I've actually been envisioning this chapter since, well, forever. This scene was what got me so hyped up and excited for the romance arc. I hope this would be a good introduction to the blossoming romance.

I'm glad Murasakibara's cuteness rubbed off on you guys in the previous chapter!

Hontouni arigatou for favoriting, following, and reviewing. It means more than you think! I'm happy I get to write for such a supportive audience.

I also wanted to wish our dear Aomine an early Happy Birthday! I know I'm three days early, but I couldn't resist the urge to post what I have the minute it is done.

Anyways~

Chapter 27

Sayumi's pair of eyes wandered to the hypnotized navy-haired boy sitting next to her, and then down to the object of his fancy. The curious girl leaned in a little closer to the muscular figure, only to have him shift naturally, blocking her from seeing what seemed to be giving him endless amusement. Sayumi straightened her back and attempted to peer over Aomine's wide shoulders, but was only destined to another failure.

"Aomine. What'cha doing?" The girl tilted her head slightly to add to the innocence of the inquiry.

The basketball jock didn't hear the question as he was too engrossed in his reading. He unconsciously extended his arm and raised his index finger to the annoying girl's lips.

"Shh." Aomine flipped the page of the mysterious article.

"Aomine-kun. I don't think you should be reading that in front of Kineno-san." The pale bluenette, sitting next to his former basketball partner, sipped his vanilla shake.

"I'm studying, not reading." Aomine looked up at the sincere Kuroko, sitting spectrally, unnoticed.

"What'cha studying?" Sayumi chimed in, feeling that Aomine may answer this question to fill in the eerie atmosphere. Being the only girl, sitting in a table with seven skilled basketball boys, each harboring their own difficult personalities to deal with, what else can she talk about?

This wasn't a particularly special occasion. Sayumi had previously hung out with the familiar group countless times before, but this time was slightly different. It was Saturday. It was Saturday early dinner with the gang. It was also Saturday early dinner with unexpected guest, Akashi.

Last Saturday, Midorima was the extra addition to the usual basketball crew. With the unannounced participation of the green-haired boy, Sayumi was already left with a sense of nervousness, but now, the feeling has just tripled. It wasn't just because she was sensing curious stares and envious glares from around her all the time. Nor was it because she was the shortest and only girl in the group. It felt super strange that all of the boys came, but acted like they were forced to come. Everyone was preoccupied with something, leaving her sitting uncomfortably at the same table.

Kise would be constantly excusing himself to make calls or text his manager. Midorima would spend every second stroking his lucky item, which by the way, was a turtle that day. Murasakibara would be testing how many packs of pocky he could stuff in his mouth and eat in one bite. Kuroko would disappear and make sucking noises with his straw to contribute to the awkward situation. Aomine would be bent down, reading something "not your business." Kagami would be cramming down his not hill, but mountain load of burgers. And then there was Akashi, staring randomly at the pair of red scissors sitting unused and lonesomely on the counter next to the tired-looking cashier.

Sayumi was mostly left to do her own thing. When she tried talking to one boy, all of them would look up, stare, and then carry on with their own little things. Perhaps this was the result of hanging out too much together. Friends also run out of things to say after discussing the weather and such. Sayumi was hoping she could revive some life into the group, even if it was simply to relieve the cold stare she felt from the boy sitting diagonal from her.

"Girls. Shh." Aomine roughly waved off the bored Sayumi.

"Aominecchi. Why study magazines when there's such a cute girl next to you?" The blonde model put away his cell phone after updating his busy calendar. Sayumi glanced at Kuroko, who seemed to have appeared again, interested and ready to participate in the conversation.

"Where?" The tanned boy shot up, scavenging the entire room for the cutie his friend pointed out, but sat down in disappointment. "Don't ever joke about that." Aomine looked seriously at Kise, who pointed at the girl flipping her head left and right to find the "cute girl."

"Not my type." Aomine brushed off easily without investing much thought.

"What's not your type?" Sayumi's wide eyes curiously met Aomine's dark blue orbs.

"Yeah. Mine-chin. Tell Kine-chin your ideal type of girls." Even the sweets giant's interest was sparked.

Sayumi blushed at the sudden realization of where the conversation was heading. This would probably prove to be a little awkward, but she felt it rather pointless to masquerade her interest. It was too gripping a topic to let pass by. It was about time she got to know her friends a "little" better anyways. The shy girl recovered from her momentary shyness, and looked intently at the tanned boy, waiting patiently for an answer. All eyes were now on Aomine, who didn't particularly like the attention. He cashed away his paper treasure and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Aomine. Don't be shy." Sayumi encouraged the arrogant boy to continue with her "gambatte" pose emitting perhaps an ounce too much moe.

