"Hey, hey, hey, (y/n)-san!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious. "Can you believe Tsukki actually wants to practice?! What did you do to him?"

"Oh, hey, Bokuto-senpai!" (y/n) greeted him warmly. "I didn't do anything! He just found his own motivation, so please don't do anything that will discourage him."

"Don't worry! I'll motivate him even more!" Bokuto declared with a determined look.

"I think that would have the opposite effect, Bokuto-san," Akaashi chimed in, trying to keep his captain in check. "It's good to see you again, (y/n)-san."

"Akaashi!" Bokuto whined, slightly deflated by his setter's sensible response.

"I'm glad to see you both again!" (y/n) smiled, genuinely happy to be reunited with the Fukurodani duo. "It's been too long!"

"You'll be joining us too, right?" Bokuto asked enthusiastically.

"I assume he's referring to the extra practice tonight," Akaashi clarified. "We'd be happy if you joined us."

"I wouldn't miss it for anything!" (y/n) replied with a smile, looking forward to spending more time with her friends from Fukurodani.

Glancing around, (y/n) realized that Kenta was no longer by her side. It didn't take her long to figure out where the little pup might be and who he would be with. Excusing herself from the Fukurodani duo, she made her way over to the person Kenta had been longing to see for a while now.

"Hey Inuoka, seems like it didn't take long for Kenta to find you," (y/n) chuckled as she approached Inuoka, who was already surrounded by the affectionate pup.

"Ah, there you are, (y/n)-san!" Inuoka smiled up at her, his eyes filled with happiness. "I was wondering where you were when Kenta started jumping against me."

"I guess he came running as soon as he smelled you," (y/n) laughed, enjoying the sight of Kenta showering Inuoka with affection. "He really missed you."

"I've missed you both as well!" Inuoka admitted, his face turning a bright shade of red. Realizing he might have revealed too much, he quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right, a new café opened up nearby. It's a dog café, where you can bring your own dog and enjoy cakes. They make them for humans and dogs!"

"That sounds so nice!" (y/n) exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Kenta would love a puppy cake!"

As if on cue, Kenta let out a little bark in agreement, as if confirming his interest in the delightful treat.

"We should have time to go there after the joint practice, if you want to," Inuoka offered, hoping that (Y/n) would accept his invitation.

"I would love that!" (y/n) beamed, touched by Inuoka's thoughtfulness. "And Kenta would love it too!"

As the practice was about to start, (y/n) heard her brother's voice shouting instructions to the Karasuno members. She knew it was time to focus on the task at hand, but she couldn't help but feel grateful for the moments she spent with Inuoka and the chance to catch up.

"I should go and help out. See you after practice!" (y/n) waved goodbye to Inuoka, and Kenta followed behind her obediently.

What she didn't see was Inuoka doing a small victory dance in his mind. He had scored some alone time with (y/n), and that made him feel over the moon. Kenta was always the perfect excuse to hang out with (y/n), and Inuoka cherished every moment they spent together.

Once (y/n) made her way over to stand beside her brother, the Karasuno boys were already in the midst of their warm-up. Tsukishima seemed to be torn between focusing on his own team's practice and stealing glances at the Nekoma team.

"He seems to be really taking your advice to heart," (y/n) remarked, her eyes following Tsukishima's gaze.

Keishin glanced in the direction she was looking. "Kuroo is the best example when it comes to blocking," he explained. "I'm glad he's considering joining their extra practice. It'll be great for his growth."

"I'm going to join too," (y/n) stated with determination. "I want to see for myself how they practice and learn more about their techniques."

"Sounds like a plan," Keishin nodded approvingly. "But remember, try not to annoy Tsukishima too much with your usual bickering. You two are always at each other's throats."

"He's the one who patronizes me all the time!" (y/n) protested with a playful pout.

"And you always fight back," Keishin teased. "It's like a never-ending sibling rivalry."

"That's what Gramps taught me!" (y/n) defended herself with a grin, recalling the good-natured bantering she used to engage in with her grandfather.

Keishin chuckled. "Well, when it comes to Tsukishima's improvement, does the arguing actually help?"

(Y/n) paused for a moment, considering the question. "I guess not," she admitted with a sigh. "Maybe I should try to tone it down when it's about his growth and improvement."

"I think he secretly enjoys arguing with you," Keishin chuckled. "But you're right; when it comes to his development as a player, it might be best to let him do it at his own pace."

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind," (y/n) agreed, feeling grateful for her brother's coach and his insight. "I just want him to realize how much potential he has."

"He'll figure it out," Keishin reassured her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You've both come so far, and I'm proud of the players you've become."

(y/n) smiled at her brother's coach, appreciating the support he had always shown her and Tsukishima. She turned her attention back to the court, where her teammates were giving their all in the warm-up. Seeing their dedication and growth, she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in her heart.

As the practice match began, the atmosphere in the gymnasium became charged with energy and anticipation. The players from both teams pushed themselves to their limits, each showcasing their unique skills and strategies.

(Y/n) observed Tsukishima closely during the match, noticing how he was applying the advice she had given him earlier. She saw him timing his blocks better, anticipating the opponent's moves, and staying focused on the game. It was evident that he was growing as a player, and it filled her with a sense of joy and pride.

