Work Text:
Promenade
A tranquil walk.
Autumn called for extra long practices afterschool, and even more one on one practices with Semi. Spring High was coming up after all, and Shiratorizawa had to remain undefeated. Not that Shirabu had any doubt about their victory, but Washijo was seriously working them to the bone.
Today was one of said practices, the “special setter time” as Tendou called it. (He had names for all designated position practice, including “magnificent middle moments”. His eccentric senior was certainly creative.) During the allotted time periods, he and Semi would work on the fundamentals, and occasionally work to improve certain techniques.
All for Shiratorizawa.
They had just concluded, but Shirabu had quite a bit on his mind. He had not performed as well as he could have, this fact frustrating him.
“Shirabu.” Semi waved a hand in his face. “You good?”
“Fine. Just some things on my mind.” He explained.
“I see, care to share?” Semi gave him a light smile. “I’m willing to listen if it’s bothering you.”
“It’s just stress with everything piling up, and my parents.” Shirabu huffed, pouting.
“Care to elaborate?”
“Schoolwork adding up, tests coming up, the stupid equestrian unit coming up, my parents just pressuring me into med school.” Shirabu counted down on his fingers, rolling his eyes. “Lots of things going up. Not my sanity though. That’s been going down.”
He flopped down onto the hardwood floor, exhaling dramatically. “My schedules not normally this flooded either. I think that’ why my parents are getting to me more than usual.”
“How so?” Semi asked, walking away. Shirabu watched as he dragged a ball cart over, before continuing.
“I should ‘focus more on my studies’ instead of spending time on volleyball.” Shirabu shook his head, emphasizing his parents words. “Direct all my efforts into something I can turn into a career, one that will make good money so I can provide for a family.”
“I get that. The quit volleyball part.” Semi agreed with his words. “The whole med school spiel though? Not so much. Must be tough with all that pressure.”
“It is.” He nodded, pushing himself into a sitting position. Semi began to work on his serves. “They put so much pressure on me, and for what? Sometimes it’s feels like they love my grades more than they love me.”
While he had said that in a joking matter, a dark part inside of him sometimes believed that. He knew his parents wanted what was best for him, but couldn’t they do that without basing his whole self worth on his grades?
Not that he could really talk though, he also based his self worth on his grades.
“That’s not good. They’re your parents. I think it’s just a thing with parents to be harsh on their own kids but I don’t think it’s the best way to raise a child.”
“I don’t really want to think about that right now though.” Shirabu pursed his lips. “I also do not want to think about the test I have next week.”
“Duly noted. No academics. My mouth is shut.” The setter made a motion with his hand, zipping up his mouth and seemingly throwing away the key.
“Easy for you to say. Both of us know you don’t base your grades on anything.”
“Ouch kid, so not cute. I care about my grades, just not obsessively.” The second year shrugged. “All I need is to pass. That’s all I need.”
Shirabu changed the subject. “I’m terrible with animals.”
“Hm?” Semi turned to look at him. “What do you mean?”
“They hate me. And I don’t like them. I don’t know them and they don’t know me, mutual understanding of discomfort.”
“I think that’s just you Shirabu.”
The brunette rolled his eyes again for what seemed to be the hundredth time that hour. Releasing all this peng up frustration felt good though, his tied up gut unwrenching. He continued to articulate his thoughts, occasionally raising his voice in irritation. His senpai gave him his honest thoughts every now and then, and he had to admit, when Semi wasn’t sounding pissed with him, he gave good advice.
A blaring smack of a volleyball caused him to jump, cutting his tirade short. From where he was sitting, he could feel the vibration in his legs from where the ball had hit the floor. Semi turned to him, carrying a puzzled expression.
“What else are they making you do? Your parents I mean.”
“How long do you intend on practicing serves again?” The brunette scrutinized his senior, who turned away with a kick in his step.
“I dunno, just a little more? Won’t hurt anyone, and bonus! I improve.” Semi rolled the ball around his hands, feeling it up. “Keep talking through, I am listening.”
Shirabu rolled his eyes, watching the way Semi followed the motions of his pregame routine. Two spins of the ball, tongue darting out to moisten his lips. Four, no, five steps before he jumped, slamming the ball hard over the net.
“Uh, to answer your question, they’re making me take more extra credit classes in third year, so I have no idea how I’m going to juggle that.” He curled his legs in on himself. “I get they want it for my future, but still!”
Semi paused, holding the ball and looking at it thoughtfully. “You wanna go for a walk?”
