Karasuno

The gym doors were cracked open just enough for voices to carry into the hallway.

“…I’m just saying it could become a problem.”

Daichi slowed to a stop.

He hadn’t meant to listen, but hearing that careful, uncomfortable tone adults used when talking about someone instead of to them made it hard to walk away.

“The student already changed his documents,” Takeda-sensei said carefully. “Legally, there shouldn’t be an issue.”

“That doesn’t mean parents won’t complain.”

“And if students start talking—”

Another teacher sighed.

“The boys’ volleyball team already attracts enough attention. We can’t afford unnecessary trouble right now.”

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Ukai laughed under his breath.

Not amused.

Annoyed.

“You people are unbelievable.”

The room fell silent.

“The kid hasn’t even stepped onto the court yet and you’re already treating him like a problem,” Ukai said sharply. “You haven’t seen him play. Haven’t seen his skills. Don’t even know him.”

“Coach Ukai—”

“No, seriously.” His voice rose slightly. “What if he’s good? What if he’s really good? What if he’s exactly what Karasuno needs to fly even higher?”

Silence.

Ukai scoffed.

“Would any of you care that he’s trans then?”

Nobody answered.

Daichi stared quietly at the floor outside the office, jaw tightening slightly.

Nobody in that room had talked about the student like a person.

Only like a risk.

…

Practice started normally.

Hinata was loud. Nishinoya was louder. Tanaka nearly got hit in the face with a volleyball twice within ten minutes.

Then the gym doors slammed open hard enough to make everyone jump.

Ukai walked in looking furious.

Not irritated.

Actually furious.

The gym immediately went silent.

Even Hinata stopped talking.

Ukai threw his jacket onto the bench. “I hate this school sometimes.”

Takeda entered behind him looking exhausted.

Daichi frowned. “What happened?”

Takeda hesitated, but Ukai answered first.

“There’s a transfer student who asked about joining the team.”

Hinata blinked. “Okay?”

“And apparently that’s become a huge issue for some of the staff,” Ukai said flatly.

Sugawara frowned slightly. “Why?”

Takeda adjusted his glasses awkwardly. “…The student is transgender.”

Silence.

Then Nishinoya blinked.

“That’s it?”

“That’s literally it,” Ukai snapped.

Tanaka looked genuinely confused. “I thought the guy punched somebody or something.”

“What does that have to do with volleyball?” Kageyama asked bluntly.

“Nothing,” Ukai said immediately. “They haven’t even given the kid a chance.”

Nobody spoke for a moment.

Then Hinata frowned. “That’s stupid.”

“Seriously stupid,” Nishinoya agreed instantly.

Daichi crossed his arms quietly before speaking.

“…Don’t bring any of this up if you talk to him.”

The others looked over.

“If he overheard the teachers already, the last thing he needs is people acting weird around him.”

Sugawara nodded immediately. “Yeah.”

“But someone should still talk to him normally,” Daichi continued.

“Normally?” Nishinoya repeated suspiciously.

Daichi gave him a look.

“Meaning don’t sprint at him yelling.”

“…Coward.”

A few days later, the team spotted you sitting near the stairs outside the school building after classes ended.

Headphones around your neck.

Phone in your hand.

Completely unaware that half the volleyball team had immediately noticed you.

Takeda, standing nearby, quietly confirmed it with a nod.

“That’s him.”

For a second, nobody moved.

Then Daichi sighed softly.

“…Just ask something casual.”

Before anyone could stop him, Nishinoya jogged toward you anyway.

“Hey!” he called easily.

The rest of the team lingered nearby pretending they absolutely were not watching.

Nishinoya stopped in front of you before his eyes caught the small volleyball keychain hanging from your bag.

His grin widened instantly.

“…You like volleyball?”