During a break, (y/n) took a moment to approach Tsukishima. "Hey, you're doing great out there," she complimented, a genuine smile on her face.

Tsukishima glanced at her, looking slightly surprised by the praise. "Thanks," he mumbled, trying to hide the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips.

As the practice continued, (y/n) couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for Tsukishima's growth. She knew that he had his own path to follow, but she was glad that he was starting to believe in his potential as a blocker.

After the joined practice was over, (y/n) eagerly made her way over to the Nekoma team, feeling excited to catch up with her friends from the rival school.

"Hey, Kenma!" (y/n) waved at the second year with a bright smile. "Did you enjoy practice?"

Kenma looked up from his handheld game console and nodded. "I'm glad it's finally over, and I can continue my game," he replied in his usual calm tone. "Playing something new?"

"Replaying at a harder difficulty," Kenma explained. "If I die, it's really game over."

"That sounds way too stressful for me!" (y/n) laughed. "I prefer more casual gaming."

"It's a fun challenge," Kenma said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Like playing volleyball against Karasuno?" (y/n) winked mischievously.

Kenma tilted his head, considering her words. "Maybe," he replied. "But only when it's a real match."

"That will happen soon!" (y/n) said with determination. "I'm looking forward to facing Nekoma in a proper match."

"I'm looking forward to it too," Kenma admitted softly.

"Kitten!" Kuroo suddenly appeared, wrapping his arm around (y/n) playfully. "Why didn't you come greet me sooner? I missed you!"

"Different priorities," (y/n) shrugged, gently extricating herself from his playful grasp.

"Aww, that's hurtful," Kuroo pouted. "You'll be joining our extra practice later, right, Kitten?"

"Of course!" (y/n) affirmed. "Bokuto-senpai already asked me, and I'm excited to join you guys."

"So, you already talked to the owl, but not to me," Kuroo sighed dramatically. "Truly hurtful, Kitten."

Before (y/n) could respond, Inuoka joined the conversation, a bright smile on his face. "Ready to go?" he asked (y/n).

"Yeah! Let's go!" (y/n) replied with enthusiasm. "Bye, Kenma! Bye, Kuroo-senpai!"

As (y/n) and Inuoka walked away, Kuroo let out a melodramatic sigh, putting a hand over his heart. "This is so unfair," he whined to Kenma, who simply rolled his eyes in response. "Everyone's getting her attention except for me."

...

As (y/n) and Inuoka walked into the cafe, the enticing aroma of freshly baked cakes greeted them. Kenta's nose twitched with excitement, and he let out a happy bark, clearly eager to indulge in some delicious treats. (Y/n) couldn't help but smile, knowing how much joy food brought to her adorable companion.

"We can sit over there," Inuoka suggested, gesturing towards a cozy corner with a view of the bustling cafe.

The three of them settled at the table, and as they perused the menu, (y/n) was delighted to see that the cafe had an array of special cakes made especially for dogs. It was heartwarming to see that Inuoka had thoughtfully chosen a place where Kenta could enjoy the experience as much as they did.

"Look, Kenta, they have cakes just for you!" (y/n) said with excitement, pointing at the dog-friendly options.

Kenta's tail wagged furiously, and he looked up at (y/n) with his big, pleading eyes. It was clear that he was thrilled about the prospect of trying out the delectable dog cakes.

"You've got to try these!" Inuoka chuckled, reaching out to pet Kenta. "I heard they're quite popular among the furry customers."

The waiter soon arrived with a plate of dog-friendly cakes, and Kenta couldn't contain his excitement. He eagerly devoured the treat, his tail still wagging with joy. (Y/n) and Inuoka shared a laugh at Kenta's enthusiasm, finding his delight infectious.

As they enjoyed their own cakes, savoring every bite, they chatted about their day and the upcoming matches with a shared sense of anticipation. Inuoka shared some insights about Nekoma's strategy and how they planned to face Karasuno in the upcoming practice match.

"You guys have really improved," (y/n) said with admiration. "I can tell that you've been putting in a lot of effort."

"Thanks," Inuoka replied with a smile. "We're working hard to make Nekoma even stronger."

"I have no doubt that you'll give us a tough match," (y/n) said, her competitive spirit shining through.

After finishing their delicious treats and paying the bill, they stepped out of the cafe, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over Tokyo. (Y/n) and Inuoka strolled together, feeling happy and content in each other's company.

"You know, Kenta seemed to really enjoy the dog cakes," (y/n) remarked.

"He sure did," Inuoka chuckled. "I'm glad he liked them."

"Next time I visit Tokyo, we should come back here," (y/n) suggested, feeling grateful for the wonderful experience.

"I'd love that," Inuoka agreed with a nod. "It's the perfect spot for a sweet afternoon with our furry friend."

As they made their way back, they continued chatting about the upcoming matches and their training plans. Inuoka shared some of the new drills they were incorporating into their practice, and (y/n) was excited to try them out with her own team.

As the sun began to set, (y/n) and Inuoka bid farewell, promising to meet up again soon for another enjoyable day together. They parted ways with smiles on their faces, knowing that they had forged a strong bond not just as volleyball players but also as friends who shared a love for the sport and the joy of having Kenta in their lives.