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It was a known fact that Shirabu never missed morning practice.
Hence the team's shared confusion at his absence.
'You're wondering where Shirabu is, aren't you?' Satori asked, poking Semi's side.
Semi shrugged him off. 'More like I'm wondering how he'll survive Coach Washijou's wrath once he arrives.'
Satori hummed, pointing to the entrance once an auburn haired middle blocker stepped in. 'Well, there's his partner in crime if you want to ask.'
No matter how much he wanted to deny it, Semi was curious. Concerned, even. Semi was also never one to ignore his own thoughts. Kawanishi looked up as Semi made his way over.
'Shirabu's tutoring a foreign student,' Kawanishi stated before Semi could even ask.
'Oh, reallyyy? Coach Washijou's not going to like that,' Satori drawled, looking mildly intrigued.
'He can't do anything about it,' Kawanishi responded, sounding a little smug. 'Our teacher requested for Shirabu specifically, but he'll be participating in practice after school, of course.'
Granted, their strict coach looked even grumpier than usual, proven when he barked at a startled Semi.
'Semi! Get your backside on court after warming up. We'll be doing spiking drills.'
'Yes, coach,' Semi nodded, excitement thrumming in his chest as he set off on a lap. Practice ensued as usual, with the occasional killer spike from Wakatoshi, earning a barely noticeable nod of approval from their coach, followed by an eager challenge by Goshiki, and Satori enthusiastically shutting down most of his attempts.
As much as Semi enjoyed the familiarity of setting to his teammates again, a strange part of him wasn't used to the lack of snarky remarks or snappy retorts whenever he offered up advice.
Semi concluded that he had simply grown used to expecting Shirabu's attitude, and that his absence was hindering their team's tenacity. Nothing more.
There was no doubt about it; she was stunning.
Everything from the playful glint in her emerald eyes, to her luscious deep brown curls. Even the dusting of freckles across her tanned skin added to her charm.
'Hello, do you know where Shirabu is?' the pretty girl asked, clumsily stumbling over her words.
Clearly, she was new to the language.
Luckily, Semi had always been a natural when it came to linguistics.
'He is your tutor, right? Shirabu is still in the gymnasium, but I can accompany you there,' Semi offered, switching to English as best as he could.
The girl brightened as he finished. 'I'm relieved that you can speak English. My Japanese is really bad.'
'I have heard that my language is pretty difficult to learn,' Semi responded truthfully. 'Especially as a second language.'
'Third, actually. I was born and raised in Spain,' she grinned and gave a peace sign. Her cheeks were dimpled. 'Also, I would love if you could show me to the gymnasium.'
Semi returned her easygoing smile. He decided that he liked her. She had an infectious bubbly personality. 'Follow me. I'm Semi Eita, by the way.'
'Wow. It sounds like your name was made for fame. Do you happen to like music?'
Semi's eyebrows rose in surprise. 'Yeah, I like to play the guitar.'
The girl held up a fist. 'I'm a drummer. We should start a band, sometime. My name's Melissa.'
Semi bumped his fist against hers. 'Nice to meet you.'
'Same here,' Melissa gave a toothy grin, and looped her arm through Semi's. 'Is this good with you?'
Semi nodded.
'Nice. I know that Shirabu's not touchy, so I've started checking in with everyone now,' Melissa explained.
'Oh.'
Semi didn't know how to feel about her thoughtful consideration.
Shirabu's sharp gaze fell between their linked arms.
'Sorry, I'm late. I got a little lost,' Melissa said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head with her free hand. 'Luckily, Semi-san was able to show me the way here.'
Shirabu narrowed his eyes. 'You two know each other?'
'We just met. His English is really good,' the girl exclaimed, and Semi felt his ears burn at the compliment.
'Thanks,' Semi said. Was it just him or did Shirabu's glare intensify?
'Is that so? Maybe he can come tutor you,' Shirabu replied. His tone was clipped, making Semi frown. He understood that Shirabu's rudeness wasn't reserved solely for their teammates, but Melissa hadn't done anything remotely annoying.
Melissa, on the other hand, was completely oblivious. 'That'd be a great idea! But, obviously, nobody could ever replace you. Should we go?'
Shirabu nodded curtly, and the dark haired girl unhooked her arm from Semi's, waving goodbye enthusiastically.
'I'll see you later!' she called out cheerfully, and Semi returned her grin. He didn't notice Shirabu's scowl.
Semi wasn't spying. He was simply looking for a useful book on music theory from his academy's library, and Shirabu just happened to be tutoring there.
He whirled around as he heard a lighthearted laugh.
Melissa was smiling with dimpled cheeks, leaning closer to Shirabu over the textbook laying on the table.
Semi's legs were moving before he could think.
