Once (y/n) had changed into her casual clothes, she stepped out of the changing room and began walking aimlessly through the store, lost in her thoughts. The exhilaration of the volleyball match still lingered in her mind, replaying like a vivid scene. She couldn't help but smile at the rush of excitement coursing through her veins.

Lost in her own world, (y/n) was unaware of her surroundings until a warm breath trailed down her neck, causing her to jolt in surprise. Startled, she spun around, only to find herself face to face with Kuroo, the tall and charismatic captain of Nekoma High's volleyball team. His playful smirk and mischievous gaze made her heart skip a beat.

"Well, Kitten, I must admit I'm a little hurt. Seems like everyone got a piece of your attention except for me. But hey, at least I have the privilege of walking you back to your hotel," Kuroo remarked with a mischievous smirk, leaning closer to her face.

Feeling a playful energy emanating from Kuroo, (y/n) couldn't help but wonder how he intended to tease her. She found herself blushing as Kuroo casually draped his arm around her shoulders, guiding her in the direction of her hotel. Grateful for the darkness that concealed her flustered state, (y/n) tried to gather her thoughts.

As they walked, Kuroo initiated the conversation. "So, Kitten, why didn't you mention you were a wing spiker? Your back attack was quite impressive," he inquired, his tone filled with genuine curiosity.

"Well, Gramps originally had me training as a wing spiker to help my older brother improve his setting skills. But then he realized that my agility and reflexes were better suited for receives. Besides, I've always had a knack for analyzing the ball's trajectory and predicting its path. So, I made the switch, and it just clicked, you know? Plus, I'm way too lazy to be a wing spiker. Jumping too much exhausts me. I prefer diving; it makes me feel like a badass penguin," (y/n) explained, reflecting on her journey as a player.

Upon hearing the last sentence, (y/n) noticed a quiet snort escaping from Kuroo's mouth, followed by snickers. Confused, she glanced up at him, her eyes seeking an explanation. However, Kuroo found himself leaning down from laughing so hard, resulting in their faces being in close proximity. Feeling his breath on her skin, (y/n) blushed even deeper. Eventually, Kuroo managed to calm himself, but upon realizing their closeness, he couldn't resist seizing the opportunity.

"Oh my, Kitten. Could it be that you've already fallen for me? You're awfully close right now. If you wanted a kiss, you just had to ask," Kuroo playfully teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That's not it at all, you idiot! I turned to see why you were laughing, and you were closer than I thought!" (y/n) defended herself, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Sure, sure. But just so you know, I don't mind how close we are. It gives me a better view of your cute embarrassed face," Kuroo continued to tease, relishing in her flustered reaction.

The teasing grin that spread across Kuroo's face caused (y/n) to blush even deeper, her face turning various shades of red. He chuckled at her unimpressed reaction, enjoying the banter between them as they continued their walk back to the hotel.

Upon reaching the hotel, Kuroo bid (y/n) farewell, making sure to tease her one last time. However, she wasn't one to back down, and with a snide remark, she retorted, "Shut it, cat-boy, before we send you to the vet to get neutered."

"Reow, feisty. See you tomorrow, Kitten," Kuroo replied, his voice laced with amusement, before parting ways with a lingering smile.

As (y/n) watched Kuroo walk away, her eyes followed his retreating figure, her cheeks still flushed from their close encounter. Shaking her head, she tried to shake off those lingering thoughts as she entered the main lobby of the hotel.

To her surprise, she heard a small cough coming from the sitting area. Turning her gaze in that direction, she spotted Kenma, the familiar second-year player, glancing around with his head down. Curiosity piqued, (y/n) approached him.

"Hey, Kenma, what are you doing here?" she asked, a warm smile gracing her lips.

Kenma looked up, his shy demeanor evident as he spoke. "Um, well, I remembered you mentioning that you were going to work on some strategies. I'm pretty good at it, so I thought I could help. Plus, I got this new game that I thought you might like," he explained, pushing the game towards (y/n) while peeking at her through his blonde locks.

A sparkle of excitement lit up (y/n)'s eyes as she laid eyes on the game. She thanked Kenma profusely before setting it aside and pulling out some papers, ready to discuss the strategies she had been working on. The two spent the next hour engrossed in conversation, collaborating on new formations and attack strategies.

"Thank you so much, Kenma! Your knowledge of your teammates really helped in developing these new formations," (y/n) expressed her gratitude, genuinely appreciating his assistance.

