Roadshow
Chapter 9:
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
The girls went back to the buffet to get some breakfast before they went on the tour. "Everybody on the bus, right now!" Sawako Yamanaka exclaimed. She was bubbly as ever as the pack of nine got on board the coach, donning their football cosplay outfits.
"I've been longing for this day to come," said a captive Mio Akiyama. "We finally get to see the Las Vegas Strip, and we get to shop till we drop!"
"I think you have been looking way too forward to this," Ritsu Tainaka deadpanned. "And I can't believe I can really move free in this outfit."
"Yui, quit dancing around," Azusa Nakano said next to Yui Hirasawa, blushing.
"Ehhhh? But Azunyan..."
"No buts, Yui! We have to...save our energy for later, all right."
"Awwwww. That's no fun. I just like dancing in something I can easily move in."
"Yui," Ritsu said to her, outspoken as ever, "you might as well take off your clothes and run wild and free." Yui began to slowly lift her shirt. "No, no, don't do it! I was only kidding, honest!"
"Ricchan, quit being such a tease."
"I can feel the bus moving," Tsumugi Kotobuki said.
"That because it is," said the driver of the coach, Mr. Jerry Takeda. "How are you ladies?"
"Fine," they all said.
"We're ready to take on the Strip!" Ui Hirasawa shouted, a fist punching the air.
"I like your enthusiasm," Nodoka Manabe said, still working on the book on proper tifosi techniques.
"What casino should we go first?" Jun Suzuki said to them.
"Heh, this is where I come in," Sawako replied, handing the group an itinerary. "We're going to visit every attraction in the casinos. If there isn't anything that doesn't draw your attention, I crossed them out. So there will be some casinos we will be skipping because of the lack of attractions. You will also have the choice of watching one nightly show. You must make your decision by noon so I can reserve you some seats. I will be contacting you via mobile to ensure that you are safe and aren't lost. Today, the Strip is yours. Good?"
"Yes, ma'am!" they all said.
"All right. By the way, did you wear your sunblock?"
"We did," Mio replied.
"You will need it. Call me if you are lost or need something. You have my number on your cell phones. Use it. Ladies, the pride of Las Vegas awaits you."
The bus slowly parked by the Mandalay Bay, where the girls got off and began their walk up the Strip. As they entered the hotel, Yui danced while singing a little song she would pen later that evening.
"Glorious, perfect weather for a stroll,
Perfect weather to fill your lungs with air.
The alarm clock went off an hour early
So there's a little time to go out.
Sniffing puppy, fluffy clouds, and the flowers in the pot
I can't stop smiling, I wonder why?
I don't know but... tehehe.
I say "Good morning" with a happy smile,
Say "Good morning" to a person I don't know
It's nice to be alive,
It's nice to be up early,
Though afternoon naps are nice too.
La, la...
One step, two steps,
Perfect weather for a stroll,
Perfect weather for singing and humming.
Even if I don't have plans with someone,
It's fine, there's time to go out where ever I like.
Sand castles, kick the can, the slide,
Waiting for a turn at the swing...
I want to try them, I wonder why?
I don't know after all, tehehe!
That puppy from earlier...
Was he really a puppy?
Maybe he was just a little dog,
But a grown-up dog...
Ah~ he sure was cute!
Whether they're an adult or child,
A dog is a dog,
A person is a person,
And I am me.
Fun things are fun, no matter what,
I'll always know that... tehehe!
Glorious, perfect weather for a stroll,
Perfect weather to fill your lungs with air.
The alarm clock went off an hour early
So there's a ton of time to be happy!
La, la..."
"Yui, exactly what were you singing just now?" Mio asked her, an eyebrow raised as they entered the Shark Reef Aquarium.
"Just a song that registered in my head when I was sleeping, that's all."
"Onee-chan, that sounds so wonderful!" Ui said, her hands clasped.
"Eheheheheheh..."
"Look, it's a shark!" Tsumugi said, watching a Great White swim by with a pack of piranhas, moon jellyfish, sawfish and manta rays following close by. "A really big one."
"Whoa, amazing!" Yui said.
"Looks awesome," Nodoka added as Jun hummed the theme from Jaws.
At that moment, Mio cowered in fear. "He's going to eat me, he's going to eat me!" she whimpered.
"No he's not," Ritsu said. "Look, it's swimming away." Mio got up and turned around. The shark and his pack were nowhere to be seen. "It left you as if to say, 'crybaby.' OW!" A headbump.
"Stupid Ritsu!"
"Love, don't hurt me..."
"It's your fault for teasing me that way!"
"Ehhh?"
Azusa peered in closer and saw a pignosed turtle swim towards her. She giggled, blushing as she watched it sway in front of her. "Ton-chan..." she whispered.
"This turtle reminds you of her, huh Azunyan?" Yui asked.
"Mmm-hmmm. I'm glad mom and dad are taking care of the real Ton-chan for me while I'm here. This one looks so much like her."
"That's because that turtle IS Ton-chan," Sawako said, arms crossed.
"WHAT?" the others exclaimed.
