed a weak laugh. "I almost blew everything right in front of their faces."

You hummed. "Honestly? I don't think I care anymore."

He didn't answer, the tension still lingering in his posture. He always carried too much on his shoulders—more than he should.

So you did the only thing you could think of.

You looked at him with all the sincerity you could muster and whispered, "I love you, Koushi. No matter what."

Before he could respond, you leaned in and pressed a featherlight kiss to his lips.

Sugawara froze.

His brain went completely blank because this—this was the first time you'd initiated a kiss. He wasn't ready. He absolutely wasn't ready.

And then—before he could recover—you grabbed his hands and encircled them around your waist, pulling him closer.

He was done for.

His ears turned pink, the blush trailing down his neck—just like the first time he asked if he could kiss you. His hand instinctively tightened around your waist, grounding himself in the moment.

"Love—" His voice cracked embarrassingly, and he coughed. "You just—"

You tilted your head innocently. "What? It's just a kiss." You winked. "Why do you look like it's the first time we kissed?" your voice full of teasing.

"Baby, that was dangerous. That could have killed me."

A smug smile curled on your lips. "Well, you looked like you needed it."

His throat bobbed again. "Yeah, but I wasn't—" He closed his eyes, exhaling sharply. "I wasn't prepared."

You laughed softly, playfully slapping his arms. "Stop being dramatic, Sugawara-san. Who needs to be prepared for a kiss from their lover? Guess you'll just have to get used to—"

You didn't get to finish.

This time, Sugawara kissed you.

You were so wrong to tease him because you had no idea how it would backfire.

This kiss wasn't shy or quick like before—it was deeper, slower, full of confidence. He tightened his hold on you and pulled you even closer, not an inch of space between you. One hand snaked from your back to your nape while the other settled on your waist, pulling you in like he never wanted to let go. All the unspoken words poured into the kiss.

You melted into him, answering his kiss with everything you couldn't put into words.

You'd been content with shy pecks before, sometimes lingering a little longer, but tonight, alone in the dark after such an honest conversation, you were both bolder. You tugged on his sweater, eyes squeezed shut like you were trying to memorize the feeling of him.

His fingers curled around the nape of your neck, gently tilting your head as he deepened the kiss, finding the perfect rhythm between you. The way his lips fit perfectly against yours, warm and soft, made your head spin. Your knees felt weak, but his arms were steady, keeping you upright, holding you like he needed you to breathe. When he finally pulled back, breathless, his forehead rested against yours. His eyes searched yours, his voice barely holding together.

"You're making it really hard to stop," he murmured, voice low and rough.

"Then don't stop," you whispered, eyes meeting his, voice shaky but sure. "I'll take whatever you'll give me."

His breath hitched. His thumb brushed over your cheek, eyes soft but conflicted.

"Stop tempting me." His voice was deeper now, playful but strained. A crooked smile tugged at his lips. "I'm doing my best to be a gentleman, you know."

Heat bloomed in your cheeks.

"Oh yeah? That you are—"

He cut you off with another kiss, lighter this time but still enough to steal the air from your lungs. His warmth surrounded you like a blanket, making the rest of the world disappear.

"Maybe I should get jealous more often," he mumbled against your lips, kissing you once, twice more, slow and sweet. "Didn't know it could end up like this."

"Don't push your luck." You were too flustered to look at him, so you buried your face in his chest instead.

His laugh was soft, rumbling through his chest. His hand slid up to the back of your head, fingers tangling gently in your hair.

"God, you're adorable," he murmured, voice low and fond.

Then—

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?!"

You both jolted in surprise.

Sawamura's voice thundered from inside the building, thick with authority. "IF ANYONE CLIMBS OUT THE WINDOW AGAIN, I'M ENDING THIS CAMP TONIGHT!"

Sugawara groaned, slumping against you with a dramatic sigh, his forehead bumping lightly against yours. "I knew they were up to something."

You bit your lip to hold back a laugh, eyes still wide from the shock. "You should probably head back before Sawamura finds you, too. He sounds like he's ready to kill someone."

He didn't move right away—his eyes lingered on you, like he was memorizing the moment. His hand squeezed yours one last time. "Yeah... goodnight."

Just as you started to pull away, he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your forehead, his lips staying there a second longer than necessary.

Your heart skipped a beat, cheeks burning. "Go before you get caught, genius."

He grinned, stepping back reluctantly. "Goodnight, beautiful."

You slipped back into your room, closing the door carefully behind you. Your heart was racing so fast it almost hurt—but in the best way.

Both of you lay there in the dark, rooms apart but feeling closer than ever. Neither of you could stop smiling, cheeks aching, eyes fixed on the ceiling like it held the stars.

Completely, hopelessly gone for each other.

*********************************************************************************

After another brutal day of practice matches, Karasuno's losses had been stacking up faster than they could recover.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, Saitama seemed determined to run them into the ground. The sun was relentless, beating down on them like it had a personal vendetta. Everyone was running on fumes.

It was pure torture.

Legs burned, lungs screamed for mercy, and whatever remained of their spirits had flatlined somewhere around the fourth time they were forced to do it.

Tanaka collapsed to his knees, wheezing like an old man. "This... this is hell. IT'S TOO HOT."

Nishinoya didn't even make it that far—he was sprawled face-down in the dirt. "Just leave me here. Tell my family I fought bravely."

Azumane staggered past them, eyes glazed over. "I think I saw my soul leave my body back there..."

Even Sawamura, their iron-willed captain, looked like he was seriously reconsidering every life decision that had led him to this exact moment.

But amid the collective suffering, one person stood out.

Sugawara.

He was smiling.

Not the exhausted, dead-inside grimace that everyone else wore—an actual smile. His steps were light, his breathing steady, and his whole demeanor screamed, I'm having a fantastic day!

At first, no one noticed. They were too busy dying. But as they finished another grueling run, Tanaka finally caught on between gasps.

"Okay—" huff "Suga-san, what's wrong with you?"

Sugawara blinked, eyes wide with faux innocence. "What do you mean?"

"You're smiling," Nishinoya accused weakly, pointing at him like he was a possessed doll. "We're suffering, and you're smiling. You're way too happy. You're becoming one of those monster energy guys with Hinata and Kageyama."

Kageyama nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed like this was a serious revelation.

"Am I?" Sugawara tilted his head, looking entirely too innocent for someone who had the audacity to look refreshed after running in this heat. "Maybe I'm just enjoying the view."

