Lost in a sea of thoughts, (y/n) made her way back to her room after the fulfilling dinner. The aroma of the cafeteria lingered in the air, intertwining with the gentle breeze that swept through the campus. Each step carried her deeper into contemplation as she mentally crafted training regimes tailored to each player's needs.

Suddenly, a boisterous voice pierced through her reverie, causing (y/n) and Kenta to snap their heads in its direction. Inuoka, with his signature enthusiasm, was sprinting toward her, his arm flailing in the air.

"(Y/n)-san! Wait up!" he called out, a wide grin spreading across his face.

The sight of the energetic Nekoma player made (y/n) smile, her eyes crinkling with warmth. Kenta, sensing the commotion, bounded toward Inuoka, his tail wagging in anticipation. The two engaged in a playful wrestling match on the ground, their laughter filling the air.

Chuckling at their antics, (y/n) hobbled over, her ankle still recovering from the earlier injury. She watched as Inuoka and Kenta tumbled about, their joy contagious.

"Aren't you two adorable?" she remarked, her voice laced with affection.

Startled by the comment, Inuoka's head shot up, his cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "U-um, thanks!" he stammered, a bashful smile playing on his lips. "By the way, I wanted to ask if you'd like to go to the dog park nearby. We can bring Kenta along, and he can run around and play. Plus, it's a great opportunity for him to meet other dogs!"

"Sounds like a fantastic idea!" (y/n) responded eagerly, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Just give me a moment to drop off these things in my room, and then we can head out."

"Sure thing!" Inuoka nodded, his excitement evident. Together, they embarked on the short walk to (y/n)'s room, engaging in lighthearted conversation along the way.

Once (y/n) had returned her belongings to her room, she eagerly grabbed Kenta's leash and set off for the nearby dog park. With crutches in hand, she walked with determination, her eyes shining with anticipation. Inuoka, ever the energetic companion, held onto Kenta's leash, his steps brimming with excitement. The playful pup, sensing the upcoming adventure, tugged at his leash, eager to explore.

As they made their way to the park, (y/n) couldn't help but be captivated by the sight of Inuoka leaping and bounding alongside Kenta. Their joyful interaction elicited a burst of laughter from her lips. Inuoka, noticing her amusement, turned his head, his expression a mixture of curiosity and a touch of embarrassment.

"What's so funny?" he inquired, his head tilting adorably to the side.

Chuckling, (y/n) shook her head. "Oh, it's nothing. It's just adorable how you and Kenta are together. He gets so excited when he sees you. It's as if you're his dad."

Inuoka's cheeks flushed a shade of pink, his words stumbling over each other in his haste to respond. Thankfully, the sight of the park coming into view provided him with a welcome distraction. He quickly changed the topic, hoping to divert attention away from his flustered state. In no time, Kenta was off his leash, racing toward newfound freedom, and Inuoka guided (y/n) to a nearby bench.

Settling onto the bench, (y/n) watched as Kenta darted across the grass, his tail wagging furiously. Her eyes glimmered with delight as she cooed at the adorable sight. Inuoka, joining her on the bench, couldn't help but smile at the sight of their furry friend enjoying himself.

"Well, I guess he doesn't need me chasing after him then," Inuoka chuckled, his voice laced with amusement.

Savoring the moment, they engaged in casual small talk, their conversation flowing effortlessly. They spoke about their favorite dog breeds, funny pet stories, and shared anecdotes from their own experiences with animals. Laughter and warmth filled the air, creating an easy camaraderie between them.

As their conversation continued, Inuoka's mind couldn't help but circle back to (y/n)'s earlier comment. Her words echoed in his thoughts, stirring up a flurry of emotions and questions. 'What did she mean by "you're his dad"? Does she see something more than just a friend in me?' Inuoka's mind raced, his heart pounding with uncertainty.

Lost in his thoughts, he stole a glance at (y/n), her radiant smile illuminating her face as she watched Kenta play. The gentle breeze rustled through her hair, casting a soft halo around her. In that moment, Inuoka's heart swelled with a mix of affection, admiration, and a newfound hope.