Azusa looked at her kouhai. "Why is Ton-chan here? I thought she was with mom and dad!"
"The parents told me that they wanted Ton-chan to spend some time in Vegas. I knew that there was a shark reef there, so I asked the people at the aquarium if this turtle would pass through customs and play in the aquarium."
"Mou...Ton-chan, please don't get eaten by the sharks!" Her eyes were wet with tears, and her mouth began to tremble. "Ton-chan..."
"Later tonight, she will be flown back to Japan, and back to your parents, Azusa-chan," Sawako added. "Ladies, we have to hurry, let's check out the rest of the aquarium and get going; we have a Strip to visit!"
"Right," they all said.
"Ton-chan...Please come home safe," Azusa whispered, blowing a kiss to Ton-chan, who then swam off to explore the rest of the Shark Reef.
After taking a group photo by the Shark Reef, the girls walked past Thehotel at Mandalay Bay en route to the next stop on the Strip, Luxor. "Whoa, that is one epic Sphinx!" Yui said. "Hey guys, how about we walk like Egyptians?"
Ritsu raised an eyebrow, not getting the point. "What, like that in the Bangles video?"
"Precisely. Let's walk our way in there! Ready, go!" Yui was doing the sand dance as she walked inside.
"Oooh, sounds like fun! Come on!" Ui joined in, then Mugi joined in, and even Miss Sawako joined in.
"Guess we'll have to do it, then," Azusa. "Mou." Everybody emulated the figures in the Ancient Egyptian reliefs as they entered the casino.
"This is so much fun, peoples," Yui chimed. "We're walking like Egyptians!"
"We're walking like total jackasses, that's what we're walking like," Azusa deadpanned.
"Okay...we can stop now. We're in the lobby."
"Well, since we're here, how about we take a look at this?" Nodoka pointed to a sign. Bodies...The Exhibition.
"Hey Mio," Ritsu asked her, "Why are you trembling again?"
"It's showing...human body parts...I'm not good with that..."
"Oh please, you always show courage whenever we get it on in bed; this is easy, let's go!"
"I want to take a look!" Azusa exclaimed.
"Me too!" Ui added.
"It's a refreshing diversion," said Tsumugi.
"It's time to check us out!" Jun said, bubbly as ever. "I think that's how it goes..."
The group spent about another hour looking at a three-dimensional view of their own selves. It was surreal...and education. A little extra credit would go into their records, Sawako noted.
"Boy, that sure was fun," Ritsu said. She turned to her significant other. "Uh, Mio?"
She was hanging on to dear life. "Ritsu...Ritsu...hideous...so hideous..."
"Mio! Grow up, will you!"
"Ritsu, quit being mean!" She nestled closer in Ritsu's sympathetic embrace. "I don't like seeing preserved blood and guts."
"Oh dear."
"I suppose it wasn't worth the time and effort, huh?" Yui asked.
"That gives me an idea!" Sawako interjected. "Heheh!"
"What's that, Sawa-chan?"
"I give you the power to visit whatever sites you want on the Strip! I've also given you more time to think about the evening show you want to watch. You have until 3:00 p.m. today to make your decision. When you've made your decision, meet up at 5:00 at the hotel where the show will be. We will have dinner at about that time before the show begins. Sounds good?"
"Yeah!" they all said.
"Have fun!" And they were off, with Ritsu and Mio forming one group, Tsumugi, Jun and Nodoka forming another pack, and Azusa falling in with the Hirasawa sisters.
"Holy friggin' crap!" Mio was ecstatic when she saw the castle facade of Excalibur. "Is...Is this heaven?"
"No, it's more like a Camelot-themed hotel and casino," Ritsu said.
"Shall we take a look? Ritsu?"
"Yes, my lady. Let us visit this wondrous place, filled with cigarette smoke and charms-OW!"
"Hush your mouth, dear!"
"Oh, the pain!" Ritsu said, falling to her knees in a yokozuwari posture.
"Such an annoyance..."
The sounds of Enrique Iglesias's "I Like It" blared through the speakers of the casino as the two of them went to the arcade known as the Fun Dungeon.
"Now this is what I'm talking about," Ritsu said. "Stand Mio, let a real woman show you how to conquer this place."
"Can I join in?"
"Sure, if you want."
They both proceeded to conquer every game in the Fun Dungeon.
"Ritsu," Mio asked her. "I know we have conquered every game...but now we have a bit too much to carry around!" She was referring to the numerous prizes they garnered.
"W...W...We will be working on our arms!" she said. "Ahahahahahahah..."
"Hey, it's Mio and Ritsu from Hokago Tea Time!" said a young boy to his father just across from them.
"Where, where?" asked another girl in her teens.
"There, in their soccer uniforms!" exclaimed a man in his 30's.
"Crap, we've been found out," Ritsu said to her.
"Can I get your autograph?" asked an old lady moving with a walker.
"Can we get your autograph?" the others surrounding Mio and Ritsu said, even the people staffing the games at the Fun Dungeon.
