Y'know, not sure it's a haircut of rejection. Asuka's last scene with Kei was shown as more inconclusive than anything (he just doesn't know how to answer, yes or no, and she's refusing to give up), and the last time we saw her was with that other guy at the cafe saying that her "real battle is only about to start." Until we get some further confirmation, I'm gonna assume she's being advised further by that guy, probably to play more to her strengths, maybe change her image some to make Kei more conscious of her. And being a "sporty tomboy" type is far more her strength. (That, or it's the much more mundane "did it for track & field activities" now that school's back in session.)