"Alright," Nekomata began, his voice filled with amusement. "Now that Spitfire has freaked you all out, I need someone to show her to her room."

The gymnasium erupted with loud, boisterous cries from Bokuto, who jumped around, begging to be chosen. His large golden orbs filled with a pleading look as he stared at (y/n) with a hopeful smile. The hyperactive teen jutted out his lower lip, giving him the appearance of an adorable child.

"I don't mind if Bokuto-senpai shows me," (y/n) stated, her voice carrying a touch of teasing. "After all, he does go to this school, and he did offer."

"Jackpot!" Bokuto shouted, his excitement evident as he dashed towards her, pulling (y/n) into another bone-crushing hug as he laughed with unrestrained joy.

With a slight huff, Akaashi joined them, gently releasing (y/n) from Bokuto's vice-like grip once again.

"I'll come too," Akaashi stated, his voice calm and composed. "Bokuto-san shouldn't be left unsupervised."

"Akaashi," the Fukurodani ace whined, a touch of petulance in his voice. "Why do you have to say it like that?"

The third-year sulked, his shoulders drooping as he dragged his feet, reluctantly picking up (y/n)'s bag.

'Wow, he changes moods pretty fast,' (y/n) thought to herself, glancing at the ebony-haired teen beside her. It was clear that this was a normal occurrence, and Akaashi's expressions said it all. With a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders, (y/n) called Kenta over, and the pup happily trailed behind her and the two Fukurodani teens as they made their way out of the gymnasium.

Meanwhile, back in the gymnasium, a hushed silence fell over the players as they watched (y/n), Bokuto, and Akaashi depart. Whispers filled the air as they exchanged curious glances, their minds buzzing with thoughts of the new assistant coach.

And then, as if a lightbulb went off in their heads, realization dawned upon them.

"Did we seriously just let them get alone time with (y/n)-san!?" Inuoka exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.

"..."

"Those lucky bastards!" Yamamoto shouted, a mixture of envy and frustration evident in his voice.

"Yamamoto, please calm down!" Yaku tried to reason, his voice tinged with exasperation.

Nekomata chuckled at the scene unfolding before him, observing his players' reactions. "Ah, to be young again," he mused, a twinkle in his eyes. He turned to the other coaches, sharing a knowing smile. "Seems like our players have realized they left (y/n) alone with two boys, and it's not them."

The coaches exchanged amused glances, enjoying the youthful energy and the newfound intrigue that had enveloped their players. They watched as the team resumed their practice, their whispers filled with curiosity and playful banter about (y/n). The gymnasium buzzed with anticipation, leaving the coaches to savor the moment, knowing that their players were about to embark on an unexpected journey with the enigmatic (y/n).

...

(Y/n) followed closely behind Akaashi as he expertly maneuvered through the labyrinthine halls of the school, Kenta happily trotting along beside him, occasionally pawing at his ankles. To (y/n)'s right, Bokuto trudged along, his feet seemingly weighed down by invisible burdens, his posture slumped and dejected. Each step looked like a struggle, as if he were dragging his feet through thick mud.

Finally, they reached the building where (y/n) would be staying. Akaashi came to a stop, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll wait here with your dog. Bokuto-san can bring your bag up."

"Sure thing!" (y/n) replied with a smile. "Thanks, Akaashi-senpai! Kenta, be good, okay?"

"Arf!" Kenta barked in acknowledgment.

In a rush of excitement, (y/n) entered the room and plopped down on the floor, relishing the cool air that caressed her skin. Bokuto followed suit, his moping demeanor still intact. (Y/n) frowned at the sight of him, finding no joy in his melancholic state. 'It's no fun that he's all sad,' she thought to herself. 'Maybe if his mood changes quickly, it means he can go back to being happy just as easily too!'

Determined to lift Bokuto's spirits, (y/n) shuffled over to where he sat. It was hard not to giggle at his pouty expression, even his white and grey locks seemed to droop a little with his emotions.

"Uhm, Bokuto-senpai?" (y/n) called out, capturing the boy's attention. "Thanks for carrying my bag. I probably wouldn't have managed to drag it here on my own. You're really strong, way stronger than me."

