Disclaimer: I don't own Ao no Kanata.
"Another wonderful day starts!" Asuka's enthusiastic voice chimed in as she got dressed and put her wing piece on her hair like always.
Masaya approached her as she came out of her house. After the morning greeting, they walked to school.
"I should inform you, we're having a co-op with Takafuji's FC club after school," Masaya stated.
"Alright, there will be even more awesome matches, I can't wait!" Asuka shared her joy out loud.
"I'm sure you can't," Masaya said, staring at her with a kind expression before looking forward seriously. 'A boy wanting to see me, what does Kagami-sensei mean?'
Asuka stared at him curiously, but kept quiet.
School went on like normal, with Masaya and Asuka of course eating together when lunch time came around. After school, Aoi led them to the training camp.
"So this training camp, Satou is from there, does that mean she's a leader of sorts?" Misaki asked as they flew to the location.
"No, Shindou Kazanuri is the leader," Aoi answered.
"Shindou?" Misaki asked.
"He's the reighning FC champion," Madoka answered.
"Ahhhhh, Shindou Kazanuri is a pro, with plenty of spirit to boot!" Shion roared in excitement.
"Not as much as you onii-chan," Madoka said, sweat dropping.
"Wow, that strong," Misaki noted. "What I wouldn't give to face a guy like that."
"Why? So you can lose?" Mashiro asked. "You don't think you can just win when you're still not that experienced, right?"
"Yeah, but I want to see what he's made of, you know," Misaki stated.
Masaya flew with a less than happy look. "Sorry, but we have to get there by Grav-Shoe use, too long to walk to," Aoi told him.
"I see," Masaya said, not thrilled but understood.
Asuka looked at him with concern. She knew he didn't like using his Grav-Shoes, but she still didn't know why. Misaki glanced at him, but said nothing.
Getting to the training camp, they noticed Satou already commanding people in the air from the ground.
"Oh I see you've all arrived!" Satou said, walking up to them in her FC clothes, and noticed Masaya. "I remember, you're the one who coached Kurashina if I'm not mistaken."
"That is correct," Masaya said politely.
"I must give you credit for helping an amateur score at all against me in her first FC match," Satou said with a cocky grin, and hands on her hips.
"I didn't-" Masaya started, but Asuka got in on it.
"That's right, Masaya-san was a big help!" Asuka stated happily.
Masaya's cheeks became just a little flushed.
"Kuarashina, don't think I've forgotten my defeat at the hands of you!" Satou declared, pointing at her. "Because I won't lose again!"
"Sheesh, what overconfidence she has, bet she's a riot with boys," Mashiro grumbled with a sarcastic voice, then flinched at the brief glare Satou sent her.
"Since you're all here, go ahead and prepare yourselves," Satou said, then looked at Masaya. "As for you, since there are two of us, why don't we split the coaching? You coach half the people, and I the other half"
"Understood," Masaya said, turning to his own team first. "Alright, the three of you get ready!"
"Yes!" Asuka, Misaki and Mashiro said.
The first one to fly up on the FC grid with the four buoys was Asuka. "I'll do my best, Masaya-san," she muttered with a confident smile just before the other two flew up with her.
"Alright, Asuka you go first!" Masaya ordered, to which she flew forward on the FC grid. "Keep steady and balance your form! Misaki, you're up!"
"Roger!" Misaki stated, flying forward and doing well with no problem.
"Arisika!" Satou ordered, causing Mashiro to fly up to the grid.
"Wait for me Misaki-Senpai!" Mashiro stated with a comical panicked expression before flying off.
She like Misaki was doing fine. "Ichinose, you're up!" Satou said as she prepared to fly up.
"Um," Masaya started, and after a "hmph" from Rika, she flew forward. 'Looks like this is still a problem...though why am I at fault when she doesn't close her own curtains? Who leaves it open when getting undressed?'
He then concentrated as he and Satou coached everyone. Afterwards, the group had a brief break.
"Now that I think about it, where's this Shindou?" Misaki asked, looking around.
"President is quite busy at the moment, so he won't be stopping by until later today," Satou clarified. "It was odd though, he seemed excited about something all day."
'FC champion, Shindou Kazanuri,' Masaya thought.
"Something wrong?" Asuka asked him.
"No," Masaya said, removing the troubled look on his face. Rika eyed him with a not total pleasant look, making him sigh. "Alright, enough is enough, Ichinose come with me for a second."
"Why should I-" Rika started.
"I said come with me!" Masaya said with absolutely no room for any form of protest.
As they walked off, the others looked curious.
"What buisness does he have with Ichinose-san?" Satou asked.
"We're all like you," Misaki said, shrugging.
Once they got out of earshot, Masaya started. "Listen," he said. "You can't keep staying mad at me over a few accidents."
"And why not!?" Rika protested with red cheeks and glaring. "'Accident', you came out twice and saw me undressing-"
"How long are you going to keep holding this against me!?" Masaya stated sharply in annoyance. "How about you take a look at yourself-YOU left your curtains open! Did you really think nobody walking by your house or your neighbor wouldn't possibly see you undressing by accident? I just happened to walk by the window during those times, but I had no intention of seeing you undressing in either one." Rika calmed down, realizing he was right. She should have been more responsible. "I am sorry that I saw you undressing, I didn't mean to."
