-A Little Help- (KuroKen)

12

-Slight mention of self harm-

(Kenmas POV)

1 week went by since I was supposed to quit the volleyball team. Let's just say the third years weren't happy when I came to afternoon practice that day, or morning practice the next day, or any practices after that. They never stopped their verbal teasing, but it has mostly stayed at that, nothing physical since the summer. I was thankful for that, I think Kuroo was scaring them away even though he was younger than them.

"Kuroo! Kenma!" Currently volleyball practice was coming to a close and Kuroo and I were about to head to the club room when Yamamoto and one of the other second years ran over to us. I didn't know the second year that well but Kuroo seemed to be good friends with him. He was short but very good as a libero. "Yaku and I were supposed to clean up the gym tonight but I have an english test tomorrow and I need Yaku to tutor me. Do you guys think you can clean for us? I promise that we will take your turn next time!" Yamamoto begged Kuroo while Yaku just kinda stopped next to him. I felt Yamamoto's pain, I'm not very good at english but then again I wasn't great in my Japanese literature class either. The only reason I do decently is because Kuroo helps me study before every test.

"Yeah." Kuroo sighed putting his water bottle on the group. "But you owe us one." Yamamoto celebrated his victory and rushed out of the gym. Yaku said thank you, waved, and then followed Yamamoto out. I also put my water bottle down and we began to retrieve the balls that had been hit to all corners of the gym. As we were cleaning I thought I saw something looking through the window but since I only saw it once I figured it must've been my imagination.

Finally everything was picked up and put away only leaving the mopping to be done. We were about to pull two mops out of the closet, making casual conversation while doing so, when the gym door slid open revealing someone I really wished it hadn't. One of the three third years peeked through the door, we locked eyes. Where there's one there two more somewhere else which is never good for me.

"Kuroo-kun!" Third year #1 called and waved at Kuroo who simply smiled and waved back. "Do you think you could help unlock the club room, the door seems to be jammed." The boy laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. Kuroo looked at me, then back at the boy. I didn't really want him to leave me because I knew what was about to come my way once he was gone. But then again I can't really tell him to stay with me, it's not like he'd believe me that these people he likes are awful humans.

"Kenma I promise I'll only be five minutes max, ok? Will you be ok?" He looked pretty scared to leave, you would almost guess that he was the one who would be getting bullied. I debated telling him to stay or asking to come with him but the third year boy gleamed at me as if warning me against it. I buckled under the pressure of his terrifying stare. I looked down at my shoes.

"I'll be ok." My voice was barely above a whisper but it made Kuroo smile.

"I promise I'll be back as quickly as I can." He patted my shoulder before running over to the boy waiting at the door. Yeah he promised but even Kuroo's promise wasn't strong enough to protect me from the two boys who are definitely roaming around somewhere. And surely enough as Kuroo and the third year left seconds later two others entered.

"I recall telling you to leave Kozume-kun." Third year #2 chuckled as he and third year #3 approached me. I never bothered to learn their names, I didn't want their names in my head, I barely wanted their faces in my head.

"Takao, don't you know cats don't understand Japanese." I backed up to the wall behind me pressing my back into it. Maybe I could phase through the wall, maybe I could escape from the two much taller boys in front of me. Their words were taunting.