The sun cast a soft golden glow into the hospital room as (y/n) found herself in a state of restlessness the following afternoon after her accident. Frustration lingered in the air, fueled by the monotonous hospital routine and the limitations of her confinement. The food provided was uninspiring, the television channels failed to captivate her interest, and the absence of familiar faces left her feeling isolated.

Determined to connect with her friends and loved ones, (y/n) resorted to calling Sugawara and the others, hoping to engage in lively conversations that could momentarily distract her from the confines of the hospital room. However, Nekomata, in his playful mischievousness, pretended that the reception was mysteriously fading, cutting off their communication abruptly. Letting out an exasperated groan, (y/n) sank deeper into the uncomfortable hospital bed, her mind racing with strategies to keep herself preoccupied.

As she mulled over potential distractions, her phone buzzed, signaling a new message. It was from her brother, Keishin, who informed her about an incident involving Hinata attempting to swipe a spike from Asahi, igniting a newfound desire in Hinata to spike with his eyes open. The message conveyed a sense of familiarity and warmth, reminding (y/n) of the ongoing camaraderie and growth within their volleyball team.

'They should figure this out on their own,' (y/n) thought to herself, pondering the situation. 'Maybe Gramps can offer some guidance if needed. Although Keishin could drive them there, it might be beneficial for them to navigate their challenges independently first. A bit of distance could provide them with fresh perspectives. But what concerns me more is how Asahi is affected by all this. He has already grappled with self-doubt as the ace in the past, and I don't want him to regress.'

Lost in her thoughts, (y/n) yearned to provide her insights and support to her teammates, feeling a surge of protectiveness toward Asahi. She longed to reassure him, to let him know that he was a vital pillar of their team and that his skills as the ace were admired and respected. The camaraderie they had built together held immense value, and she hoped they would find a way to resolve their differences and strengthen their bond.

With a determined glint in her eyes, (y/n) resolved to stay connected with her volleyball family, despite her physical limitations. She would continue to encourage and support them from afar, believing in their ability to overcome obstacles and grow as a team. And in doing so, she sought solace in the thought that she would be an instrumental part of their collective journey, even during her time of recovery.

An awkward cough resonated through the room, instantly drawing (y/n)'s attention away from her train of thoughts. To her delight, standing in the doorway was none other than Asahi, the very ace she had been contemplating just moments ago.

"Asahi-senpai!" (y/n) exclaimed, her face lighting up. "I'm so bored! Thank you for coming!"

Chuckling softly, Asahi approached (y/n)'s bedside, his presence exuding warmth and comfort. Carefully noticing that her ankle bandage was coming undone, he gently rebounded it, ensuring her comfort and well-being.

"It's good to see you're doing well," he said with a warm smile. "I was really worried when Noya told us what had happened, but Coach insisted that you needed to rest, so we weren't allowed to visit."

Grinning mischievously, (y/n) couldn't help but appreciate Asahi's endearing demeanor. 'He looks way too cute when he does that. Seriously, stop, or I'll end up smushing your cheeks,' she thought, playfully scolding herself for the distraction.

Snapping back to the conversation, (y/n) refocused her attention on Asahi's concerns about the incident involving Hinata.

"Asahi-senpai, I heard about what happened with Hinata," she began, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Are you alright?"

"Hmm?" Asahi looked up at her, his eyes conveying a mix of relief and contemplation. "Oh yeah, I'm fine, really! I was just scared I hurt Hinata—"

"Don't lie to me," (y/n) interjected, her tone deadpan yet compassionate.

Caught off guard by her serious yet caring expression, Asahi's eyes widened. He squirmed uncomfortably under her piercing gaze, realizing she saw through his facade and was urging him to share his true feelings.

"Honestly, it was unnerving," he finally admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Hinata has always had this burning desire to become the ace, and now he's acting on those feelings. I'm worried he'll get too caught up in it. Plus, I don't want this to create any tension between us. I'm proud to be the ace, but I understand that Hinata wants it too."

Listening intently, (y/n) nodded, absorbing Asahi's words with empathy and understanding. She gently placed a hand on his, providing a comforting touch.