'Oh, Eita! I didn't think we'd see you here,' Melissa grinned, and Semi tried to smile back.
'Yeah. It's almost as if pestering me during volleyball practice isn't enough for you,' Shirabu quipped dryly, earning a slight frown from Melissa.
'Hey, shouldn't you show more respect to your upperclassmen?'
Semi smirked. 'Exactly, Shirabu. Personally, I think Melissa should start tutoring you on your manners.'
Melissa snorted as Shirabu rolled his eyes. 'Oh, I'm definitely polite. Just not to you.'
'You're such a little brat,' Semi countered, his frustration increasing. 'I'm guessing this is why you suck up to Wakatoshi?'
'We need him to win games. That's why he's on the starting line up,' Shirabu shot back.
'How come you're so bold outside the court, but once you're in the game, you act so submissive?' Semi challenged.
Shirabu matched his glare with equal ferocity. 'It's all about winning. Unlike you, I care more about results than showing off.'
'Speaking of results, can we get back to chemistry? My last test results were,' Melissa shuddered. 'Atrocious, to say the least.'
Semi blinked, somewhat disappointed at this interruption. Dimly, he wondered what he'd even been trying to accomplish here. Maybe Semi just enjoyed the thrill of riling Shirabu up, and judging by the younger boy's scowl, he had succeeded.
'Well then, I'll leave you guys to it,' Semi stretched in his seat, oblivious to the way Shirabu's gaze followed how his shirt rose up. 'Have fun struggling with chemistry.'
'We'll have plenty once you leave,' Shirabu retorted, and Semi rolled his eyes.
He felt minimally lighter as he left the library.
After finishing up extra serving practice, and tidying away as best as he could, Semi was surprised to find Shirabu lingering by the changing rooms.
'Shirabu? What are you still doing here?'
Semi dragged a hand across his forehead, wiping away rivulets of sweat. Shirabu glanced away.
'I was waiting for you. There's something I need to ask,' Shirabu responded cryptically, and Semi's brows rose.
'Oh. I'll be finished up soon enough,' Semi gave a smile, and Shirabu murmured something about waiting outside the gymnasium.
'I think it'll be best if I ask bluntly,' Shirabu started, his breath creating a silver cloud in the night air.
Semi gave a shrug, hands resting loosely in his pockets. 'Alright then. Shoot.'
He inhaled sharply.
'Are you jealous of me?'
Semi blinked, obviously taken aback. 'What?'
Shirabu continued, clearly not planning on stopping anytime soon.
'Every single time I'm tutoring Melissa, you scowl at me. Hell, every time she waves at me, you act all pissed. It's getting annoying,' Shirabu spat.
What? 'Wait, I don't-' Semi began to splutter, but Shirabu kept going.
'I get that she's gorgeous and charming, but I think you're acting immaturely. It's even affecting the team dynamic.'
Oh my god. Semi's mind was racing to keep up with Shirabu's words.
'Shirabu!'
Semi let his hands fall onto Shirabu's shoulders, which were inexplicably tense. The contact must've worked, since Shirabu finally paused.
The words spilled out before Semi could stop them.
'I'm not jealous of you. I'm jealous of her.'
Shirabu blinked rapidly, and Semi could almost see the cogs turning in his head.
Then the tawny haired boy frowned, and Semi instantly regretted his outburst.
'Shit, why would I tell you that? Ah, that's sort of embarrassing,' Semi laughed humourlessly under his breath, releasing his grip on Shirabu. 'Forget I said anything.'
Shirabu latched onto Semi's wrist.
'No.'
Semi considered yanking his arm away from Shirabu's grasp, but the younger boy kept talking.
'I hate how you blush whenever Melissa compliments you. I hate how you come over whenever you hear her laugh,' Shirabu admitted, his caramel eyes glinting beneath the streetlights.
What?
'I'm accusing you of being jealous, when I'm actually the jealous one. It just took me until now to realise,' Shirabu mumbled the last part, finally releasing his grasp.
Semi's mind went blank.
'Oh my god.' Semi dropped his face into his hands. He was aware that Shirabu would've been worried if it hadn't been for his burning ears. 'You like me?'
'I know. I'm just as surprised,' Shirabu responded, swiftly dodging a quick jab to the ribs.
'Oh my god,' Semi repeated with a breathy laugh, before crashing into Shirabu with a tight hug.
Shirabu stiffened, but Semi pulled away just as quickly as he'd drawn close.
'You're such a rude brat. Sometimes, I wonder why I even like you,' Semi sighed out so fondly that Shirabu could barely pick out the insults.
'Who else could match your prideful banter?' Shirabu asked with a smirk.
Semi ruffled his silky bangs affectionately. 'You're so uncute.'
'But you love me.'
Semi laughed through his nose. 'Yeah. I do.'