Yamaguchi wiped sweat off his forehead, staring like he'd seen a ghost. "He's suspiciously cheerful," he muttered to Tsukishima.

Tsukishima, who had been eerily quiet, let out an exasperated sigh as he pushed up his glasses. "I know exactly what this is."

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "You do?"

Tsukishima's smirk was practically glowing with self-satisfaction. He tilted his head like he was about to explain something painfully obvious to a bunch of toddlers.

Before he could speak, though—

"HE FINALLY CONFESSED!" Tanaka and Nishinoya shrieked in unison, cutting him off like they'd solved a murder mystery.

Tsukishima didn't even bother correcting them. He just shrugged lazily, the smirk still in place. "Yeah. Sure. Let's go with that."

The dismissiveness only made Tanaka and Nishinoya more convinced.

"Took you long enough, Suga-san," Tanaka teased, wiggling his eyebrows like he was some kind of romance mastermind. "We were this close to locking you two in a storage room or something."

"But turns out, all it took was a little jealousy." Nishinoya whistled, elbowing Tanaka like they'd cracked the ultimate secret to love.

Sugawara kept his grin plastered on, though his eye flickered to Tsukishima ever so slightly.

"C'mon, guys. I just enjoyed breakfast a little too much today. Keep moving. Right, Captain?" Sugawara tried to deflect, turning to Sawamura with his most innocent look.

Sawamura wasn't buying it. He crossed his arms. "You do seem unusually... chipper for someone who just ran up a hill multiple times in this scorching heat."

"Maybe I just enjoy a good workout," Sugawara tried again, humming a tune afterward.

"That's a lie," Azumane muttered from the back, not even looking up.

"Then I just like watching you all suffer," Sugawara added, flashing a mischievous grin. "Happy?"

"You're too nice for that, Sugawara-san," Hinata whined. "You're not like someone else I know."

Hinata still refused to address Kageyama directly after their last fight.

Kageyama, who had been minding his own business, immediately reacted. "What did you say, dumbass?!"

Hinata yelped. "See, that's what I mean!"

Across the court, Bokuto squinted at Sugawara like a man trying to solve advanced calculus.

"Hey, is it just me, or is their vice-captain glowing? He was kinda scary last night. Like... scary-scary. Now he's back to smiling like he won the lottery or something."

Tetsuro leaned forward, grinning like a cat. "Oh, he's glowing, alright. That's the face of a man who got exactly what he wanted."

Even Akaashi, the most level-headed of them all, murmured, "He does seem... unusually pleased today."

Morisuke rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Seriously, guys? Gossiping again?"

"Who wouldn't? It's like a live-action romance unfolding right here," Bokuto said proudly.

You were doing your best to tune out the chaos, but it was a welcome distraction. Your mind kept drifting back to last night—to those words you let slip without thinking.

"I'll take whatever you'll give me."

It replayed in your head on an endless loop. Embarrassment and longing twisted together inside you, your heart racing every time you remembered the way he looked at you. The moment had felt so raw, so personal—and now, you were stuck reliving it, wondering if he was thinking about it, too.

As if fate wanted to mess with you, Sugawara walked by just then, flashing you that soft, heart-melting smile. He looked ridiculously good when he was happy—somehow even more handsome than usual. Your cheeks flushed instantly, warmth spreading down your neck. For a second, you felt like you were back in your second year again, completely and hopelessly smitten.

"Are you okay?" Kiyoko asked, her voice gentle with concern.

"You're so red!" Yachi chimed in, eyes wide.

You opened your mouth to brush it off, but then Sugawara's eyes found yours. The playful energy faded into something more serious, his brows furrowing slightly.

You waved him off with a quick signal—I'm fine—and though he looked unconvinced, he didn't push.

"I'm fine. It's just the summer heat." You tapped your hands to your face, hoping that would calm the burn. "My skin's a bit sensitive," you replied to the girls.

They just nodded in understanding.

You were totally not okay.

After lunch, while the team was scattered around, unwinding before practice, you leaned against the gym wall, staring at your phone—not really reading anything, just trying to look busy.

You didn't notice Sugawara until he was suddenly right there, standing close enough to talk but far enough to avoid suspicion.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice pitched low, just for you. "Are you feeling okay?"

The concern in his eyes made your heart pull uncomfortably.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about," you lied, your voice too tight to sound convincing.

"You sure? Do you need anything?" His voice was so gentle it made your stomach twist.

"I promise, Koushi." His name slipped out before you could stop it, and his eyes softened at the sound. "You know I'm always honest when something's wrong, right?"

He nodded, recalling the time he had found you last year—curled up and hurting, not even pretending to be fine.

"Yeah. I know." His voice dropped even softer. "Still—if not me, ask the girls, okay?"

It was unbearable, how genuine he was. Every careful word, every worried glance, only fed the longing coiling tighter inside you. You wanted him so badly it was dizzying.

"I'm fine, trust me," you said again, forcing a smile that probably looked as weak as it felt. Desperate for a distraction, you nodded toward Tanaka and Nishinoya, who were not-so-subtly watching and elbowing each other.

"You should go now. Your kohais are watching."

You tried to sound teasing, but the truth was, you needed him to leave. If he stayed any longer, you were terrified you'd break—kiss him right here and to hell with the consequences.

"Really, don't worry," you added softly, hoping to smooth the crease between his brows. "You were practically glowing earlier. Don't ruin it by frowning like that."

He pouted, the worry only half-leaving his face.

"How can I not," he murmured, "when the reason I'm so happy doesn't look happy at all?"

Your breath caught in your throat.

Then, like a traitor, your eyes flicked to his lips—and it hit you that you were both standing in the exact spot where he had kissed you last night. You swore you could still feel the warmth of his mouth on yours. Heat flooded your cheeks.

"Do you have a fever?" He stepped closer before you could stop him, his hand brushing against your forehead.

Someone from somewhere fake-coughed.

"No!" you blurted, swatting his hand away. "Just go."

Sugawara realized. Of course, he did. He had always been observant, always knew when something was off—especially when it came to you. His eyes softened, gaze flickering between yours like he was putting the pieces together.

He had seen this look before. The way you were trying too hard to act normal. The way you kept avoiding his eyes.

Oh.

Understanding flickered across his face, and his smile turned almost shy. Like he'd just uncovered a secret he wasn't supposed to.

Your face burned hotter.

