Chapter One - Dreams about a Woman

"You're going to come a bit earlier, right Dai-chan?"

"Mmm. Yeah sure." Daiki was spread on his bed; he wasn't really listening to what Satsuki was talking about. She told him something about her plans for her birthday tomorrow – either way, he was getting bored and had to suppress a yawn.

"Dai-chan! Are you still listening?"

Daiki sighed and grabbed Mai-chan's newest issue from his school bag beside him. He was still worn out from Aida-san's new training regime. All Daiki wanted to do was go through the magazine and take a nap. And maybe get something to eat later.

"Listen Satsuki – I promise to show up earlier tomorrow, okay? I will hang up now, I am hungry."

And without waiting for her reply, he hung up. The navy-haired teen stretched and opened the first page of his precious gravure booklet and stared at the picture in front of him: his beloved Mai-chan was lounging on a black couch, only wearing as little as her red lingerie.

Damn, she was indeed his dream girl. He'd probably give anything to meet her once in a lifetime. Then he would show her his most charming side and he would say and do anything to get her spend the night with him. What? It wasn't like him to be romantic – he'd always immediately get down to business. Because who the hell needed dates and candle-light dinners anyway?

There were tons of gravure models out there, and yeah Daiki had some few favorites to be honest, but did you know what made Mai-chan that special? She had this youthful face and those twinkling beautiful brown eyes. And she also had those big boobs and that lovely small waist at the same time. She was just perfection in Daiki's opinion. And in Daiki's imagination she'd also have a cute voice and she would have this sweet personality – caring and understanding.

And she would also–

Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep.

Daiki jolted awake, letting out an annoyed groan. Something noisy was ringing resoundingly beside him. His cellphone. Who was calling him this time? Was it Satsuki again? He picked up the phone nonetheless.

"What do you want?"

"Good evening Aomine-kun. I hope I didn't bother you."

Tetsu. Daiki rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes away. "Nah, not at all. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to join me for dinner. I am 10 minutes from Maji Burger right now."

"Hah? You could have asked me after practice today," Daiki replied, taking a look at the small alarm clock on his nightstand. It was 08:31 PM. Well, he had anyway planned beforehand to grab a bite somewhere.

"I apologize Aomine-kun, I just returned from my walk with Nigou and– "

"Don't bother Tetsu," Daiki interrupted, "I will meet ya there."

He ended the call and quickly changed into a clean-looking hoodie and some black jogging pants. The navy-haired male didn't know Tetsu could be this spontaneous, but it had been a while since he spent time with his friend alone – so he wasn't complaining at all. In fact, he was glad. Despite them being in this new team together, they hadn't had the chance to catch up on things since the last Winter Cup. Tetsu was practically glued to that stupid red-haired idiot called Kagami Taiga.

Daiki arrived several minutes late and was queuing in front of the ordering counter. He looked around, searching for a particular baby-blue-haired shadow, who seemed invisible. So typical of him.

"Yo, Aomine." Kagami suddenly tapped Daiki's shoulder, making him jerk and turn around.

"What the fuck, Kagami," the tan male hissed, eyeing the red-haired idiot in front of him suspiciously. "What the heck are you doing here?"

Kagami crossed his arms and smirked. "I am here to eat, duh."

"With Tetsu, I guess?"

Daiki already knew the answer, why the hell was he even asking. Those two were stuck together, remember? Daiki should have known that Kagami was also joining for dinner. Of course.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Kagami, that idiot, looked genuinely surprised.

"Because he also asked me to come here, duh." Daiki imitated, rolling his blue eyes. "Now, where is he?"

The teriyaki burgers still tasted as good as ever. Despite a certain redhead sitting across from him. Tetsu beside him just slurped his vanilla shake, acting all innocent.

"Is there something wrong, Aomine-kun?" Tetsu asked, the amusement barely hearable in his voice.

Daiki frowned and threw him an angry glare. "Stop pretending you don't know, Tetsu!"

He was super annoyed. Don't misunderstand, Daiki didn't hate Kagami. But he didn't love his presence either – aside from playing basketball in the same team named Vorpal Swords, they didn't meet up in their free time. Not to speak of eating dinner together.

And Daiki really looked forward to be with Tetsu alone – no homo – but you can't blame him. After all, they had been best friends before and Daiki wanted to strengthen that bond again. Just because he wasn't romantic, didn't mean he didn't give a shit about friendships. Daiki pouted inwardly.

"What doesn't Kuroko know?" Kagami interjected through his chewing, a puzzled expression on his dumb face.

"That I didn't want to eat dinner with you, Bakagami," the tan teen spat, brows furrowed and shooting Kagami a displeased glance.

"Hah?! What the – !" the redhead spluttered, "I also don't want to eat with you, asshole. If Kuroko had told me before– "

"Please stop arguing. Both of you." Tetsu took a sip from his vanilla shake.

"Aomine-kun, if you had only let me finish speaking on the phone, you would have known that Kagami-kun was also here."

Daiki became silent and fixed his stare at Kagami. "Whatever," he muttered and unpacked another burger, taking a big bite of it.

"Anyway," Tetsu added with a small smile, "we are all going to attend Momoi-san's birthday party tomorrow. I am sure we are going to have fun. And we will also have some time to chat then, Aomine-kun."

"I wouldn't be too sure, Kuroko," Kagami snickered, "I think Ahomine will be busy leeching on to some girls tomorrow. Poor little things." He wiped away a fake tear and grinned fiendishly.

That bastard, how dare he! "Pah, at least I would get their phone numbers. I am sure no single chick is going to give a shit about your sorry ass, moron!"

