Aomine Daiki's Infatuation. - Aomine X Reader.

Generation of Miracles

The early evening sun shone its golden glow, casting long, harsh shadows across the gravelled rooftop. I sat there, puzzled and defeated, letting out a sigh that evolved into an exasperated "ugh." A mild breeze offered momentary respite, ruffling my hair and carrying with it the distant sound of city life afar.

'The only one who can beat me, is me.'

Aomine's words echoed in my mind, a cryptic phrase that left me more perplexed than ever. What did that even mean? His vague remark hung in the air, a mix of egotism, and... was that a hint of despair I detected?

Picking myself up from the sun-baked gravel, I made my way down the brick building. Each step felt heavier than the last, the rough texture of the bricks scraping against my palms as I made my way through the Academy doors.

The hallways extended before me, unusually quiet and free of the usual bustle. Most students had long since left, leaving behind an almost ghostly atmosphere. I strolled towards Momoi, the absence of Aomine by my side feeling like a tangible failure.

Entering the gym, "I'm sorry, Momoi," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "He just said there's no point in practising because, apparently, the only one who can beat him is himself." The words felt bitter on my tongue, laden with guilt and disappointment.

Momoi's reaction was a striking display of conflicting emotions. Her eyes, typically bright and vibrant, now reflected a deep, low-spirited sadness. As silence enveloped us, she let out a heavy sigh, her breath catching as if struggling to contain a wave of stronger feelings. Then, like a switch had been flipped, a flicker of anger ignited within her pink irises, revealing the complex nature of her emotional state.

"Thank you anyway, [y/n-chan]," she said, her face brightening with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Better luck next time, eh?" The forced cheerfulness in her voice felt almost painful, mirroring my own internal feelings. I returned her smile, equally strained, wondering how many times she had gone through this very scenario.

As the day drew to a close, Momoi caught me just as I was about to leave. Her fingers, quivering slightly, tugged at the base of my shirt. She led me to a nearby bench, her demeanour suddenly serious.

"Have you ever heard of the Generation of Miracles, [y/n]?" she asked, her eyes searching mine intently.

I leaned in, curiosity piqued. "I'm familiar with it to some extent, but not completely. Why do you ask?" 

What followed was a story that seemed almost magical – a story of five basketball prodigies and their enigmatic sixth man. Momoi's voice took on a nostalgic tone as she spoke of Aomine's past, of a time when basketball was his everything.

"He lived and breathed basketball," she recalled, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. "His passion for it was unmatched by anyone I've ever known."

But as she continued, her voice cracked, the pain of the present seeping through. "Watching him now, it's hard to believe he's the same person. He never backs down, [y/n]. I think he's on a mission for an opponent who can truly challenge him. But finding someone like that? It's like searching for a needle in a haystack."

The weight of Momoi's words hung heavy in the air. I found myself captivated, piecing together the puzzle that was Aomine Daiki.

"Well, that explains a lot," I mused, my voice soft but determined. "His behaviour can be quite off-putting – the arrogance, his misplaced principles... Yet, I don't believe he's inherently a bad person. Perhaps he just needs a spark – something or someone – to reignite his passion."

As we stood to leave, Momoi pulled me into a tight hug, as if drawing strength from the embrace. When she pulled away, her eyes glistened with unshed tears in the fading light. "You're probably right," she said, her smile now genuine, if a bit watery. "Thank you for listening, [y/n-chan]."

We walked out of the gym together, our footsteps echoing in the empty hallway – a reminder of the long day behind us and the uncertain future ahead.

Stepping into the cool evening air, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Aomine from my mind. What would it take to reignite the fire in someone who had lost their way? As Momoi and I parted, the complexities of Aomine loomed larger than ever, a challenge that, despite myself, I found increasingly fascinating.