"And can you sing one of your songs for us?" asked another girl of grade-school age. Luckily, there wasn't a lot of people inside; the place barely opened. But obligations were obligations, and after Mio and Ritsu signed about 100 autographs, it was time for Mio to select a song.
"How about 'Listen!', everyone?"
"Yeah!" the congregation roared.
"Music start!" The loud speakers changed their current music to a classic hit, penned by Mio and composed by the band.
"Oh boy," Ritsu said, who decided to provide backing vocals as to form a duet. The flashbulbs were out. Sawako wasn't lying when they said they would be accessible.
"It's deep, deep inside my heart
In a sanctuary where nothing resonated
Heat, heat! It's on fire so I can't turn back
It's a shock, shock that I'll send you
Saying, "Hey, let's go everywhere together"
Rock, rock! The sound of storms and tsunami tempt each other
A dropped pick, a broken stick
It's not a problem at all
We're in the same sound, that's actually a miracle
We'll sing for how long we feel
No matter how quiet, this is the only song in the world
Even if I die today don't mourn
I want to live my life to the fullest
Release! Passionate
This is our Precious Heartbeat
We'll sing!
Non sweet, sweet! More than sweet words
Your true intentions feel better, right? That's a touch of mind
Wit, wit! It's fun to sing forever and always
Non stop, stop! Because my new feelings
Are hurrying from the light
Rock, rock! I need to catch them with sounds and tell you
A running rhythm, a crazed tuning
It's all in my assumptions
Choosing the same dream, that's the power for tomorrow
We'll shout it out loud even on a far off stage
Because no matter how scared we are, we're not alone
It doesn't matter if it's unfinished
I want to play seriously
Reach! Truthfulness
Finally we could meet, this is our Treasured Heartbeat
We want to know…to live…to love
Make the countless prayers heard,
Turn them into wings so that they can fly high
We'll sing for how long we feel
No matter how quiet, this is the only song in the world
Even if I die today don't mourn
I want to live my life to the fullest
Release! Passionate
This is our Precious Heartbeat
We'll sing! Treasure Heartbeat
Listen!"
The crowd roared its approval, applauding before they let the two of them go. "You think we should carry these plushies around?" Mio asked her.
"I don't think it's really necessary," Ritsu added. She carried the four bags of prize toys and went to one of the side stalls that was manned. "Uh, sir? My friend and I here don't need these plushies, even though we won them."
"You don't need them?" he asked, surprised.
"No." She offered them to the showman the plushies.
"I'll go ahead and take them," he said. "But let me give you this." He handed her a few UFO catcher plushies.
"Hey, these look like...!"
"Yep, these look like you and your long-haired girlfriend waving in the back. What a coincidence, huh?"
"Yeah, it's quite a coincidence. How did you know we wanted these?"
"Oh, the fact that you and the others were coming here meant that we had to purchase some plushies made for this occasion, that's all."
"I see...thank you sir."
A salute. "Good luck with the concert. On your way."
Ritsu walked over to Mio. "Here you go." She handed her a couple of Ritsu Tainaka plushies: one in winter uniform and one is summer uniform.
"This looks like you!" Mio giggled.
"Yeah, so now when you are lonely and need something to sleep with, you will have me, even though I'm not around. Same here," Ritsu added, holding up her Mio Akiyama plushies.
"I guess we're done here," Mio replied as the two of them placed their plushies away in their handbags. "Where to next."
"The casino across the street. Let's go, Mio."
She smiled. "Lead the way."
"I've always wanted to try riding one of the gondolas," Tsumugi said to Nodoka and Jun as they walked over to the Venetian's Grand Canal.
"Haven't you already rode one of these things before?" she asked, putting away her tifosi book in her handbag.
"The real thing in Italy, yes, but not this one. This is going to be so much fun..."
"I hope you realize that lesbians will have it tough gaining their rights out there..."
"That doesn't matter to me one bit," Tsumugi replied, tapping Nodoka's nose playfully. "You're blushing."
"It's...it's nothing..."
Jun sensed something else. "Really?"
"Ready to go aboard?" asked one of the gondoliers in his trademark black and white shirt, white hat with red scarf and black pants with red belt.
"Yes," she said, paying the toll for all three of them.
The gondolier sang some Italian love songs as he slowly paddled the gondola down the Grand Canal.
"This is so beautiful," Jun said.
"Very lovely," Nodoka added.
As for Tsumugi, she closed her eyes and thought about the times she spent with her father and mother in Venice, the days in which she even tried paddling a gondola, the contentment that was around her.
"Is it okay if I dream a little bit more?" Mugi asked the two of them.
"Dream all you want, Mugi," Nodoka replied, stroking her long blonde hair. "Dream all you want."
"Yui, I don't get it; why are we walking up the Strip?" Azusa asked her as they passed by the MGM Grand. "Can't we just take the bus?"
"Onee-chan, there's supposed to be a bus that goes up and down the Strip," Ui added.
"Really?" Yui wondered, scratching her head. "I didn't know that." As if on cue, a gold double-decker bus came their way. "Ah, here it is." The Deuce on The Strip. Yui, Ui and Azusa plunked a cool $7 before getting on board.