"SUGA-SAN!! Nice move right there!" Nishinoya yelled from a distance.

"I was just checking if she was sick! Would you want our manager to get sick?" Sugawara barked back.

He always looked so funny whenever he shouts angrily, his chaotic side surfacing.

"You're a school nurse now?" Tanaka teased.

You couldn't help but laugh at that.

For the first time, you were grateful for Nishinoya and Tanaka's teasing. They were so wildly off the mark that it gave you just the distraction you needed to clear your head.

"Go, before more people join in."

He nodded but hesitated. Then, just as he turned away, he leaned in—so close that his breath fanned against your ear, sending a shiver down your spine.

"I haven't stopped thinking about it either," he whispered, his voice rough with longing. "Not even for a second."

And with that, he was gone, leaving you standing there, heart hammering, warmth still ghosting over your skin.

*********************************************************************************

Later that night, the two of you wandered along the edge of the gym. The moon hung low, casting soft silver light on the path. The only sounds were the distant hum of crickets and the faint rustling of leaves—a stark contrast to the endless laughter and chaos that had filled the day.

Your shoulders and hands brushed until Sugawara gave in and tangled his fingers with yours.

The two of you were quiet, as if neither of you knew where to start—or how to continue where your conversation had ended earlier.

Sugawara finally broke the silence. "Do you like it here?" he asked softly, his voice blending with the quiet night air.

You glanced at him and smiled. "Yeah. It's different from home—but a good kind of different. I like getting to know the other girls better. What about you?"

He squeezed your hand gently, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. "I'm loving every second of it. There's volleyball and then... there's you." His grin was playful, but his eyes were soft.

You nudged him with your elbow. "Hey. It's the same thing back home. Volleyball and me?" You faked being insulted. "Doesn't sound like an original experience."

He laughed before pulling you into his arms. "Stop being a brat."

His voice was muffled against your hair, but you felt the chuckle vibrating in his chest.

He started swaying you gently, humming some off-key tune under his breath.

"Koushi...what are you doing?"

"Putting you to sleep."

"Really?" You pulled back, giving him a playful glare. "You sound like my grandpa."

"Wow. Then he must be a romantic," he snorted. But before you could retaliate with a tickle, he dodged and bolted, laughing.

You chased after him, trying to keep quiet through your giggles. He sprinted toward the hill they had run everyday and flopped onto the grass in dramatic defeat.

"Please," he huffed, holding his hands up in surrender. "Kiss me all you want—just no tickling." His eyes were wide and pleading, and honestly, he looked a little too cute for his own good.

You laughed, breathless. "You're a winner no matter what happens here, aren't you?"

"Yeah," he grinned smugly. "I thought so."

He shrugged off his jacket, laid it on the ground, and patted the space for you to sit on.

When you sat down, he pulled something from his pocket—your favorite snack.

"I got it in the vending machine today," he said with a grin. "Was supposed to give it to you after lunch... you always crave it when... you know."

He initially thought you weren't feeling well because of your period, until he realized it was something else entirely.

The way he trailed off, voice soft and knowing, made warmth bloom in your chest. He paid attention—to everything, even the little things you never had to say out loud.

Your heart melted a little. "Awww," you fake cooed. "Ain't I got the sweetest boy ever?"

"I'm the luckiest guy ever." His voice was quieter this time, more serious.

You turned to him, and your breath caught at the way he looked at you—eyes soft and honest, holding something deeper than just affection.

"You're always there," he murmured. "When I feel stuck, when I start doubting myself—you're there. You don't just see the 'nice guy' everyone else does. You see me. You know I can be stubborn, frustrating even. But you never leave. You're patient with me, even when I drive you up the wall."

Your chest tightened at his words. You had seen every side of him—the steady, easygoing vice-captain, the glue that held the team together. But you had also seen the weight he carried, the frustration he never voiced, the moments of self-doubt he buried beneath his usual smile.

"Koushi..." you murmured. "I know how much you take on. Keeping the team together, staying strong when no one else can, pushing forward even when you're not the one on the court. But you're more than the 'nice guy.' You're caring, selfless, reliable... and don't even get me started on your ridiculous dad jokes and over the top gossiping skills."

He huffed out a soft laugh, but his smile wavered—the kind of smile you made when you were trying not to cry.

"You're a wonderful boyfriend, too," you continued, squeezing his hand. "I got the full package with you."

He exhaled a shaky breath, tilting his head back toward the sky as if trying to keep his emotions in check. "You make it sound like I'm this perfect person," he said, voice barely above a whisper.

"You're not." You smiled gently. "That's the point. You don't have to be perfect. I love you and I like you as you are."

For a moment, he just stared at you, as if memorizing your face, like he was trying to etch this moment into his mind. Then, with a quiet laugh, he pulled you closer, resting his forehead against yours.

"Have I told you I love you already?" he asked softly.

"Nope." You smirked. "You've only told me about a hundred times, doesn't sound enough."

He swallowed hard, his voice was lower this time, rough with something unspoken.

"Can I kiss you?"

You raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the heat creeping up your neck. "Seriously? After what you pulled last night?" But even as you said it, you knew—this was different.

"Well... tonight's different."

"Go ahead," you whispered, voice barely more than breath, open, willing—his. "I'm yours."

For a moment, silence stretched between you—just long enough for anticipation to coil tight in your chest. Then, he moved closer, his fingers brushing along your jaw before cupping your face, his thumb tracing slow circles against your cheek. His breath, warm and laced with mint, fanned over your lips, sending a shiver through you, making your head spin. Your heart pounded so loudly you were certain he could hear it.

Then, he kissed you.

Soft at first, slow and searching—his lips molded to yours like he was memorizing the feeling all over again. A quiet sigh left him, warm against your skin, and you felt his body relax into yours. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his other hand finding your waist, fingers pressing just enough to pull you closer.

Your fingers threaded into his hair, tugging lightly, and the sound he made—a low, pleased hum—sent heat rushing through you.

"Koushi..."

You parted your lips slightly, just enough for him to take the invitation. His tongue brushed against yours, hesitant at first—until you responded, and then there was no holding back.

The kiss turned desperate, hungry. His hand slid from your waist to the small of your back, pressing you further against him. The warmth of his body, the way his breath hitched when you sucked lightly on his bottom lip—it made your stomach tighten with something electric.