Sensing Inuoka's unease, (y/n) began to notice his fidgety movements, his gaze shifting from his clenched fists to her. Concerned, she was about to ask him what was wrong when the first-year finally found his voice.

"I-if I'm like Kenta's dad, then that means you're like his mom," he stammered, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Th-there's no one else who I'd want to have as Kenta's mom."

With her face turning as red as a tomato, (y/n) was momentarily taken aback by Inuoka's confession. Her mind raced to process his words, realizing that his clumsy attempt at expressing his feelings held a deeper significance.

'Oh no, she thinks I'm weird! Quick Sou, cover!' Inuoka's internal panic intensified, his mind racing to come up with a way to save himself from embarrassment.

"I-I just mean, you're really nice, and you take great care of Kenta," he continued, stumbling over his words. "I can always trust that he'll be happy and healthy."

Taken aback by his sincerity, (y/n) couldn't help but feel her heart flutter with warmth. Gathering her composure, she managed to respond, her voice laced with genuine appreciation, "Th-thank you, Inuoka. That's really sweet of you to say. But, you know, I could say the same about you. If you hadn't been there that night we found him, I don't know what I would've done."

Their eyes locked, and a shared understanding passed between them. In that moment, the unspoken bond between (y/n) and Inuoka grew stronger, their connection deepening beyond the confines of the volleyball court.

The atmosphere between them was charged with emotion, their faces practically glowing with embarrassment. Just as Inuoka was about to lean in closer, ready to seize the moment, a familiar bark interrupted the tender exchange.

"Arf!" Kenta came bounding toward them, his tail wagging furiously.

'...Dammit Kenta! I was trying to have a moment with (y/n).' Inuoka felt dissapointed. 

Inuoka jolted back, and (y/n) quickly made room as the shikoku leaped onto the bench between them, showering them both in slobbery kisses. A small yawn escaped Kenta's jaws, signaling his exhaustion.

"Looks like he's tuckered out," (y/n) chuckled, her eyes still locked with Inuoka's.

"Yeah, we should head back," the middle blocker agreed, his voice tinged with disappointment.

With a gentle sigh, Inuoka scooped Kenta up in his arms, still refusing to meet (y/n)'s gaze as she grabbed her crutches. The weight of their unspoken moment hung heavy in the air, filling the rest of the walk home with an almost tangible tension. The occasional yawn from Kenta served as a reminder of the playful afternoon they had shared.

'Great, she probably thinks I'm weird now. Why did I have to go and lean in like that? She's probably freaked out.' Inuoka's thoughts swirled with self-doubt, his mind replaying the scene at the park over and over again.

The middle blocker tried his best to hide his embarrassment, focusing his attention on Kenta and showering him with affectionate pets as they walked side by side. Lost in his thoughts, Inuoka didn't realize they had already arrived back at (y/n)'s room until he felt her gently taking Kenta from his arms. Startled, he finally looked up, meeting her gaze with wide eyes.

But before he could utter a word, he felt a pair of soft lips press against his cheeks, leaving a lingering warmth in their wake. Inuoka's hand shot up to his flushed cheek as he stared at (y/n) in astonishment.

"For being such a great papa to Kenta," (y/n) clarified, her own cheeks tinted with a shy blush. "Night, Inuoka. Good luck with your evening practice."

"N-night, (y/n)-san," Inuoka managed to stammer, his heart racing.

With a lingering smile, (y/n) closed the door, leaving Inuoka standing outside her room, his cheeks hurting from the wide grin that had formed on his face. It felt as if the weight of his earlier doubts had melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of joy and hope.

Skipping off towards the gym, Inuoka couldn't contain his excitement. The memory of (y/n)'s gentle kiss on his cheeks fueled his determination and lifted his spirits. His steps were lighter, his movements more agile as he headed to join his teammates for practice.