Kenma's face flushed slightly at the compliment, but he quickly redirected the conversation back to the game. "It's no problem. Here, you should try the game. I think you'll like it. It has great graphics," he suggested, his voice speeding up with a hint of excitement.

Noticing the change in Kenma's demeanor, (y/n) couldn't help but giggle softly. Startled, Kenma looked up, his nervousness evident. Sensing his unease, (y/n) immediately stopped herself.

"I'm sorry, Kenma. I wasn't laughing at what you said. I just find it sweet how you get excited. It's the first time I've seen this side of you," she explained, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Kenma's eyes widened at her understanding response. "You don't think I'm weird?" he asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Why would I? So what if you're a little shy and worry about what people think of you? That's perfectly fine. It's what makes you unique. If you were just like everyone else, you wouldn't be you. Everyone is weird in their own way. I mean, look at me—I get way too into matches. And then there are people who are less self-aware and sometimes don't read situations too well. But you, you're observant and take note of everything. I think that's incredible! I wish I was as observant as you. Plus, you're levelheaded, and that's always a good trait to have. Besides, everyone has something they get excited about. For you, it's video games, and maybe even matches against Hinata," (y/n) reassured him, her words flowing with sincerity.

A gentle blush spread across Kenma's face and ears, but it was accompanied by a ghost of a smile. For the first time, he didn't feel the need to hide his true self or fear judgment. He looked over at (y/n) and spoke softly, "You're really nice, (y/n)-san. I don't usually enjoy talking with people, and I'm not good at making friends. But you don't seem to act like others do."

Blushing herself, (y/n) tried to find the right words to respond. After a moment, she relaxed, a soft smile gracing her face. "That's sweet of you to say, Kenma. And you know, your teammates are your friends. And then there's Hinata, and now, I consider you my friend too. If there's ever anything you want to talk about, you can always message me. Oh, and don't forget, I've officially made you my partner in crime for video games," she declared, her smile growing brighter.

Kenma's smile widened at (y/n)'s offer. "I'd like that," he replied, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You're the first person who made me feel like I can be myself."

Embracing the newfound camaraderie, (y/n) and Kenma continued their chat, diving into the new game they had been discussing. As they played, laughter and friendly banter filled the air, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Hours passed by, and eventually, Kenma reluctantly announced that he needed to get home. Waving goodbye, he left the hotel, a thought crossing his mind—one that echoed the sentiments of many others who had the chance to interact with (y/n).

'Forget a crow; she's an angel,' Kenma thought to himself, a genuine smile lingering on his face.

Back in her room at the hotel, (y/n) couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions as she replayed the events of the day in her mind. She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing out of the window at the city lights twinkling in the distance. It was in these quiet moments that she found herself reflecting on the multitude of experiences that had unfolded throughout the day.

The image of sitting around the table, sharing a meal with the enthusiastic Nekoma team, lingered in her thoughts. The laughter, the camaraderie, and the genuine connection they shared filled her heart with warmth. It was a reminder of the power of friendship and the joy that came from being surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared a passion for the sport.

Her mind then drifted to the intense practice match ag. The adrenaline coursing through her veins, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished gym floor, the exhilaration of executing a perfect receive—every moment felt vivid and alive. It was a testament to the dedication and hard work they all poured into the sport they loved.

But it was the unexpected encounter with Kuroo that made her heart race the most. The playful banter, the teasing remarks, and the warmth of his presence left an indelible mark on her memory. The way his eyes sparkled with mischief and the subtle touch of his arm around her shoulders sent a flurry of emotions through her. It was an encounter that felt both thrilling and strangely familiar, as if a door to a new connection had been opened.

And then there was Kenma, the shy and observant second-year from Nekoma High. The hours spent strategizing and working together on new formations filled (y/n) with a sense of accomplishment. She admired his dedication and the depth of his knowledge about his teammates. The way his eyes lit up as he talked about the game he had brought her and the rare glimpse of excitement he displayed melted her heart. It was a reminder of the power of connection, of finding kindred spirits who understood and appreciated one's unique qualities.

Lost in her thoughts, (y/n) couldn't help but smile as she realized how fortunate she was to have experienced such a whirlwind of moments in a single day. Each interaction had brought its own blend of excitement, laughter, and a deeper understanding of herself and those around her.

As she settled back on the bed, her mind filled with visions of the day's events, (y/n) felt a renewed sense of enthusiasm for the journey that lay ahead. The connections she had formed, the friendships she had forged—they were the building blocks of something greater. And as she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation for the future, eager to see where these newfound bonds would lead her in the world of volleyball and beyond.