"Let's go to the upper deck, Onee-chan," Ui said.
"Ohohohohohoh, you go got it," she said.
Azusa was captive as the bus began to slowly move up the Strip. "Wow...so this is what a double-decker bus is like! Yui, it's like we're experiencing something new and awesome every day! Unbelievable!"
"I guess taking the bus was a good idea, huh Azunyan?" She looked at her with look of confusion. "Azunyan?"
"Azusa-chan is spacing out again," Ui replied. Azusa was in her dream state, watching buildings and people pass by. At least they weren't taking any photos.
"Ahhhh." She noticed a certain building up ahead. Oooh! Here we are!"
"Circus Circus, your favorite."
Azusa woke up immediately. "We're here? Oh my God, we're here! Everybody, we're here."
"We know," Yui and Ui replied. The three of them got off the Deuce, strutting over to Circus Circus.
"I think the place we should go is the Adventuredome," Ui said to them. "That's where the action is."
"Let's go!" Yui shouted to the heavens, marching to the Adventuredome while dragging Azunyan along.
"Quit dragging me, Yui!"
"I can't help it! Hurry up!"
Ui wondered if her older sister was going to be all right. "Onee-chan..."
Minutes later, Yui was screaming in delight while Azusa was screaming for her life on the Canyon Blaster. Ui chose to do the business down on the midway. "This is awesome!" Yui exclaimed. "I love America!"
"Yui, this is so not fun!" Azusa exclaimed. "I'm dying down here!"
"You gotta love something like this," she replied with a laugh as the ride ended.
"Yui?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I call you and the others Sempai again? I'm used to calling you that."
"Ehhhh? Fine."
"Thank you, Yui-sempai," Azusa said. "Where did Ui go?"
"Oh, Ui went to the midway to play some games. We'll catch her later. For now, it's just you and me." Yui scanned all over the place for the clowns, slightly bending over in front of Azusa to reveal the visual delight underneath her skirt.
"Yui-sempai! Quit teasing me with your panties!" she shrieked, blushing profusely yet again.
"Eh? What did I do?"
"Now...is not the time...for that..."
"For what?"
"Oh, never mind! I can't say it!"
"Ah, there you are Ui! Yahoo~~~~!"
"Onee-chan, look what I got!" Ui said, holding up a bag of six plushies as she walked over to the two of them.
"Ooooh, what are these?" Azusa asked.
"There are plushies of you, me and onee-chan in summer and winter uniforms. Here are yours, onee-chan, and here are yours, Azusa-chan."
The twintailed guitarist was captive. "It looks like Yui-sempai."
"I get you!" Yui squealed. "Thanks, Ui!"
"And I get onee-chan. So it's like we're in each other's arms."
"Cool!"
"Yui-sempai...a doll..." Azusa closed her eyes, coming to terms with the fact that her time with Yui at Sakuragaoka continued to draw to a close. "My Yui-sempai." The thought moved her to tears for a little bit as the droplets flew in the wind.
"Ui, do you know where the clowns are located?" Yui asked.
"They're doing a show over there," she pointed to the gathering of kids watching the clowns do stunts and slapstick acts. They all walked over to watch the light-hearted revelry, and it was worthy of a photo opportunity. Indeed, the girls posed with the clowns from Circus Circus as part of the school scrapbook.
"I never knew that New York City could be condensed into a hotel and casino," Mio said to Ritsu while taking photos as the two of them entered New York-New York.
"Yeah, are you kidding me? I mean, the main casino floor is named after Central Park, the shops are named after Greenwich Village, there are towers replicating the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, there's a lake representing New York Harbor, a 150-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty and replicas of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Main Immigration Building on Ellis Island, and the Grand Central Terminal."
"Wonder why the World Trade Center is not represented here?"
"This is supposed to represent New York City as it was in the 1940's. Or maybe it's so that the hotel won't be a terrorist target."
Mio thought about what Ritsu said, as it evoked the conversation they had on the plane regarding 9/11. "Thankfully it's not a target by anyone like that..."
"I'm thankful to." And so, Ritsu had an idea. "Hey Mio, I know a place where we can go to."
"Where are we going?" she asked her.
"Follow me."
"Hey, quit dragging me will you!" They both ran to The Roller Coaster. "Why are you taking me here?"
"This is the best part of New York-New York!"
"Ritsu...I'm not good with roller coasters..."
"But I'm here...come on, it will be fun, I'm telling you!"
"Ritsu...no..." It was too late for her to ask for a reconsideration of the decision. Both of them got on the front of the train, which was designed to look like a taxicab.
"What, you're scared already, Mio?"
Tears were starting to form as the roller coaster slowly got up the first hill. "Ritsu...I don't wanna die, I've got so much to live for!"
"You'll survive. I promise you." The two of them could see the hotel tower buildings and a portion of the Strip.
"Lord, please protect us on this journey! Please!"
"Oh you, Mio..." At the moment, they were about to take the drop. "Here we go!"
