I might've forgotten to mention this in the previous chapter but I'm sure everybody knows another use of the term "ship", which is used for pairings we like, right? So the previous chapter's title has a double meaning, because ships are related to pirates, and the Aira-Sakuma fling is something Done ships, so. :D

If I put that in the previous chapter's A/N, I'll go over my twelve hundred word count. :D

Disclaimer: If This is Love belongs to McFly; Inazuma Eleven to Level-5; and mentioned OCs to their respective owners.


13: The Obstacle

No, McFly, this is love, but it's not easy.

"Hiroto, that's crazy," A twintailed blackette had her jaw dropping at her companion's unfazed smile. "There's a lot of us here at Sun Garden, plus Hitomiko-nee!"

"But they're financially capable," The vermilion-haired former alien answered back. "I'm not too worried about this, Nayujin." The two were enjoying a plate of tiramisu cake each at The House of Desserts, a place a certain sundae-loving freak would never go to. "And it's not in the least bit crazy," Kiyama Hiroto added, the piece of cake finally swallowed. "In fact, I only find it fair that the council approve of this proposal."

"And when will you talk to both school presidents?" Kyogiaiko Nayujin inquired as she poured strawberry syrup all over her slice. "Those two are practically capable killers in their own right, just so you know," She added, still not finished adorning her cake. "Depending on the outcome, either you die at their hands or it'll be World War Dere with those two."

"You really love your best friend, don't you, Nayujin?"


"Maki,"

"Yes, Shachō?"

"When was the last time Ak— Fudou got a detention slip?" Quite an eyebrow-raising slip of the tongue, Sokudone. But Maki ignored it, regardless. She combed through the student files as the school president scanned through hers as well. "Not sure if this is a good thing, but he hasn't been forced to do anything for his latest detention," Said Maki as she found and read the file. "The teachers can't handle being in the same room as him for even thirty minutes, so…"

"Perfect! Let's ring him in!"

"S-Shachō?" Maki's crimson hair fell to one side as she tilted her head in confusion. Just what exactly could Teikoku Gakuen's high-class delinquent be of use for? Sokudone's innocent violet eyes widened in curiosity. "Is something bothering you, Maki?" She asked with a smile still on her porcelain face.

"Other than the part where you just called the school's infamous crook perfect, not much, Shachō."

"Well, good. I can't have your mind being fuzzed over my trivial order." Maki gave a look that said, are you kidding me? Whether her superior failed to see it or purposely put it off, Kurokawa Maki would never be able to tell.


"Koujirou, my furry freakishly tall friend—"

Maki looked up from the student file as she listened to the school president converse with another one of her good buddies. Well if one of your friends was Sakuma or Genda, then you'd be a shoe-in as Genda or Sakuma's friend as well, if that made sense.

"Status report, please?"

"Ah? How'd you get my number, creeper?" Came a low voice from the secretary's telephone. Maki had been forced to contact the antisocial rulebreaker; another thing about being Genda and Sakuma's friend was a shared negative opinion on Fudou Akio. "This is the Student Council President, Kurokawa Maki, Fudou-san."

"Am I supposed to bow down in worship or sacrifice a gogglebrain? To what do I owe this so-called pleasure?"

'A little bit more patience, Maki,' The secretary practiced her breathing exercises as the school president gasped in the background. "The school president has a favor to ask of you."


"I think you should tag along, Nayujin," Hiroto said as he jogged down the stairs after dressing up. "I think I'll pass; I love my best friend and respect the former Genesis captain enough not to show up for your crucifixion."

"That's mean, Nayujin!" An ever-defensive Midorikawa Ryuuji followed suit down the stairs behind Hiroto. "And how come you didn't ask me to go, Hiroto?" He pouted. The redhead laughed heartily. "Midorikawa, there's a saying that says—"

"'Stay'." Nayujin finished with a commanding voice. For a moment, the green-haired boy was about to sit and stick his tongue out the way a dog would.

"Well, there's that," The teal-eyed boy had an amused grin on his face as he reached the door. "I'll see you two later, and wish me luck!"

"Take me with you!" The former Gemini Storm-captain sang by the stairs. The former Gemini Storm striker stared with half-interest. The other half was full of worry for whatever might happen during the encounter.

'One, Done might die from the sudden bishounen visit- after all, he's the only guy to ever be nice to Tsuntsun-sama.

Two, Hiroto might die because Done'd be shocked from the sudden bishounen appearance and she'll freak attack as a reflex.

Three, Done'll kill Hiroto after she hears him out.

Four, Hiroto makes it back here alive.'