"Why?" Aomine was stubborn in not telling. It didn't really occur to him exactly why he was so keen on not sharing, especially when all the other boys already knew of his hobbies and interests.

"Don't kill the fun, Aominecchi. The whole gang is actually paying attention now."

"Shut up Kise. If you so want to, share yours."

"Aominecchi." Kise grinned slyly. "You're interested in my ideal type?"

"Get outta here."

Sayumi laughed at Aomine and Kise's light bickering. She smiled at the two lively boys filled with energy.

"Kine-chin will share her ideal type after we share ours," Murasakibara threw out casually and opened another box of goodies.

"Wait...what? I never said tha-"

"Kinenocchi. Don't spoil the fun." The blonde boy conveniently manipulated his puppy face. It shamed whoever was to deny his "humble" requests. "Aominecchi. You first."

"Tch." Aomine leaned inwards, and the boys prepared for the beginning of an interesting discussion. "I like girls with overwhelming chests."

The tanned, muscular boy's former Teikou teammates all looked up in surprise. They stared in disbelief that THE Aomine would use such mature language in describing what was previously "I like big boobs." They all looked at their sole female friend and silently applauded Aomine for his integrity and moderation.

Sayumi secretly glanced down. Well, not everyone could achieve the state of "overwhelming." After shaking off that thought, she was once again filled with nervousness. How was she supposed to answer when it was her turn? Before she had time to let her worries infiltrate her mind, she was easily distracted by the rising model's disclosure of his ideal type. The handsome blonde cleared his throat.

"A girl that wouldn't tie me down."

"Like physically?" Kagami asked while munching on another burger. Sayumi nudged the boy for his question.

"I like my independence. My girlfriend would have to understand that."

The other boys admired the model's straightforward answer. Everyone nodded and the invisible mic was given to the stoic Midorima.

"Older women." Fast. Swift. Perfectly defines personal preference.

"Elegant girls are the best," Kagami said with his mouth full. A quiet chuckle came from the pale boy whom everyone had almost forgotten. All eyes were now on Kuroko. Whether he drew the attention intentionally or not, he was expected to speak his fair share.

"I like the gentle type." Kuroko returned the audience's blank stares. It was nothing unusual. It was the typical, average, honest, simple answer. It came from Kuroko. What were they expecting?

Murasakibara became the next center of attention. "Let me think..." The giant looked up at the ceiling and a thought hit him. "Tall girls."

"Taller than you?" Sayumi's face was filled with horror. "Are you sure?"

"No offense, Kine-chin." Murasakibara continued to eat his sweets.

All eyes were cast down on the table after the tallest boy spoke. No one dared to say anything after. No one who cared for their life at least.

"Seijuurou. Your turn." Sayumi was really excited about the first upbeat conversation that the group initiated. She wasn't going to let it end there. "Wait. Were you even listening?" The girl scanned the boy's unreadable expression. She estimated the area he was focusing on. "Seijuurou, why are you staring at the scissors?"

Kagami almost choked when he heard Akashi and scissors in the same sentence. A not so splendid memory came to mind.

"Kagami. Don't choke."

The other six pairs of eyes slowly moved up to look at the poised redhead sitting authoritatively. Silence and undivided attention was given to the revered basketball prodigy.

"Dignity is an important trait that everyone must possess."

Akashi's audience nodded. As simple as that sounded, the certainty in his voice won the agreement of his listeners. Dignity is indeed a significant characteristic.

Unexpectedly, Akashi directed the attention to the last person who had yet to reveal her personal preference. Sayumi smiled sheepishly.

"Want to go play basketball now?"

"Kinenocchi. Your turn." Sayumi's words were fired back at her. The girl apologized to Akashi in her head.

"I don't really have an ideal type."

"Aww. Don't be shy, Sayu." Aomine smirked after his sarcastic comment. "You brought it onto yourself."

Unable to stand being teased with her own words, Sayumi spoke.

"My ideal type would be someone taller than me." Sayumi smiled at her assertion. She played it nice and safe, or so she thought.

"Kineno. We're all taller than you." Kagami bluntly pointed out the obvious.

Sayumi glowered at Kagami, which came off more as a squint.

"It's really hard to explain." Sayumi sighed. "I've never really thought about it since...well, you know..." The girl analyzed her audience's expressions. She felt bad that she was the only one not sharing. "Well, my ideal type is Koukai-nii." The girl's face was lit with a cheerful expression.

"Brother complex..." Murasakibara shook his head a little disapprovingly. "You probably shouldn't have shared."

"No. Don't get me wrong. I love Koukai-nii, but not like that. I'm just saying, my ideal type would resemble him." Sayumi frantically waved her hands in hopes of waving off the sudden misperception. The giant simply laughed at her futile efforts, but secretly smiled after recalling a certain memory when the same girl compared him to her dear brother.