Somehow, you ended up lying back in the grass, his upper body covering yours. Your hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him down as he hovered over you, unwilling to part even for a second. His lips left yours just for a moment, trailing along your jaw, down to the sensitive spot beneath your ear where he pressed the lightest of kisses. It was maddening.

It felt like the world spun. You opened your eyes, dazed, and saw the stars above—but they blurred at the edges, your mind fogged with warmth, with want.

Your breath shuddered, and when you whispered his name, it was barely a sound.

He exhaled sharply, his grip on you tightening for a fleeting second. "You're gonna be the death of me..." His voice was rough, frayed between restraint and need. And then, softer, like a prayer meant only for the night—he whispered your name.

A light stroke along his neck was all it took for him to reclaim your lips, kissing you again—deeper, slower. His tongue slid against yours, the kiss growing hotter, each breath shared between you.

The world narrowed to just this—his weight above you, the warmth of his body pressing into yours, the way he kissed you fiercely but touched you with careful, reverent hands, as if afraid you'd slip through his fingers.

Then, the dampness of the grass seeped through your clothes, sending a chill down your spine. You shivered, the cold snapping you both back to reality.

Sugawara froze immediately, his breath uneven, forehead still pressed against yours. Slowly, like he was forcing himself to move, he sat up, raking a hand through his hair before offering you the other.

"I—" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I got carried away." His voice was thick, strained. "I forgot we're literally out in the open."

His body betrayed him—evidence of his desire radiating off him in waves.

You squeezed his hands, grounding him. "I know," you murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "Me too."

His gaze locked onto yours—intense, searching, filled with something raw and barely contained.

"But as long as it's you," you continued, steady despite the warmth flooding your cheeks, "I'm not scared. I'm ready for whatever this is. I just want you."

His breath hitched. His thumb traced slow, deliberate circles over the back of your hand, like he was trying to anchor himself.

"You have no idea how much I want you. It's driving me insane," he admitted, voice rough, almost desperate. His grip on your hand tightened like he was battling with himself. "But I don't want to rush you."

His eyes flickered downward—to where your shirt had ridden up from your movements. He swallowed hard, then carefully, deliberately, fixed it for you, smoothing the fabric down. His fingers ghosted along your skin before he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, his touch lingering.

"I know," you whispered, leaning into him, closing the space again. "That's why I'm not afraid."

For a second, his resolve wavered. You saw it in the way his lips parted, in how his body swayed slightly forward, drawn to you like he couldn't help himself.

Then he sucked in a sharp breath, squeezing his eyes shut. "Not here," he murmured, forcing himself to pull back. "This place... it's special, but you deserve more than this." His voice dropped lower, more tender. "I want to do this right."

Your heart swelled at the sincerity in his words.

You smiled softly, understanding. "Not here," you agreed, voice warm with trust.

A quiet beat passed before he let out a breathy laugh, rubbing a hand over his face. "We should head back before I completely lose my mind."

As you walked towards the quarters, he took your hand in his.

And somehow, despite the cool night air, your body was still on fire.

*********************************************************************************

The next morning, exhaustion weighed heavier than usual. Sneaking out every night was finally catching up to you—your body begged for more sleep, but your mind refused to rest, replaying every moment from last night on an endless loop.

Sugawara. His lips. The way he whispered your name like it was something sacred. And everything you two had talked about.

You groaned, flipping onto your stomach and shoving your face into the pillow. Get it together. You were here to help the team, not to lose yourself over your
boyfriend. But, damn it, last night had been a turning point—one you couldn't take back. Not that you wanted to.

You squeezed your eyes shut, willing the thoughts away before you spiraled any further.

Just as you were settling into a cozy, half-awake haze, Yachi's hesitant voice pulled you back.

"Umm... did you go out last night?"

Your eyes cracked open. "Huh? Why?"

She shifted awkwardly. "You, uh... you've got some grass stuck in your hair."

Panic hit like a truck. Your hand shot up, fingers tangling in your hair, and sure enough—tiny bits of grass clung stubbornly to the strands. Oh, crap. You'd changed your clothes, but you hadn't even thought to check your hair.

"Oh... uh, yeah. I went out to call my mom. No idea where the grass came from, though. Hehe," you lied, forcing out the most unconvincing chuckle of your life.

Yachi gave you a look. The look. The one that said she didn't totally believe you but wasn't going to pry. Before she could say anything else, Kiyoko's voice drifted in from outside.

"Sugawara, could you hand this to Sawamura?"

Your stomach flipped. The door was cracked open just enough for you to see him standing there.

"Good morning to you, Shimizu," he greeted smoothly, taking the folded paper from her hands. "And what's this?"

"It's from Takeda-sensei. Figured you could pass it to him on your way."

"Got it." He nodded, then—almost like instinct—his gaze wandered toward your room.

The second his eyes found you, something shifted. His expression softened, lips curling into a gentle, lopsided smile—warm, teasing, and just a little too knowing.

"Good morning, Hitoka-chan. And good morning to the sleepyhead," he said, his voice light with amusement.

You groaned, burrowing deeper under your blanket. He just chuckled, waving playfully before strolling off, completely unbothered by the fact that he was the sole reason you barely got any sleep.

"He's so annoying," you grumbled into your pillow.

Annoyingly cute, your brain corrected.

Yachi giggled. "Suga-san is like an older version of Hinata. Just... tamer. Like a walking ball of sunshine."

You huffed, but you didn't argue. Instead, you found yourself smiling, warmth filling your chest despite your exhaustion.

Because with Sugawara, it was always something. One moment, he had you completely flustered, craving his touch. The next, he had you doubled over in laughter, unable to breathe.

He kept you on your toes, and you loved him for it.

And honestly? He was way too good-looking first thing in the morning. What a way to start the day.

It was ridiculous, really. You'd been dating for months, so close to crossing boundaries, and somehow... somehow, you still had the biggest crush on him.

Lucky didn't even begin to cover it.

The fourth day of training went better for Karasuno than the previous ones. Sure, they were still losing, but the improvements were undeniable. Plays were smoother, their coordination sharper, and the team's energy felt more in sync.

Sugawara, though—he seemed different. More confident. More playful. You noticed the way he was getting bolder with his set choices, pushing riskier plays that somehow worked. Even off the court, there was something lighter about him, like he was completely in his element.

You honestly didn't care anymore if people whispered about you two; seeing him like this—so lively, so sure of himself—made you proud.