"I, I got it," Rika humbly said, acknowledging his points. "Sorry for being all upset."
"It's fine," Masaya said. "Now then, we better get back before we worry the others."
"Mmm," Rika nodded, smiling.
"What did you two discuss?" Satou asked.
"Nothing, just a matter to take care of," Rika said, moving her hand in a straight fanning motion.
"Matter?" Satou asked. "In any case, let's all take an extension break. We have plenty of time still, so longer relaxing wouldn't hurt, right?"
Mashiro muttered something negative about Satou again, only to sweat as Satou's glare gazed upon her.
"Good idea, besides I'm a little hungry," Misaki said.
"Me too," Asuka said.
So they went and ate in a cafeteria. "Delicious, such food fitting for the muscles!" Shion exclaimed, gobbling up some meat.
"You're making a mess," Madoka groaned while covering her face with an elbow, but he ignored her and ate in bliss.
"It's good, but nothing replaces my udon," Misaki mused.
"Maybe if you do good tomorrow, I'll buy you some wonderful udon," Mashiro said, grinning at her.
"Seriously!?" Misaki asked, gaining a comical begging expression.
"She likes udon a lot I take it," Rika said, smiling nervously. "Oh, I'm Ichinose Rika, pleased to meet you all."
She heard Masaya coaching the girls, so he knew their names. Realizing he hadn't told her his name though, he properly introduced himself. After that they enjoyed their meal. Afterwards they resumed training, doing their best.
Later during the day, the girls went in the spa to regain their energy.
"Haaa, this is so relaxing," Mashiro said stretching in the spa water.
"It's a shame Asuka isn't here to experience it," Misaki stated, totally relaxed and stretching her clothless self.
"She decided to stay with Masaya, not a surprise," Madoka said relaxed as well.
"How so?" Rika asked.
"Asuka and Masaya are pretty attached to each other," Madoka said. "So I figured she would want to stay with him outside and keep him company."
"That's pretty nice," Rika said.
"But anyway, this Shindou guy, since you're his teamate, how strict is he as your leader?" Misaki asked.
"Yeah, he must be a really rough kind of guy if Satou is lower ranked in the team," Mashiro assumed.
"Not at all," Rika said. "He's a pretty calm person...well at least until he gets serious in a match."
"Is that so?" Misaki asked.
"He plays it cool most of the time, but when he's having a hard time, all composed behaviour is off, and he looks really intimidating," Rika said, drawing an imaginary bubble with him in it. "I'm glad he's on my side."
"Sounds scary," Madoka said.
"It does, but like I said, he's really nice," Rika said gently, then noticed Satou entering the pool.
"Mashiro, time for a punishment," Satou stated with a cocky smile.
"W-why!?" Mashiro jolted, backing away near Misaki.
"You seem to have the tendancy of talking back to me," Satou said, taking out some soap and a leather piece to rub the girl with. "Therefore, I have decided I will wash you myself!"
"S-seriously!? Hey Misaki-Senpai, anyone!?" Mashiro panicked as everyone got away from her.
"My condolences," Madoka said nonchalantly.
"Um, I don't want to intervene and get punished too," Rika said nervously.
"You're on your own," Misaki said.
"Traitors!" Mashiro yelled before noticing Satou in point blank range of her.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Satou said, grabbing and spinning her so her back was facing her.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Mashiro yelled, unable to get out of Satou's grip. "Stop this!"
"Huh, you're unexpectedly cute," Satou noted, holding the smaller girl in her arms while her hands touched the girl's small breasts.
"Don't say such embarrassing things!" Mashiro yelled with red cheeks, trying to get out of her grip but couldn't at all.
"If you keep squirming like this, I'm going to have to do more than wash your back if you know what I mean," Satou stated threatningly but seductively, and then smiled on her surrender. "That's a good girl."
"Well Satou sure is passionate about everything she does," Madoka said, though not sure if that was a good thing in this case.
"So rowdy already, and this is just the first day," Rika sighed.
Meanwhile with Asuka and Masaya, they were sitting at the beach as he looked over the simulations with his cell.
"You've mastered getting your balance under control," Masaya praised her. "But, we need to help you get that Air Kick Turn under control next."
"Mmm, I haven't been able to do it again," Asuka said sadly, recalling trying to do so during the practice yesterday and today.
"Don't worry, take it a step at a time," Masaya said, putting a hand to her shoulder. "I'm sure you will do it again."
Asuka nodded, smiling at him. "I know, because I can count on Masaya-san to cheer me on!" she innocently said before her face grew troubled. "You...really don't like Grav-Shoes, but I can't understand why."
After a few moments, Masaya spoke, deciding to give her a little bit of an explanation. "I once played FC," he gently said. "But, well things happened and I fell out of it."
He said nothing further than that, and Asuka looked at him with an open mouth and curious expression. She then smiled and scooted closer to him.
"No matter what, Masaya-san is here right now, as my coach," Asuka encouragingly said. "And we will become stronger together. Even if you have your reasons for falling out back then, I'll always be here to support you. Like you told me, take things a step at a time."
