The following week arrived with a sense of anticipation. With the tournament drawing near, excitement buzzed through the halls of Karasuno High. It was hard to focus on my studies when I could hear the echoes of laughter and spirited discussions surrounding me.

"Are you ready for the tournament?" Yamaguchi asked me one day after class, as we walked to the gym for practice.

"I think so! But I have to admit, I'm a little nervous," I replied, biting my lip. "What if they don't do well? I mean, Daichi has been training so hard. I don't want him to feel let down."

Yamaguchi chuckled. "You worry too much! Daichi's a great captain, and the team has been looking strong. Just support him like you always do, and you'll be fine!"

I smiled at his encouragement, though the butterflies in my stomach didn't completely settle. The thought of the tournament loomed over me like a shadow.

When I arrived at the gym, the familiar sounds of volleyballs being spiked and sneakers squeaking against the polished floor greeted me. I spotted Daichi in the middle of a drill, his focus intense as he communicated with the team. I loved watching him in his element—his maturity and leadership radiated with every move he made.

"Hey!" I called out, waving as I approached.

He turned, his expression softening. "Hey, you made it just in time! We're about to go over some plays. Want to join us?"

"Of course!" I grinned, feeling a surge of energy. I settled onto the bleachers, grabbing my notebook to jot down some notes while I observed.

As the practice progressed, I couldn't help but be captivated by the dynamic between the players. Daichi was in full captain mode, motivating everyone while keeping the mood light with his playful banter. Whenever he caught my eye, he flashed me a smile that made my heart flutter.

After practice, I joined the team in the locker room, exchanging friendly banter and high-fives as we all cooled down. Tanaka and Nishinoya were still buzzing with excitement about their surprise for Daichi.

"Are you two still keeping it under wraps?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

"Absolutely! We want it to be a total surprise!" Nishinoya replied, grinning ear to ear.

"You guys are killing me with curiosity. Can you at least give me a hint?" I pleaded.

"Hmm...," Tanaka pondered, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It involves a special theme!"

"A theme? Now you've got me intrigued!" I exclaimed, my imagination running wild.

"Enough teasing! We need to focus on the tournament. No distractions!" Daichi called from the shower area, emerging with his hair damp and a towel around his neck. "What's going on?"

"Just plotting our next big surprise," Tanaka said casually, winking at me.

Daichi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, whatever it is, make sure it doesn't distract us from our game. We're in this to win!"

As the team wrapped up for the day, I decided to spend a little more time with Daichi before heading home. We made our way outside, enjoying the late afternoon sun.

"Are you feeling ready for the tournament?" I asked, glancing sideways at him.

"I am. But I'll be even more ready if you're there cheering for me," he replied, nudging my shoulder playfully.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said, my heart swelling with pride. "You're going to crush it out there."

"Thanks, I appreciate it. It means a lot to have your support," he said sincerely, his eyes softening as they met mine.

As we walked, I decided to bring up the surprise I had overheard earlier. "So, what do you think Tanaka and Nishinoya are planning? It must be something big if they're keeping it secret."

"I have no idea, but knowing those two, it's probably something ridiculous," Daichi chuckled. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be entertaining."

Just then, we heard a commotion coming from the direction of the school courtyard. Curious, we headed over to see what was happening. As we approached, I could see a large group of students gathered, and it was clear they were preparing for something.

"Looks like something's going on," I remarked, my curiosity piqued.

"Let's check it out," Daichi suggested, leading the way through the crowd.

As we reached the front, I gasped at what I saw. Tanaka and Nishinoya had transformed the courtyard into a mini carnival, complete with streamers, balloons, and a banner that read, "Good Luck, Karasuno!"

"Surprise!" Tanaka shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he waved his arms in excitement.

"Wow, this is amazing!" I exclaimed, taking in the festive atmosphere. Students were milling about, enjoying games and snacks that Nishinoya had set up.

Daichi stood in stunned silence, clearly surprised by the extravagant gesture. "You guys did all this?"

"Of course! We wanted to give the team a morale boost before the tournament," Nishinoya said proudly. "And who doesn't love a carnival?"

The team erupted into cheers, clearly touched by the effort. I watched as Daichi's face broke into a wide smile, the kind that lit up his entire demeanor.

"Thank you, guys. This means a lot," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.

As we all mingled, I found myself swept up in the excitement. I joined Daichi at one of the games—a ring toss—where he attempted to show off his skills, much to my amusement.

"Come on, Daichi, you've got this!" I cheered, clapping my hands as he tried to toss a ring onto a bottle.

After a few tries, he finally managed to land one. "Yes! Did you see that?" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in victory.

"Way to go, captain!" I teased, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek, earning a blush from him.

"Alright, alright, now it's your turn," he said, handing me the rings with a grin.

I took a deep breath and focused, determined to beat him. After a few attempts, I finally landed a ring. "Ha! Take that!" I laughed, throwing my hands in the air.

"Okay, I see how it is. You're going to be my rival now?" he teased back, his playful smirk sending butterflies through my stomach.

As the festivities continued, I watched as Tanaka and Nishinoya led the team in a series of fun games, laughter ringing through the air. It felt like a moment frozen in time—everyone was united, enjoying the spirit of camaraderie and support.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the courtyard, I felt a sense of warmth enveloping me. I looked over at Daichi, who was laughing with his teammates, his eyes sparkling with joy. In that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.

"Are you having fun?" he asked, sidling up next to me, his expression softening.

"More than I could've imagined," I replied, my heart full. "You deserve all this and more, Daichi."

He smiled, his sincerity shining through. "I just want to make sure everyone knows we can do this together. As a team."

As the celebration continued, I realized that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary. The tournament awaited us, and with Daichi by my side, I felt ready to tackle anything.