Tetsuro and Bokuto still found ways to tease you, but they seemed to have learned their limits, especially after Bokuto earned a deadly glare from Sugawara a couple of days ago.

That night, during team dinner, you sat in your usual spot—where Yachi or Hinata usually sat beside you—when a familiar voice cut in.

"Finally, secured my spot."

Sugawara slid into the seat next to you with a satisfied grin, balancing his tray carefully.

You leaned toward him, voice low. "Careful, Koushi. You're gonna drop your food."

"Worth it," he whispered back, eyes sparkling.

Across the table, Tsukishima let out the most exaggerated sigh, his lips twitching in amusement.

"Please stop being so disgustingly sweet, Suga-san. It's ruining my appetite."

Sugawara just smiled wider—somehow looking even smugger.

He was so obviously happy that the rest of the team started to notice.

"Suga-san looks like he's eating his mapo tofu," Hinata said through a mouthful of rice. "He's way too happy eating."

"It's not the food. It's who's sitting next to him," Nishinoya whispered conspiratorially, elbowing Tanaka. "That's the secret. I think that's how you make a move."

Tanaka blinked. Slowly, as if an idea had just struck him, he stood up with his bowl and marched straight toward Kiyoko.

"Hey, Kiyoko-san—"

"No. There's no space here."

Kiyoko didn't even look up from her meal.

The poor guy stood there for a second, bowl in hand, caught between devastation and awe. Then, defeated, he slunk back to his seat.

"Suga, you sure have a big appetite tonight," Sawamura commented, raising an eyebrow.

Sugawara barely paused between bites. "As I should. Tomorrow's the last day, and we're winning a set. Gotta eat well for that." He flicked his eyes toward Tsukishima with a teasing smirk. "Especially you, Tsukishima."

Tsukishima exhaled the deepest, most long-suffering sigh imaginable. He didn't even bother with a comeback—just poked at his food with pure resignation.

You bit back a laugh, nudging Sugawara's knee under the table. He glanced at you, his playful expression softening just slightly, just for you.

No matter how chaotic dinner got, no matter how ridiculous the boys were—when he looked at you, it was like you were the only thing that mattered.

And you couldn't help but feel like you'd never been happier.

*********************************************************************************

The cool night air was refreshing after everything had settled down, and this time, neither of you rushed to fill the silence.

You simply walked side by side behind the gym, the faint crunch of gravel underfoot the only sound. Without a word, Sugawara reached over, intertwining his fingers with yours. He gave your hand a gentle squeeze—no teasing, no smug remarks. Just quiet, content warmth.

"We shouldn't stay up too late," you reminded him softly. "You need rest for tomorrow."

"I know," he murmured, voice low and slightly grumbly. "But... I wanna stay here a little longer. We don't get moments like this back in Miyagi. It's kinda bittersweet every time I have to drop you off home."

Your chest tightened at his words.

You stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about the past few days. Despite the exhaustion, the training camp felt... unreal in a way. Spending more time with the team, growing closer to Yachi and Kiyoko—and, most of all, how your relationship with Sugawara felt deeper than ever.

"What are you thinking about?" Sugawara asked, squeezing your hand again when you didn't answer right away.

"I like this too," you admitted, voice soft. "I really enjoyed this camp. And I'm so happy I got to spend more time with you. And, well... I loved talking like this every night instead of just texting after we get home."

Sugawara stopped walking, tugging you a little closer. His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful. "Then maybe... when we're older—a couple of years from now—I won't have to drop you off home anymore?"

You blinked at him, tilting your head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." He looked a little shy now, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. "We could live together. And, you know... maybe get married someday. Have kids... only if you want to. And—"

"Whoa, whoa, slow down there, mister" you interrupted, laughing. "You're jumping straight to gray hairs and family photo albums."

Sugawara groaned, his cheeks flushing red. He reached up and lightly pinched yours in mock embarrassment. "I didn't mean it like that—"

"I'm kidding," you said softly, smiling through the pinch. "I think you're the 'date-to-marry' type of guy anyway. I'm just glad I was right."

His expression softened instantly.

And before you could say anything else, he leaned in, pressing a feather-light kiss to your lips.

It wasn't playful or teasing—just sweet and sincere. Like he wanted you to feel exactly how much he loved you.

Then—

A sharp inhale.

You both froze.

Slowly—almost fearfully—you turned toward the source of the sound.

Standing a few feet away, mouth agape and eyes impossibly wide—

"Hinata."

A beat of silence passed.

Then—

"OH MY GOD."

Panic set in instantly.

"Hinata, shh—!" You and Sugawara lunged forward in unison, free hands flying to cover his mouth, but it was too late.

"SUGA-SAN AND—"

"HINATA, HOLD IT DOWN!" Sugawara whispered-yelled, clamping a hand over Hinata's mouth, but the damage was already done.

A door slammed open in the distance. Footsteps thundered toward you.

And then, like some horror movie nightmare, the entire Karasuno team appeared—half-asleep, confused, but instantly alert enough to realize something was very off.

"What's going on?" Sawamura groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Hinata sounded like he found out Sadako-san was real," Ennoshita muttered.

"What's the emergency?" Kageyama grumbled, eyes barely open.

Then Kageyama blinked. His gaze slowly zeroed in on Sugawara. Then at you. Then at your very much intertwined hands—which, in panic, you forgot to let go of.

A long, painful silence stretched.

Finally, Tanaka's voice cracked through the air like thunder.

"WAIT. WAIT. WAIT—"

Nishinoya shoved past him, pointing dramatically. "NO. NO WAY. THIS CAN'T—"

Kageyama, now wide awake, squinted. "Is this...?"

Yamaguchi sucked in a slow breath. "Oh."

Ennoshita exhaled, resigned. "They're busted."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BUSTED?!" Tanaka shrieked, hands yanking at his head like the world had just flipped upside down.

Sugawara sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You guys are so dramatic."

"DRAMATIC?! WE'VE BEEN ROOTING FOR YOU FOR MONTHS, AND NOW YOU'RE JUST—HOLDING HANDS LIKE IT'S NO BIG DEAL?!" Nishinoya practically vibrated with joy. "I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!"

"OUR MATCHMAKING ACTUALLY WORKED... LIKE FOR REAL!" Tanaka and Nishinoya locked into a celebratory hug, twirling each other around with ridiculous glee.

Sugawara rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, glancing at you for permission.

You nodded. Might as well get it over with.

