"Welcome to the United States."
Akko looked out the window of the plane as it landed at the Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft bumped around as it landed, but it was a smooth landing regardless. She sat, waiting impatiently as they taxied to the gate. She was going to be late!
Once the plane doors opened up, Akko quickly jumped to her feet and scrambled over the people beside her. They glared at her as she opened the overhead bin, grabbing her bag and replying, "I'm sorry! I have somewhere I need to be!"
She made her way off, running through the busy airport. She tried her best to avoid running into people, but her mind was focused on the event she was supposed to attend.
Akko arrived at the carpool area, her eyes scanning the many cars for one that matched the description of the one she was looking for. A red Jeep, most likely with the top down. Eventually it came into the lot, and a woman with bright red and orange hair was driving it.
It was Akko's girlfriend, Amanda.
Akko waved Amanda down, and Amanda pulled up next to her. Akko set her bags in the back and got in the passenger seat. They exchanged a quick kiss, and Amanda grabbed Akko's hand.
"What took you so long? I've been circling the airport forever now!" Amanda said.
"Wow, not even a hello?" Akko laughed. Amanda chuckled and gave Akko's hand a squeeze.
"Fine, hello. Now we've gotta drop your bags off at the apartment and then hurry to the venue!" Amanda replied. She sped out of the busy lot, and Akko held onto the side of the door as Amanda maneuvered through traffic. It came as no surprise to Akko that her girlfriend was speeding in her car. Amanda was a wild and reckless girl for as long as Akko knew her, and it was especially apparent when Amanda rode a broom.
Amanda lived in a fairly small apartment in Los Angeles, one that Akko had never been to. In fact, half a decade had passed since they last saw each other. Ever since both girls graduated Luna Nova Magical Academy five years ago, they moved back to the countries they were from. Amanda lived in the United States, and Akko lived in Japan; however, they still kept in touch.
Amanda slammed on the brakes in front of her apartment building, grabbing Akko's bags and racing them up to the third floor. She opened the door, threw the bags inside, then raced back down to the car, looking at her phone.
"Meera and Bexley are gonna be pissed," she muttered as she zoomed down the street. Akko smiled to herself.
"I never thought of you as being the one to care about punctuality." Akko giggled. "I mean, back at Luna Nova, you were late to every class!"
Amanda rolled her eyes underneath her sunglasses. "Yeah, but that was school," Amanda pointed out. "Now that I'm doing something I love, I can't afford to be late."
Akko's hair blew in her face as they raced down the busy highway, weaving in and out between cars. Multiple people blared their car horns at Amanda, to which she responded with a middle finger up. She didn't have time to wait in the traffic.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the lot of a small venue. Amanda jumped out of the car, putting the top up and locking it once Akko was out. Amanda gave Akko a kiss, then turned and raced away.
"I'll see you after the show!" Amanda shouted.
"Wait, don't I have to have a ticket to get in?!" Akko yelled back.
"Just tell them you're with me!" Amanda exclaimed before dipping into the venue. Akko sighed, running her fingers through her now knotted hair.
After convincing the greeter that she knew Amanda, Akko made her way inside the crowded venue. People of all ages were sitting in chairs and talking, and before them was a stage. Akko managed to find an empty seat, and she sat down, her eyes focused on the stage. The show would start any minute now.
Akko was right. The lights in the venue shut off, and the audience went quiet. Akko was already on the edge of her seat as a voice reverberated throughout the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, everyone! Prepare yourselves for a fantastic show, performed by Meera Ziskind, Bexley Gutierre, and Amanda O'Neill, the Broom Dancing Trio!" The voice announced. Akko's heart pounded at hearing her girlfriend's name.
A light shone on the stage, where three brooms stood upright. The three brooms started to twirl around, and suddenly, the three broom dancers appeared, holding the brooms in their hands. Akko audibly gasped upon seeing Amanda, who was standing in the middle. Her green eyes were captivating as they traveled over the audience, and she led the group by starting to perform a dance with her broom.
The show went perfectly from what Akko could tell. Amanda was amazing as usual, and Meera and Bexley were fantastic as well. As the audience cleared out, Akko waited for Amanda to come out from backstage. She was shaking with excitement.
A few moments later, Amanda approached Akko, Meera and Bexley behind her. Amanda had a towel on the back of her neck, and she drank from a water bottle, not leaving behind any drops. Meera and Bexley's eyes landed on Akko.
"Akko!" Meera grinned, walking up to Akko and shaking her hand.
"It's so nice to finally meet you in person!" Bexley grabbed Akko's other hand and shook it.
"Same to you two!" Akko replied. "The show was amazing! You three are so awesome!"
"Of course we are," Amanda responded. She gave Akko a smile. "I'm just glad we made it in time."
"I bet you're exhausted from your long journey here to the States!" Bexley beamed.
Akko rubbed the back of her neck. "Oh yeah, I am! I wasn't thinking about it though; I was too focused on the performance!"
Meera laughed. "Well, you'll be able to rest up tonight in our apartment." Meera responded.
"Thank you so much for having me!" Akko said. Amanda put her hand on Akko's shoulder, turning to face Meera and Bexley.
