"Hey Kazzy! Ready to- whoa, you good?" Tendō's eyes widened as he took in the miserable look on my face. I'd been pondering what Bushida had said that made the girls start giving me weird looks all morning and now my brain hurt.

"Eh, let's go, I'll tell you about it later." I said softly, giving him a half-hearted smile before walking towards the cafeteria. The redhead frowned, his eyes narrowing as he and Ushiwaka exchanged a look.

"You better tell me about it, cause I'm gonna be worried about you until I know what's wrong." He threatened, and I just chuckled slightly as the three of us walked.

"Hey Kaz! Oh, you don't look so good." Goshiki commented but Semi slapped the back of his head.

"You don't tell girls they don't look good, dipshit!" The upperclassman reprimanded him, shaking his head.

"B-but I'm just worried!"

"Me too, but she isn't talking." Tendō scowled at me, but I looked away.

"I told you I'll tell you later.."

"Why can't you tell us now?" Goshiki butted in, concern filling his eyes.

"Tell us what?" Ōhira asked as he, Kawanishi and Sagae joined us at the table.

"Something is bothering Kazzy but she keeps saying she'll tell us later." Tendō told them, and they frowned as Kawanishi looked annoyed.

"Look Kazane, why not save us all the trouble and just tell us already?" He demanded, and my eyebrows raise. I think that was the first time I've heard him talk.

"Uuhhhh, it's embarrassing..."

"Can't be that embarrassing, we won't laugh at you." Ōhira reminded me, which brought out a smile

"Well, I guess so.."

"I have an idea!" Goshiki suddenly exclaimed, gaining our attention. "Why not add Kaz to the group chat and then she won't have to actually say it out loud?"

It was silent for a moment before Tendō laughed and slapped the first year ace on the shoulder. "Man, you really are good for something Goshiki!"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I'll add you, hold on a sec." Tendō got his phone out and a few seconds later, I had been added into their group chat.

•••

😎

🦎

Alrighty, all set! Now what's wrong with you?

Uuuuuhhhh what's going on?

Why is there a new gc?

🦎

Cause we needed one with Kaz, why else? And something's wrong with her and she doesn't wanna say it out loud so here's the solution!

Wow, I'm surprised you managed to think of this.

🦎

You'll be happy to know it was Goshiki who suggested this!

Of course it was, why did I even think it was you.

🦎

Ruuuuuuuuude

Anyway, Kazzy boo, spill the beans.

😎

So some of my teammates saw me coming out of the gym with you guys the night you showed me your secret hideout. They gave me weird looks and a friend of mine said they probably thought I was sleeping with you all... And I don't know if it's true or not and, uuughhhh it's just so embarrassing to think about but I can't get it out of my head because I don't want people to think I'm that kind of person...

•••

The whole table was silent for a long time, no one even moved. My face was red, my eyes squeezed shut so that I couldn't see their reactions.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on mine, which were bunched into fists. Glancing over, I saw Tendō with his face twisted into a scowl. He wasn't looking at me, his focus in his lap as he bit his lip.

•••

🦎

If they think that, they don't know you like we do. You can count on us, we'll straighten things out if that is the case.

Agreed.

Same here, we're with you Kaz

It doesn't matter what they think is going on, the only thing that matters is what actually happened.

•••

I smiled, they are all so supportive. More texts like those rolled in from everyone on the team, causing me to tear up slightly.

•••

😎

Thanks guys, you're the best. I'm looking forward to the rest of week ☺

•••

The rest of the day went by in a flash. The girls were giving me looks during practice, which made me uncomfortable, but I didn't say anything. However, at the end of practice, a few of the boys (Tendō, Goshiki, Ushiwaka, Semi and Shirabu) showed up in the gym.

"What are they doing here?" I heard Azusa ask in confusion. Jogging over to the five, I asked the same question because they hadn't told me they would be coming to my practice.

"Just checking in on ya, and I was right." Tendō glared at something behind me. "Alright, let's go."

"Huh?" I was completely and utterly confused as he grabbed my arm and dragged me over to the girls who had formed a little circle, talking and glancing at me.

"Oh, hi!" Azusa smiled at the boys, glancing at me for a second before saying, "what are you guys doing here?"

"We're here to clear the air." Goshiki said, his arms crossed and looking a bit pissed off. "Tendō, you gonna say it?"

"Nah, I think 'Waka should do the honors." Tendō said, so everyone turned their attention to the ace. His eyes darkened as he stepped forward, and suddenly he seemed way more intimidating. I wasn't the only one feeling that way, I noticed, as all of the girls visibly either shivered or shrank away.

"Kazane never did anything sexual with any of us, and if you keep alienating her, you can forget about joint practice with us." He said, his words calm but deadly serious.

"O-of course! We'd never think something so inappropriate, and besides, i-it's none of our business!" Azusa promised, bowing. "Please still let us practice with you!"

Shirabu and Semi humphed in annoyance, the third year rolling his eyes as he also stepped forward. "We'll be watching so don't think you can get away with anything. Come on Kaz, we're leaving." So I was dragged out of the gym with the boys, heading over to their practice as the rest of my team looked on in either jealousy or confusion.