Aomine was kicked back on the roof, legs stretched out, flipping through a magazine he definitely wasn’t supposed to have at school. The sun was warm, the rooftop breeze was calm, and for once, he felt like he had peace from the chaos of Teiko’s basketball team.

Then— A soft laugh slipped through the air. Not from the court below, not from the hallways, but right there… by the rooftop ladder.

Aomine froze, his eyes snapping toward the sound. Standing halfway up the ladder was a girl he didn’t recognize — new face, new uniform, obviously not one of the usual students who’d come up here to bug him.

She tilted her head, covering her smile with her hand. “So this is where the infamous rooftop napper hides out… didn’t think I’d catch you with that in your hands.”

Aomine blinked, magazine slipping a little out of his fingers. For once, the unshakable, cocky grin on his face wavered.

“…Tch. You didn’t see anything.”

The girl laughed again, climbing fully onto the roof. She walked over, brushing dust off her skirt before setting her bag down beside him.

“You know…” she said casually, her tone almost scolding. “Instead of using a magazine, you should just get a phone. At least then people won’t be so… displeased if they catch you.”

Aomine squinted at her, leaning back on his elbows with a lazy grin creeping back onto his face. “Oh yeah? You sound like my mom.”

She smirked, eyes glinting. “Maybe your mom’s just smarter than you.”

Aomine let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Feisty. I like that. But nah—phones are boring. Besides…” He gave her a sideways glance. “…who’s gonna catch me up here, huh? You the rooftop police or somethin’?”

She plopped down next to him, crossing her legs. “Maybe. Guess that depends on whether you give me a reason to report you.”

For the first time in a while, Aomine wasn’t the one making someone else squirm. Instead, he found himself watching her closely, realizing this new girl wasn’t like anyone else at Teiko.