The team spilled out like a tidal wave of mismatched energy—Hinata's orange head bobbing like a buoy in a storm, Tanaka's shaved head gleaming under the streetlights, Nishinoya somersaulting past them both for no reason at all. They were loud, they were obnoxious, and they were completely, blissfully unaware of the world outside their own sweaty bubble.

It was a simple question. A harmless question. The kind of question that usually preceded introductions, handshakes, and the normal expansion of a social circle.

He shoved his phone into his pocket—missed twice before actually getting it in—and straightened his posture like a soldier caught slacking off during inspection. The transformation was so jarring, so completely out of character, that Sugawara Koushi actually stopped mid-step and blinked.