Tobio Kageyama

Joining the Karasuno team had been exciting… but also complicated, especially since you had to deal with Kageyama from day one. He was intense, hyper-focused, always correcting you with that brusque tone that bordered on impatience. “Do it right,” “jump higher,” “pay attention.” And while at first he only managed to get on your nerves, little by little you began to notice something more beneath that rudeness.

During practice, there were times when his gaze would linger on you longer than necessary. It wasn't the usual loud-mouthed Kageyama, but rather an awkward silence, as if he were analyzing your every move. And, to your misfortune, every time you caught him staring, your heart would beat faster than you'd want to admit.

Of course you weren't going to accept anything. Neither was he. So it all ended with stolen glances, silly arguments, and a too-long brush of shoulders in passing.

One afternoon, the gym was almost empty after practice. Kageyama and you stood guarding the balls. The atmosphere was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of the balls bouncing against the floor.

— “You should take better care of your reception… otherwise, we’ll lose points.” — said Kageyama, serious as always, but without looking at you directly.

— “And you should learn to speak without sounding like a robot.” — you answered, with a half smile.

He frowned, about to retort, but as he bent down for a ball at the same time as you, his hands brushed yours. It was only an instant, but you both stood still, frozen in that minimal contact. Kageyama's eyes lifted to yours, and for the first time, he didn't seem upset... he seemed nervous.

— “Don’t look at me like that…” — she whispered, looking away with red cheeks.

— “So how?” — you asked, feeling your breath caught in your throat.

*Kageyama bit his lip, as if he wanted to say something else, but ended up putting the ball aside. He took a step