♛ ⋆♔⋆ ♛

"The book you read for us the other day was super nice Y/N!" Aiko giggled.

"Yeah! I want to hear more." Nishida added.

It warmed your heart knowing that there were people who loves to hear you reading the type of books you love.

"I love the moments in the story where the Dragon would do so many sweet things to the Celestial Princess!" Aiko squealed like the little girl she is.

"Bleh! So girly. You know what's better? Is when the Dragon lashed out his wrath towards his enemies and yelled out his battle cry!" Nishida retorted.

"But that w-was scary.." She shivered.

"No it wasn't. You just always refer the sappy stuff."

You listened to their bickering rolling your eyes and sometimes chuckling. It reminded of you and Kuroko.

You sadly smiled staring at the book cover.

"Y/N?"

"Huh? Oh, yes?" You dried up your tears before they could see it.

"Y/N's sad... I'm sorry that we fought a little.."

"What? No no its ok! You two just reminded me of my brother and I." You smiled sadly.

"How so?"

You scooted your chair forwards and placed your chin on your palm.

"Remember the prisoner the castle had just recently?"

"Oh! The boy with sky blue hair!" Aiko answered.

"Mhm. His name is Kuroko Tetsuya. He's my older brother. We'd use to quarrel between which is better too, the sweets or the sour, pancake or waffles, with syrup or no... the list could go on really." You chuckled softly.

"You miss him don't you, Y/N?"

"It's obvious I do.. so.. so much.." You forced to not let a tear out.

From the distance is the Beast playing close attention to the three of you despite he was at the shelves pretending as if he was searching for something. He noticed you were sad.

Aomine hates to admit it but he always finds it irritating when you're sad. You're usually happy and cheerful. Just seeing you suddenly become sad gave him a confusing feeling, and it wasn't a good one.

He had to think something to make you happy again. To make you forget about your worries and negativity. He stared at the book thinking of the many possible ways he could do to bring your joyful self back.

➭ ➮ ➭

"Kise! Midorima!" Aomine hollered.

The both of them hopped over from the stairs to right in front of Aomine.

"Yes Aominechii~?"
"What is it nanodayo?"

"Listen. I need you two do something very important. You see, Y/N is sad and-"

Kise gasps, "Does my ears deceiving me?! Is Aominechii finally caring for the feelings of other?" He exaggeratedly started.

"Shut the up! It's just that.. she doesn't deserve to be sad and all. It irritates me as well."

"Aww~!"

"Are you proposing to give her a gift, nanodayo?"

"Yeah.. But it has to be a surprise. And I've actually thought the possible ways over."

"Aominechii's thinking!"

"Oh for fucks sake Kise!" Aomine growled.

"So, what may be your suggestion Master?"

➭ ➮ ➭
After a Few Hours
➭ ➮ ➭

"Hurry up Y/N-Chan!" Aiko giggled running downstairs along with Nishida.

"You're too slow Y/N!"

"Wait up, you guys!" You rolled your eyes jokingly walking.

The two hurriedly went downstairs while you were left upstairs trailing behind them but slower.

"Did you get her? Is she coming?" Kise excitedly asked the teacups.

Aiko answered catching up her breath, "Uh-huh! We said that we had something very important for her to see!"

Nishida then added, "Yup. I hope she likes it! It looks amazing."

Then they heard footsteps nearby which they presumed it was you. So they went to their positions, preparing.

"Okay you two, what is that you want me to see that is so important-" You were taken a back as soon as you turned the corner to see Kise and the others in a group standing in front of a door.

You breathed out of chock, "W-What's going on?"

"Lady Y/N, we are very pleased to have you join us. We put extremely hard work and effort preparing this."

"Hope you enjoy the gift we made!" Kagami grinned.

"A gift? For me? I'm flattered but I don't even deserve this!" You said flabbergasted.

"Nonsense! You did so much to us Y/N." Himuro disagrees.

"Thanks you guys." You teared up.

"You shouldn't really, in fact, you should thank Aominechii for this~"

"Dai-chan?"

"Oh isn't that cute?! She even gave Master an adorable nickname." Alex fangirled.

