Disclaimer: I don't own Ao no Kanata.
It was Saturday, and the girls were training like usual at the trailer. Masaya offered to coach Mashiro or Misaki, but both insisted with amused looks that he keep coaching Asuka. He didn't understand why they said that, but he complied all the same. In truth Misaki and Mashiro were already doing fine enough on their own, while Asuka needed the most improvement as a newbie to the very world of FC. That, and they could tell he and Asuka really enjoy working together and all.
"Try and cut Misaki off from touching that buoy!" Masaya declared.
"Right!" Asuka said, doing as commanded.
"No you don't!" Misaki yelled, smiling in enjoyment.
"Misaki-Senpai is still a little better," Mashiro said proudly, somewhat on Misaki's side.
"Misaki was already pretty familiar with FC before she joined, so she understands the basics a lot more than Asuka," Masaya explained.
"I'm not too familiar, but I'm doing well," Mashiro said.
"Yeah well, you're not a klutz," Masaya said before growing nervous. "Asuka on the other hand..."
"That's nothing but the truth," Madoka said with amusement. "Asuka is the definition of an estatic air head who just can't wait to do something new."
They watched as Asuka tried her Air Kick Turn, which while missed Misaki at first, got her the second time. However, Masaya noticed something. Asuka looked fatigued.
"Yes, let's stop there!" Masaya ordered as she came down with Misaki. "Good job, it seems you've got that Air Kick Turn down now."
"Kind of jealous," Misaki said, unable to do it herself.
"Mashiro!" Masaya stated, signaling her to fly up and do some training with Misaki who was not tired yet, and then faced Asuka, who was tired. "Okay, it's good you mastered it, but you need to watch it."
"Huh?" Asuka asked, confused.
"Haven't you noticed?" Masaya asked her. "Doing the Air Kick Turn takes a lot out of you. It's a move some of the pros use, but you yourself are still just a novice at FC, hence doing such tricks will wear you out faster. Right now it looks like once or twice is your limit. Therefore, I want you to only use it if you absolutely have to, a last resort. If not, you'll burn out, and that's not good."
"I understand," Asuka said with a nod.
They then observed Misaki and Mashiro practice. "What's wrong?" Misaki teased. "If you care so much about me, try and catch me."
"I positively do care!" Mashiro said, smiling with determination. "Wait for me!"
Misaki smiled confidently at her enthusiasm while they practiced. "If Asuka can do a pro move like that, so can I!" she said, but on trying to, slipped downwards instead.
"Easy, get yourself under control!" Masaya ordered.
"I-I know!" Misaki said, stopping short of the water and wiping her head. "Too close."
"If you want to master it, you're going to have to practice hard just like Asuka did," Masaya stated. "You can't simply perform it after a few attempts."
"...Yeah," Misaki said, frustrated. Later, she was walking home by herself and sunk into thought. 'Asuka mastered a pro move like that...and Shindou-san was impressed with her. Yet I, what about me? I don't like it, not being acknowledged, being left in the dust!'
Misaki may be a little better than her right now, but the fact remains Asuka mastered something only pros would usually be able to. She wanted to do it too. It upset her all the more that she didn't even get to face Shindou whom she was looking forward to facing. In the back of her mind, she knew Shindou would have steam rolled her, but she still wanted to take him on anyway.
The next morning, Misaki went with the others to the trailer, putting on their FC clothes. Once again, she tried to do an Air Kick Turn, but her failed attempts just let Mashiro or Asuka get easy scores to her back.
"This isn't looking good at all," Madoka said, feeling pity for Misaki.
"Yeah, and she's burning herself out too much," Aoi said, closing her eyes. "I'm not sure she can compete in the tournament if this goes on."
As Misaki panted heavily, Masaya called out. "Alright, that's enough!" he yelled out, signaling her to come down, and she did.
"Shoot, why can't I do it!?" Misaki asked, frustrated.
"The Air Kick Turn is a high level move that typically pros use," Masaya started. "Asuka may have had a knack for it, but that's her, it doesn't mean you have the same knack for it she does."
"I don't care, just teach me the move!" Misaki stated in annoyance and impatience.
"Misaki, you cannot just learn this by taking shortcuts," Masaya pointed out, laying it straight. "I know you're used to being typically lazy and would prefer not to put in a lot of work, but if you want any chance of doing it, you're going to have to try harder instead of expecting to get it under control after only a few tries."
"I got it," Misaki said, hanging her head in defeat.
"Hey, why don't we keep training together?" Asuka asked her, smiling.
"Okay," Misaki said, flying up with her.
'Just as Masaya-san helped me, I'll do the same for Misaki-chan!' Asuka resolved.
They watched as the two trained, and while this lasted for hours, Misaki was starting to, if just a little, master it.
"Way to go, Senpai," Mashiro said, smiling at her.
Misaki finally called it quits, resting for now. "You're getting there," Masaya encouraged Misaki. "Practice time can stop for today!"
"Yeah!" they said.
After getting back into their usual clothes, they talked amongst themselves.
"I think I'll go home and help oba-chan," Misaki said, stretching.
"Then I'll come with you!" Mashiro said, eager to.
"Asuka, do you want to go downtown and do anything?" Masaya asked, turning to her.
"I was about to ask Masaya-san if I could come over, but that also sounds like a good idea," Asuka said joyfully.
