*laying on the ground panting* Stupid... Soccer... Player...

Hikaru: Tsurugi, what have you done to Swaggy-chan?!

Tsurugi: It wasn't me, she tires too quickly!

Naw, I just let you go.

Tsurugi: Eh? Why?

Because the readers love you too much, and besides, I don't hate you, you just annoy me...

Tsurugi: Wow, thanks. I feel loved.

You're welcome~!

Tsurugi: *sweatdrop*

Anyway, I realized it's been a week since I updated. Gomen, mina-san! I got a horrible writer's block, and couldn't figure anything out. Then suddenly, it kinda hit me. And I'd like to thank my friend Shoujiki Shouji for helping me. She probably doesn't realize she did, but when I was messaging her, I got an idea. So, arigato, Shouji-chan~! ^v^

Now, back to the chapter! Ibuki was requested by SapphireSpade. I hope you enjoy it, Spring-chan! And everyone else, of course~! :) Hikaru, do the disclaimer!

Hikaru: Hai! *blushing* Swaggy-chan does not own Inazuma Eleven: Go Galaxy.

Arigato~! Enjoy, mina!

I was walking down the hall of my new school, gripping the strap of my book bag very tightly. I was getting bumped and jostled between all the people, and I could barely breath. Being claustrophobic doesn't help in a school corridor. My brain was telling me to calm down, but I was on the verge of hyperventilation. Looking around frantically, I noticed a set of double doors on my left, and one of them was partially open, and I saw no people.

Quickly I headed there, tugging on the heavy door. After a moment of pulling as hard as I could, (which wasn't very hard), the metal entryway opened enough for me to slip through. The room was pretty much empty, with all sorts of sports equipment around. I had stumbled into the gym.

Letting out a shuddering breath, I leaned against the wall beside the doorway and sat, head in hands, trying not to cry. My fear was pretty irrational, but I couldn't help it. I just… reacted, unable to stop myself.

After a couple minutes, I felt a hand on my shoulder and lifted my head, squeaking in surprise.

A boy's face was down at my level, concern etched on his smooth features. "Are you alright, miss?"

I bit my lip shyly at his question. Our faces were very close, but he didn't really seem to notice as he continued to look at me with worry in his plum-colored gaze. Blinked slowly, I stammered in a timid voice, "h-hai…"

He looked relieved and stood, extending a very long arm towards me. I raised an eyebrow at him, and he smiled gently. "You don't intend to stay down there all day, do you?"

I shrank back, clutching my knees. "M-Maybe…"

He laughed, and I blushed. Why was this strange boy laughing at me? He looked like he was on a sports team, and after a few seconds of scrutinizing his uniform I deducted that it was basketball. His hand didn't waver as he insisted, "come on, it wouldn't do for me to leave a lady here alone."

I blinked up at him like a deer caught in headlights as I thought. Well, he has good hair… I shook my head to clear it of those thoughts. The hair in question was pure white, like fresh snow falling on a mountaintop, and spikey, some of it being held up by a black sweatband. It was pretty good…

Tentatively I reached out and put my delicate hand in his rough, calloused one, expecting it to be crushed. But, much to my surprise, his hand grasped mine gently and he pulled me up to stand on my slightly swaying feet.

After relinquishing his grip on me, he smiled charmingly. "Well, I guess I should introduce myself, eh? I'm Ibuki Munemasa!"

I returned the expression, albeit a little more timidly. "M-Minna Reida…"

He smiled as he asked gently, "well, Minna-san, what were you doing in here?"

I stared at the ground, which had weird lines on it. "Hiding…"

I expected him to roll his eyes and walk away, just like everyone else always did, but what really happened made my eyes widen. He chuckled. It wasn't loud, it wasn't rude, it was just a little sound, full of merriment.

I looked up to see him grinning at me. "Hiding from what, Minna-san?"

I nodded my head towards the enormous door, "the people."

His gaze softened in understanding, and he offered, "well, there's an exit here in the gym. Would you like me to walk you home?"