"We'll meet you two back at the apartment." Amanda told them. Meera chuckled.
"With how fast you drive, I'm sure you'll beat us there," she joked. "Don't get pulled over!"
"I've only gotten a ticket once, calm down," Amanda retorted. Akko couldn't help but snort, receiving a glare from Amanda. Akko's girlfriend let out a heavy sigh and jingled her keys. "Whatever, we'll see you there."
She turned and headed out to her Jeep with Akko, unlocking the door, putting down the top and opening the door for Akko. She then jumped in the driver's seat, turning the engine and peeling out of the parking lot.
The drive back to the apartment had just as much traffic as earlier; however, it didn't keep Amanda from driving any slower. Akko looked at all the lights of the city, feeling ecstatic that she was here, seeing her girlfriend for the first time in five years. She was so excited for all the things they would do together.
They reached the apartment before Meera and Bexley. Amanda unlocked the door and Akko walked in, exhausted from all her traveling. She hadn't had proper sleep in over twenty four hours, and while she could feel the bags under her eyes, catching up with Amanda was far more important to her.
Amanda grabbed Akko's bags, which she had thrown on the floor in the living room, and carried them to her bedroom. After Akko was in the bedroom, Amanda closed the door, then jumped on the bed, letting out a deep sigh.
"Your show was great!" Akko grinned, sitting beside her. "And I'm so happy to be here with you."
"Don't be mushy," Amanda responded bitterly, crossing her arms.
Akko leaned in closer to Amanda. It was so nice to finally be here with her again. It had been way too long since they'd last seen each other in person, and while they made time to video chat as often as they could, it wasn't the same.
"I'm glad you're doing so well," Akko started. "You're finally doing what you love, instead of being stuck at school."
Amanda nodded her head. "Yes! I love broom dancing." She grinned. "It just sucks you're not doing so well."
Akko sighed heavily. It had been her dream to perform as a witch, just like her idol, Shiny Chariot. But now…
"No one seems interested in magic shows anymore," Akko replied sadly.
Once Akko moved back to Japan after Luna Nova, she started to perform as a witch. However, she was struggling, and could never fill a venue. Akko felt like a failure.
Amanda put her hand on her chin. "That really sucks," Amanda sympathized. Akko hung her head in shame, slightly embarrassed, and Amanda patted her back, trying to reassure her. "But hey, don't worry about that now! You're here with me! Try to enjoy yourself."
"You're right," Akko replied, smiling softly. "I will. Thanks, Amanda."
"Don't mention it!" Amanda winked. "Now, I wanna tell you something."
"What is it?" Akko asked, gazing at her girlfriend.
"So, check this out," Amanda started, a spark of excitement flashing in her eyes. "Meera and I were talking the other day, and she told me about something really cool." She leaned in closer to Akko. "Ever heard of a witch called Yasi?"
"Yasi?" Akko repeated, crinkling her nose as she pondered the name. "No, doesn't ring a bell."
Amanda's grin grew wider, knowing she would have to explain the witch to Akko. "Alright, so Meera said that Yasi was a witch from Fiji. She lived a long time ago-"
"How long ago?" Akko asked, curious. Amanda glared at her, irritation on her face.
"I don't know, that doesn't matter! Just a long time ago." Amanda hissed. She drew in a deep breath. "Anyway, this Yasi witch had a super cool treasure, but sealed it away on an unknown island-"
"Why? Was she also a pirate?" Akko's eyes lit up. "Can you imagine? A pirate witch? Would they fly on a broom or sail on a ship?" Akko rambled, her imagination running wild. She never thought of the idea of a witch pirate, but it sounded intriguing.
Amanda, however, was having none of it. "Just let me finish, okay?" Amanda growled. "No one knows where this treasure is, or what it is, or why Yasi hid it. Apparently there've been many expeditions to try to retrieve it, but with no luck." She gave a toothy, determined grinned. "I wanna be the one to find that treasure."
Akko laughed, shaking her head. Looks like Amanda's desire to steal hadn't faltered one bit. "Okay, that sounds pretty dang cool." She giggled.
"Doesn't it?!" Amanda clenched her fists, a large smirk on her face. Her heart raced for a moment before she calmed down, putting her hand on Akko's shoulder. "Akko, as embarrassing and stupid as it is, you mean everything to me. I can't think of anyone better to come with me than you."
Akko nodded her head. She knew Amanda would ask her to go with. After all, there was no shortage of adventures and mischief the two experienced together back at Luna Nova.
"A treasure hunt, wow," Akko breathed. "I'll go, Amanda!" Her voice grew softer. "It'll be a nice getaway from all the stress of real life…"
"Sweet!" Amanda beamed.
"But, I don't want it to be just us!" Akko cut in. "I want our friends from Luna Nova to go."
Amanda put her hand on her chin, thinking. "Yeah, it would be really fun for all of us to go together! I haven't seen them since we graduated." Amanda agreed.
Akko felt her blood pump with excitement. This would be their greatest adventure yet, and it'd be even better with all their friends together. She was so thrilled she almost forgot how exhausted and grimy she was.
"I'm really looking forward to it, Amanda!" Akko beamed. "But before we get started, can I take a shower?"