So they left while Madoka, Misaki and Mashiro snickered, and Aoi smiled at their attachment with each other.
"Ooooh, a date perhaps?" Madoka asked.
"Wouldn't surprise me," Mashiro said with a grin.
"Right~" Misaki added in with hands to her hips, and an amused smile.
Meanwhile with Masaya and Asuka, Asuka hummed cheerful-like with closed eyes and a bright smile.
"You're in a good mood like always," Masaya said.
"Yes, because I'm going down town with Masaya-san," Asuka said, facing him as they walked. Masaya didn't reply, but his cheeks certainly flushed. "What's wrong? Your face looks red."
"N-nothing!" Masaya said, a bit flustered and looking forward. "You said you were pretty unfamiliar with the places around here, right?"
"Mmm, Misaki-chan and the others have brought me to a few places since I moved here, but a lot of it I haven't been in," Asuka explained.
"In that case why don't I treat us to some lunch?" Masaya asked.
"That'd be great!" Asuka said, clasping her hands.
"Then it's decided," Masaya said, smiling at the excited girl. "Anything specific you would want?"
"Fish, plenty of it!" Asuka cheered.
"...I should have known," Masaya said, sweat dropping. 'She has a thing for fish, and I still don't know why.'
So they went to a resteraunt downtown and ordered some food. Fish steak for Asuka, and a pizza for Masaya.
"Delicious!" Asuka said, digging in and eating.
"I'm happy you enjoy it," Masaya said, taking his pizza and eating it.
"From where I come from, I had fish all the time," Asuka explained in between bites. "So I grew to love eating it more than anything else."
"I see," Masaya said in between bites of his own.
After they ate, they payed for the bill and left. He and Asuka sightseed with Asuka putting an arm around his at some points as she pointed joyfully at things she liked or wanted Masaya to see. She had a joyful face doing so. Masaya himself smiled at her happy nature before looking at whatever she wanted him to see. At one point they went in a clothes store, and Asuka tried on many ones before buying a pair. At another point Asuka and Masaya went and had ice cream together while Asuka had stars of joy in her eyes before she ate the ice cream with a spoon.
Before they knew it, the sky grew dark, and they were standing at the beach alone next to each other.
"I had fun today," Asuka said sincerely to Masaya.
"Time sure flies, but it was indeed a lot of fun," Masaya admitted.
No words were exchanged for a few moments as they stared into one another's eyes, smiling. Masaya could feel his heart rate shoot up significantly.
Over the next few days, Misaki worked very hard to master the Air Kick Turn, and Asuka was giving her a helping hand. Mashiro for her part concentrated on her evasion timing and ability to adapt as an all rounder. In the time Asuka wasn't helping Misaki, she would train under Masaya's supervision. Naturaly everyone was improving and getting better as players.
Right now, Asuka was walking with Misaki, Mashiro and Madoka while Masaya stayed behind to look over a few papers partaining to their results.
"Tomorrow is the day of the tournament," Misaki started. "I can't wait, to get my chance at Shindou-san."
"I'm sure you'll win," Mashiro stated.
"Yeah, I don't think so," Madoka said doubtfully. "Not to overhype him, but he's way out of any of your leagues still. Even if you don't want to admit it."
"But that's what makes it fun!" Asuka said, being positive about it. "Challenging yourself against the impossible, knowing that you can get better and have a rival to push you further."
"Rival, huh," Mashiro said. "Guess mine would be that obnoxious Satou."
"Hey now, you better be grateful Satou wasn't in our earshot, or she would have punished you all over again," Misaki reminded as Mashiro's face lit up like a tomato.
"Don't remind me!" Mashiro yelled.
"Mashiro-chan and Satou-san seem to get along well," Asuka said.
"We do not!" Mashiro yelled.
Meanwhile with Masaya, he was looking over their progress via a sheet outside the trailer.
"I would say they've done well," Masaya said.
"How do you feel about tomorrow?" Aoi asked, walking up to him. "This is the first tournament they're entering after all, and you as their coach are entering one of these tournaments for the first time."
"If I'm to say, I am a little nervous," Masaya started. "But I have confidence in them. I've joined this club, so I'll see this through to the end."
"You've changed," Aoi started, smiling at him. "You were so stubborn about joining this club, then the next thing I know you joined willingly. You're really fond of Kurashina, and I can see how much of a positive effect she's had on you."
"...Yeah," Masaya said, smiling. "I'd be lying if I didn't say she was the reason I'm here right now. Above anything though, I want to be there for her and support her."
"That's a good thing, and I'm happy to know you feel that way about her," Aoi said in a sincere voice. "And I think the others would agree that Kurashina's true strength comes from the bond you both share. Keep being at her side, Masaya."
"I would do that even if you didn't tell me," Masaya said gently.
"True enough," Aoi said. "I guess the only thing I can do is sit back and watch how you all do tomorrow."
"We'll do our best," Masaya said, before staring at the sky. 'Asuka, everyone.'
Meanwhile after it got dark, the girls were in their own rooms, each filled with resolve. Mashiro wanted to win against Satou very much for a change, while Misaki's thoughts were preoccupied with the desire to face Shindou. As for Asuka, she was sitting on her bed.
"So many amazing people will be competing tomorrow, I've got goosebumps just thinking about it!" Asuka said with glazing eyes. "I'll do the best I can, for the team, and for Masaya-san."