"I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna-NOOOOOOOOOO!" Mio was screaming in agony, Ritsu was screaming with delight. The roller coaster went through the first drop, and then the second, and then it went through a third leading to a loop, a corkscrew and another hill.
"Please tell me this is going to be over soon," Mio whimpered to Ritsu. "Please, please, fucking please!"
"We're just getting started, babe!"
"Aw, hell!"
The roller coaster went up another hill, did another turn while going up and down a few more hills, and did another long turn before it ended. By this point, Mio had turned to stone and gave up the ghost.
"Mio, are you all right? Mio? Hey Mio, wake up?"
"My life...is finished," she whispered softly as the two of them got off the roller coaster and on to the steps outside. "Heh, and I didn't even get to graduate with Ritsu..."
"Liar! You're still alive! And you can still stand! Snap out of it!" Knowing the best way to wake her up, Ritsu locked lips with Mio.
"Tastes like honey..." Mio's eyes opened. "Eh? What happened?"
Other passers-by were looking on with confused expressions. "Mom, look, it's Mio and Ritsu from Hokago Tea Time!" said a 5-year old girl to her mother. The confused expressions turned to naughty ones. One 40-year old male was closing in on groping Mio's boobs.
"Noooooooo!" Mio screamed, roundhouse kicking him aside. "You fucking pervert! Get off of me!"
"Mio, make a run for it! Let's go!" Before they knew it, they were being chased by a bunch of amateur paparazzi with phone cams and iPhones en route to Paris Las Vegas.
"Why? Why does this trip have to be so fucking cruel? No, no, NOOO!"
Ironically, the song "Run Away" by Real McCoy was playing on the speakers as the two of them hightailed out of New York-New York. A fitting ending to a fitting escape.
"Mugi? Hey, wake up, Mugi!" Nodoka said to Tsumugi, who was clearly drooling during the ride.
"È la giovane sveglio?" asked the gondolier in Italian.
"Sì, lei è sveglia. She was only sleeping."
"Venezia ...oh, quanto ti amo..." purred Mugi.
"Mugi-sempai, wake up, we have to go now, the ride's over," Jun said to her.
"H...Huh? Oh my, I must have been dreaming of Venice again," Tsumugi said, wiping the drool from her face with her handkerchief.
"Geez, we might as well be dancing to techno over in Europe if that were the case," Jun snarked, hands on her hips as they left the gondolas.
"I like Euro Dance music, especially the stuff from the 1980's and 1990's. Especially artists like Ace of Base and Real McCoy. I even uploaded a piano rendition of Real McCoy's 'Run Away' on YouTube."
"Impressive," Nodoka said, cracking open the tifo book again.
"I want to head to Treasure Island next!"
"Where's that?" Jun asked.
"Across the street, over there," Mugi said, pointing to the hotel
"Talk about convenience," she replied as they crossed Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Immediately, as if on cue, Mugi was squealing with pleasure. She was just like a little girl with her eyes open to the world for the first time. "Wow! Will you look at that! A pirate ship! Arrrr!"
"Pretty impressive," Nodoka said, smiling. "I wonder if there is a restaurant inside that ship."
"Maybe? Shall we go inside?"
"Let's do it."
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," Jun sang.
"She's simple mad about the mouse, huh Mugi?"
"Yep!" The three of them decided to check out some of the shops at the hotel.
"I heard that there is a show that goes on every night at the entrance, and it involves guys and girls fighting each other and at the end of it, they all get busy in some fashion," Jun recalled.
"Uh, Mugi, what are you doing?" Nodoka asked, her glasses frosted.
Vulcans were on Tsumugi's face of lechery. "Oh my...guys...and girls...doing THAT on a ship in front of hundreds of people...it's too much!"
"Get that out of your head, Mugi."
"It's too hard! Too hard!"
"It will be easy if you try," Jun deadpanned as they walked over to the Ben & Jerry's at the Treasure Island retail promenade. "I'm hungry for some ice cream. I'll pay up."
"Really?" Mugi exclaimed. "Awesome. Thanks, Jun-chan!"
"I would like to try the Cherry Garcia flavor," Nodoka said.
"I'll have some Half Baked," Jun chimed.
"I'll play it simple and go with Strawberry Cheesecake," Tsumugi said. They all had double scoops in waffle cones.
"Hey, this is pretty good."
"Good as advertised," Nodoka said, taking a lick.
"I agree, this is really delicious!" Tsumugi beamed, some cream on her cheek.
"Mugi, there's some cream on your face. Let me wipe that off for you."
"Oh my. Please." A few dabs of Nodoka's handkerchief did the trick. "I guess I am a bit messy when it comes to eating these types of things. I'm sorry."
"No harm done. I mean, it doesn't look good when someone of your class looks unkempt."
"That reminds me. I have a song that I have been writing for some time. This is called 'Yasei no Jounetsu,' or 'A Wild Passion.' Do you want to hear it?"
"Ooooh, Mugi-sempai has some new music for us?" Jun asked as Tsumugi finished her cone. "Of course we want to hear it."