"Actually..." Sugawara started hesitantly. "We're... dating. We've been together for a while."

Silence.

"YOU'RE DATING?! THAT FAST??! WHAT DO YOU MEAN FOR A WHILE?!" Tanaka and Nishinoya exploded in perfect unison.

"Everyone, quiet down!" Sawamura barked, cutting through the chaos like a weary dad at his limit.

"Called it," Kinoshita muttered smugly. "We should've placed bets with those two idiots."

Yamaguchi sighed, already pulling out his phone. "I owe Tsukki shortcake when we get back to Miyagi."

Tsukishima just smirked, arms crossed. "They weren't that good at hiding."

Sugawara blinked, looking genuinely betrayed. "You guys were betting on us?"

Meanwhile, Tanaka and Nishinoya stood frozen, expressions blank—like puppies realizing their favorite treat had been in the cupboard the whole time.

"So... how long have you two been a thing?" Nishinoya asked cautiously.

"More than three months," you admitted quietly. "We just didn't want the teasing... or, well, this."

"THREE MONTHS?!" Hinata practically jumped out of his skin, bouncing closer. "That's forever! Why didn't you tell us, Suga-san? We're your team!"

Sugawara softened, ruffling his hair. "We didn't want to distract everyone, but it turned out distracting either way. And, well... we wanted to keep it ours for a while."
The sincerity in his voice briefly stunned the team into silence.

...Until Tanaka wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "That's so sappy. Suga-san's a romantic lover boy!"

"LOVER BOY!" Nishinoya echoed, the two immediately launching into a chant as they pranced around like absolute lunatics.

"QUIET DOWN!" Sawamura snapped. "You're going to wake the other teams!"

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. "This is exactly why we didn't tell them."

Sugawara just chuckled softly, pulling your hands down to meet his gaze.

Sawamura stepped forward, rubbing his temples like he was this close to snapping. "Alright, enough! Suga, you owe us a meal for this. Back to bed, all of you!"

Grumbling, the team slowly dispersed, though not without sending the two of you smug, knowing glances.

Tanaka and Nishinoya kept whispering "lover boy" under their breath, Hinata pestered Kageyama with rapid-fire questions he couldn't answer, and Tsukishima tossed one last smirk over his shoulder. Azumane, lingering behind, gave you both a shy thumbs-up before following the others.

Finally—blessed silence.

You turned to Sugawara, letting out a heavy sigh. "Well... so much for keeping things a secret."

He just grinned, stepping closer until his forehead rested against yours. "Yeah, but at least now I don't have to pretend anymore. Lover boy's not the worst nickname."

You swatted his arm weakly, though your smile betrayed your fondness. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it," he murmured, echoing your words from earlier.

Then, with zero hesitation, he stole a quick kiss—bold now that the secret was out—before tugging you gently toward the dorms.

"Come on. Before Daichi actually loses his mind and sends a search party."

*********************************************************************************

You woke up the next morning to the unsettling feeling of being watched.

Blinking against the sunlight, you groggily turned your head—only to find Yachi and Kiyoko sitting cross-legged by your bed, staring at you like you were the final episode of their favorite drama.

Yachi gasped like she'd just witnessed a miracle. "She's awake."

Before you could fully process what was happening, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around you in a tight, giggly hug. Her face was flushed pink, practically vibrating with excitement.

"I'm so happy for you! I knew something was going on—I mean, I hoped—but I wasn't sure, and now it's real, and it's so perfect, and—"

She stopped to take a breath, then squealed again. "You and Suga-san! You're like... my favorite love story come to life!"

Kiyoko, ever the composed one, let out a soft laugh. "It's about time. I've been hearing you sneak out every night. I'm a light sleeper, you know."

Your eyes widened. "Wait... you knew?"

Kiyoko nodded, her smile both gentle and amused. "Yeah. But it wasn't my secret to tell."

Yachi whipped around to her, jaw dropping in betrayal. "Kiyoko-senpai! You knew this whole time and didn't tell me?!"

Kiyoko tilted her head, still perfectly calm. "I figured you'd find out eventually... like when the entire team found out."

Yachi groaned dramatically, flopping onto your bed beside you. "Unbelievable. You were holding out on me, both of you! And I missed the reveal too!"

Laughter bubbled up in your chest, warm and unstoppable.

"It's not that big a deal," you said, staring up at the ceiling—only to suddenly let out a squeal you'd been holding in all this time. The reality of it really hit. You were dating Sugawara. And you didn't have to hide it anymore.

"It's just me dating the guy I've been hopelessly crushing on since last year," you added sarcastically, pressing a hand to your burning cheeks. "Totally not a big deal at all."

Yachi squealed right along with you, propping herself up on her elbows. "Yeah! And now that I know, you're telling me everything. Every. Single. Detail. From the exact moment you knew you liked him to the exact second he kissed you. No holding back."

You groaned, flopping back onto your pillow. "You're worse than Nishinoya and Tanaka."

Yachi grinned mischievously. "Yeah, but I'm cuter. And I actually care about your happiness, thank you very much."

You couldn't help but laugh again, heart swelling with affection for them both.

Meanwhile, in the other room, Sugawara wasn't getting any peace either.

Tanaka and Nishinoya were practically on their knees, hands clasped in dramatic desperation.

"Suga-san, please—teach us your ways!" Tanaka begged.

"How did you do it? Was it the smile? The hair? The 'nice guy but secretly smooth' thing? We need the right technique!" Nishinoya added, eyes sparkling with admiration.

Azumane sat quietly in the corner, watching the chaos unfold with a mix of amusement and secondhand embarrassment. Kageyama, however, was muttering to himself, brow furrowed in deep concentration.

Hinata, on the other hand, was relentless. He bounced around Sugawara like an over-caffeinated rabbit, firing off questions faster than anyone could answer.

"Who confessed first Suga-san? Do you guys hold hands all the time? Are you gonna get married—"

"Hinata, breathe," Sugawara sighed, though he couldn't quite hide the smile tugging at his lips.

In the background, the rest of the first and second years were huddled together, whispering about bets.

Yamaguchi groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I can't believe I lost... Tsukki, how did you get it right?"

Tsukishima smirked, pushing up his glasses. "Because I caught them holding hands under the table once. It was painfully obvious."

Yamaguchi stared at him, betrayed. "And you didn't say anything?!"

"It was more entertaining this way."