"Now let's not get ourselves too distracted. Scatter everyone!"

The group then scattered and slowly unveiled the door. It opened making you widen your eyes in surprise.

It was the garden. A huge garden actually. There was. Gazebo and flower beds that acted as fences.

It was filled with varieties of flowers. Especially roses, your favorites.

There was also a fish pond with a little waterfall and a group of school fishes. Butterflies fluttered since it was daytime.

The scene in front of you was truly breathtaking. You just stood their astonished by everything. The fact that they would go all out in dedicating to make you feel home was truly amazing.

"So.." A deep voice trailed. "Do you like it?"

You turned around to see Aomine behind you.

"Like it? I love it!" You answered making Aomine and the other's lit up. Smiling at each other with joy. They were glad you enjoyed the gift.

Without hesitation, you ran towards Aomine and hugged him which fortunately, he caught you just in time.

"Whoa whoa whoa-" His eyes expanded when your warmth travelled to his. You hugged him, a tight one in fact. He wasn't really expecting this.

"You didn't have to do this", you genuinely smiled. In the corner of your eyes were tears forming because of the situation at hand.

He inhaled your scent. You smelled everything sweet and nice. Dandy flowers and fresh pages from books. Oh how addicting it was to him.

You pulled away too early for his liking but being him, he didn't show it.

"I know I didn't have to do this.. But I did." He answered in his usual deep and husky voice.

You just gave him your tender smile and walked away to the others.

Midorima then suddenly appeared beside the beast. "Aomine, if you don't mind me asking, what made you think of this gift?"

He clicked his tongue in annoyance yet still answered, "She just loves the outdoors. I pity her." He says with hesitance in the last part.

⤿ ⟲ ⤿

"Y/N, do you want to stay at my castle forever?" The young Aomine asked the girl beside her.

They walked around his royal garden hand by hand. But it was normal to then so both weren't too embarrassed by the act.

"Living in a beautiful and royal castle is and will always be a dream come true to everybody! Especially when you're with your best friend." The H/C haired girl answered looking at him softly.

But then her gaze looked towards her surroundings. "Although... I'd surely miss the world outside the walls. I really love the outdoors a lot."

"How so?"

"Starts with the little things like soil in my feet, to the big things like the fresh breeze! Starting in the morning where the warmth of sunlight hits my skin and butterflies fluttering, to the night where the stars twinkled and the fireflies flying!" You giggled.

"You really love the outdoors that much?"

"Mhm~ I like it just like how much I like Dai-chan! From head, to toe. From your physical appearance, until your true self inside."

⤿ ⟲ ⤿

But then a sudden of realization hits him. "Honestly, she was right. I didn't have to do this. And yet I did.. Ugh.." He facepalmed.

So it was just like Midorima expected.

"Aomine... these random acts of kindness from you are bizarre yet fascinating. You never did like this to anybody. As a result, I'm positive that you are falling for her. Which isn't a bad thing at all."

He choked. Him? Falling for you? Nonsense he believed.

"I don't like her romantically!" It's just a token of appreciation for her service here!" He blushed red and looked away.

Midorima chuckled and added, "Oh, sorry. The conclusion just came to me considering you're always staring at her with that soft gaze in your eyes. Especially when the two of you read books together despite your dislike to them." He smirked.

"I-"

"And you gave her an effortly exaggerated gift based on your observations on her." The clockwork added.

"Gaddamit. Okay sure, just because I did doesn't mean that shit okay. So just drop it." Aomine grunted and stormed off to the hallways.

'Four-eyes just doesn't know what he's talking about.' He thought to himself.

And yet, his pace slowed down and he placed his paw on his chest which beats rapidly whenever you're near him or whenever he'd think of you.

His face softened, 'Still... I don't know what the hell is going on with me. She can't lift up the curse.. she's only a guest. This feeling will fade away..'

And yet he still sadly thought, 'Besides, it's not like she'll like a beast like me.. she won't be able to remember me..' 

A tight feeling in his chest emerged.

"..Ugh.." He grumbled ruffling his fur.

And as always, Aomine is a complicated feeling.

♛ ⋆♔⋆ ♛