"All right. Here it goes."
"In the deep night, I leave my room.
The world I see when I climb on the roof is the future I think of.
When the moon is shining down on me, I can't tell a lie.
Keep quiet, or it'll wake up – this definite passion.
Below the faraway, extensive sky, what are the things I can I do?
I have my anxieties, but I'd like to try believing in myself.
If I find someone that I like, I'll hug him strongly and tightly.
What a daring dream I have. Oh my! …So I was this kind of girl?
Freedom extends more infinitely than space.
I climb on the roof, and I receive hope as yesterday ends.
When I'm fanned by the wind, my courage lights up.
When I put my hand on my chest, I understand my wild passion.
Above the spacious, enormous stars, where are the places I can go?
I have my doubts, but my hopes cancel them out.
The fluttering hem of my maxi makes it hard to walk, so I'll change into a miniskirt.
What stirring determination I have. Oh! …So I was this kind of girl?
Like the waxing and waning of moon,
I move forward, having my ups and downs.
I'll suddenly appear in front of someone and shout, "Wah!"
To give her a surprise, and then we'll laugh together…
Below the vast and faraway sky, what are the things I can I do?
The today that will only come once reaches me from the east.
Things that change, things that are eternal – I want to enjoy them all.
What an innocent wish I carry. I'm sure! …I was this kind of girl…!
What are the things I can do? A brand new me…
Where are the places I can go? A brand new me!"
"That was amazing, Mugi!" Nodoka said, applauding. "You know, you have quite a voice for someone who isn't a lead vocalist. You need to sing lead more often."
"Thanks, Nodoka-chan. I'm very proud of it. And thank you for the vote of confidence."
"Ahhhhh." Jun stretched after finishing her cone. "Nodoka-sempai, Mugi-sempai, I think we need to do some more shopping. Where are we heading off to next?"
"This way," Tsumugi replied as Nodoka and Jun followed her to the Fashion Show Shopping Mall.
"Speaking of which," said Jun, "do we know what show we're going to watch?"
"We passed by the sign for that Cirque du Soleil show featuring the Beatles at the Mirage," Nodoka said. "Maybe we can watch that?"
"Great idea," Tsumugi replied. "But we have to let the others know of our decision."
Nodoka took out her cell phone. "I'll go call Yui."
"I'll call Mio-sempai to see if she and Ritsu-sempai agree," Jun said.
"And if they agree, I'll go ahead and call Miss Sawako and let her know that we plan to watch Love," Mugi added. The three of them nodded and got to work calling.
"Hey, hey, hey! How is my precious Azunyan doing down there?" asked Yui to Azusa, who was riding Insanity high atop Stratosphere.
"Yui-sempai, this is torture! You are so fucking cruel!"
"Hang in there, Azusa-chan," Ui said, praying. She had the plushies with her. "Onee-chan, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Hmm, hmm, hmmmm! I know a good opportunity to show courage and fearlessness when I see one, and so I am giving Azunyan this one chance to see what she is made of."
"If you think you are so tough, how about you ride Insanity as well?"
"Ahahahahah...huh?" Her tough-girl shell broke too easily, it was as if she didn't have any at all. "B-B-B-But...it's too scary..."
"I'll go with you, onee-chan, if it makes you feel better."
"Oh Ui, you're so amazing! I love you!"
"I just hope we don't plummet to our deaths either," she grimly thought, breaking in a cold sweat, her face shaded.
At that moment, Yui felt a buzz from her handbag. Saved by her mobile. "H-H-H-Hello?"
"Yui, it's me."
"Ahahahahah, hi, Nodoka-chan. So, how are things?"
"Where are you guys?"
"We're high above the Stratosphere Tower, and Azunyan is on one of the rides."
"Oh dear...anyway, Mugi, Jun and I have proposed that we should watch 'Love' at the Mirage. It's the one with the Beatles music in it."
"The Beatles?" Ui asked.
"Let me ask Azunyan if she thinks it's a good idea. Hold on. Ui, hold my phone for a bit." She called her over. "Azunyan! Head over here!"
"Yui-sempai, I am glad that I survived that ride," Azusa groaned as she walked to them. "Too scary..." She felt Yui place her hands on her shoulders. "Yui-sempai."
"Do you want to watch a Beatles concert at the Mirage?"
"Eh? But the Beatles have broken up and two of them are dead, right?"
"She's talking about the musical tribute featuring Cirque du Soleil, Azusa-chan," Ui clarified.
Her face lit up. "Absolutely! I want to see that show!"
"Me too, onee-chan!"
"All right," Yui said, taking the phone. "Nodoka-chan, are you still there?"
"Yes, I'm still here."
A thumbs-up. "We're going to that show."
"All right. I'll see if Mio and Ritsu approve of the proposed decision. I'll call you back in a bit."
"Thanks, Nodoka-chan!" Yui hung up and turned to the others. "Let's ride that one next!" She pointed to the ride at the very top of the tower.
"THE BIG SHOT?" exclaimed Ui and Azusa.
"She's completely lost it," Azusa deadpanned to Ui, sweatdrops forming.
