Chapter 2

The Flight

Three weeks passed by in a flash. News had spread like wildfire about their US debut and the media kicked up a frenzy. Because of the abruptness of the opportunity, many of the previously scheduled appearances had to be canceled, and there was much preparation that was needed of Ryuuguu Komachi. However, the other idols had a sudden influx of jobs. Because of their companions and their Las Vegas date, those related to the star studded trio became nearly as famous as well. Takao Kuroi of 961 Productions was absolutely livid.

At Narita International Airport, the only ones who had time to see Ryuuguu Komachi off was President Takagi, Otonashi, Iori's best friend Yayoi Takatsuki, Yukiho Hagiwara, and Ami's twin sister Mami. Also present were the parents of Azusa Miura.

"Waah! It's no fair! No fair! No fair!" Mami cried to Ami. "Mami wants to go too!"

Those in attendance simply smiled and laughed nervously. As their little act was playing out, Iori spoke to her friend.

"Has everything at home been going well?"

Surprised that she was thinking of her friend and not her own dilemma, Yayoi suddenly became nervous, "Ah! They're alright! Chousuke wanted me to tell you not to screw up. Um, are you alright?"

"What? I'm fine! Do you expect someone like me to get nervous?"

"Yeah, but, are you going to be okay with flying?"

Somewhat puzzled, Iori looked back towards some of the planes incoming and departing. "I'll be fine. I used to fly around all the time. Since I became an idol I haven't been traveling abroad as much, but I'm sure I still have my sea legs."

Someone else, on the other hand, wasn't so confident.

"Are you sure you going to be okay Azusa?" Ms. Miura asked her daughter.

"Yes. I'll be fine." Her body was as ridged as her speech. Those eyes of hers seemed to look at nothing and everything at the same time.

"Okay everyone," Ritsuko clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention, "do you have all your luggage? We have a flight to catch!"

For a moment Iori stood by and did nothing. Perhaps she was expecting curbside service. Eventually she took the hint and grabbed her belongings with a heavy sigh. Before she let the doors close behind her and separate her with from the rest of 765 Pro, the young idol who knew the complete truth took a final look back. Yayoi Takatsuki, who had 5 younger brothers and sisters, depends on the wages she receives from her work as an idol. If Ryuuguu Komachi fails here, her best friend could very well suffer. The last thoughts that crossed her mind before completely entering the airport was; We've got to make this a success.

"Iori!" Ritsuko called.

"Coming!"

After the hoopla of going through airport security and waiting to be seated on their plane, Iori was disheartened to learn that they weren't flying first class. Everyone else seemed to accept it as a matter of course, but that was merely because they didn't know what they were missing. Maybe that was for the better.

"You adjust this nozzle here," Iori was demonstrating to Azusa, "and it'll blow fresh air into your face. It'll keep you from getting sick."

"Oh, thank you."

"Iorin! Iorin!" came the call of the two years younger Ami. "Hey! How long do you think it'll take us to get to Las Vegas!"

Iori wasn't 100% sure, but she figured, "Around 10 hours."

"Uwa! 10 hours! Nobody told Ami it was going to take that long!"

How else long did she think it was going to take to cross the Pacific? And where was Ritsuko? Why the heck wasn't she the one getting pestered by the idols? Wasn't it her job to make sure they were all comfortable, and answer all their questions?

"I think I'm going to be sick," Azusa mumbled.

"We haven't even taken off yet!"

"What's all this yelling about?" Ritsuko finally reappeared.

"Quick!" Iori yelled. "Get over here and take care of her!"

Only for a moment was she confused, and then quickly realized the predicament. "Already!"

After forcing the chewable supplement down the older woman's throat, Azusa finally calmed down and the flight was underway.

An hour into airtime and two/thirds of Ryuuguu Komachi was already fast asleep. At that point Iori put down her Las Vegas Travel Guide and looked back to check on her partners.

"They finally calmed down," Ritsuko commented.

"Yeah. I already knew this, but neither of them are really built for long trips."

"And you? Would you say you're the opposite?"

Iori had to stop and think about it for a second. "I don't know. Maybe. The world's so much bigger then just Japan. I know not everybody gets the opportunity, but everyone should see as much of the world as they can. The Spanish Steps of Italy, the museums and galleries of France, the rugged landscapes and natural formations of America. This world has so much to offer, but most Japanese never leave the comfort of their tiny little island. I've seen a lot, and I still want to see more."

"That's unusually poetic for you."

"Ho ho ho! Lest you forget, I am an extremely cultured individual. The lot of you are merely too uncivilized to recognize the greatness that's before you."

"Well it's hard to recognize especially with you carrying a stuffed bunny around."

"Usa-chan is not merely a stuffed bunny! She is a great companion that has traveled the world with me! She has a ton more countries stamped on her passport then you do!"

Ignoring the fact that it was impossible for a stuffed toy to have a passport, Iori was at least partially correct. That little doll had seen more of the world then Ritsuko, which disturbed her greatly.

In spitefulness, "Well then, I expect Usa-chan and yourself to give us a good tour of Las Vegas."

Many places around the globe had Iori witnessed, but Las Vegas wasn't one of them. Hence the travel guide she was reading. Ritsuko must have picked up on her little cues and surmised the cocky girl's unfamiliarity with the region. However, when pushed this far the Minase couldn't back down.

"Y-y-you're right! I'll show you everything there is to see in Las Vegas!"

Covering her mouth so as not to reveal that she was laughing, the producer figured it was about time for her to rest her eyes and catch a bit of sleep herself. The Live wasn't for a couple of days, but there was still plenty to prepare before the actual show.

For someone who enjoyed traveling so much, there were plenty of books that the young Iori had brought to read, but she instead asked the flight attendant for everything Las Vegas related that they had. There were numerous guides that highlighted some of the entertainment sights, fine dining restaurants, but nothing truly spectacular involving maps. While she might have had servants that could have taken her anywhere she wanted to go while traveling with her family, that didn't mean she'd be completely lost without them. There were many skills which she honed that would generally surprise everyone who only thought of her as an idol or spoiled rich kid. It's just in this technological era, and in peaceful Japan, those traits were never tested. Perhaps more on the road as opposed to on stage was where she really shined.

So the next four hours were spent cramming as much information into her head as possible. By that time she realized how tired she'd become and considered falling asleep, but Azusa and Ami had awoken and were as restless as before. The older woman kept sifting between a type of hysteria and zen-like calm, while the younger kept bouncing around as if she missed her latest prozac. Ami had borrowed her sister's PSP (although she still had her own), and forced Iori to play. In the first place she wasn't one for games, but she couldn't resist after much of Ami's pleading. It wasn't so bad that she couldn't control her character, but Iori still got her butt kicked.

By the time her physical limits were being reached, the airplane had made it's final decent.