Disclaimer: I don't own Ao no Kanata.
The next day, the gang arrived at the tournament. "When do I get to face someone!?" Asuka beamed with joy, looking at the many people around.
"Woah there, it's decided by brackets," Misaki said, sweat dropping.
"Yeah, and judging by how many players we have, you will all be in different sections," Aoi pointed.
"Just like I wanted, that gives me more chances to run into Shindou-san," Misaki said.
"And me Satou," Mashiro said as the others looked at her.
"Aren't you rather fired up today," Madoka noted.
"Mashiro should show guts like this more often," Misaki complimented.
"Then if I beat Satou, will you treat me to some udon with you?" Mashiro asked.
"It's a deal," Misaki said.
Masaya smiled at all their determination.
They then went to the bracket listing board. "Let's see...ah I couldn't face Shindou-san yet!" Misaki said impatiently.
"Relax, if you keep winning, you may get the chance," Masaya assured her.
"So I face Satou first thing," Mashiro said with a bit of fright, only for a laugh to fill the air. "Nobody can miss that laugh!"
"Correct, it is I!" Satou proudly declared, Shindou and Rika in her presense too.
"Tobisawa, I won't lose this time!" Rika said with a confident smile.
"We shall see about that!" Misaki fired back with a confident smile of her own.
"I, I'll beat you!" Mashiro said, pointing at Satou with only the slightest sense of fear.
"You have my respect for challenging me like that," Satou admitted. "But you know, I hope that isn't overconfidence like my cute juniors tend to have."
While the two stared down at each other, Shindou walked up to Asuka.
"Been well?" he asked.
"Yes," Asuka answered.
"That's good," Shindou said. "I look forward to seeing how you've progressed since back then."
Misaki finally interjected. "Hold it, what about the rest of us?" she said, annoyed at him seemingly interested in just Asuka.
"Of course, I'm curious to see how you've progressed too," Shindou said. "I noticed you know, that you have quite the guts as a dogfighter."
"You bet!" Misaki said proudly.
"However," Shindou started more seriously with narrowed eyes. "That is your biggest weakness."
"What do you mean!?" Misaki asked, irritated.
"See you guys later, and I wish you all luck," Shindou stated before leaving with Rika and Satou.
"Hmph, what's his deal?" Misaki asked.
Masaya said nothing, but understood there was certain truth to Shindou's words. With that, the gang waited for the tournament to start. Masaya went off for a moment to buy some soda for himself. If he was going to coach multiple times in a tournament where he couldn't take a break in a match, he wanted to have something to drink to replenish himself. Popping in four quartors, a soda can popped out. He then felt two people's gaze on him, and jumped.
"Oh, sorry for that, did we startle you?" Irina asked.
"No it's fine," Masaya said, moving aside, assuming they wanted to get some soda.
"Hmm...judging by your clothes, if I was to guess, you're an FC coach," Irina mused with a finger to her chin. "In this tournament?"
"Yeah, I'm coaching Kunahama's girls," Masaya stated politely. "Hinata Masaya."
"Irina," she said, introducing herself before gesturing to Saki. "And this is my player, Inui Saki, though I prefer to call her Saki."
"Pleased to meet you," Saki said, bowing her head before him.
"Wait, just her?" Masaya asked with curiousity. "Don't you have more than one person?"
"No, she's all that is required," Irina stated with a cocky look. "Besides we came here with a goal in mind."
Masaya blinked. "A goal?" he asked.
"You shall see by the end of this tournament, I promise you," Irina said, popping in some money and getting a soda.
"Well I need to head back, good luck to you both," Masaya said, walking away.
"And I wish you the same, Hinata Masaya," Irina said. 'Soon he, like everyone else, will submit to our will.'
Getting back to the others, Minori's voice rang throughout the place. "Alright, the moment is finally here!" she declared loudly. "The all-japan Flying Circus tournament begins! Players from around the world and Japan alike have come forward to test their skills! Expect exciting matches! And now, the first matches are as follows!"
The bracket then showed the decided result one last time. Mashiro was in C with Satou first match, while Misaki had Rika while Asuka had someone named Arika. After getting into their FC clothes, the group got to the booth, while Shindou's group arrived at the other one in their FC clothes.
"This is i-it," Mashiro said, nervous.
"Don't forget, if you win, I'll treat us both to some udon~" Misaki sung encouragingly.
"Win, I'm going to win!" Mashiro said excitedly, replacing all nervousness just moments ago.
"How easily motivated," Madoka said, sweat dropping at the drastic change.
"But it's a good thing to be fired up," Asuka said.
"Of course you would say that," Masaya sighed before facing Mashiro. "Mashiro, Satou is a pretty arrogant individual...and we're going to take advantage of that."
"How?" Mashiro asked.
"I'll tell you once the match starts, there's no more time," Masaya said.
Just then Minori's voice came in, signaling them to fly up to the starting point on the FC grid. Satou and Mashiro did so.