A deep gulp amid hesitant laughter came from Yui's esteemed younger sister, the wind blowing against her ponytail and blue and white ribbon. "Onee-chan..."
"I am so glad that we escaped those paparazzi," Ritsu sighed as they went to the restaurant inside the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower.
"That wasn't the paparazzi. That was a mob. But man, we got some legs, don't we?" Mio said. "Maybe we will do well at that school marathon later this year at home!"
"I did not want to be touched in all the places that only you should be given access to!"
"Same here," she shuddered. Mio motioned to the waiter nearby. "Waiter, spring greens, please."
"One plate of spring greens for the mademoiselle," he said, "and what will the other mademoiselle have as an appetizer?"
"I'll have the cold foie gras torchon," Ritsu said. "Gonna go live it up here."
"One plate of the foie gras torchon," the waiter replied, noting it on his book.
"Oh, and I will have the baked crepes."
"Baked crepes for the main course, and what about the other mademoiselle?"
"Let's see..." Mio scanned the menu. "Give me the aged parmesan crusted chicken."
"All right. We will have it ready for you shortly. Merci," said the waiter, taking the menus.
Mio's mobile phone vibrated. "Hello?"
"Mio-sempai, hello."
"Jun. How are you?"
"Great. How about you guys?"
"Ritsu and I had to run away from some rather perverted photographers," Mio grunted.
Jun laughed hysterically. "It's probably because you two are hardcore, famous lesbians that it was easy for them to find you making out."
"No, we were riding a roller coaster at New York-New York, and I had fainted, and when Ritsu kissed me, everyone whipped their cameras out. One person tried to get a good grab and squeeze my boobs."
The laughter was even more hysterical. "When you've got a big rack, you've got a big rack."
"Jun...stop."
"Sorry, heheh." She quickly maintained her composure. "Are you guys getting lunch?"
"Yeah. We decided to eat something fancy for lunch at Paris Las Vegas. We're actually eating inside a replica of the Eiffel Tower."
"All that running must have made you pretty hungry. Hey, Mio-sempai, do you want to watch 'Love' by The Beatles? Actually, it's a tribute to the Beatles by Cirque du Soleil. They say this is a good show."
"Let me ask Ritsu, hold on. Hey Ritsu, the others want to watch the Beatles tribute over at The Mirage. Do you want to go?"
"If everybody else has said yes, then I will. Did you ask?"
"Let me ask her. Hey Jun, did the others say yes?"
"Azusa, Ui and Yui-sempai all said yes, and Mugi-sempai, Nodoka-sempai and I did as well."
"The others did, Ritsu."
"All right! 'Love' it is!" Ritsu exclaimed, causing the heads of the few inside the restaurant to turn for a brief moment before they returned to their individual conversations and consumptions.
"Jun, we're going to watch 'Love,' too."
"Perfect! I'll have Mugi-sempai let Miss Sawako know. She'll be calling you guys shortly. Enjoy your lunch!"
"All right." Mio hung up. "Man, to hear the Beatles all over again...one of my favorite artists..."
"Oh man, this is going to be so much fun," Ritsu exclaimed. "You know what, Mio? I had a song that I was thinking about during the flight. It's not finished yet because we have to record it, but I have the vocals ready. Want me to sing it?"
"Sure, I'd like to hear it."
"All right. Here it goes. This song is called Yuuzora A La Carte."
"On the way home I always take a different road since I can't decide on a menu
I whistle as I turn the corner and take a short, three-second journey
A red dragonfly dances in the wind, the sky hidden by clouds
If I close my eyes, I'll arrive; I can smell dinner from a house somewhere
That's it! Today we'll have hamburger steak even though I made it last week
Ah, I'll knead a ground mixture full of beef, pork, and love
For the person I love
The tail lights of the bus that passed by carry the wishes of many people's dreams
It looks like there's a bond tied between me and that someone who says "Welcome home"; I'll come running
Everyone is swaying, and on the way home, so am I
It would be great if every day continued to be this warm
For now, let's hurry and have hamburger steak; I'll cook a delicious meal
I'll be sure to add a perfect glaze made subtly from cheer
For the person waiting for me
Though there are things I'm not very good at, I'll start with the things I can do
Though there are times of tears, I'll believe in smiles
Today we'll definitely have hamburger steak, and it'll be better than last week's
Ah, I'll knead a ground mixture full of beef, pork, and love
For the person I love."
"That's a wonderful song," Mio said. "Kinda add to the fact that we are eating lunch."
"Glad you liked it. I don't like to write songs that much, but if I do, I always give it my best effort."
"Ladies, your food is here," the waiter said, presenting them with their appetizers and main courses. "Enjoy."
"Right on cue," Mio replied with a wink. "I gotta give the maître d' a little tip."
"Be my guest, hon hon hon!"
"1...2...3..."
"Itadakimasu!" they both said, contently savoring some fine French cuisine crafted by Chef J. Joho.
"All eight in," Jun said to Tsumugi as they browsed through the Louis Vuitton shop at Fashion Show Mall. "Oooh, this cardigan might be a winner."
