The evening had settled in, casting a soft glow over the gymnasium as (y/n) stepped in to observe Tsukishima during the extra practice with Kuroo, Lev, Bokuto, and Akaashi. She quietly made her way to the bench beside the court, where she could get a clear view of the players.

Tsukishima stood a little apart from the others, watching Kuroo closely as he executed his moves. It was evident that he was trying to learn from the Nekoma captain, but (y/n) couldn't help but notice that he hadn't actively participated yet.

'Observing is good, but he really should be putting what he's learned into practice,' (y/n) thought with a hint of concern.

As if echoing her thoughts, Kuroo called out to Tsukishima, "Hey, Tsukki! How long are you gonna play spectator over there?"

Tsukishima mumbled an apology and finally stepped forward to join the others on the court.

'Perfect! Thanks, Kuroo-senpai!' (y/n) smiled, grateful for Kuroo's subtle nudge.

From her vantage point, (y/n) carefully observed the interactions and plays between the boys. Tsukishima seemed to be lost in thought, contemplating each move he made. It was evident that he was trying to implement the techniques he had learned, but there was a hint of hesitation in his movements.

'With enough practice, it will all become muscle memory...' (y/n) thought, remembering her own experiences in honing her skills.

Throughout the practice, Tsukishima showed signs of improvement. His blocks were becoming more precise, and he managed to fight against some of Bokuto's powerful spikes. However, it was also clear that he lacked confidence in his abilities.

'Building confidence in your own abilities takes time... He'll need some good experiences where he's able to fully block a spiker,' (y/n) reflected, knowing that belief in oneself was crucial for any player.

As the practice session drew to a close, the players gathered to clean up the equipment they had used. The gymnasium was filled with a mix of exhaustion and determination, a feeling that (y/n) knew all too well from her own practice sessions. She took a moment to observe each player as they wiped the sweat from their brows and exchanged congratulatory pats on the back.

"Did you enjoy watching, Kitten?" Kuroo's voice brought her attention back to the present. He had approached (y/n) without her noticing, and a playful smirk adorned his lips.

"I did actually," (y/n) confessed with a warm smile. "I'm glad to see Tsukishima trying to improve."

"I would rather have you watch me, Kitten," Kuroo replied, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Show something interesting then," (y/n) challenged with a playful glint in her eyes.

'Not this time! I'm not getting flustered!' (y/n) thought, refusing to show any sign of being flustered by Kuroo's teasing.

"Oh? Showing your claws?" Kuroo chuckled. "Alright, I'll take you up on that. I'll make sure that during our official match, you'll only have eyes for me."

"Make sure no other team beats you until then," (y/n) sighed playfully. "We better make that official match happen."

The atmosphere shifted from playful banter to a more serious tone. Both Kuroo and (y/n) shared the same burning desire to face each other in an official match. It wasn't just about their individual rivalry anymore; it was about proving the worth of their respective teams and showing how far they had come since their last match.

Before either of them could say anything else, the others had joined them, playfully interrupting the moment.

"Can't seem to leave me alone, can you, Munchkin-san?" Tsukishima smirked, addressing (y/n).

"Obviously, you're the only one who needs my help so much," (y/n) retorted with a playful grin.

"As if," Tsukishima rolled his eyes, pretending to be unbothered by (y/n)'s teasing. "You're just making excuses, Munchkin-san."

"Excuses or not, I know you're benefiting from my advice," (y/n) replied, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Lev, unable to contain his curiosity, chimed in, "You were actually watching me, weren't you, (y/n)-san? Can you tell how much I've improved since last time?"

"Of course, Lev," (y/n) chuckled. "I'm sure Yaku-senpai has worked hard on helping you improve your receives."

"A little too hard if you ask me," Lev mumbled quietly, as if he was afraid of Yaku overhearing him.

(Y/n) couldn't help but laugh at the tall teen. "You'll get used to it, Lev. Yaku-senpai just wants to make sure you reach your full potential."

Bokuto, who had been patiently waiting for his turn to join the conversation, couldn't contain his excitement any longer. "I was still the best today, right, (y/n)-san?"

"Your spikes are as impressive as ever, Bokuto-senpai," (y/n) replied, giving him an encouraging smile. "Your determination and energy are unmatched."

Bokuto beamed, clearly delighted by the praise. "Thanks, (y/n)-san! I'm gonna keep working hard so I can show even more amazing plays!"

"That's the spirit, Bokuto-senpai!" (y/n) said, feeling a genuine sense of admiration for his unwavering passion.

As they continued to banter and share light-hearted moments, the gymnasium was filled with a sense of camaraderie. Despite being fierce rivals on the court, there was a mutual understanding and respect among the players. They all shared the same love for the sport and the desire to push themselves to new heights.

After some more playful conversations and friendly farewells, all of them walked outside the gymnasium, only to be greeted by the cool embrace of the evening breeze. (Y/n) shivered as a gust of wind blew past, and she instinctively hugged herself in an attempt to get warmer. Just then, Akaashi stepped closer and gently wrapped his training jacket around her shoulders.

"Say, (y/n)-san, do you need some company walking back to your room?" he asked, his voice warm and considerate.

Feeling grateful for his gesture, (y/n) wrapped herself more in his jacket, offering a grateful smile. "I would like that, thank you, Akaashi-senpai."

As they both walked away, (y/n) didn't hear the grumbling from the others behind them. Akaashi either didn't hear it as well or didn't care about them.

They started walking side by side, and (y/n) found herself surprisingly at ease with Akaashi's presence. The two of them began chatting about school-related topics, and Akaashi displayed genuine interest in (y/n)'s classes and upcoming assignments. He listened attentively to everything she shared, making (y/n) feel heard and understood.

As they strolled through the dimly lit campus, (y/n) couldn't help but appreciate the peaceful ambiance. The silence was comfortable, and she felt an unexpected connection with Akaashi, as if they were old friends catching up after a long time apart.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, and (Y/n) found herself opening up more, sharing stories about her experiences as the assistant coach of the Karasuno team. Akaashi, in turn, spoke about his responsibilities with Fukurodani and the challenges they faced during their training sessions. The more they talked, the more they realized how similar their roles were and how much they had in common.

"I never knew being a coach could be so demanding, yet rewarding at the same time," (y/n) admitted, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Akaashi.

"I completely understand," Akaashi replied with a soft smile. "It requires dedication, but the bond you form with the players is irreplaceable."

As they approached the door to (y/n)'s room, she turned towards Akaashi with a grateful expression. "Thanks for walking with me."

"It was my pleasure," he softly smiled back. "It was nice talking with you, (y/n)-san."

"I enjoyed talking with you as well," (y/n)'s cheeks flushed slightly. "Goodnight, Akaashi-senpai."

"Goodnight, (y/n)-san," Akaashi replied with a warm glint in his eyes. "See you in the morning."

(Y/n) entered the room where all the managers were staying, and the girls were already fast asleep. She slipped into her bed, her mind filled with the events of the day and the unexpected connection she had formed with Akaashi.

Today was another day filled with excitement.