H I S
D I S R E G A R D

"Hey, wake up."

Mel awoke with a heavy feeling begrudgingly pooling through her chest.

She nodded towards her mother and gestured for her to leave the room, muttering a grateful utterance once she complied. They weren't on the best terms, her mother was trying — believe her, she really was — to gain back her favor, but nothing seemed to work. With a head as hard as Mel’s, penetration was dreadfully difficult.

It was a dreamless sleep, as every other night was. No fantasies, no gospels. Perhaps she’d have to be thankful. She would be, if her life didn't seem like a dream. Yes, she was awake; but it was as if the morning haze acted as a trigger for her nightmares.

The gloves that kept her freezing fingertips ablaze towards the entirety of the night still clung to her figure. While tucked under her covers, she let out an ample sigh. Her room was docked over colors of gold and black — much like her eyes. Glints of gold, soul of black. Both vivid and indistinct.

Brushing the fringe of grey hair over her face, she stood up and made herself comfortable, standing there clutched in her pyjamas the same hue as her locks whilst her slippers of canary enveloped her feet.

The morning sun struck the living room’s red curtains, reflecting a comforting tint of terracota across the marmoreal table.

There sat her parents caught in a stiff silence. Her father on his usual spot at the middle with a newspaper stuck to his face and a hot coffee accompanying him by the right. Her mother was by his left, a croissant between her delicate fingers, gaze locked to anywhere but hers. The faint scent of cinammon ran across the vicinity and that was the only thing Mel liked about her mornings. Cinammon mixed with petrichor, maybe even a hint of dew.

Another string of undisturbed silence fell upon the three Shinatobe, none attempting to break it. All three felt contented minding their own businesses and that was nothing to complain her. Quite advantageous, if you think about it. As much as Mrs. Shinatobe wanted to make up to her daughter, she was also human. She felt tired, at times, chasing over someone who has yet to return their affection. She have screwed up a fair amount, to Mel’s defense, and that wasn't easily forgotten. After all, she was a sort of person that held grudges no matter how many times she told you she's ‘okay with it’. Because trust her, she's not.

The fatherly figure, however, did no such thing. Did not pursuit because he believed, that as a daughter, as their own daughter, she'd cave in eventually. Although it was taking her an awfully long time to cave in. He didn't mind. Pride above everything else. It wasn't new in the family of Shinatobe. Prideful, generous if given the chance. Nonchalance as a mask and intelligence as a second nature. Wealth bestowed upon their hands, they gave. Not much, but they did. That should have mattered, at least.

Mel downed a glass of water before grabbing her towel from the hanging, thin steel by the laundry. With featherlike saunters, she retreated back to her room and took a quick bath and got ready in under twenty minutes. She threw a glance at the side and it was still pretty early. Not like that would stop her from getting out of this place, anyways.

Slinging a bag over her shoulder and the familiar nonchalance guising her aristocratic features, she did not spare one of her goodbyes to anyone who was left in her house before leaving the premises.

Thankfully, her neighbor doesn't wake up with the same alarm clock as hers. If Aomine Daiki would come swaggering over to her on her usual walk towards Tōō, she honestly wouldn't know what to do.

Admittedly, he wasn't much of a nuisance yesterday where they went home together. Accompanied with the domestic silence, of course. Not like Aomine was the type to blab anyway. At least he wasn't a chatterbox. Because, kami, if he was, then her life would have been screwed over six ways from Sunday. If there was anything other than slow things that she despised, it was unnecessary babble. Can't people keep their thoughts to themselves?

As per usual, Tōō was still covered with morning murk and the scent of fresh grass clippings mixed with rosemary.

Hachi stood by the guard house and gave her a salute, which she returned with Shinatobe mockery.

"Ah, Dee. I was just about to open the rooms, wanna go?"

She shrugged and accepted, "Sure. You’re opening first year’s rooms first, right?"

"Yep, kiddo. And because I’m kind enough, I’ll open yours first."

"Dee’s here? No surprise there."

Mel’s eyes shone with recognition, "Yagei-san, you’re back?"

"Ya bet. Couldn't keep me away forever, you see. Tōō’s security is nothing without this old man."

"We were just informed with a memo that he’s back from suspension this week," Hachi quipped as his eyes diverted to Mel’s hands, "Speaking of returns, you're wearing your gloves again. Last days you weren't."

"Misplaced it somewhere. And, Yagei-san, I’m glad you're here, but I’d love to go to my classroom."

"Right Dee," Yagei chuckled, "Go ahead then."

Mel smiled at his direction and to the other utility workers.

"Good morning."

A chorus greeted her back.

Hm, if it really was a good morning, she wondered.

- - -

Of course it wasn't a good morning.

Out of all the peaceful days, Aomine chose this one to bother her.

"Oi, Mel, ya didn't wait for me this morning."

She grimaced with the use of her first name.

She couldn't blame him, though. She was the one who foolishly made it known that her nickname was Mel. Honestly it wasn't her brightest moment.

No matter, it was better than honey, anyways.

"I wasn't aware I was supposed to wait for you."

"Didn't we have a conversation that I was your new walkmate?"

"Didn't we have a conversation where neither of us knew what a walkmate was?"

He shrugged.

"New term. Magic words."

