Chapter 2: Just Maybe

It was getting darker as the trio walked. Unsurprisingly, the lights of different stores started to turn on. Whether it was convenience stores, bars or small restaurants, their signs were up and the night seemed more alive. The night was there and it was awake for them.

Ryuuzen couldn't help stare around the place. She hadn't been to these parts and not this late. The silence was shared among the three, with Daiki leading them and the two confused and slightly irritated.

The silence between the two was getting awkward for Kise. First, he wanted ask why Aominecchi was leading them and why they couldn't just walk together like a normal group. He didn't have anything against walking beside Ryuu-san, but if people saw them together, especially during these hours…

Let's just say, some people's imagination could get the best of them.

Kise mentally let out a harrumph.

All he wanted to do was have a one-on-one with the taller boy. He didn't want this small—really small, she was probably just five feet or did she even reach the five feet quota?—girl tagging along with them. The expression of distaste was obvious and he didn't even try to conceal it. The girl was practically looking everywhere anyway, eyes wide and amazed at every little thing.

He turned back to look at Aominecchi. The only thing he could see was the blue haired guy's back. Then, the blond gazed at the girl again. She was looking at everything her eyes could sink into. Granted, that wasn't the expression, but that's how it looked like to him.

She was savouring the lights, the small and big signs that blinked, glittered or were just there. This was getting more and more annoying. What was so special with this tiny teacup of a girl that they had to postpone their little match?

Ugh. He try walking faster, pacing himself to walk briskly. But of course, he didn't make it so obvious that he was avoiding her. He just did not want to be reminded that she was the reason why the one-on-one was postponed.

Ryuuzen noticed. Even though her eyes kept darting from place to place, back and forth and side to side, sometimes even blinking upwards, she still managed to notice the blond walking just a bit faster than usual. She met his pace, albeit a little clumsily that Kise wanted to scoff a little. Maybe he was being too harsh on the girl, but this was the only time he had after a really exhausting photo shoot.

Aominecchi, hurry up and finish whatever you have to finish with this girl!

When they reached the fast food place, the two were very irritated. Kise—more annoyed at trying to figure out the girl—and Ryuuzen desperately hungry.

They lined up and got their orders quickly. Almost no one was there because it was getting pretty late. Daiki sat down first, with Ryuuzen beside him and Kise in front of the two. Kise had opted for just a drink, on the other hand, Daiki settled for a teriyaki burger—which he claimed was the best—and Ryuuzen had a float, a small cheeseburger, large fries, chicken nuggets and a drink.

Kise's eye twitched. Was this girl for real?

Aomine chomped on the burger and stared at the window. Alright, they still weren't talking. Time to initiate conversation, then Kise wouldn't have to feel the awkward aura around them.

"So, Ryuuzen-san," he opted for a more polite approach. Ryuu-san would have been polite, but it was pretty informal of him too. "Did you know that Aominecchi's so mean?"

That caught her attention.

Ryuuzen Rei, top of her class and a close friend of Momoi Satsuki, was intruiged. She knew the giant the ikemen called "Aominecchi" was insensitive most of the time. Well, all of the time, but she never knew he was downright mean.

She analyzed that Daiki would have told the model to shut up, if he found offense in the other boy's words. Weirdly, he did not.

Daiki just kept staring at the window and took large bites of his beloved burger.

Kise started ranting on about the one-on-one and found the short girl surprisingly good company. She sincerely listened to whatever he had to say and told her honest opinions as they traipsed around different topics.

Then, he remembered Aomine was with them.

What? How could he forget? The whole reason he was here was—Finally, Kise let out a "Aominecchi and I were supposed to have a one-on-one today, but it's getting late~"

He was whining playfully and gauging her movements.

Her eyes danced from Daiki back to Kise. It was obvious that the boy was daring her to have an outrageous reaction or any reaction from her. She hardly noticed the intent and went along with him asking "Eh, Daiki? You promised Kise-kun a one-on-one?"

Aomine still wasn't looking at her and instead he covered half of his face with his hand. He was long done with the burger, but he just muttered a "Shut up" in reply.

It was worth a shot. Kise thought that if she was the reason why their one-on-one stopped, then she could be the reason why it could go back again.

He was too immersed in his own thoughts to realize that she had indeed managed to convince Aomine to have a one-on-one with him. Wait, that was fast. Way too fast. What the hell was the catch?

"Oi, Kise," He drew out the 'e' in the end, like he always did, so now the shorter boy was sure it was Aomine talking.

The two of them had stood up and started walking towards the door. "Are we going or not?"

"Eh?"

"The one-on-one, aho."

Instantly, the blond boy's face brightened. He stood up and ran up to them. He was grinning so hard that it didn't matter that Aomine's face was, if you looked close enough, blushing slightly.

Well, it could have been his imagination of course.

But then again, he thought that if Aomine had taken the time to go back to the fastfood where he and Kise had just eaten just to eat with this short girl, maybe, just maybe, there was something going on here.

OTL. I'm so sorry for making Kise seem like the bad guy here. I just want to emphasize that he isn't fond of people who are pretty much ordinary and he's had a tough day at work today. Haha. It's like I'm apologizing in behalf of him, when in all honesty, I'm apologizing if he seemed out of character.

It's been so long since I've updated this is an update to celebrate Ahomine's birthday. Since it's just the 30th where I live, I'll be updating tomorrow again to celebrate his actual birthday.

This chapter was pretty short and there isn't much conversation here, but I think it's pretty necessary to show how others can perceive Ryuuzen-san. I didn't really want to name her Rei like my account name, but something came up and my brain came up with a cute scenario that has something to do with the name "Rei".

Also, if you think I stole or am basing the name Ryuuzen Rei from the Rei from Free!, you couldn't be more wrong. I've thought of the name months ago and she is in no way related to or based on Rei from Free!

Again, thank you to all those who read this and review this. You're all amazing for taking the time of day in reading this.