Disclaimer: I don't own Ao no Kanata.

The next day, Mashiro layed in bed, but not before her mother had her get up eventually. Mashiro really didn't want to go to school, so she simply acted like she was, but in reality she went somewhere else to be alone. The usual cheery life in her eyes was gone and replaced with deep sorrow. Sitting somewhere out of sight, she begun to sob.

Meanwhile Masaya left, but not before a hollow feeling crept up in him. It felt empty to him without Mashiro here this early. Realizing there was no point to leaving early, he went back inside. Sitting on his bed he thought back on yesterday.

Masaya's face turned into an angry one just remembering it. The way that guy teared Mashiro down sickened Masaya so much. His rage was building more by the second, and he started clenching a fist intensely. Later, he left by himself and joined Asuka and Misaki. Although Asuka tried to make conversation, Masaya was not in the mood for talking.

"Sorry Asuka, but I want to be alone," Masaya said and excused himself to go forward.

"Coach," Asuka sympathy.

Misaki had a sympathetic look as well. They knew he was really worried about Mashiro.

After getting to school, Masaya went straight to his own classroom. He tried to see if Mashiro was in her classroom, but she was not, making him depressed.

"Did Mashiro come to school with you?" Madoka asked them.

"She didn't," Masaya said quietly.

"I see," Madoka said, making a sad expression.

Once class started, Masaya was noticeably unfocused, but managed to pay enough attention. The girls were concerned about Masaya along with their thoughts of Mashiro, so they too were distracted. As lunch break started, Aoi walked up to Masaya.

"It's not like you to be so unmotivated after playing FC again," Aoi said to him. "Did something happen?"

"Well..." Masaya started.

"It's about Mashiro isn't it," Aoi said while smiling understandingly.

For some reason he felt his cheeks burn up from that.

"Yeah," Masaya said.

"Well I don't know everything like you do in that match, but I do know that the only one who can help her through this is you," Aoi said. "If anyone can, it's you."

"Eh?" Masaya said as he saw the other girls looking at him with smiles of agreement. "I-I got it!"

"That's right, you two get along so well she'll have to cheer up," Misaki said with a grin.

"A-anyway, I'll do what I can!" Masaya said trying to compose himself. 'Mashiro.'

Once school was out, he wasted no time in his search for her. He tried looking at some fast food joints, but she was nowhere to be found. However, at long last, he spotted her walking by herself near some trees out of sight. Flying towards her, he spoke up.

"Mashiro!" he called out, landing next to her as she faced him.

"Masaya...senpai," Mashiro got out.

"Everyone was worried about you," Masaya started.

"I...I'm quitting FC," Mashiro said almost emotionless now.

"You're what!?" Masaya asked in shock.

"But, you saw what happened didn't you!?" Mashiro said as tears started to form. "I was no good! I just can't catch up to everyone else!"

Masaya kept silent as he didn't know what to say at the moment. Now Mashiro's tears overflowed, rapidly falling down her cheeks.

"He's right," Mashiro said as her voice became sobbingly. "No matter how hard I try, I can never keep up with those around me! I'm, I'm just not special or gifted at all!"

"You're wrong!" Masaya said as he hugged her to calm her down. "Don't ever say you're no good!"

"But it's true," Mashiro said sadly.

"Then why am I here right now?" Masaya asked gently. "You think you're not good enough and not special, but you've got it wrong."

"Huh?" Mashiro managed to get out as he slightly backed away and put his hands on her shoulders.

"It's true, you aren't extremely gifted like some of our friends, but did that stop you from training with me?" Masaya asked her. "Even knowing that you didn't give up. You kept trying your best. I think you're stronger than you think. And to me, you're already special in your own way."

"Masaya," Mashiro said deeply touched by his words.

"You aren't usless, and don't ever think you are," Masaya said smiling at her.

Mashiro's lips quivered as she gently sobbed into his arms after saying his name. Masaya smiled and moved a hand behind her head. Afterwards, she faced him.

"Thank you," Mashiro said softly after calming down.

"Say, did you eat anything today?" Masaya asked, but got an answer on hearing her stomach growl. "Why don't we go to my house to eat then?"

"Agreed," Mashiro said groaningly as she rubbed her stomach.

He didn't want to run into the others right now, as he didn't want them to put any pressure on her or try to get her to do anything. As they traveled home, she stuck close to him, keeping quiet. After getting home, Masaya prepared her some food, as he doubted she had ate at all today.

"Here," Masaya said as he set the food in front of her; for she was setting at the table.

"Ah, thanks," Mashiro weakly said.

It was understandable that her voice sounded weak. She cried very heavily after all.

"How is it?" Masaya asked as she ate.

"Good!" Mashiro said, gaining a bit of cheerfulness.

Masaya smiled. It felt so relaxing having her presence around again. He kept silent, letting her eat her meal in peace. After she was done, they went in his room. Masaya felt a bit awkward for some reason.

"I wonder what the others are doing right now," Masaya said trying to make conversation to ease the awkward feeling.

Mashiro seemed like she wasn't paying attention. "...Masaya," she started. "How is it that you stay so strong about FC?"

"Me?" Masaya asked.

"Since playing again, you always never give up," Mashiro started. "Even when you fought against hard odds, you pressed forward. What gives you such confidence and strength?"

"That would be you guys," Masaya said as Mashiro gave a curious look.