“Huh?”
“A walk, to clear your head.” Shirabu paused for a moment, deliberating. A walk to clear my head.
“Where?”
“I’ve got a place. Help me clean up?”
Walking around without showering first was not the most intelligent move Shirabu has ever made in his career. He felt gross, and the lingering summer heat still remained in the air. The two setters opted to remain in they’re practice attire, donning the purple shorts and black shirts as they walked around campus.
Semi led him out the back, where he was pleasantly surprised with a picturesque scene. Golden beams of light ricocheting off of the red maple leaves. The vibrant colours captured his view, red painting the lights a tiny warmer.
“Nice view, right?” Semi sighed, admiring it beside him. Shirabu nodded.
“It’s peaceful.”
Continuing to explore the campus of Shiratorizawa made Shirabu realize just how much he hasn’t really taken the time to become accustomed to it. Semi showed him a multitude of places that he wasn’t even aware existed at his school. He knew Shiratorizawa was large when he had first signed up, he had search it up. But there were some things in reality that you just wouldn’t find on a map.
Semi gave him a new view, a different perspective on the prestigious Shiratorizawa Academy. The second year gave him his own tour, all while listening to Shirabu continuing to let out his feelings. The brunette felt at ease.
“You said something about the equestrian unit coming up right? How about we spend some time with the horses?”
Semi bumped shoulders with him, and the two of them made their way towards the paddock. It was really hard to miss the paddock, it was one of the first things anyone really noticed about Shiratorizawa.
The stables had a variety of horses, and Semi introduced him to each one. One of them was particularly kind, bowing its head down to allow Shirabu to scratch its head easier. Semi handed him some hay, showing him how to feed it.
“It’s been a bit since my equestrian unit. Thankfully they still remember me.”
“I’d say you’re quite memorable Semi-san.”
Semi sniffed, rolling his eyes. “Maybe it’s my hair. I’m pretty sure they still know Satori as well.”
“Your hair is quite unique.”
“I can’t even tell if you’re trying to provoke me or not.”
“Read the situation how you will, Semi-san.”
Semi scoffed, tugging on Shirabu’s wrist towards the next horse. This one was dark brown, with a lighter, much silkier mane. It’s mane was combed straight, giving an impression it would soft if he ran his fingers through it. Not that Shirabu would, mutual understanding and all that.
The horse huffed at him, and he wasn’t sure if animals could display smugness, but this horse was certainly smug. What do you want? The animal seemingly ignored their agreement. It gave off a frustratingly snooty energy, blowing at Shirabu’s bangs. A soft laugh interrupted Shirabu’s disdain, and he turned to look at his senpai.
The sun reflected off the second year's hair, akin to how it reflects for the moon. The ash tips had a radiance they didn’t conventionally retain. They resembled a lantern, fire within to make it fly. It was then on that day Shirabu realized something.
Semi was beautiful.
Beautiful in how the moon pulled the tides, how he lit up the room in his own gentle way. He would reflect from the bright lights of his friends, and shine on his own. No, this wasn’t a realization. This was a fact.
Oh.
The horse faded into the back of his consciousness. This feeling; he had experienced this before, it was back. A trip down memory lane led him to his first encounter with his senior.
As per usual, Toyokuro Junior High did not make it to the Junior High Volleyball Boys Finals. It was once again, Kitagawa Daiichi and Shiratorizawa Academy.
And as expected, Shiratorizawa was in the lead. Beside him, his teammate sighed.
“Every year it’s always Oikawa and Ushiwaka. Every single year.”
Shirabu was interested in the showy, intricate plays made by Oikawa Tooru. He admired him, admired all setters who made their own plays on the spot. The unfiltered creativity, yet still displaying a show of rationale.
It was natural to admire a show of skill. But Shirabu’s eyes were captivated by a different show of power. The unconquerable cannon of Shiratorizawa. All efforts to even deny the pure strength were futile, and Kitagawa Daiichi seemed to be losing hope.
Shirabu wanted to be the one to open up the path for this monster. He wanted to be the one who held the key to ravage his opponents. He watched, bewitched.
This cannon had a conductor. There was a player operating behind the scenes, seemingly disregarded at first glance. He stood tall against the net, a striking figure with a sharp, defined jawline that added an air of elegance to his strong features. His dark brown eyes sparkled with intensity, hinting at a tenacious spirit. Ash blonde hair, dark at the tips, framed his face perfectly, adding an intriguing edge to his already magnetic presence. As he moved through the court, an aura of confidence surrounded him, as if he were born to command attention, but channeled it through his ace.