The countdown began in (y/n)'s mind. Three, two, one...

"Well, I mean, I am pretty strong, I guess!" Bokuto exclaimed, his mood shifting in an instant. Whipping around, he puffed out his chest, his pride returning with full force.

A small chuckle escaped (y/n)'s lips as she nodded approvingly, happy to see him feeling better. Leaning in closer, Bokuto's owl-like gaze locked onto hers, his warm breath dancing tantalizingly close to her skin with each exhale. He continued to stare at her, his golden orbs unwavering for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, (y/n) noticed his lips purse and his eyes narrow. Bokuto leaned in even closer, causing her heart to race as he inched nearer and nearer.

Closing her eyes, (y/n) braced herself for what she thought might be an unexpected kiss. But instead, she felt the featherlight touch of Bokuto's fingers gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Peeking through one eyelid, she saw the ace now adorned with his usual bright and happy expression.

"There!" he exclaimed triumphantly. "That piece of hair was out of place, but I put it back for you. We should probably go back to Akaashi now, hey?"

"T-thank you!" (y/n) stuttered, her cheeks flushing crimson. "And yeah, that's probably a good idea. After all, you guys need to practice."

"Mhm!" Bokuto confirmed, his enthusiasm undiminished. "I wish you were on my team, though! It'd be so cool to have a smart and pretty coach like you!"

With a playful prance, Bokuto left (y/n) standing in her room, her mind swirling with a mixture of embarrassment and elation. He had just called her pretty, mere inches away from her face. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning, and the crimson hue that reached her ears made her face burn with embarrassment. Shaking off the flurry of thoughts, (y/n) hurried after the ace, calling out for him to wait, eager to rejoin the company of her newfound friends.

With her face gradually returning to its normal color, (y/n) joined Akaashi and Kenta as they made their way back to the gymnasium. She made a conscious effort to avoid eye contact with Bokuto, fearing that her visage might betray her lingering embarrassment. The ace, however, seemed oblivious to her flustered state, too engrossed in conversation with Akaashi to notice anything amiss.

Their journey was interrupted by a pitiful whine that caught the attention of all three of them. Looking down, (y/n) saw Kenta looking exhausted and thirsty.

"Oh, buddy," she cooed, concern evident in her voice. "Are you thirsty?"

"Sorry, he was running around waiting for you," Akaashi explained. "Guess he got a little dehydrated. There's a vending machine over there with some water we can get for him."

"I'll get it!" Bokuto exclaimed, dashing off towards the vending machine, leaving (y/n) with Akaashi and Kenta.

Akaashi led (y/n) to a shaded area, allowing her tired pup to rest and recuperate. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, (y/n) expressed her gratitude to Akaashi.

"It's no problem," he replied with a hint of a smile.

Seated on the cool grass, (y/n) sighed in contentment, sending a soft smile in Akaashi's direction. Occasionally, a small snicker escaped her lips as she watched Bokuto engage in a comical battle with the stubborn vending machine. Each time she chuckled, Akaashi would glance over at her with his usual composed expression. However, his gaze lingered a little longer each time, as if he were taking in every minute detail of her features. He observed the graceful curve of her nose, the soft roundness of her cheeks, and every other aspect that made her unique. Gradually, he began to understand why the others were so infatuated with her.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, watching him look like a bird-brain," Akaashi remarked, unable to resist a teasing comment.

Akaashi felt his heart skip a beat as (y/n) turned her gaze towards him, her eyes shimmering with curiosity and warmth. Her smile filled his vision, causing his pulse to quicken.

"Mhm! It's pretty funny," (y/n) agreed, her laughter carrying a hint of fondness. "It looks like Bokuto-senpai is in the middle of a war with that vending machine. I mean, that pose he just made was quite the battle stance. You seem to handle his energy well, though."

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to go crazy at this rate, now that he has his partner in crime Kuroo here," Akaashi replied, a touch of exasperation in his voice.

"Well, if you need help, feel free to let me know," (y/n) offered genuinely. "I'm more than happy to help you handle those two. Then we can hang out more too! I like to work with different setters, learn their styles, improve my receives, and help them handle balls from all sorts of different positions."