"Because of us?" Mashiro asked.

"Even when I have tough times to deal with, there is one thing I always keep in mind," Masaya said. "I'm not alone. I have friends whom I care about, people who cheer me on. That's why when I'm in a corner, I never forget this."

"We...give you strength," Mashiro said. "But, I still don't think FC is for me."

"Is that so? Then I guess I quit," Masaya said casually while closing his eyes briefly.

"W-why!?" Mashiro asked in panic.

"Because I wouldn't enjoy FC knowing you aren't there," Masaya admitted.

"But," Mashiro said looking down.

"Then why don't we prove it," Masaya said in a positive voice. "That someone like you can take on great players like that."

"You saw what happened didn't you!?" Mashiro started as her voice turned sad.

"I know," Masaya stated. "It's true you lost, but that just means you'll have to get stronger. I know you can."

Mashiro stared at him. How could he believe this much in someone like her?

"Why, why do you care this much about me?" Mashiro asked with a sad look.

"Because I do," Masaya said gently which made her cheeks go red. "To me, you're someone important. And there's no way I'm going to let someone that important fall into despair."

"...You're right," Mashiro said gently with a tender smile as she sat next to him. "But it's best to take a break for now."

"Agreed," Masaya said. 'After that experience, it would be better for her to relax for a few days.'

"Aren't you a softie, so worried about me," Mashiro teased with a grin while his cheeks started to turn red.

"So what if I do..." Masaya muttered avoiding her gaze, and then got a look of surprise as Mashiro wrapped her hands around his arm. "What are you-"

"Responsibility," Mashiro said with a grin.

"Ha?" Masaya said confused.

"You went out of your way to find me," Mashiro started. "Calmed down a crying girl and even brought her to your home and served her food afterwards. I just can't leave now after Masaya-senpai did all of that for me."

"D-do what you want!" Masaya stuttered as he slightly blushed. "Uh, Mashiro, can I ask something?"

Mashiro became curious. "What makes you so attached to Misaki?" Masaya asked, for some reason feeling like asking it.

"Hmm, I guess it was back then when I was late getting home, and my shoes stopped working," Mashiro started. "When I fell and thought I was going to die, Misaki-senpai flew down and caught me. I was grateful, and I was amazed that someone who didn't even know me helped me out. She really is amazing."

By this point she was fantasizing. Masaya felt a twinch of pain in his heart for some reason.

"I see," Masaya said in a subtle discouraged voice.

"But Masaya-senpai is amazing too, and kind," Mashiro said with one eye closed.

"Really?" Masaya asked as his cheeks felt warm.

The two laughed lightly, enjoying one another's company.

Later, they went to sleep, Masaya on his bed and Mashiro on the floor. Mashiro texted earlier to her mom she was staying at Masaya's. But as Masaya slept, Mashiro quietly snuck on the bed and under the covers with him while blushing. She didn't want to sleep alone right now, and she felt comfortable being near him. Seeing a close up of his face, Mashiro smiled and closed her eyes. The following morning, Masaya was the first to start waking up. Just then, he felt something on his chest. Getting a full view of his surroundings, he realized that Mashiro had climbed in bed with him, and what's more her head was on his chest as she quietly slept. Masaya's face heated up as his heart begun to beat at a fast rate. He didn't know what to do. Just then Mashiro woke up and greeted him good morning.

"Um, Mashiro," Masaya started, directing her attention to where he was looking.

Mashiro looked, but saw no problem. "What, are you afraid you might do something perverted?" Mashiro asked in a tease.

"That's not the issue, and why are you holding onto me?" Masaya asked.

"I thought you would like a girl doing that," Mashiro said. "Besides, Masaya-Senpai was so cute sleeping."

The last part she added a bit flirtatiously.

"No way, you're much cuter than me," Masaya carelessly let out nervously as the two then blushed over this.

"B-baka!" Mashiro said as she looked away in embarrassment before looking back at him shyly.

The air turned awkward as the two sat in silence for a moment. "I-in any case, let's eat," Masaya said.

"Y-yeah!" Mashiro stuttered.

As they ate, Mashiro asked. "Do you say things like this to any girl?" she asked with annoyance.

"Of course not," Masaya responded. "You're the only one I've said something like that to."

Mashiro was left speechless, unable to say anything. "I-is that so?" she asked.

They got quiet once more. Mashiro was avoiding his gaze with glazing eyes and red cheeks, while Masaya was sweating and avoiding her gaze, feeling strange inside. After finishing their food, they left to go wake Misaki. Mashiro tended to do it, so Masaya simply stayed silent and waited outside. Once they came out, Misaki was surprised to see Masaya waiting there, as he normally just meets them along the way to school. But then it clicked in Misaki's head that Mashiro seemed more happy than yesterday. Misaki smiled knowingly at Masaya, knowing he had something to do with this without a doubt. Furthermore, Masaya looked happy too. After leaving, Asuka joined up with them. Like Misaki, Asuka could see a positive change.

"Mashiro seems better," Asuka noted.

Misaki noticed Mashiro was flying next to Masaya instead of her. To tell the truth it felt weird to her not seeing Mashiro cling to her in a while. But it was to be expected considering Mashiro and Masaya seemed to grow closer over the days.

"Masaya as well," Misaki said in a dull voice due to how she is in the mornings.

Both her and Misaki smiled at the pair's happy faces as they all flew to school.