Before the conversation could spiral further, Sugawara's voice cut through the noise—low and serious, a rare shift from his usual warmth.

"Okay, enough, guys."

The room fell into a reluctant silence.

"Let's stop making this day about my love life and focus on the game, alright? We came here to prepare for the qualifiers—and we will win."

His gaze swept over the team, then landed on a very specific trio.

"And... please don't bother her too much. Especially you three." He pointed at Tanaka, Nishinoya, and Hinata, who all froze like guilty kids caught sneaking snacks before dinner.

Sawamura let out a long, suffering sigh, dragging a hand down his face.

"You guys are too loud for this early in the morning..." he muttered, sounding like a man questioning all his life choices.

But then his expression softened—captain mode fading into something gentler. He met Sugawara's eyes, voice quiet but sincere.

"As your captain, I want everyone focused on the game. But as your best friend... I'm really happy for you, Suga." His smile was small but genuine, the kind of rare vulnerability only Sawamura could pull off. "You've been struggling with this since last year. I'm glad you two figured it out together."

Sugawara blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity—but then his expression eased into a soft, grateful smile.

"Thanks, Daichi."

Daichi clapped his hands once, regaining his captain mode. "Alright — one more thing." He paused, voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone.

"I shouldn't be saying this, but... I overheard there's a barbecue later. So you'd better play your best and make sure we win a set, okay?"

The room exploded.

"BARBECUE?!"

Chaos resumed instantly.

Sugawara laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Food motivation. Works every time."

Daichi grinned. "Let's make sure it's a celebration meal, then."

Despite their best efforts, Karasuno didn't manage to win a set by the end of the week-long camp. But that didn't matter—not really. The gym buzzed with a mix of surprise and admiration from the other teams. It was clear they'd left an impression. The sheer improvement was enough to make the others look at them like a squad of monsters in the making.

Tetsuro and Bokuto were the loudest about it, looking ridiculously proud of Hinata and Tsukishima—though they were also slightly regretting it now that their own first-year protégés had started using their training against them.

During the final team huddle, Sugawara stood beside you, his eyes sweeping over his teammates with quiet pride. They hadn't won, but that didn't matter. It was only a matter of time. He knew they'd get their chance.

The moment the huddle broke, he wasted no time dropping his head onto your shoulder with a content sigh.

"Koushi..." you whispered, though you made no move to shift him off.

"Just one minute, love," he murmured, voice low, tired, but undeniably happy.

You smiled, about to reply—

"Hey, hey, hey! Looking good, lover boy!"

Bokuto's voice cut through the moment, followed by Tetsuro's loud snicker as they strolled over, matching grins stretched wide across their faces.

Sugawara groaned against your shoulder, his voice muffled. "Oh no."

"Suga-chan, should we take credit for this relationship going public?" Tetsuro teased, smirking. "After all, jealous Suga was a rare sight. Kinda fun, honestly."

Sugawara lifted his head, clearly ready to fire back—

"Kuroo, stop sticking your nose in other people's business," Morisuke's voice cut in sharply from behind.

Tetsuro barely had time to turn before Morisuke was right there, arms crossed, unimpressed.

"What? I was just making sure Suga-chan is treating my friend right," Tetsuro defended, feigning innocence.

Morisuke arched a brow. "That's rich, coming from you."

Tetsuro sighed dramatically, nudging Bokuto. "See this? No appreciation for my efforts."

Bokuto nodded solemnly. "Tragic."

But with one pointed look from Morisuke, both of them shuffled off, still grumbling.

*********************************************************************************

The sun hung high in the Saitama noon sky, beating down on Shinzen High School. The smell of sizzling meat filled the air, drifting from several makeshift grills set up along the edge of the courtyard. Laughter and chatter blended seamlessly with the crackling flames as Karasuno, Nekoma, Fukurodani, Shinzen, and Ubugawa all mingled together.

The atmosphere felt lighter than it had all week. No drills. No practice matches. Just a bunch of exhausted volleyball players celebrating surviving camp.

You sat on a bench near the corner of the setup, watching as Hinata eagerly wrestled with a pair of oversized tongs.

"Hinata, you're gonna drop it," Yamaguchi warned.

Too late.

A poor piece of pork belly plopped onto the ground with a tragic little splat.

Hinata stared at it, devastated. "My meat..."

Kozume glanced up from his phone, smiling faintly at Hinata's misfortune—more amused than sympathetic.

Across the way, Bokuto cackled. "Hinata, you absolute rookie! Kuroo, get this kid some grilling lessons!"

Tetsuro, holding his own plate of food, raised an eyebrow. "Why me? You're the one who can't even hold chopsticks properly."

Bokuto gasped, hand to his chest like Tetsuro had personally betrayed him. "Take that back, Kuroo!"

Nearby, Sugawara appeared beside you, balancing two plates—one stacked neatly with skewers, grilled vegetables, and perfectly cooked meat.

"This one's yours." He handed you the better-looking plate, keeping the more haphazardly assembled one for himself.

"You didn't have to do that," you murmured, touched.

He grinned, leaning down to steal a quick kiss on your cheek when no one was looking. "Of course I did. Gotta take care of my girl."

A loud, exaggerated choking sound came from across the grill.

"Did anyone else see that? They're feeding each other now. This is too much," Nishinoya wailed.

"They didn't even feed each other yet, idiot," Tanaka snorted through a mouthful of food.

"Oh? So, you want me to feed her?" Sugawara teased, eyes twinkling with mischief. He picked up a piece of pork belly with his chopsticks, holding it up. "Should we give them some fan service, love?"

You shot him a warning look. "Don't you dare."

Too late.

With a playful smirk, he held the piece of pork up to your lips. "Say 'ahhh.'"

The look on Nishinoya and Tanaka's faces was priceless—a mix of awe, betrayal, and melodramatic despair.

"TRAITOR!" Nishinoya shouted. "THAT'S UNFAIRLY CUTE!"

Tanaka flopped onto the ground like he'd been struck down. "I can't compete with this. Lover boy's got game."

Suddenly, he shot up, eyes alight with a revelation. "Kiyoko-san! I know how to keep a secret too! Just one chance, please!"

Kiyoko paused for a moment.

"No."

Yamamoto and Nishinoya doubled over, wheezing with laughter at how fast the rejection came.

Sugawara chuckled before leaning closer, his voice dropping into something softer. "You better eat it now. It'd be rude to waste my hard work."