"This is Done we're talking about," Nayujin hit her forehead with her palm. "Of course he won't make it!"


"So, Shachō," Maki teetered by the door as she waited for Fudou to burst in any moment. The only thing that made the guy do things right was when it was the school president- or rather, when it was Megamino Sokudone herself asking him to do so. "Do you really think you can tame the black sheep in one day?"

"He doesn't need training," Sokudone explained as she exited the hidden room full of files collected during her adoptive father's time. "Chichi taught my circus monkey lots of tricks."

"…I don't understand your relationship with him, Shachō."

"It's very complicated," Was all the embarrassed girl could offer behind stacks of folders. As soon as she sat herself on the office chair with barely any visual on the door, there was a knock. "You taught him to knock, Shachō?" Maki was amazed, in all sincerity.

"I believe I learned courtesy on my own, Miss," Came a gentle voice from the outside. Even as Sokudone stood, and she did, the folders still blocked her view. "That's not Akio," She looked alarmed, which put Maki in a panic as well. "Let him in."


"Salutations, Megamino-san," Greeted the one and only soft-spoken Hiroto as he made a polite bow. "And friend," He added, also curtly nodding to the shell-shocked Kurokawa.

"What brings you here, Hiroto?" Maki wasn't the only one whose face was crimson, of course. "And cut the formalities. Do sit, though."

"Thank you," The ex-alien replied as he sat at a cushioned seat at the corner of the room. Sokudone situated herself on the seat across his; her desk had been so full of folders that they decided it was better to converse at the sitting area near the shelf. "Now, I believe you invited me to the Raimon-Teikoku Valentine's Ball, yes?"

'Immediately down to business like a true businessman,' Sokudone thought to herself. "That's true."

"Well, I have a little proposal for you," Hiroto proceeded. He sat up as he spoke. "I do hope you consider it."

"That'll depend on what this proposal is, Kiyama-kun."

"I thought we'd drop the formalities?" Hiroto had raised brows but an unfazed expression, nevertheless. Sokudone shrugged. "Business talk is formal talk. It's a force of habit. Well?"

"I was thinking that you invite the rest of the Sun Garden folks to this promenade as well."


On a long bondpaper, Sokudone had handwritten a note specifically for Fudou; it was her penmanship that'd make him believe it did come from her. Maki's light purple eyes searched the halls of Teikoku to look for the wandering crook. She took out her phone once more to contact him.

"Hey! Listening to my voice's gonna cost ya," He greeted with a half-hearted threat as Maki rolled her eyes. "Shachō is in a business meeting, so she can't meet you right now," She explained, "On the chance that she might not finish early, she wrote a note for you to read, regarding the favor she asks of you. Where are you?"

"Where the bananas go!"

'What a monkey.' Maki snorted to herself with disinterest.


"Invite the rest of Sun Garden…?" Sokudone repeated, unsure of what she heard. "Did you think this over, Kiyama-kun? The consequences it will burden Teikoku with?"

"Raimon takes half the load, does it not?"

"I thought they would," Sokudone muttered grudgingly. "Never mind that; have you spoken to Raimon-san about this?"

"After our meeting I'm headed towards the school."

"Look, Kiyama-kun," Sokudone stood, face etched with distress. "As much as I would want to bring along more friends, I can't allow any more guests. Raimon Natsumi-san had spontaneously invited all the Football Frontier International players, and it is Teikoku's money that is being used to pamper these foreigners.

Raimon hasn't exactly contributed much to this promenade other than the impulsive invitations, and it's not exactly helping the financial department nor the planners do any better at their jobs. More people mean a bigger venue and a more capable catering service. It's not easy, and we're running short of time."

"Tell you what," Sokudone exhaled deeply as she paced back to her seat. "Make several – at least six – hardcopies of this proposal and submit one each to me and Raimon Natsumi. You'll present the remaining four in the meeting tomorrow, and we'll see the outcome."


"Here," She had finally found the partly-bald student at the canteen, and without another word, did her job of handing the assignment to the ever infamous Fudou Akio. He merely grunted in response as he chewed on another banana.

"If Shachō doesn't finish her meeting today, then you'll have to wait," Maki instructed as she headed back to the president's quarters. "She won't be here tomorrow, so she's only available today."


I don't think I'd consider this a cliffie. Although this is seventeen hundred words long so I'm stopping here. Please do review because it breaks my heart to find out that nobody cares. D':

I'll be busy with training for the next two weeks starting today, and school is almost starting. Expect a year-long hiatus!

-Strawbeariiis