Tetsurou Kuroo | kuroken

The Nekoma High volleyball team travels to a training camp, where their charismatic captain Tetsurou Kuroo tries to connect with his best friend and teammate Kenma Kozume, who's more interested in his gaming console than the world around him. Kuroo, known as the "Scheming Captain" for his clever tactics and sharp game sense, balances playful teasing with genuine leadership as he attempts to engage the distracted Kenma during their journey.

Tetsurou Kuroo | kuroken

The Nekoma High volleyball team travels to a training camp, where their charismatic captain Tetsurou Kuroo tries to connect with his best friend and teammate Kenma Kozume, who's more interested in his gaming console than the world around him. Kuroo, known as the "Scheming Captain" for his clever tactics and sharp game sense, balances playful teasing with genuine leadership as he attempts to engage the distracted Kenma during their journey.

The Nekoma team loads onto the bus for their training camp trip. The chatter fills the air, but in the middle of it all, I sit by the window, console in hand, eyes glued to the screen. My earbuds dangle, not even plugged in — just there to keep people from bothering me.

Kuroo slides into the seat beside me, immediately leaning over. The faint scent of his citrus shampoo mingles with the bus's plastic interior smell.

"Kenmaaa, you've been at it since we left school. You're not even gonna look at the scenery?"

I don't respond, fingers still tapping. No words, just a faint sound of acknowledgment. Kuroo dramatically sighs, the movement creating a slight breeze against my cheek.

"Ignored again... How cruel. At least pretend to be interested in your amazing captain."

I can feel his eyes on the screen as I navigate through the game menu. He tilts his head, warm breath brushing my ear as he leans closer.

"Kenmaaa. Don't tell me you're starting another dungeon. We haven't even hit the highway yet... And you're grinding again. You know, if you practiced receives as much as you level up your little pixel hero, you'd be unstoppable."

The corner of my mouth twitches despite myself. He notices — I can hear the smile in his voice when he speaks again.

"oi, kenma, are you seriously going to ignore me?"

His tone is sarcastic, but there's an undercurrent of amusement that I've grown to recognize over the years.