Rolling your eyes but smiling, you took the bite. He watched you with that lovesick expression that always sent your heart fluttering.

Nearby, Yachi pressed her hands over her mouth to stifle a squeal, eyes sparkling with glee.

Kageyama, mid-bite, choked on his food. Akaashi is fast to hand him a glass of water.

Tetsuro wandered over, lazily chewing on a skewer. "Hey, save the mushy stuff for after the meal. You're making Bokuto jealous."

He jabbed a thumb toward Bokuto, who was now dramatically pretending to cry into Akaashi's arms.

"Why can't I have someone feed me pork belly too, Akaashi?!"

Akaashi didn't miss a beat. "Because you'd bite their hand off."

Laughter erupted around the circle, even Sugawara snorting at that. He glanced down at you, his smile softening.

"I like this. All of us together like this. It feels... right."

You nodded, resting your head on his shoulder. "Me too."

The sun had dipped low, casting warm hues over the training camp as Karasuno packed up their things. Bags were loaded onto the bus, the courtyard alive with the sounds of goodbyes—loud, messy, and heartfelt.

Bokuto slung an arm around Hinata, practically vibrating with energy despite the exhausting week. "Oi, Shrimp! Don't forget what I taught you—be the greatest, okay? I'll see you at Nationals!"

"Yeah!" Hinata beamed, eyes blazing with determination. "I'll get even better by then, Bokuto-san!"

"Kenma! I swear you're gonna have tons of fun next time!" Hinata added, waving wildly.

Kozume glanced up from his phone, gave a lazy nod—but smiled anyway. "We'll see about that, Shoyo."

Nearby, Tetsuro leaned against the bus, smirking as he slung an arm over Tsukishima's shoulder—much to Tsukishima's visible disgust.

"Don't get too cocky, Tsukki," Kuroo drawled. "But hey... you're not half-bad now. Let's see how you hold up when we meet again."

Tsukishima swatted his hand off with an annoyed scowl. "I'm not promising you anything."

Tetsuro just grinned, turning to Daichi and clapping him on the back. "Take care of these idiots, Captain. We'll see you at Nationals—don't you dare lose before we meet again."

Sawamura chuckled, shaking his head. "Right back at you."

Meanwhile, Tanaka and Nishinoya were dramatically shaking hands with Yamamoto, as though they were parting after a lifelong war.

"We'll meet again, my brother in spirit!" Tanaka declared, voice wobbly with fake emotion.

"At Nationals!" Nishinoya added, pretending to wipe a tear.

"At Nationals!" Yamamoto echoed, just as ridiculous.

Morisuke, Nobuyuki and Sugawara stood nearby, laughing at the chaos.

Even Kiyoko, Yachi, and you found yourselves pulled into hugs from Fukurodani's manager and the other girls, exchanging numbers and shy promises to stay in touch.

Finally, after what felt like a hundred back-slaps, bear hugs, and loud declarations of "See you at Nationals!", Daichi called for everyone to board the bus.

Karasuno filed in, still buzzing from the energy of camp. You slid into your usual seat by the window, watching the Tokyo teams wave as the engine rumbled to life.

Before you could blink, Sugawara dropped into the seat beside you with an exaggerated sigh, dramatically leaning his full weight onto you.

"Finally... alone with my girlfriend." He said it loud enough for half the bus to hear.

"Oh my god, Koushi," you groaned, laughing as you tried to push him upright.

Tanaka spun around in his seat, eyes wide. "OH MY GOD, HE SAID IT. HE SAID 'GIRLFRIEND' OUT LOUD."

Nishinoya whipped around too, gripping the seat like it physically hurt him. "IS THIS A NEW LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE? IS THIS THE POWER OF LOVE?!"

"Yeah, yeah, Lover Boy's showing off again," Ennoshita deadpanned from a few rows back — though you caught the amused smirk he tried to hide.

Sugawara shrugged innocently. "What? Can't I be proud of my girlfriend?"

Sawamura groaned from the front. "Please, can we not turn this into another circus? We have a six-hour ride home."

"Daichi, you're just jealous because you're not in a happy relationship," Sugawara shot back with a grin.

"I'm this close to throwing you out the emergency exit," Sawamura muttered under his breath, though you could see him fighting back a laugh. "By the way, you two—get lovey-dovey all you want now. But during practice? No flirting allowed."

You both laughed at that, remembering the time Sugawara imitated Sawamura's strict captain voice perfectly.

"You're off by a tiny bit, babe," you whispered in his ear, giggling.

"I'll do better next time," he whispered back, sending you a wink.

You elbowed Sugawara lightly, grinning. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Of course I am." He leaned in, voice low enough for only you to hear. "They all know now. I don't have to sneak around to hold your hand anymore."

Your heart did that stupid fluttery thing again—the one it always did when he got like this. Soft and sincere beneath all the teasing. He laced his fingers through yours.

From the front, Takeda-sensei glanced over at Coach Ukai.

"Sugawara-kun really is full of surprises."

The coach chuckled, shaking his head. "He already surprised me when he gave up the setter position to Kageyama. This? This doesn't surprise me at all. That kid's scary when he sets his mind on something."

The bus pulled away from Shinzen's school grounds, and through the window, you watched the Tokyo teams grow smaller in the distance—Tetsuro and Bokuto still waving like maniacs, even as they disappeared from sight.

Sugawara gave your hand a gentle squeeze. "We'll see them again."

You smiled, leaning your head on his shoulder. "Yeah. At Nationals."

The bus rumbled on, the team settling into their usual chaos—Nishinoya and Tanaka loudly debating the top five coolest moves from camp, Hinata and Kageyama bickering over snacks, Yamaguchi trying (and failing) to mediate, and Sawamura pretending he wasn't two seconds from throttling all of them.

Amid the noise, you leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to the mole under Sugawara's eye when no one was looking.

He turned to you, gaze soft, warm. "I love you," he whispered.

You giggled, feeling the weight of it settle comfortably in your chest. There was still so much ahead—the spring tournament, grueling training, tougher matches. More teasing and bickering with the team. College exams, graduation. Uncertainty. Maybe even a big fight or two between you and Sugawara.

But none of that mattered.

Because somehow, against all odds, this thing between you—the quiet glances, the stolen moments, the love you never thought would happen—had become something real.

"I love you too," you whispered back.

And as the bus carried you all home, surrounded by laughter and the people who felt like home—there was nowhere else you'd rather be.