diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index 2094d3fd..de5b3d56 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@
 
 @utility stagger-item {
   opacity: 0;
-  animation: fadeIn 350ms var(--ease-out-smooth) forwards;
+  animation: fade-in-only 350ms var(--ease-out-smooth) forwards;
   animation-delay: calc(var(--stagger-index, 0) * 50ms);
 }
 
@@ -306,9 +306,15 @@
     }
   }
 
-  /* Staggered fade-in helper */
+  /* Staggered fade-in helper — uses opacity-only animation
+     so it doesn't block hover transforms via fill-mode */
   .fade-in {
-    animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease forwards;
+    animation: fade-in-only 0.3s ease forwards;
+  }
+
+  @keyframes fade-in-only {
+    from { opacity: 0; }
+    to { opacity: 1; }
   }
 }