Secret Message - SemiShira

19

Shirabu's Pov

- Flashback

It was my first year at Shiratorizawa, and I was excited to join the volleyball team. Little did I know that I would encounter Mori, a second-year student who would soon become a thorn in my side

Mori was known for his volleyball skills, but he was also infamous for his harsh and demeaning attitude, especially towards first-years like me

From the moment I stepped onto the court, he singled me out."Hey crooked bangs, why can't you set properly? Your sets are so bad, even the coach could do better with his broken-ass back,"

Mori sneered as he pushed me against the wall "You need to learn if you want to go somewhere one day; you're letting down this team."

I felt helpless, unable to defend myself. This torment continued for weeks, and I grew increasingly fearful of Mori

Then one day, someone unexpected came to my rescue: Semi Eita, another second-year student like Mori but with a starkly different personality.

"Mori, stop bullying the first years. What's your issue?" Eita intervened, pulling Mori away from me. "You're their sempai; act like one."

Mori scoffed and shoved Eita with his shoulder before walking away without a word.

Eita turned to me, offering a sympathetic smile. "Are you okay? Sorry about Mori; he's always like that."

I met Semi's eyes and managed a faint smile. "Yes, thank you."

"Listen, Kenjirou, don't listen to Mori," Tendou chimed in, coming to my defence. "If you were actually a terrible setter, you wouldn't be here."

"He's right. One day, you'll probably take my place," Semi added with a chuckle. "Just kidding, of course; no one can replace me."

Their words reassured me, and I realized that I shouldn't let Mori's bullying affect me. He was just an annoyance, and I could choose to ignore him

However, ignoring Mori became increasingly difficult as he seemed to intensify his focus on me. It was as though he had made it his mission to make my life miserable

"You gay piece of shit! What was that received? You play like a girl," Mori taunted me in front of the team. "Just because you can't get girls doesn't mean you should act like one. You know what? Stay away from me; I don't want to be around someone who hooks up with the same gender."

Mori's words cut deep, crossing a line that should never have been crossed. I ran out of the gym, not knowing what else to do.

Inside the changing room, I locked myself in a stall, feeling overwhelmed. Why had I let Mori's words affect me so much? I was usually stronger than this. But the way he treated me was beyond infuriating

Then, a soft knock on the stall door caught my attention."Shirabu? Are you in there?" It was Eita's voice.

I didn't respond immediately, unsure of what to say. "Yeah," I finally managed to say.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Mori. I know it means nothing coming from me, but I wanted to tell you anyway." Eita's voice was filled with genuine concern.

I opened the stall door and saw Semi standing outside, his eyes fixed on mine."Are you okay?" It was the first thing he asked.

I attempted to smile. "Um, yeah."

"That's good then. I didn't want the coach to start yelling at us again for causing a fight," Semi said with a sigh of relief.

"Nothing happened; I just needed some time away," I replied.

We didn't talk for a while, but then Semi suggested something unexpected. "Do you want to play a prank on Mori?"

I was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"Let's play a prank on Mori to get back at him for what he did," Semi proposed

"For me?" I asked.

"Yeah, well no, but he does bully other first years, so for all of you guys," Semi clarified.

"What will we do?" I inquired.

"What do you want to do?" Semi asked in return.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Weren't you the one who offered this? Why don't you pick a prank?" I added

"Right, right, okay," Semi said, thinking for a moment. Then, he seemed to have an idea.

However, what he suggested next took me completely by surprise. "Kiss me."

I stared at him in shock. "What?"

"Kiss me!" Semi urged, his voice firm

"Why?" I stammered

Semi placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in, his lip close to mine, but not quite touching.

I was taken aback but didn't move away. It was then that I heard Mori's voice approaching. "Eita! Eita, what the hell?"

Semi didn't pull back, and I realized what he was doing: creating a diversion to get back at Mori

"Eita!" Mori yelled, pulling Semi away from me. "What are you doing with him?"

"I'm kissing him? Isn't that obvious?" Semi replied, raising an eyebrow at Mori.

"Why are you kissing him?" Mori looked disgusted.

"Cuz he looked cute, and I wanted to," Semi stated matter-of-factly as if it were the most normal thing in the world

"Can you leave us alone now? Shoo." He dismissed Mori with a wave of his hand

"Fucking hell." Mori chuckled. "What would your parents think of this?"

Semi froze, something in him just switched. "I trust you not to," he replied in a stern voice.

"I hope you make the right choice," Mori muttered before walking away

I was speechless at the audacity of what I had just witnessed

Semi turned to me. "I'm so sorry," he apologized, running a hand through his hair. "I saw him and thought it was the perfect thing to trigger him."

I tried to smile, still processing what had just happened. "Oh, um, it's fine."

"Fine?" Semi looked surprised.

"What? I didn't mean it like that." My voice was clearer now. "I was just saying I'll let you off for trying to kiss me."

Semi chuckled. "Oh, alright."

"Get out of my stall; I need to get changed," I pushed Semi carefully

"But we still have practice," Semi pointed out.

"Just tell the team I'm not feeling well," I suggested.

Semi stepped back. "Don't miss too many practices."

"I won't," I assured him.

******

I couldn't escape the relentless bullying from Mori. It had been two months since I joined the volleyball team, and instead of improving, things were only getting worse.

The constant harassment from Mori made me contemplate quitting the team altogether. Every practice session was a nightmare. Mori's taunts and insults were relentless. He mocked my skills, my appearance, and my sexuality without mercy

I tried my best to ignore him, to focus on improving my game, but his words cut deep, leaving scars that no amount of training could heal

I considered quitting the team several times, but something kept me going. Perhaps it was the support of my other teammates, like Semi and Tendou, who stood up for me whenever they could. Or maybe it was my own determination not to let Mori win. I refused to give him the satisfaction of driving me away

As the weeks passed, I began to notice a change in the team dynamics. The other players grew tired of Mori's behaviour and started to distance themselves from him. The coach, too, had taken notice of the toxic atmosphere within the team and had several discussions with Mori

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