Butterflies And Dragons

Chapter 56:

1944


May 20 arrived, and after noticing that the scores of Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu and Hiryuu were identical in terms of rounds, Madoka Kaname decided to allow the team to take thw weekend off. With class pretty much done, the focus was on wrapping up training and getting ready to move the camp to Brazil. They had about a month and change to stay in America before taking a flight to Rio in early July to check in ahead of the Games.

"It's been a while since we've been on a train," said Kaga to Akagi, Souryuu, Hiryuu, Fubuki, Little Kaga and Shimakaze. The others were in Santa Monica and elected to rent bikes to get them. "But why are we at this station?" She pointed to a sign. 7th Street/Metro Center.

"Because, Kaga," said Akagi as a train rolled in, "we're going to make more history."

"That's right," Shimakaze said. "We're the first Japanese tourists to ride the first Metro Expo Line train from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica!"

"These two surfboards are a bit heavy," said Fubuki, carrying Akagi's and Kaga's longboards.

"I'll get that," Kaga said, taking hers.

"Do you want me to take mine's?" asked Akagi.

"No, I got it," Fubuki said as the crew took their seat. Little Kaga was filming the ride on her iPad Air and made sure she had plenty of space for the ride back. There were some applause and cheers once the train began to pick up passengers.

"First one!" exclaimed an old-timer in his 60s, a local transit buff.

Another passenger was doing some selfie filming. "It's the first Santa Monica train to Santa Monica since 1953. Since 1953, 63 years ago, June 16th. Whooo!"

"This must be really historic," Souryuu said.

"Make sure you hold the camera still," Hiryuu told Little Kaga.

"I got it," she said. One thing that impressed her mother, at least, was her ability to stay still despite the train wobbling at times.

"This train is now departing, stand clear, doors are closing," said the conductor on the intercom.

"Ready to go," Shimakaze said.

"Pyuuuu!" exclaimed Rensouhou-chan.

"Hey Kaga-chan, do you want Rensouhou-chan to hold it for you?" Shimakaze pointed to a handle that could fit the iPad Air 2.

"I guess it couldn't hurt," said Little Kaga, docking the iPad on to the slot, allowing Rensouhou-chan to record the entire ride. "But that means..." She pulled out her iPhone. "I will record with my own iPhone."

"Ugh..." Soon enough, the train exited the first underground tunnel and enteres Pico Station.

"Some construction is going on," Hiryuu said. "What is that?"

"Maybe it's more parking or a new complex new to the arena and convention center," said Akagi.

"Hey, some people said that there is this convention called Anime Expo that everyone is going to in July. Is that true?" asked Souryuu.

"I would love to come, but the entire fleet needs to come and they may be busy," said Fubuki. "Right, Akagi-sempai?"

"Our fleet has never been to a convention here in America, so I think they will be coming in as an entourage, from what I have been told from Aoba."

"No way! You mean, they're all coming, Akagi-sempai!?"

"They're all staying at this hotel called J.W. Marriott. That big building over there. Well, the destroyers are. The rest are staying at the Ritz Carlton."

"So I get to see everybody again," said Fubuki-chan. "I miss Mutsuki-chan and Yuudachi-chan."

"We're all going to Brazil together, it looks like," Akagi-said.

"Yep." The train now entered the LA Trade Tech/Ortho Institute Station. "So this is what they call a junior college in America?"

"California has a network of junior colleges or community colleges that cater to the state and also abroad," said Kaga. "This system is one of the largest in the world."

"The length of education is generally two to three years and many transfer to universities," Akagi added. "Like UCLA, where we're staying."

"Ohhhhh," Fubuki said. The train headed on its way to Jefferson/USC Station. "Ah, here is USC!"

"This is where our coaches are residing in," said Kaga. "A soccer team is due to play at the old sports arena, next to the Coliseum, in 2018, if I am correct."

"That's the team that I saw merchandise for a while ago," said Shimakaze as the train went through a second tunnel. "LAFC. Boooo..."

"Stations aren't that crowded around this point," said Souryuu.

"I think most of the crowd will be at this station onward," said Hiryuu, pointing to a station on a map that said "Culver City." "Just a guess."

"Culver City? Oh, that's near where we train!"

"Exactly."

"How about that..."

"Are you holding it still?" Hiryuu asked Little Kaga. A thumbs up was the response as the train entered Expo Park/USC.

"What a nice garden," Akagi said. "There's the Natural History Museum, I that's what it's called."

"Nice stuff," Kaga said. "USC huh..." She flashed a peace sign. "Fight On." The others giggled. Little Kaga had to smirk. The train continued on its way.

"Exposition Park, the hub of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics," Akagi said.

"And they're bidding for 2024," Souryuu replied. "Hope they win."

"Americans know how to put on events the right way. The power of the Almighty Dollar," Hiryuu boasted. "Nice buildings, that USC. What's that red bus?"

"A Metro Rapid bus," Fubuki said. "Limited stops. Faster service."

"Convenience for a city like this." Expo/Vermont Station was where the train hit next. "Yeah, there aren't a lot of passengers here at this stop."

"All the hardcore people got on at 7th and Metro," Shimakaze replied.

"A little birdie is telling me that one of those people is from Canada," Akagi replied.

"How can you be so certain?" Souryuu asked.

A wink. One eye closed. "It's a secret." The train now entered Expo/Western Station. "Lots of small business and quaint houses."

"So this is Los Angeles, a different part of it," said Kaga. "It's like I'm living in the 1950's, during the Rock and Roll era. The past existence I could have witnessed."

"Glad it's not raining," Fubuki said. "I love this surfboard."

"When we get to Santa Monica, we'll do some paddleboarding," Akagi said as the train entered Expo/Crenshaw Station. "If my hunches are right, there will be a new train service from this station to LAX."