The setter smiled as the ball slammed into the other side of the court, and time stopped for a second. His heart skipped a beat, all the noise surrounding him fading into nothing. A wave of warmth hits him, and he feels the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Shirabu doesn’t even realize he’s held his breath, snapping out of it when his teammate taps him on the shoulder.
His smile was infectious, and Shirabu felt himself smiling even on the bus returning to Toyokuro. That day he set three goals.
- Play for Shiratorizawa
- Set for Ushijima Wakatoshi
- Meet that setter.
When Semi looked at him again with that smile, Shirabu had to hold himself back from returning the gesture.
I’m in love with my senpai.
There was no other way to describe it. He was in love. He had gained the whole package deal; butterflies and rose coloured filters.
This surprisingly isn’t terrible.
Yes, Semi had some traits. With a sharp tongue and a quick wit, he often comes across as abrasive, leaving little room for softness in the majority of their interactions. His pride fuels his ambitious nature, driving him to speak his mind unapologetically, even if it ruffles feathers.
But he is the kind of person that radiates warmth, effortlessly drawing people in with his genuine nature. Always ready to lend a hand or offer a listening ear, he’s thorough in everything he does. Whether he’s simply checking in on a teammate who might be struggling, or lending a hand for support, he works to make sure they’re all comfortable. His selflessness often leads him to put their needs before his own, which in a way, was selfish.
Semi inspired people, inspired him, to be better. To get better for him. Semi was someone that you just wanted to make proud.
It was embarrassing for Shirabu to admit that he just wanted his attention. He wanted Semi’s attention.
“Asshole,” Shirabu shoved his senpai’s shoulder, pouting at the fact he was laughing. “And here I was about to offer you something.”
He was actually going to offer Semi something either way, but letting Semi know that would feed his already bursting ego.
“Hey! It was funny. Also what?” Semi shook his arm. “Please—“
Shoving an arm into his bag, he fished out a red bottle of C2. He didn’t actually know what it tasted like, other than the fact that it said Apple green tea. Semi squinted at it, tilting his head.
“Where is this even from?”
“The Philippines.” Shirabu replied. “Found it, thought it looked tasty, bought it.”
“An impulse purchase, love those.”
“Shut up Semi-san. Do you want some or not?” The two of them were walking out of the stables, out towards the edge of the campus. The sun was almost fully set, leaving long cast shadows behind them.
“Really? If you’re offering, then why not?”
“I am offering. What do you think this is?” Shirabu grumbled, and Semi laughed again. The butterflies jumped in his stomach, causing the brunette to fight a blush.
They strolled to the far edges of the campus, finally stopping at a bench beside a fountain. The view overlooked the whole campus, and behind them, the sunset. Shirabu could see the dorms, all the buildings, and the gym. He could see everything from here. Some birds flew up in the sky, diving down and creating an amusing aerial display.
Opening the bottle, he took a sip. A sweet tea slipped into his mouth, and he smacked his lips. “Tasty.”
He handed the bottle to Semi, who also took a swig. The ash blonde rose his brows, looking at the label and nodding. “Not half bad. Great find, Shirabu.”
The two enjoyed the drink in silence, watching as some students bustled through the school grounds, the purples and blues of their uniforms blurring away as they passed.
As the sun finally dips into the horizon, a warm golden light fills the landscape, accompanied by the crisp scent of fallen leaves. The trees display vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating an impressive ombre onto the buildings beside them. The atmosphere is peaceful, enhanced by the distant sound of a fountain, its rhythmic splashes adding to the calm of the evening.
The twilight deepens, lanterns glow softly, illuminating the pathways and casting gentle shadows. A tranquil pond reflects the fiery colors of the foliage, creating a mirror-like surface that enhances the beauty of the scene. A light breeze stirs, sending a few leaves dancing through the air, while the gentle chirping of crickets begins to fill the silence. Beside him, Shirabu can hear the sound of the other boys breathing, steady as he inhales the autumn air.
The bottle now half empty, Semi sighs contently, turning his head towards Shirabu. “This was nice. We should do this more often.”
Shirabu didn’t bother fighting his feelings, returning a smile to his senpai. “Is that an invitation?”
“Of course, I always appreciate the company.” How he said that so casually, yet made Shirabu feel so special. This was something between them, something they shared together.
“It’s a date then.” The two bumped hands together in agreement, enjoying their drink in the autumn evening.
Symposium
to share a drink.