A practice match between Karasuno and Nekoma was held. When Y/N, a first year and a new and calm manager of Karasuno, arrived, she drew Kuroo's attention with her unique presence. It was clear the the match was more than just a practice for Kuroo. T...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The training camp was in full swing, and Karasuno felt the pressure mounting. They had lost several practice matches, and each defeat meant more dives and grueling runs up the hill behind the gym. Spirits were high, but the exhaustion was beginning to show. Y/N, however, remained steadfast in her role, managing the team with a calm and composed demeanor alongside Shimizu. Her quiet confidence set the tone for her interactions, even as she became more familiar with the other managers at the camp: Yukie and Kaori from Fukurodani, Eri from Ubugawa, and Mako from Shinzen.
Despite her reserved nature, Y/N quickly became a subject of playful teasing among the other managers. They would nudge her during breaks, asking her about Kuroo, who seemed to be spending a lot of time around her. But no matter how much they teased, Y/N's cool exterior never wavered. She would simply give a small smile or a shrug, never giving them the reaction they were hoping for.
Meanwhile, Kuroo wasn't having as easy a time. His teammates, particularly Bokuto, had noticed how often he seemed to gravitate toward Y/N. It didn't help that Kenma, with his sharp observation skills, would drop sly comments that left Kuroo flustered. The teasing got worse with every passing day, especially when Bokuto and the others joined in, making Kuroo's embarrassment all the more evident.
"Come on, Kuroo! You're always so smooth with the ladies. Why are you blushing now?" Bokuto would holler, making Kuroo groan and try to deflect the attention.
Kenma, never one to let an opportunity pass, would add in his usual deadpan, "You're thinking about her again, aren't you?"
Kuroo would deny it, of course, but his protests only fueled their teasing. It was clear to everyone that Kuroo had developed a genuine interest in Y/N, even if he wasn't ready to fully admit it to himself yet.
One evening, after a particularly intense day of training, Y/N found herself wandering the campgrounds. The sky was dark, stars scattered across the night, and the air was cool—perfect for a quiet walk to clear her mind. As she strolled past one of the gyms, she noticed that the lights were still on. Curious, she peeked inside and saw Kuroo, Bokuto, Hinata, Akaashi, Tsukishima, and Lev on the court, engaged in a late-night practice session.
Kuroo was the first to spot her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise before a small smile tugged at his lips. "Y/N? What are you doing here?" he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the large, empty gym.
"I was just walking around," Y/N replied, her tone as calm as ever. Her eyes scanned the court, taking in the sight of the players. "What about you guys?"
"We're getting in some extra practice," Bokuto replied with his usual enthusiasm. He suddenly brightened, as if struck by a brilliant idea. "Hey, Y/N! You should join us! We know you're good at volleyball."
Y/N hesitated, her mind momentarily drifting back to her middle school days when volleyball was more than just a game for her. She had left that part of her life behind, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to revisit it. But before she could decline, Kuroo stepped in.
"It's okay if you don't want to," Kuroo said, trying to sound nonchalant. "We're just messing around."
Y/N glanced at him, then back at the court where the others were watching her expectantly. Finally, after a moment of contemplation, she nodded. "Alright," she said, her voice steady. "I'll join in."
The group quickly divided into teams. Hinata, Bokuto, and Akaashi teamed up on one side, while Kuroo, Tsukishima, and Y/N formed the other. Lev, still struggling with the basics, was assigned to keep score, a role he accepted with a bit of reluctance.
As the match began, Y/N's demeanor shifted from casual to focused. Her movements were fluid and precise, her spikes sharp, and her blocks nearly impenetrable. Kuroo found himself impressed, though he also had to push himself to keep up with the pace she was setting.
"Nice spike, Y/N!" Kuroo called out after she delivered a particularly powerful hit, sending the ball straight into the opposing court.
Y/N simply nodded in acknowledgment, her expression unwavering. Tsukishima, who rarely showed emotion on the court, even gave her an approving nod after she set him up for a successful block.
The match was intense, with both teams giving their all. Despite the competitive spirit, Y/N's team had the upper hand, thanks to her calculated plays and sharp reflexes. They managed to win the match, leaving the others impressed by her skills.
As the final point was scored, Bokuto, ever the enthusiastic one, threw his hands in the air. "Y/N, you're amazing! Seriously, how come you're not playing anymore?"
Y/N shrugged, her cool exterior firmly in place. "I've had my time with it," she replied, not wanting to delve into the details of her past.
Before the conversation could continue, the gym doors opened, and Yukie and Kaori from Fukurodani walked in. "Hey, you guys! Dinner's ready," Yukie called out. "If you don't hurry, there might not be anything left!"
The group quickly began to wrap up, grabbing their things and making their way out of the gym. As they walked, Y/N found herself next to Kuroo. The night air was refreshing after the heat of the gym, and the camp was quiet, save for the sounds of their footsteps on the gravel path.
Kuroo glanced at Y/N, his thoughts swirling with a mix of admiration and curiosity. He had known she was talented, but seeing her in action had left him even more intrigued. There was something about the way she carried herself—so calm, so composed—that drew him in.
"So," Kuroo began, trying to keep his tone light, "you really know how to hold your own on the court."
Y/N turned her head slightly to look at him. "Thanks," she replied simply, her voice as cool as ever.
They continued walking in a comfortable silence, with Kuroo occasionally stealing glances at her. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her mind. Was she thinking about the game? About the camp? Or was she, perhaps, thinking about him? The thought made him smile, but he quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to get ahead of himself.
As they approached the cafeteria, the sounds of laughter and chatter from the other teams greeted them. The group dispersed, everyone heading inside to grab their food. Kuroo and Y/N entered last, finding a spot at the table where their teams were already digging in.
As Kuroo sat down next to his teammates, he couldn't help but glance over at Y/N, who was quietly eating her meal. Despite her calm exterior, there was something about her that captivated him. Maybe it was the mystery surrounding her, or the way she managed to stay so composed even in the midst of chaos. Whatever it was, Kuroo knew that this training camp was going to be different—more interesting—with her around.
And as the night went on, with conversations and laughter filling the air, Kuroo found himself looking forward to the days ahead, eager to see what else he could learn about Y/N.