"Correct," said Hiryuu. "I read an article that this will be done by 2019. A few years from now. Oh yes, and they are doing something called a Regional Connector that will merge the East LA portion of the Gold Line with the Expo line and the Azusa portion of the Gold Line with the Blue Line. That's in 2020."

"Nice to see that the train is being made a priority today," said Fubuki. The train now entered Farmdale Station, near Dorsey High School.

"There used to be a service on these tracks called the Santa Monica Air Line," said Kaga. "I think the local transporation agency bought the tracks and improved it and now it's a whole lot better.

"Look at all these industrial buildings," said Souryuu. "This must be an industrial zone or something."

"I believe this part of LA is Baldwin Hills," said Hiryuu. "What a view from the top." Expo/La Brea station. "And this was a former stop too on the Air Line."

"I really think that this service is a continuation of the old Air Line. It's resurrected in some way."

"More houses!" Fubuki exclaimed. "Going up!" Another elevated stop, La Cienega/Jefferson. "Donate Stuff, Create Jobs, Goodwill. Who are they?"

"I think they are a company that sells used items or donates it to charity, like the Salvation Army," said Akagi.

"Is that so..." The train now made its way towards Culver City. Fubuki could see a full car park below. She turned to her left. A queue of people at the station. "No way..." This was like receiving the finishing blow while in tatters, her underwear showing out beneath the waves.

"Oh boy," Shimakaze cried. "Look at all the people!"

"Pyuuuu!" Rensouhou-chan exclaimed as the crowd packed in.

"Are we in Tokyo of something!? Crazy!" exclaimed Souryuu as the train was literally full, with little room to spare. Fortunately, there would be no suicide bombers to spoil the ride thanks to fairy magic in the train. After about four minutes, the train took off and headed for Palms Station.

"Why is this big black singing in the train, he is terrible," complained Shimakaze. "Definitely not American Idol material."

Fubuki noticed some Caltrans people cleaning up along the track. "Looks like they are still cleaning stuff up. I agree, that singer is bad." The train was following the Interstate 10 freeway as it arrived at Palms. Some people were being interviewed by national and local news agencies. Nobody on the train knew that the Butterflies and Dragons were riding.

"The 10 doesn't look so bad at around this time," said Akagi.

"Not rush hour," Kaga replied.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Rush hour was a few hours ago." The train now went through the last of three tunnels as it went under the freeway and raced toward Westweood/Rancho Park Station. Rensouhou-chan filed shots of different streets as well as the barrier that separated the track from the bike path.

"I think more people are trying to get on the train," said Souryuu. "Train is full."

"Very full. Too full," said Hiryuu. The interviews and dialogues from others continues as the train headed for Expo/Sepulveda, another former station on the Air Line.

"I love the redevelopment in this part of the city," said Akagi as the train arrived at the station. "I wonder what they will do with that blank space, though..."

"Parking, maybe," Fubuki suggested.

"Parking is going to be in high demand," Kaga said. "Coach Homura showed me a piece where they will be selling monthly permits for frequent users."

"Gotta pay for it somehow," Akagi said as thr train left the station and headed for Expo/Bundy. "Lots of empty space that could use redevelopment." The train went under the 405 Freeway, passing a Best Buy and some skyscrapers.

"How about you do some swimming on the side?" Souryuu asked as the train arrived at Expo/Bundy.

"Oh, you know I can swim, too."

Rensouhou was filming the cars going southbound and northbound on Bundy Drive. "Pyuu..."

"Slice of life stuff," said Shimakaze, who was dressed in shorts and a crop top, her hair set back in twintails.

"Looks like we are heading into the Santa Monica city limits," said Hiryuu. "Getting closer to me getting another tan! Yes!"

"And swimming," Souryuu said.

"And swimming, how can I forget!" The train passed by a street festival full of food trucks. On cue, Akagi's stomach growled. "I hear there's a McDonald's near our final stop." An even bigger growl. "Uh oh."

"Don't worry, Akagi-sempai, we'll get to our final stop soon," Fubuki said, giving Akagi a kiss.

"Oh Fubuki, you sweet thing," Akagi said, patting her kouhai on the head.

A deep blush. "Eheheheheh!"

"So, according to this piece on my tablet, this next ststion is another former Air Line stop." 26th Street/Bergamot, the former Bergamot Station. Near the station was a vehicle maintenance facility that would house a number of vehicles that were not in service.

"Oh look, more passengers," said Souryuu. "Yay."

"Yaaaaaay," replied Hiryuu. "Not a lot, though. They're all at the other end." Soon, the train took off for 17th Street/Santa Monica College, passing by a Ralphs and a convoy of office buildings, a plant and small businesses.

Rensouhou-chan was filming pictures of locals and cars watching the train pass by. "Having fun, Rensouhou-chan?" asked Shimakaze.

"Pyuuuu!"

"I think that's a yes..."

"Last stop coming up, Downtown Santa Monica," Fubuki said. "Get ready to see the press and dignitaries wave at us."

"Maybe they know who we are," Little Kaga suggested.

"I don't think anybody knows who we are and that's fine by us."

"If you say so..."

"Hey everyone!" Fubuki said, waving at the locals near the station. The train arrived to a rousing cheer and applause.

"Big lines," Akagi said. "Fubuki-chan, my surfboard."

"Right!" She gave Akagi her surfboard as they all headed off the train, Rensouhou finishing filming after the team got off the station and were outside the McDonald's near the station.

"So here we are, Downtown Santa Monica. Yep." A huge growl from her gut. "But first...lunchtime!" Everyone but the gluttonous fiend fell to the floor in comedic fashion. "Was it something I said?"


END CHAPTER 56