"I get it," she responded, her voice filled with reassurance. "But you know, Asahi-senpai, you will always be the ace in everyone's eyes. Hinata is acting on instinct, driven by his desire to grow as an athlete, which can be a very positive thing. He sees you, the ace who doesn't need to rely on a setter to overcome blockers, and he yearns for that ability. I believe he reacted in the hopes of proving to himself that he can handle it on his own. Instead of viewing it as a threat, use it as motivation. Channel all this energy you have into training and improving your skills, maybe even exploring new ones. Hinata idolizes you, so keep giving him reasons to do so. It will ultimately make both of you stronger."

Asahi nodded, his eyes reflecting newfound determination and revitalized spirits. The weight of his concerns seemed to lift off his shoulders as he absorbed every word that (y/n) shared. Her perspective offered him a fresh outlook on the situation, igniting a spark within him.

After their heartfelt conversation, (y/n) pleaded with Asahi to stay, not wanting to face another bout of boredom and loneliness.

"Please! I have nothing to do!" (y/n) pleaded, her voice laced with a mix of desperation and playfulness. "I finished all my formations and training regimens this morning!"

Jutting her lip out in a pout as she sniffled, (y/n) turned her gaze towards the third-year, silently imploring him to grant her wish. With a defeated sigh and a genuine smile, Asahi conceded, settling comfortably into the chair next to (y/n)'s bed.

A tiny squeak of excitement escaped her lips as (y/n) resumed their conversation, Asahi making it his mission to bring a radiant smile to her face. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter, shared memories, and dreams for the future. In that hospital room, their bond strengthened, as they found solace in each other's presence, forging a connection that transcended the boundaries of their physical surroundings.

As (y/n) engaged in a lively conversation with Asahi, her brother Keishin entered the room accompanied by one of the nurses. Their arrival momentarily interrupted the cheerful atmosphere, but (y/n) couldn't contain her excitement upon seeing her brother.

"Hey, Jinx," Keishin greeted her with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Better!" (y/n) exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Are you here to take me back?"

Shaking his head affectionately, Keishin explained that she would be discharged later in the afternoon, and Naoi would be coming to pick her up. (y/n) let out a groan, sinking deeper into her pillows, her eagerness to leave the hospital overshadowed by the impending boredom that awaited her at home.

Meanwhile, Asahi remained by her side, determined to keep her spirits high. As the nurse attended to her head and ankle, checking on her progress, she couldn't help but comment on the presence of Asahi.

"You're doing much better, Ukai-san!" the nurse remarked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Probably helps to have such a sweet boyfriend here to keep you company."

The room instantly became suffused with a deep shade of red as both Asahi and (y/n) blushed furiously. Stuttering, (y/n) tried to clarify that Asahi was just her friend, but the nurse was already walking away, leaving Keishin struggling to contain his laughter.

"You rest up now!" the nurse exclaimed cheerfully before exiting the room. "Your boyfriend is more than welcome to lie in the bed with you!"

With a final wink, the nurse left, leaving Asahi and (y/n) in a state of utter embarrassment. Asahi, steam practically emanating from his ears, struggled to maintain his composure. Keishin, on the other hand, had lost all control and was nearly doubled over in fits of laughter.

Finally regaining his composure, Keishin leaned over, planting a gentle kiss on (y/n)'s head before bidding her farewell. As he left, he called out to Asahi, who awkwardly stood up and bid his own goodbye, his face still flushed crimson. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over him as he imagined what their friends would say if they were present to witness the teasing.

'If the others were here, they would never let me live this down,' he thought to himself, his eyes lingering on (y/n)'s flustered face.

Despite the embarrassment, (y/n) managed to muster a smile, bidding farewell to Asahi with as much composure as she could muster. Once they were gone, she let out a frustrated sigh, grabbing a nearby pillow and slamming it against her face, muffling her screeches of embarrassment.

"Nii-chan is never going to let me live this down," she muttered into the pillow, a mix of annoyance and amusement in her voice.