She resisted the urge to scoff.

"Suit yourself."

Silence fell upon them.

Mel continued fiddling with her phone gaming — health bar dropping at a consistent rate — luckily she had enough potions to survive. Aomine slumped against his table, snoring the time away. Oddly enough, Mel found herself dropping words she didn't mean.

"Can you speak again?"

As if he knew that she was talking to him, he cast Mel a lopsided and lazy grin whilst his head snapped up.

"Oh?"

Mel cleared her throat.

"Don't flatter yourself. I simply find your voice nice to hear. It's a part of you I don't regret the existence of."

"There were insults jabbed there, but I won't bother enumerating anyways. So, my voice is nice?"

Mel still wasn't looking up from her phone.

"If you didn't notice, yes."

"You'd hear more of this as my walkmate."

Much to her chagrin, he was using one of the few things she liked about his very being to be his “walkmate”. She enjoyed the subtleties of mornings, the isolation, the recluse, the faint hint of mothball looming around her, swirling. Now she’d have to share the luxury? As much as she liked the deep baritone of his octaves, she'd rather not.

"Nevermind, then."

She heard Aomine shift even as her sight was focused on the game. She was winning, slowly, and the level shall be passed. Health could be easily replenished — and there was only one boss left.

"Ryō, around what time does Mel arrive in the mornings?"

Oh, for the love of God.

Mel could barely hold back a grunt.

"O.. Oh. Uh, you mean Shinatobe-san?"

"I think that's her last name? Yeah, I guess."

She groans this time. He ‘thinks’.

"Very early, from what I know. Like, um, really really early?" His gaze shifted to Mel’s, probably hearing her not-so-concealed grunts, "I’m.. I’m sorry, Shinatobe-san, Ao.. Aomine-kun asked — so — !"

"It’s okay, Sakurai-san." Mel gave him a smile that held back a grimace. Really, he couldn't blame Sakurai for saying. Literally the whole classroom knows she rises with the sun. Aomine didn't, and that wasn't surprising at the least.

"Oh? So really, really, early, Mel?"

"Shut up."

"I can wake up really, really early too, just so you know."

Even though she didn't look up from her phone with her recent victory over the level, she knew there was a mocking grin plastered across his face.

- - -

"Oi, honey, is that banana milk?"

It was lunch.

And it wasn't Mel’s usually peaceful lunch by the tree.

"Have you gone blind? It’s chocolate."

"Oh, then can you fetch me some banana milk?"

"No."

It ended there. Aomine, being the epitome of laziness, didn't move an inch to get his banana milk. Sakurai Ryō was also included in this little scene, per se. He was just as confused as Mel to why they were here. After all, last week, they barely even talked.

"I’m.. sorry, Shinatobe-san, but why does Aomine-kun call you honey?"

Mel stiffened.

Shit.

Under any circumstances, she didn't want her name’s origin known. It was embarrassing as it is that Aomine knew what Mella meant.

"What do you mean? He calls everyone honey."

Poor excuse. Even Aomine snorted at that.

"He doesn't call me — "

She pinched the bridge of her nose and stood up.

"You know what, I'm gonna fetch Aomine some banana milk."

- - -

Dismissal came.

Mel felt like this has been one of the longest days of her whole life.

"Walkmate, we gonna go, or?"

It seemed like she wouldn't be able to do anything about her current predicament now.

Find a loophole, Mel, isn't that what you're good at?

"I have work."

"I'll tag along."

...

"You have basketball practice, or whatever."

His eyebrows rose.

"Don't need it. Are you out of excuses yet?"

"Fine. Tag along, piece of shit."

"Sure, honey," He snickered, "Don't stain that holy mouth of yours, aren't ya afraid?"

"I never had a holy mouth, now if you can conceal yours from spouting more nonsense, it'll be heavenly."

Aomine grinned, "But I thought you liked my voice?"

She never should have said that.

"When it isn't making unnecessary comments, yes."

Work went smoothly. Aomine was occupied. He went and bought himself more magazines, as he swore he’d collect some. No other problems around Koko’s, and there wasn't any memo but payday nearing this Saturday. Currently, it was still Tuesday, so four more scouting around and she'll get some well-earned — if she could put it that way — money.

Aomine also kept his ideal of being walkmates.

Once her shift ended, they both walked towards their respective houses. Not in silence like last time, however.

"We should clear up what a walkmate means."

Aomine shrugged, "Yeah, sure. It’s two people walking regularly together. Sound good?"

"Two people walking regularly together? That’s your idea of a walkmate?"

Aomine scoffed and put his hands behind his head, "Got a better one, honey?"

She looked over him with a mocking glance, "Nope, Great Shine of the Blue Peak."

"What the fuck?"

Mel, for once, laughed around the tall and muscular bluenette.

"Your name meaning’s so noble it’s sickening," She cackled, "I mean, really? At least Honey is kinda tolerable. Oh so Great Shine of the Blue Peak."

"At least I’m not fucking Pooh."

"Oh sure. Defending your crushed ego. Typical."

"It isn't crushed!"

"Uh-huh."

Maybe being walkmates, whatever that was, wasn't as bad as it seems.

- - -

Mella [Latin] :  honey
Aomine Daiki [Japanese] :  great shine of the blue peak