"Describe him." Kise was interested. He was expecting the girl to say something like a model or celebrity. This was definitely the bad-handwriting, clumsy, random, brother-obsessing, basketball enthusiast whom he never seemed to be bored of.

"Um...well...he's very handsome." Sayumi nodded as she pictured her brother in her memories. "Very handsome."

"Who does he look like?" Kagami asked curiously.

"Um...well..." Sayumi looked at a certain individual and her face turned red.

"Kineno-san. He looks like one of us right?" Kuroko's amazing observations skills cannot be denied.

"Share. Kine-chin," urged Murasakibara who was growing impatient from the suspense.

"I think...Midorima."

All eyes left the girl and flew to the boy adjusting his glasses.

"Midorima?!"

"Mixed with Seijuurou."

"That's ugly." Both Aomine and Kagami's words came out perfectly in sync.

"Look who's talking." Murasakibara taunted.

"Aominecchi, Kagamicchi, don't say that in front of Kinenocchi. She'll be hurt."

"Don't worry about it. I just think that Midorima is really cool. He doesn't miss a shot and is so fastidious. Koukai-nii was pretty much the same. I guess my second pick would be Seijuurou." Sayumi looked around at her gaping audience. "Guys...did I say something wrong?" The girl turned only to make contact with the intimidating pair of heterochromatic eyes piercing through her safe zone.

It was a given rule. Akashi didn't require himself to be placed into any categories. But in the cases in which he is involved in, he shall settle for no less than first. And this was a first. Definitely a first where he came in second. After getting the slight idea that she was being misunderstood again, Sayumi resumed her random hand-waving technique that didn't ever work to her advantage.

"I meant that Midorima's personality is more dominant and Seijuurou's personality is more recessive in Koukai-nii. I thought you wanted me to describe my brother." Sayumi pouted in response to the tense atmosphere the boys suddenly pressured her with. "I'm not saying I prefer Midorima over Akashi. What were you guys thinking?"

Kise's joyous laughter relieved the suffocating tension. A beautiful smile spread over the model's face. "I never knew Kinenocchi was into tsundere types."

Sayumi threw her Kagami's basketball at the blonde sitting next to Akashi. Kise easily caught the flying ball and laughed harder. "Kinenocchi is so fun to tease." The furious girl threw her jacket next, but instead of flying straight to Kise, it swerved and headed in the direction of the newest guest. Akashi swiftly caught it and sent it at Aomine who expected the throw. Aomine smirked and placed the jacket back in its original place between him and Sayumi.

"Sayu. That's Akashi," Aomine rubbed in.

Kuroko's slurping followed. Midorima smiled. Kagami scratched his head. . Murasakibara dug in his bag for my sweets. Akashi's eyes remained fixed on Sayumi, who once again, sat idly.

"Kineno." Kagami saved the girl from the awkward situation. The girl happily turned to the taller of the two redheads. "So how does Koukai really look like? Is your definition of handsome a fusion of Midorima and Akashi?"

Sayumi tilted her head at the curious faces expecting her to answer. "Wait. I think Tou-chan uploaded a picture of our family in my phone." Sayumi unlocked her combination.

"Kine-chin. Your password is too simple." Mursakibara peered down at the girl huddled over her cell phone.

"None of your business." Sayumi scrolled down to search the images. "Found it!" The excited girl zoomed in on the family picture and focused on the tall boy resting his chin on his sister's head in the picture.

The seven boys leaned forward to get a better look at the "legendary" Koukai-nii. All the boys looked at the girl speechlessly and directed their attention back to the picture. The girl blinked and patiently waited for comments that never came.

"..."

...

After the boys took in the sudden shock and recovered, they all sat back straight and looked at the girl. They harbored a feeling of guilt for not having anything to say. The womanizer was chosen to fix the issue.

"Kinenocchi..." Kise couldn't hold in his laughter and allowed himself to finish his laugh before continuing. "Anyways. Aside from your brother, what kind of guy do you like?" Kise turned away to suppress another laugh.

"Someone who I can be clumsy and myself around." Sayumi wore her thinking face. "Someone who would laugh at my jokes, even if they're terrible. Though he might be laughing because it was so terrible." The girl continued without being asked. "Someone who wouldn't mind me eating tons of sweets and food. We could share, then we can eat more together. I also like it if he would spend time to teach me things and not find me annoying. I would definitely work very hard to not disappoint him again. And hopefully I can provide him with what he doesn't have or needs." The girl was looking down at the table the whole time, talking more to herself than the boys who were listening attentively. "But if such a person did exist, I wonder if he would even consider someone like me." Sayumi sighed and pouted at her high expectations. Perhaps that was the reason as to why she never had a boyfriend like the rest of her friends.

"Kinenocchi. Are you trying to advertise yourself?" Kise stared seriously at the girl.