I was taken aback by his offer. "S-Sure…"

He looked very pleased with himself, "great! Well then, follow me…"

And with that, he led me to another set of double doors on the other side of the room. Silently I wondered why he was being so nice to me. I wasn't really used to people being nice to me… and I appreciated it. This boy, Ibuki… he made me feel warm inside, warmer than I ever thought I could feel. And I liked it a lot. Hopefully I would get to know him better.

"S-Soccer?!"

I gaped at my best friend and he shrugged self-importantly. "Yeah, so what? I bet I can be good at it, good enough to satisfy the weirdo coach, anyway."

I bit my lip, frowning in concentration. He loved basketball, why would he all of a sudden want to change sports? He had no idea how to play soccer! I debated whether or not to ask him about it now, because he was in one of his 'I'm so amazing and important' moods. Just one of the many things I loved about him… yes, I was in love with him. Like I'd ever tell him that!

Finally I swallowed my shyness, something I'd had to learn to do fairly often over the last couple years, and said, "Ibuki-kun, why soccer? Why now?"

He shifted his eyes over to gaze at me for a moment before slouching, looking very deflated. "Argh, way to ruin the moment, Reida-san."

I giggled and shoved him gently, hardly even making the enormously tall boy twitch, and insisted. "Why, Ibuki-kun?"

He crossed his arms and sighed resignedly. "Fine, I'll tell you. The coach for Inazuma Japan came to me, and he said that if I play on the team, he'd pay for me to travel abroad and study basketball."

Eyes wide, I breathed, "wow…"

He nodded, the locks of hair that hung down by the nape of his neck bouncing. "I know, right? I couldn't refuse. So…"

I turned away, staring at the river beside the park bench where we sat. "So you're leaving," I finished for him.

I heard him sigh, which confirmed my fears. My only friend was leaving me, to do something stupid just to achieve his life goal. I mean, come on, soccer, really? This was crazy! And I might never see him again…

I felt him shifting beside me, and he put a hand on my chin, forcibly turning my head to face him, and I noticed that his cheeks were tinged with pink. "Eto… Reida-san… I.. I was was hoping… that is… will you come with me?"

I felt my face heat up at his question, and I stammered, "I-Ibuki-kun, I don't…"

He looked rather sad as he dropped his hand from my face, and I longed to reach over and put it back, but I stopped my stupid self. "So… that's a no?"

Panic settling in my gut, I shook my head frantically, "no no, not at all! I… I would love to go with you."

His tanned countenance lit up considerably, the blush still visible in the warm spring air. "R-Really?!"

I nodded, smiling gently, "really."

His eyes were full of joy, and I giggled at the sight. He was so cute! I snapped back into reality as I realized that he had thrown his long arms around me, pulling me into a hug.

I embraced him tightly, and finally, after two years of blushing and stammering, I whispered, "I love you, Ibuki-kun…"

I felt his chest expand as he took in a sharp breath. "I-I love you too, Reida…"

I squeezed him as hard as I could, (which still wasn't very hard), and sighed happily. "I'm so glad you helped me that day…"

Ibuki's voice resounded in my ear, and I would never forget his words. "That was the best decision of my life. I have loved you ever since."

I giggled and snuggled into his chest contentedly, never wanting to move. I could stay that way for eternity. I'd done it. What I'd wanted to do for years. I told him. And it felt good. Really good.

Well, I hope you liked it, mina-san! Sorry for taking so long... :/ Oh well, I hope this makes up for it~! :D Tsurugi, you problem child, tell the good readers who's next!

Tsurugi: Hai, Okaa-san.

I HEARD THAT!

Tsurugi: *sweatdrop* Gomen, gomen! Next is Tenma, then Young Gouenji-san, argh Hakuryuu, Saru, Gamma, Suzuno/Gazel, Kariya, and my Nii-san, Yuuichi.

Arigato~!

Hikaru: Don't forget to leave Swaggy-chan a review, she works hard!

Aww, thanksies, Hikaru-kun! *hugs him*

Hikaru: *blushing* No problem~!

Ja ne, mina-san~~!

~Swaggy-chan