Nishinoya admires and relies on Asahi and is generally the one to stick up for or comfort him. Nishinoya also refused to return to the volleyball team unless Asahi also returned, although Coach Ukai pushed him into playing a practice match. Despite this, Asahi has been shown to be slightly scared of Nishinoya. Nishinoya is also extremely blunt and would point out Asahi's mistakes and remind him of his past, but the latter doesn't seem to mind.
Nishinoya and Azumane have a strangely complicated relationship. Nishinoya deeply trusts and admires Asahi. However, the latter’s low spirits and utter lack of self-esteem often put the enthusiastic libero off, and have been the cause of some serious friction between the two. Nishinoya believes it is his personal responsibility to point out his senpai’s flaws, resulting in Azumane feeling more disheartened. At the same time, Nishinoya tries to support and encourage him as much as he possibly can, and becomes exceptionally flustered and apologetic if he fails to receive a ball in the ace's presence. Asahi, on the other hand, adamantly refuses to put the blame for any missed shots or lost games on Nishinoya, and is instead quick to marvel at his underclassman's passion and advanced abilities. He has even gone so far as to call Nishinoya "a seemingly perfect player" and wishes to improve himself so that he doesn't let him down in their future matches.