Those on ground watched in anticipation. "Now, Satou of Takafuji school, and Arisika of Kunahama school will begin their match in a few seconds!" Minori yelled.
Finally, the sound to signal them went off, thus Mashiro and Satou raced forward.
"Hmm, you're not half bad," Satou admitted, seeing Mashiro was keeping up with her. "Certainly, you're different from before, but!"
Satou quickly knocked her off balance and touched her back, then went to the first buoy. Satou now held 1 point and Mashiro 0.
"Go to the next line via a shortcut!" Masaya ordered, and then informed Mashiro of his plan as she did.
"Tehee, it sounds like her alright," Mashiro chuckled, waiting on the next line as per the rule of having to get a point on the person before touching the next buoy since she took a shortcut.
"Oh? Are you welcoming my glorious entrance, Arisika?" Satou asked in a cocky voice. "I don't dislike that, but praising me won't make me go easy on you in a match you know."
Just as she got in range of Mashiro. "Now!" Masaya ordered.
"Right!" Mashiro stated, and flew downwards at the last second.
"Why you!" Satou yelled, and catching up to her back, Satou moved in for a touch, but Mashiro spinned so that her legs touched her hands instead. "No way!
The impact knocked Satou out of balance.
"Take thiiiis!" Mashiro yelled, touching her in the back for a point, putting them 1 to 1.
'That was pretty good,' Shindou thought as he observed Mashiro. 'She let Satou be overconfident on purpose, which was a lure into a trap. Taking advantage of her personality flaw, is this Hinata-kun's handiwork too?'
"Atta girl!" Misaki cheered with a clenched fist.
"She's giving Satou a challenge," Rika said in surprise at the other booth.
"Mashiro-chan," Asuka said, smiling at her.
Satou recovered, but Mashiro dodged and went to the buoy. "Darn it!" Satou yelled, flying to the next buoy.
That put Mashiro at 2 and Satou 1.
"Satou-kun, be more careful," Shindou warned. "You underestimated her, and you payed for that. Being overconfident is a trait that can lead to one's demise."
"Satouin, President!" Satou scolded through her mike to him. "But I have to admit you're right."
She waited patiently after arriving at the road leading to the buoy. Unlike before, Satou swiped Mashiro off balance, preventing her from escaping and touched her back for a point. And also had just enough time to touch her back again for a point. So now Satou was at 3 and Mashiro 2.
"Mashiro fought back with a brilliant counter-attack, but Satou seems to have responded to that and took the lead!" Minori declared.
"Now's your chance!" Masaya stated as Satou prepared to touch Mashiro in the back again.
Mashiro quickly spun around and swiped her off balance, thus the score was at a tie. Everyone watched as Satou and Mashiro kept scoring back and forth.
"I haven't been training this hard for nothing!" Mashiro stated as they exchanged blows. "Just as Asuka-Senpai and Misaki-Senpai do their absolute best, so will I!"
"I admire your determination!" Satou acknowledged. "Just like you, I have trained my hardest too! But you're still not at my level!"
"I'll leave the rest up to you," Shindou said with folded arms and closed eyes.
Satou then proceeded to dominate her, with Mashiro barely able to defend herself. Her swipes were faster, and her skills as a dogfighter clearly outmatched Mashiro's. Masaya and co watched with sad looks. Masaya tried to help her, but Satou proved too much.
"After a fairly one-sided battle, Satou emerges victorious!" Minori yelled. "Poor Arisika just couldn't hold her ground!"
The score ended with Satou 10 to Mashiro 4.
Mashiro remained still, feeling uncool for how bad she did.
"You did better than before," Satou started, and tried to find the next words to lift her spirit. "Try and think about what it is you're lacking and what you need to work on. You weren't a waste of my time, I appreciated having a match with you again."
Mashiro looked up. "Satou..." she muttered, lost at what else to say.
"I told you, I praise your determination to beat me, but you still have ways to go," Satou continued. "Anytime you want to challenge me, I'll take it. So cheer up and keep practicing."
"...Okay!" Mashiro said, perked up.
Satou smiled and closed one eye. "Besides, you're cute the most when you're positive," she said before flying down.
Mashiro's cheeks flushed for a moment at the compliment before flying down to her booth.
"Sorry, I couldn't beat her," Mashiro said with a defeated smile and her head down. "Guess no udon together with you."
"Don't know about that," Misaki casually said before smiling at her.
"Huh?" Mashiro asked.
"I said I would treat you to some udon with me if you won, but I never said anything about not doing so if you lost," Misaki clarified before putting a hand on her shoulder. "What truly matters is giving it your all, and you did just that."
Mashiro smiled as her cheeks flushed and she hugged Misaki. They then went and had some udon together with the gang joining them, seeing as Misaki and Asuka weren't yet to have a match.
After this, it came for Tobisawa's match against Rika, and it was unfortunately very one-sided. Misaki was clearly the stronger of the two, with Rika barely able to get any points at all. The girl tried, but Misaki won with not much trouble.