"Excellent," Mugi said. "Time for me to call Miss Sawako."
"Hello, Yui?" Nodoka asked.
"Nodoka-chan, so what did they say?"
"They said yes, so you should expect a message from Miss Sawako on what to do next."
"We'll catch you guys later. We're going to Wynn buffet to eat."
"All right. See you." Nodoka hung up.
"Hello, Miss Sawako?" Tsumugi said.
"Mugi-chan, hello. I take it you have decided on what show you want to watch?"
"We chose 'Love' over at the Mirage."
"Interesting you say that, because I thought about watching that show as well. In fact, I am buying tickets for the 7:00 p.m. show. We should get some good seats for this one. Because we already know what we're going to do, you and the others will have to meet me at the Mirage volcano by 4:00 so that we can get a pre-show dinner before we watch. I will be handing you your tickets at that time."
"Great, Miss Sawako. Sounds like a plan."
"I will let Ricchan and Yui-chan know where to meet me and what time, so that they are on the same page." A gurgle.
"Miss Sawako, is that your stomach growling?"
"Yes," she cried, "and I need to eat, too. Listen, I'm near the head of the line, so I will meet up with you later. 4:00 p.m., Mirage volcano, please do not be late or you will not get your ticket. See you."
"Take care, Miss Sawako." Tsumugi said. "I should have brought some snacks with me before we left. Oh well. Hey guys."
"What's that, Mugi?"
"I want some hot dogs. Is there one here?"
"Look where we are," Nodoka deadpanned, pointing to the sign. Nathan's Famous. They had browsed through Louis Vuitton moments earlier, and as Tsumugi was talking on her phone, they followed her to Nathan's.
Mugi was embarrassed and scratched her head, laughing it all off. "Oh, we are here after all. Ahahahahahah..."
The sun continued to bear down on the Las Vegas Strip as the misting machines sprayed droplets on to passers-by in their vain efforts to beat the heat. It was July, it was dry, and Azusa's tan was so pronounced, she could be mistaken for a Brazilian tourist.
As Ui and Azusa talked about the Beatles and their legacy regarding the show at McDonald's, Yui looked wistfully to the window, wondering about the concert, keeping in mind that this was the ultimate thing on the agenda. This was going to be their main day of leisure. The next few days would all be about business.
"Ui, can you excuse me and Yui-sempai for a bit?" Azusa asked her.
"Huh? Sure, go right ahead, I guess."
"Azunyan?" Yui asked, head tilted to the side while sipping on a large, thick strawberry milkshake.
"Come with me," Azusa said, her face blushing as she dragged Yui to a spot outside the restaurant.
"Azunyan, what are you doing?"
She pinned Yui to the wall and dove in for a long, deep, rich kiss. Her left hand slowly slid underneath Yui's microskirt and white panties, stopping at that spot, that button between her thighs that needed to be stroked, to be rubbed, to be pushed once more.
"Ahhhh, Azunyan, stop, stop, haaaaaah!"
"Yui-sempai," Azusa whispered in her ear, "seeing you in that outfit for some reason turns me on more than anything. There's nothing wrong with two fans of two awesome clubs doing something like this, right, Yui-sempai?"
"Azunyan...haaaah..." Yui's breathing was hitched. It was as if her energy was being drained yet again by Azusa's sweet touch.
"I mean, think about it, my love. Manchester United and Real Madrid, meeting together for something like this." Azusa licked Yui's left earlobe, which turned into a nibble. At that moment, Yui's right hand weaved underneath Azusa's skirt, and it slid under Azusa's black panties while caressing her toned backside.
"You sure know how to please a lover, Azunyan," Yui whispered.
"Stroke me more," she mewed as the kissing and fingering continued.
"With pleasure, my little Spanish Azunyan...just for you..."
Ui was watching the events unfold from a distance. "They could use a trip to the ladies' room after this."
"Oh wow, this is, like awesome stuff!" exclaimed a morbidly obese guy in his mid-40's taking a few shots next to her. "This is going to make the boss proud!" Ui turned to her, her eyes aflame with anger. "Oh crap!" But before he was able to make a run for it, Ui dash and gave a roundhouse kick to the back of his head. The camera flew off his hands, and shattered into pieces.
"Quit taking unauthorized photos of my sister and her girlfriend, you disgusting pervert!" Ui shouted, her eyes still aflame.
"You fucking Japanese bitch...you destroyed my camera...I'll fucking kill you!" He produced a switchblade and tried to lunge at Ui. But she was too quick. Ui did a high somersault in the air, karate-chopped the hand to dislodge the switchblade mid-somersault, gave him a kick to the solar plexus that sent him flying upwards, and just before he was about to land, did a roundhouse kick that sent him flying towards a police car, where several officers were originally on break, but now they had someone to arrest.
"Hmph," Ui pouted before walking back to watch the scene between Yui and Azusa continue to unfold. "Oh, this is so wonderful," she said, sighing like the angel she was. An angel with a punch.
END CHAPTER 9