I am just a nobody.
Someone that people will forget eventually.
But I'm fine with it.
I should be.
That's what I've experienced until now.
At least that's what I thought until I met him.
… Masaya… -san…

Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm
-Four Rhythms Across the Blue-
-Minamo Shirase's Route-

It's already been 2 years since Asuka won against Inui Saki.
I was really glad everything turned out great. To be honest, I still can't believe Asuka really did manage to get a hang of her Grav-Shoes even after the balancer being turned off.

It was a reckless move, indeed.

But it worked out in the end, so I guess it's fine.

Since that victory, we all went our own separate ways.
Asuka is following Aoi-sensei's footsteps. She is going to Europe to compete against stronger opponents there, she is really passionate about FC after all.
Misaki is as lazy as she always been, but at least she has the will to be the best in Japan.
Mashiro has only managed to be the top in Shitou region, but she set her target to be the best after Misaki in Japan.
Ichinose decided to teach FC to younger kids. I personally don't think it's bad since her basic is just pretty good. Though, she doesn't really have what it takes to be the best.

"…"

They really have grown up.
Now I sort of understand how it feels to be a teacher.

"Fly."

After saying the activation key, my Grav-Shoes activated and brought me to the sky.

People might be wondering what am I doing here with my Grav-Shoes without joining a tournament. But that's just what I decided.

I retire from tournaments.

Not because I can't fly nor I fear the sky.
I fly because I love the sky.
I want to fly as innocent as I was when I was a kid.
… I know that won't convince anyone.

2 years ago.

"I'm sorry, Masaya."
"No, it's fine. I know you love the sky more than anything."

Aoi-san rejected my confession.
I know I will be rejected, but I still think that I must do it.

"You have better choices. Instead of going with an old lady like me, it's better to go with Kurashina or Tobisawa, isn't it?"
"You know I would've done it if that were the case."
"… Anyway, I'm sorry Masaya."

With that, my unrequited love ended.

-Ring ring-

I pick up my phone.
Irina's name is shown on the screen.

"—Hello?"
"Have you decided to return yet?"

This is her usual opening whenever she calls me.
But no matter how many times she asks me to return, I won't.

"I told you already, Irina. I just want to enjoy the sky."
"… Is it because of Aoi-sensei?"
"…"

I won't say that is not the case.
But I'm still annoyed by the way she knows just about anything.

"Right now I really just want to enjoy the sky. I'm cool with it if you're just asking me to be Inui's second, though."
"… You know you can do more than just a second."
"I'm sorry."
"…"

Irina has tried to persuade me many times to join her team, Avalon.
I feel bad to keep on rejecting her, but I have no other choice.

"… She is still waiting for you, you know?"
"I know."
"… I will not give up."

With that, she cut off the call.
I put my phone back in my pocket.

"Sorry, Inui."

After she and Asuka became friends, we spent quite a time together which brought her to grow feelings toward me.

Last year, she confessed her feelings to me.
Of course, I rejected her. I am just not in the mood to be in a relationship.
However, she is still waiting for me until now.

I feel guilty, but I can't date her just because I pity her.
It would be too rude to her.

I said I'm fine being Inui's second, but I know Irina won't allow it.
It will just hurt her more for me to be with her when I can't return her feelings.

"Excuse me."
"A-Ah! Masaya-san, welcome…"
"Oh! Hinata! Are you up for a muscle training!?"

I visited Shirase-san's FC store, but there's no one but Minamo-chan and prez inside.

Well, that goes without saying.
Since Shirase-san is Aoi-san's second, he has to go to Europe as well.
He left his store to Minamo-chan and prez, knowing prez won't make a move to her.

"Is the business going well? I don't see anyone here."
"Of course it is! You just come at the wrong time. Right, minamo-chan?!"
"Y-Yes…"
"I see, good."

I smile.

Minamo-chan is still as shy as ever, but she got prez who will handle all the customer service for her.
She should be fine.

"… Still, Hinata."
"Hm?"
"Are you really not going to join the tournament? Even after you've got rid of your fear?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"That totally doesn't seem convincing."
"…"

Minamo-chan watches us in silence.
She looks like she wants to say something, but she doesn't.

"Anyway, I'm glad you show up here regularly. It would be awkward with just me and Minamo-chan after all."
"A-Are you saying I'm not good at communicating?"
"See, you stutter. Hahahaha!"
"Ughh…"

Minamo-chan blushes.
She looks like a squirrel even after all this time.

"Hinata, look over here! Kurashina is doing a great job!"
"Where? Oh! She did a consecutive airkick turn even with her balancer off! Way to go, Asuka!"
"Asuka-san… You can do it!"

This is my routine now that I'm not an athlete anymore.
I always visit the store just to watch my friends perform in the tournaments.

It's really satisfying when people you taught becoming really good at it.

"Man, it feels like it was just yesterday since the time she won from Inui Saki."
"U… Uh, yeah."

My heart aches when he mentioned Inui.
The guilt is still there.

"… Masaya-san."
"? What is it, Minamo-chan?"
"Can you follow me?"
"Uh, sure?"

Minamo-chan leaves the store. I follow after even though I'm still startled by her decisive tone.

"… Good luck, Minamo-chan."

I could hear prez whisper something, but I don't get a single word.

"What is it, Minamo-chan?"
"Masaya-san, do you love anyone at the moment?"

Minamo-chan looks into my eyes as she let the words out.

"… No."
"It's a lie."
"… Huh?"

I totally didn't expect her to say that.

"You've changed Masaya-san, after Asuka-san won the Fall Tournament 2 years ago."
"Well, I did come to love the sky again."
"No! That's not what I mean! Besides, your love for the sky is not the same as what you used to!"
"… Minamo-chan…"

Minamo-chan's eyes get teary.
Though, I'm more surprised to how she raised her voice.
She has never done it before.
At least not in front of me.

"After that tournament… You did come to love the sky. But… You're not loving it like the Masaya-san I know! It looks like you're just faking it!"
"…"

I'm faking it…?

"What do you mean, Minamo-chan…?"
"… You fly, yes. But the Masaya-san I know will surely love FC and play as an athlete! It's like you purposedly avoid being an athlete because it reminds you of someone."
"…"

… She might be right.

"I don't like it… I don't want to see Masaya-san becoming like this… I've watched you for so long, but I've never felt so hurt seeing you like this… The Masaya-san I like, will not turn his back toward the sky nor his opponents!"
"…! Mina…"
"If you still want to stay that way, forget what I just said! To the gallows with you!"

With that, Minamo-chan storms into the store with her face bright red.
My legs are rooted to the floor, I can't even move a muscle.

I've never expected her to be so straight forward…
But…

"I… Turned my back to the sky…?