"Tobisawa can do an Air Kick Turn I see," Shindou said. 'As I thought, she's not half bad, but I can see the overall problem with her.'
"Looks like I have to get a lot better than I am," Rika said, rubbing her head with a hand nervously.
"It was still a fun match anyway," Misaki said. "You gave it your all, and that makes me happy you put your heart in it."
"Mmm," Rika said.
"Yes, up next is Kurashina Asuka of Kunahama vs Arika of Shitou Suisan!" Minori roared.
Asuka smacked her cheeks with her hands. "Finally time," she said.
"Yeah, just remember what I said, don't use the Air Kick Turn unless absolutely necessary," Masaya warned.
"I will," Asuka said.
"Good, now go out there and have fun," Masaya said, smiling at her.
"Yes," Asuka said, flying up to the starting point.
Once the signal went off, Masaya spoke. "Let her stay next to you, then dodge and keep going forward as soon as she tries to touch you."
"Understood!" Asuka said, and looked out of the corner of her eye for Arika to do something.
"How careless, go ahead and touch her," Arika's female coach told her.
"Roger onee-sama!" Arika responded, but just before she made contact, Asuka quickly flew downwards and then shifted back to forward. "I missed!?"
"Tch, a fake out huh," Arika's coach said. "Take a shortcut!"
"Yes!" Arika said.
Asuka thus touched the first buoy, earning a point.
Shindou smiled in approval.
"Arika, plan b!" her coach ordered.
So Arika started zigzagging back and forth, confusing Asuka.
"What's that?" Mashiro asked.
"Scissers," Misaki started. "You use it to confuse the opponent by moving left and right while going forward at the same time."
"Sounds like a helpful little move," Madoka noted.
A smile formed on Asuka's lips as she looked at Masaya as if they could read each others' minds. "If Arika is moving left and right..." she started.
"Then all you need to do..." he started.
"Dodge under her and touch her back!" they both said.
As Arika neared her, Asuka hovered a bit under her, and then touched her, sending her flying in the air. Asuka went and touched her back for a point, putting her at 2 to Arika 0.
"I see Kurashina has went beyond just simply enjoying herself, but has formed strategy," Shindou noted.
"Yes, keep it up!" Masaya stated with excitement.
"Mmm!" Asuka smiled, staring at him and nodding.
The match ended with Asuka having 7 to Arika 3.
The first day concluded, so the gang left the grounds and flew home. Meanwhile Irina looked at info on her portable device.
"That boy, Hinata Masaya, coach of Kunahama school," Irina said. "So he's the one coaching Kurashina and and Tobisawa. Quite impressive they've mastered such a pro move considering this is their first tournament, and those two have done pretty well. He must have good coaching skills. I wouldn't mind such a talented FC coach on our team. After all, such skills shouldn't go to waste."
Meanwhile as the girl's and Masaya flew home, Aoi spoke.
"Where is your brother, Shion?" Aoi asked.
"Ah, onii-chan had stomach issues," Madoka said.
"With how much he eats, I'm not surprised really," Misaki said before looking at Mashiro.
'What I'm...lacking,' Mashiro thought deeply. 'What is it I lack?'
"You okay?" Misaki asked.
"Huh? Y-yeah," Mashiro said, snapping out of it. "Misaki-Senpai was so cool doing an Air Kick turn on Ichinose."
"Did you expect less?" Misaki asked proudly.
"Always so overconfident, that girl..." Madoka sighed.
"Well, it's fine to be a little extra," Masaya said. "Though in Misaki's case..."
"Aheh, that's probably true," Asuka said nervously.
Everyone sweat dropped as she reveled in her overconfidence. Once everyone went their seperate ways, Asuka stuck with Masaya as they walked.
"What an exciting first day that was," Asuka said. "Tons upon tons of great people!"
"If you're excited now, think about this, you have an entire new day of matches and people to watch tomorrow," Masaya said.
"That pumps me up even more!" Asuka said with her fists near her chin.
"Get some rest in any case," Masaya said. "Tomorrow will be even more challenging, so you need all the rest you can get."
"Mmm, I have to do my best so as to not let you down," Asuka said. Masaya stared at her and came to a stop. "Masaya-san?"
"Um...," Masaya started, and then was unable to convey what he wanted.
"Hmm?" Asuka asked, curious.
"N-no, forget it!" Masaya stuttered with very red cheeks. "G-goodnight!"
Asuka blinked as he ran away. 'What's bothering him?' she wondered. 'I hope he's feeling okay, maybe he has a fever.'
After getting out of sight of her, he stopped and caught his breath. Putting a hand on his fast beating heart, he stared with glazing eyes.
A/N: They really downplayed Mashiro in the show when it came to her match against Satou. I mean, I get Mashiro wasn't that good, but for petes sake let her score more than one little lousy point in the match. It makes it look like she barely even trained in the time before the tournament. Give the girl some credit! She deserved much better treatment in that match than the show gave her.