Masaya's expression, melted into a sincere one. "Thank you," he said. "And, uh, I promise I won't quit as your coach either."
As they looked at the stars, footsteps were heard. "Taking a break from practice and the like?" the voice asked.
Asuka and Masaya faced the direction of the voice. "You are?" Masaya asked.
"Shindou Kazunari, President of the Takafuji FC club," he said.
"Shindou, the world champion!?" Asuka chimed in with joy.
Shindou eyed her with interest. "So it's you," he said, walking up as Asuka looked curious. "I heard the rumors that a complete novice defeated Satou-kun in a match."
"N-no, I just scored one point even though that was all I needed to win," Asuka said, flustered.
"Even so, it's hard to believe a person with no FC experience could score on Satou at all," Shindou admitted. "I look forward to your performances tomorrow."
"Y-yeah," Asuka muttered.
Shindou's focus shifted to Masaya. "Never would have thought I would see you again in FC," he said, earning a blink from Masaya. "I look even more forward to tomorrow."
"You're mistaken," Masaya started. "I'm only coaching."
"That makes me wonder then, if you aren't going to play FC again, why agree to becoming an FC coach?" Shindou asked. "You were so promising, the one people called a prodigy for a boy your age at the time."
Masaya's head and heart pulsed violently while his eyes widened. During this, his view turned white and he trembled for a split of a second.
"Masaya-san, what's wrong!?" Asuka asked in concern, reaching a hand to his shoulder.
"You not feeling well?" Shindou asked.
Composing himself, he quickly thought to divert their concern.
"N-no, it's nothing," Masaya said weakly, trying to look okay, but Asuka could clearly tell that what just happened was not fine. "Anyway, I...want to help Asuka."
"I see," Shindou said gently. "Regardless, I'm glad to see the boy I joined FC for in the first place back in some capacity."
"You know each other?" Asuka asked.
"I've never met him till now," Masaya said, surprised Shindou was this familiar with him.
"Opposite for me, I've known you since you were a kid," Shindou revealed. "But that's for another day, I wish you all luck tomorrow, bye."
Asuka watched him walk away, then stared at Masaya who seemed troubled.
'Did I meet him at some point in my life?' Masaya asked himself. 'I can't recall.'
The next day, the gang put on their FC clothes they obtained. Masaya though couldn't help but stare at Asuka once she put hers on.
"What's that, see something you like?" Mashiro asked, poking him in the arm while grinning.
"What are you talking about!?" Masaya exclaimed with incredibly flushed cheeks.
"Huh?" Asuka tilted her head, oblivious to what Mashiro was talking about.
"Anyway, take a look at this," Masaya said, clearing his throat and trying to calm down.
He showed a list sheet in his hand. It listed Misaki to face Rika, Mashiro to face Satou, and Asuka to face Shindou.
"Man, I have to face Satou, seriously!?" Mashiro exclaimed in fright, and then paled.
"Tough luck," Madoka said nervously.
"Hmm, I wonder how Ichinose will fare against me?" Misaki said in thought.
"Asuka, I advise you to be careful," Masaya started. "He is not the reigning champion for nothing, I'm sure."
Asuka nodded, tensed as well. "I expect this to be tough," she said.
"Tough?" Aoi started as the others looked at her. "You don't even know the half of it. To say he is tough is putting it lightly. I would say good luck, but luck won't help you with this."
Getting outside, the first match had Misaki and Rika playing against each other.
"This seems kinda one-sided," Madoka pointed out.
"Heh, Tobisawa isn't half bad," Shindou admitted with folded arms.
"Quick, cut past her with your speed!" Satou told her.
"Okay!" Rika yelled, doing as told.
Once Rika got near enough, Misaki stopped her. "You're not getting past me!" she stated determind. "Nobody beats me in dogfighting!"
Swiping Rika off balance, she moved in and scored on her back as she had done many times. Misaki won the match, and Shindou was somewhat impressed. She was certainly good, but that's not where his true interest was.
"Sorry, she was just too much," Rika said, rubbing her head with a hand.
"Don't worry about it, just keep training and get better," Shindou encouraged.
Misaki landed down to her group. "Alright, Misaki-Senpai won!" Mashiro said, and then jolted. "Wait, t-t-then that means-"
"Correct, I'm up next against you," Satou said, whispering in her ear. "And I plan to throughly teach you a lesson for always talking back to me."
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Mashiro yelled in misery.
The two flew up and prepared themselves. Mashiro was nervous, but Masaya calmed her down and gave her enough encouragement to try. Mashiro managed to get two points on Satou, who had to give her props. Overall though, this was a curbstomp on Mashiro's end.
The two landed with Mashiro tired. "Not bad, but I think you can still do better," Satou stated. "So I expect you to get better, understand?"
"Yes yes, I get it," Mashiro pouted.
Shindou stepped forward, grinning. "Now then, I believe it's our turn, Kurashina," he said.
"Yes, I've been looking forward to it!" Asuka said with excitement.
"So have I," Shindou said with a slight intimidating grin now.