Kagami's face fell. He squinted his eyes, which were now glinting dangerously like hellfire and he scowled, split eyebrows furrowing.

"I bet I can get more numbers than you tomorrow at the party."

Was this a challenge? Was this red-haired idiot seriously challenging the Aomine Daiki? The guy who made all girls from Touou swooning over him? Daiki barked out a laugh, lifting his eyebrows in disbelief.

"Dream on, Bakagami!"

As promised, Daiki showed up earlier the next day. There were still some hours until the party started and he had to help Satsuki with the preparations.

"How many people did you invite?" Daiki asked, as he carried an armchair into the "lounge" – Satsuki planned this room to be a relaxation area, a dimmed room full of armchairs, beanbags and couches.

Satsuki halted her movements and hummed thoughtfully.

"Maybe around...seventy guests?"

Daiki lifted his head and glanced at his pink-haired childhood friend.

"Did you just say, seventy guests?" he repeated, wide-eyed.

No wonder she rented this huge place. She had even hired a catering service, organizing a buffet for the guests. Well, Satsuki turned 18, which is already considered an adult in some countries around the globe. He could relate that she wanted to celebrate big time.

"Yeah, I invited around seventy guests..I wonder how many will show up tonight though," she giggled and scanned the room with her gaze, looking pretty satisfied with her "relaxation area".

She glimpsed at her wristwatch. "Riko-chan told me she'd pick up the food at the restaurant and Ki-chan promised to bring the drinks..."

"Don't tell me there will be booze tonight?" Daiki joked, shaking his head inwardly, because the Satsuki he knew, would never serve alcoholic drinks at a party. Let alone to minors. She would never–

"Of course, Dai-chan!"

Wait, what? Did she just say of course to booze?

Satsuki laughed out loud at the expression he was wearing.

"Haha – aw, your face Dai-chan! Haha –" she gasped for air, "I told you every single detail on the phone yesterday, Dai-chan." She gave him a look of reproach, but still smiled at him.

"I also invited older people – and I can hardly offer them juice only, right?"

Then her face lightened up.

"That reminds me," she started anew, "please don't drink too much tonight. I can't look after you the entire evening."

Satsuki said to wear something casual, yet classy – and Daiki had a wide range of outfits, which fell under that category. In the end he still was dressed in jogging pants, which made him curse loudly. The party had already begun an hour ago and he had only styled his hair by now. He hated to ask for help, but the tan male decided to call an expert, who seemed to be late. The doorbell rang.

"Finally," Daiki growled as he scuffled to the door and opened it.

Kise was all dolled up and he looked good as always, wearing a violet shirt tucked in white trousers, giving the look a final touch with a beige blazer. Of course that bastard could wear anything – heck, he could wear a trash bag and still look pleasant.

"Hello Aominecchi! Good to see you, are you excited for the party?"

"Oi, I was already wondering when you gonna show up," the tan male greeted him.

"Oh don't worry, help is here," Kise chuckled and stepped inside. "I like your hair, by the way."

"Thanks," Daiki said bitterly and lead them to his room, where several shirts and pants were lying on the floor. Kise hurried to a particular pile of clothes and started picking some shirts out.

"Somehow I don't feel like partying today," the navy-haired teen sulked, watching Kise combining different tops with various jeans. His blond friend lifted his eyes and gave him a pitiful look.

"Want something that gets you going? There's a bottle in my bag – pour us a drink."

Daiki raised his eyebrows and grinned. Kise, that prick, apparently knew exactly what he needed. The navy-haired young man went to get two shot glasses and opened the bottle his friend had brought. It was a Kissui Rice Vodka. The tan teen didn't even to bother to ask, how Kise always got his hands on booze - that guy was a famous model after all, allowing him uninhibited access to alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Daiki hated the smell of cigarettes though.

"No Absolut Vodka?" the bluenette asked as he poured them a shot.

Kise chuckled and shook his head slightly, "that imported stuff is too expensive."

"I bought this japanese vodka with my own money, Aominecchi. The expensive drinks are all at the party." He lifted the glass and flashed him a smile. "Kanpai."

"Kanpai," Daiki responded the toast and downed the shot with one swallow. He grimaced immediately – the drink tingled in his throat and felt warm.

"How many guests are at the party already?"

Kise hummed, "I am really bad at making guesses Aominecchi..." he chuckled, "maybe around fifty people? I greeted the most of them personally–"

"So you know what kind of people Satsuki invited?" Daiki asked curiously.

The blond teen averted his eyes, letting out a forced laugh. "Well, actually I met Kagamicchi before I left. He was looking for you – he wanted me to deliver you a message." Kise laid two shirts and two bottoms on the bed and cleared his throat.

"He said 'I already got eight numbers, Aho. Stop hiding you shithead, because it looks like I am winning.' What's that supposed to mean Aominecchi?" the blond teammate had an interested look on his face.

"Hah?! So that bastard is getting cocky all of a sudden." Daiki cursed, but he couldn't help it – a feral grin formed on his face. He saw how puzzled Kise seemed and added, "we made a bet. Who would get more phone numbers at Satsuki's party tonight."

There was short silence in the room, before Kise snorted with laughter.

"That's so typical of you two! Always making a bet out of everything," he continued and poured them another shot. "Aside from that, Aominecchi – I didn't teach you how to treat the ladies like trophies you could collect–"

"You didn't teach me anything at all, oi!" Daiki grabbed the glass from Kise's hand and gobbled down the entire liquid. "Anyway Kise, are you done selecting clothes for me? There is a party I have to attend."

Blame it on the burning sensation the liquor caused in Daiki's gorge – but he was getting in the mood to collect some chicks' phone numbers tonight.