Akaashi's eyes widened at (y/n)'s innocent and generous statement. 'She wants to hang out with me?' The thought sent a thrill through his veins. He never would have imagined that those words would leave her lips. (Y/n) was a breath of fresh air, a rare gem among the chaos of high school volleyball. Intelligent, calm, respectful, and encouraging—she possessed all the traits he admired. If there were ever a perfect teammate and friend, it was her.

Nodding his head, Akaashi accepted her offer, a rare smile gracing his lips. In that moment, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of excitement for the days to come.

Just as Akaashi and (y/n) were engrossed in their conversation, Bokuto triumphantly returned, holding a bottle of water in his hand, a triumphant grin on his face.

"Ta-da! I have returned with the elixir of life!" Bokuto exclaimed dramatically, presenting the bottle of water as if it were a prized treasure.

(Y/n) couldn't help but giggle at his theatrics. "You did it, Bokuto-senpai! Kenta will be grateful for that."

Bokuto's chest puffed out with pride, his golden eyes gleaming. "Of course! I'm always here to save the day, even for our furry friends. Here you go, Kenta!" He crouched down and held out the water bottle, allowing Kenta to take a few refreshing laps.

Meanwhile, Akaashi's gaze shifted between (y/n) and Bokuto, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He appreciated the easy camaraderie between the two of them, how they effortlessly brought joy to each other's lives.

As Kenta finished quenching his thirst, (y/n) reached out to ruffle his fur affectionately. "You're such a good boy, Kenta. Thanks, Bokuto-senpai, for taking care of him."

Bokuto beamed at the praise. "No problem! Kenta and I are already best buddies."

Eventually, the realization of the passing time broke their engrossment. Akaashi checked his watch and sighed. "I suppose we should make our way back to practice. It's been a pleasure talking with you, (y/n)-san."

As they stood up from their spot, ready to head back to the gymnasium, Akaashi couldn't help but feel a newfound excitement and anticipation for the future. With (y/n) by his side, he knew that this season held the promise of unforgettable moments and the potential for greatness, both on and off the court.

...

(Y/n) struggled to keep her eyes open as she observed the intense match unfolding before her. With each rally and spike, her pen moved swiftly across the paper, capturing important moments and strategies. The fatigue from the long train ride coupled with the hours of focused work began to take its toll on her.

As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, (y/n) let out a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon her. Her head drooped forward, and she welcomed the comforting presence of Kenta, who nestled against her cheek, mirroring her weariness with a small yawn.

A concerned voice interrupted her drowsiness, and she turned to find Yaku standing beside her, a look of genuine concern etched on his face. His hand gently rested on her shoulder, providing a comforting touch.

"(Y/n)-san, you look absolutely exhausted," Yaku remarked, his voice filled with empathy. "You've been working tirelessly since we arrived. Let me escort you back to your room so you can rest before dinner."

(Y/n) nodded, grateful for Yaku's understanding. She bid farewell to Nekomata and the other coaches, who expressed their gratitude for her hard work. They reassured her that she had gathered enough information from the matches and encouraged her to prioritize her well-being.

"Rest, Spitfire," Nekomata insisted with a warm smile. "You've already made significant progress. Take the time to recharge. Yaku, make sure she gets some much-needed rest."

(Y/n) mustered a tired smile, expressing her gratitude once more before following Yaku back to her room. Each step felt heavier than the last, and by the time they reached her room, she could barely keep her eyes open.

Collapsing onto the bed, (y/n) welcomed the softness and warmth that enveloped her. She was on the brink of sleep, only faintly aware of Yaku's voice as he spoke softly.

"Get some sleep, (y/n)-san. We'll make sure to wake you up before dinner."

With those words, Yaku pulled the blankets over her, tucking her in with care. As the drowsiness consumed her, she felt a tender, fleeting pressure on her forehead, like a feather-light kiss bidding her goodnight.

In her half-conscious state, she managed to murmur a muffled "Thank you, Yaku-senpai," before succumbing to the blissful embrace of sleep. The events of the day and the comforting presence of her new friends wrapped around her, bringing her the much-needed rest she deserved.