The tone of the model's question sounded different from how she was used to conversing with him.

"I..." Sayumi was interrupted by the convenient phone. The girl nodded her head and walked out to answer the call from her boss.

"Kineno-san was turning red." Kuroko's comment came in right after the girl stepped out.

"Sayu's dreaming."

"Though Kinenocchi looks and acts like how she does, she's surprisingly cute."

"Kine-chin was always like that."

"Did anyone else beside me feel that Kineno was describing us?" Kagami's surprisingly insightful question got the group thinking. Almost automatically, all heads turned to seek guidance from the genius.

"Akashi. What do you think?"

The sagacious teenager looked expressionlessly at the boys, but didn't speak. Sayumi reentered the group seconds after.

"Sayumi." The girl looked curiously at the revered redhead. "Who do you like?"

The boys all shot Akashi a surprised look. So bold and to the point. That was their captain. But none of them really expected the omniscient boy to not know something for once.

"I don't really have anyone I like..." Sayumi fiddled with her empty cup. Did she really finish the entire large cup of vanilla milkshake by herself. She didn't remember doing so, but shrugged off the possibility that someone else might have partaken in the job of finished it for her.

"Have you ever dated anyone before?" Midorima just had to ask.

"No. But Meiko has." Sayumi questioned herself for bringing up her friend out of nowhere.

"What about Meiko?" Akashi knew what was going on. "You like your friend's boyfriend."

"No. I just liked the same guy she is crushing on," Sayumi desperately clarified. "Ah. Why'd I just tell you guys?" The girl wracked her head for her lack of prudence.

"Who's this amazing guy who won our little Sayu's heart?" Aomine was apparently showing some interest. He wrapped his long and strong arms around the girl's shoulders and leaned in closer. "I wanna meet him."

Sayumi tried to avoid the question, but the boy wouldn't budge until she answered. She glanced at Kagami who didn't offer any assistance. Couldn't blame him, he was curious too.

"He's the vice-captain of our school's basketball team." Aomine didn't release the girl just yet. He smirked and looked around the table at the other boys. "Any other questions?"

"Stealing your best friend's boyfriend will definitely dent even the strongest of friendships." Midorima stated factually.

"I gave up on him the minute Meiko told me she liked him. Don't jump to conclusions."

"Kinenocchi. Did Meiko-chan confess to him yet?"

"Not yet," Sayumi's small voice answered.

"That's pretty pathetic. Who's this Meiko? Never heard of her."

"I'll show you. She's really pretty." Sayumi unlocked her phone.

"Sayu. Who puts 1234 as their password?" Aomine couldn't help but agree with Murasakibara this time around.

"Sh. I sometimes forget so let's keep this simple. Here. This is Meiko."

Aomine's eyes didn't leave the screen of the phone. Kise leaned over and his eyes widened. Kagami stopped chewing temporarily. Kuroko peeked in. Midorima cleared his throat. Akashi looked away. Murasakibara almost dropped his pocky.

"Oi. Sayu."

"Hm?"

"I'm sure there are plenty of other guys out there." Aomine's large hand patted the girl's head.

"Kine-chin. You have tough competition." Murasakibara pitied the girl up against the goddess in the picture.

"I know. It's actually not much of a competition. Meiko always wins," Sayumi admitted herself. The boys sluggishly unglued their eyes away from Meiko's picture and hesitantly returned the phone to the girl. Kise willingly handed the phone back to the owner.

"Kinenocchi. You may be wrong on that." The blond's golden eyes settled on the girl in front of him. His eyes were beaming with energy, highlighting his wild personality.

Sayumi froze after making eye contact with the model. Her heart was racing. She could feel it. The new peculiar feeling she never experienced before. To partially distract herself, but mostly change the weird subject, Sayumi got up from her seat and picked up the ball. "Ready to play?" Before hearing any answers, the girl awkwardly walked out of the restaurant.

The boys all stared at the girl. From the corner of his eye, Kise noticed that Akashi had been staring at him. Akashi stood up to leave first and the blond playfully tagged along. Aomine and Kagami looked at each other and raced out at the same time. Murasakibara and Midorima followed.

Abandoned at the table, Kuroko finished the last bit of his delicious milkshake, and placed his cup down. He saw the secret eye contact exchanged among the boys. He saw Kise's sudden serious attitude. He noticed Akashi's interest. He sensed Midorima's curiosity. He felt Aomine's shifting. He heard Kagami's gulp. He noticed the tiny piece of candy Murasakibara forgot on the table. He saw everything.

...

"Wait. The teams are uneven. Where's Kuroko?" Sayumi looked around the park. She turned and was alarmed by the presence of the pale boy standing unnoticed behind her. "Where were you?"

"I was here from the beginning."