The learning curve on how to use this service sure is steep, so instead of agonizing over the messaging system I'm just going to add a chapter here for the purpose of thanking everyone who have read, reviewed, or are following this story. Arigato Gozaimasu, Minna-san!
As for some of your concerns…
The title actually refers to the concept of using diplomacy and other means outside of aggression to influence other people. Something like, cultural missions to a closed country so that that country will warm up to the visiting contingent. I know, it's kinda lame but it was the first title I could think up.
I wrote the first installment a few months ago. I had long finished the anime before then and just wrote it without purpose and I just posted it on a whim ages after.
Then I got my hands on the English translation of the first book licensed under Seven Seas Entertainment. There was a lighter shift in the personalities of the characters, and major changes to some of the character designs. I like Shion's hair better in the manga. In the anime she looks like a Deko-chan! Chikaru looks the same, but she comes across as more devious in the manga, and in fact goads Miyuki and Shion to challenge each other over the Etoile competition. Also, it seems they are childhood friends in the manga, something which wasn't even hinted in the anime.
My original concept on how to get the two together kinda got skewed after that so that I could accommodate the new info.
Right now I'm trying to work on how to make this more romantic. It is my first fic so bear with me guys. Thanks again.