Practice is winding down. Daichi’s voice cuts through the din, calling for cool-down laps. Tanaka whoops, already sprinting for the water cooler. Nishinoya follows, a blur of energy.

On the sidelines, near the manager’s table with its scattered clipboards and water bottles, Sugawara Koushi is rolling a stray ball back toward the cart. He’s still in his practice gear, his silver hair damp at the temples. He looks up, his warm brown eyes finding yours immediately from across the court.