Roadshow
Chapter 14:
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Interestingly enough, other things were going on back at home, right under the band's collective noses. On the Tuesday before the concert, while Hokago Tea Time was going through their usual business, a group of students at Sakuragaoka High School were called to a special meeting at the auditorium. Slowly but surely, they began to file in.
"To Chika, get your ass down over here right now, meeting in 30 minutes!" Fumie Kimura texted on her Blackberry.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Eri Taki asked, walking over to her.
"Texting one of our folks. Apparently she was hanging out at the pool with a few others in our class."
"Hello, I'm here!" Chika said, waving. "Sorry I'm late!"
"That was fast," the other two said.
"I wonder why we're all gathered here," Himeko Tachibana mused.
"Hmmm," Nobuyo Nakajima pondered, stroking her chin. "I think we have done something to please the headmaster. Or maybe it's just a prank the boss is trying to pull on us."
"I hope it's something exciting," said Toshimi Shibaya. "Nothing like something exciting to close off the summer."
"If this isn't anything substantial, I'm heading back to the pool," Ichigo Wakaouji deadpanned.
"You think those four are all right?" asked Shizuka Kinoshita.
"Which four are you talking about?" Akane Satou wondered.
"Yui, Mio, Ritsu and Mugi."
"That's right, they are in America, right?" Mika Saeki suggested.
"America?" replied Maki Wajima. "The U.S.A.?"
"I heard from somebody in another class that they are doing a show."
"I hope they will be okay," Tae Kikuchi said, clasping her hands in prayer.
"They should be. I mean, it's not very often you get to go to a country like America," Toshimi Nakanishi said.
"They are so lucky," Masumi Yada said. "Really lucky."
"My grandparents and my extended family live in San Diego, so they are used to life there," Kazuko Miura noted.
"How many members of your extended family do you have?" asked Kimiko Makigami.
"I believe I have two aunts, two uncles, and three cousins, all girls."
"You lucky devil."
"Tee-hee!"
"All right ladies, take your seats," the headmaster said, clearing his throat. "Now you may wonder why you all have been summoned here. Well, I have news that may shock you."
"Did we all get expelled?" Mifuyu Matsumoto gasped. They all turned to her in disbelief.
"Even better," he said with a sinister smile. Now they all turned to him in even bigger disbelief. A pause. Then the news.
"You're all going to Las Vegas."
"Whaaaaat?" they all screamed, not knowing what hit them.
Akiyo Miyamoto was at a loss for words. "Oh my gosh...this news is...so stimulating!"
The headmaster went on. "Ladies, let it be known that you are going on an all-expenses paid trip to see Hokago Tea Time perform at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The trip includes a two-night stay at the Palms Hotel Casino, and you will be roomed below where the band are staying. You also get VIP Status, and can talk with the band backstage, and you also get front-row seats to the show."
"Holy cow," Haruko Chikada whispered. "All that. And we didn't even do anything to deserve it. And yet, we're given this opportunity to visit America."
Ai Tsuchiya fainted. "This is too much...too much."
"Hang in there, Ai!" Kyouko Shimuzu said, fanning Ai's face that was blushing, drenched with sweat.
"Unbelievable," Fuuko Takahashi said. "This is perfect."
"But what about the heat?" Yoshimi Sunohara wondered. "It's pretty hot down there in Vegas at this time of the year!"
"It's not that much of a drop-off from here; only difference is the humidity," Chizuru Shima explained.
"But it's still friggin' hot!"
"That's why every hotel in Las Vegas is required to have some kick-ass air conditioning," Keiko Sano replied.
"Kick-ass?" Natsuka Sakurai asked her, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah."
"Oh dear."
Youko Sasaki was feeling uneasy, to say the least. "Akiyama-san...I get to see you rock your bass again. Forgive me for not bringing the Mio Fan Club. They all wanted to see you..."
"Oh, and one more thing," the headmaster said. "Those who are registered members of the Mio Fan Club will also get to go on the trip to Vegas. The Alumni Association is donating enough money to provide a trip and tickets and will be seated in a special section of the stadium."
"Eh?" Youko was scared. "I take that back, Akiyama-san. We are all going to see you in concert! Every one of us! Even the freshmen!"
"Damn," Eiko Sakuma said with a whistle. "Everybody in our clique is going to the concert in America. Hang in there, Hokago Tea Time; your fans are on your way."
"We'd better start packing," mulled Tsukasa Koiso.
"That's all, ladies, dismissed," the headmaster said.
Eri punched a fist in the air. "Las Vegas, here we come!" she roared.
"Yeah!" replied the others who punched their fists in the air, a few jumping for added emphasis. All systems go.
"Hold on. I could have sworn I was sleeping in my bedroom with nothing but my underwear on eight hours ago in the heat."
Eri Taki looked around. She pinched her cheek, her neck, and her side. No, the ace on the girls' volleyball team was not dreaming. No, she was living the dream. She was on a plane with her friends. The whirr of the jet engine could be heard buzzing in the background as her friends were chatting. They had left Japan one hour ago and no one was left behind, since everyone had their passports with them.
"Beautiful," Eri whispered.
"Hey, beautiful," Chika Nojima cooed.
She jumped, her pupils shrinking. "Aaaah! You! You scared me!" Around Eri, everybody was cracking up.
"Awake, sleepyhead?"
"Well I am now, thanks to you."
"Chika and I were talking with the others about our favorite football teams," Himeko said.
"Football, huh? I'm not much of a football fan."
"Neither am I, that's why I'm on the softball team. But I do follow the . I like Tokyo Verdy."
"It's all about the mighty Manchester United, peoples!" exclaimed Nobuyo, pounding her chest. "In my fifth life, I was Wayne Rooney's mistress." The others laughed. "What you laughin' about, fools?"
"Shut up, Nobuyo, it's all about Chelsea," Haruko deadpanned. "You got bad taste in being a bandwagoner."
"Look who's talking, bitch!"
"Oy." They were staring at each other for the longest time before they turned away.
"Both of you are silly, it's all about Real Madrid," Akane Satou.
"Barcelona," Ichigo said quietly.
"Juventus!" Mika exclaimed.
"West Ham?" Yoshimi suggested.
They all drowned her out. "Nooooooo!"
"Are you crazy, Sunahara? Why would you support a bunch of hooligans?" Nobuya said in disbelief.
"Because they're cute?"
"Arrghhhhhhhhhh, damnit! The hell with you!" Her scalp was itching at the thought.
"Could be worse," Ichigo deadpanned. "Like Millwall."
"Boca Juniors for me," Shizuka asserted.
"River Plate," Youko replied.
"If River get relegated, I want you to bring me cake on my birthday."
"Likewise?"
A handshake. "Deal."
"Uhhhh, I like Corinthians," Akiyo said hesitantly.
"Santos!" hollered Natsuka.
"Sao Paulo," Mifuyu said with a smirk.
"Flamengo all the way," Maki said.
"You girls forgot about Chivas de Guadalajara," Kimiko added.
"Or Inter Milan," Tae said.
"Or Lazio," Fuuko replied.
"What about AC Milan?" Fumie suggested. "I love AC Milan."
"I love Celtic," Kazuko chimed.
"Rangers," said Masumi with enthusiasm.
"Dear rival of the Old Firm, thy name be Masumi Yada!"
She pointed at herself. "Eh?"
"Ajax for me," said Toshimi Nakanishi.
"Liverpool for this fan," Toshimi Shibaya replied.
"Everton because I love toffee candy!" Keiko Sano chimed.
"Mine's is FC Porto," Kyouko said.
Eiko was next to declare her club. "Sporting Clube."
"Urawa Reds!" Ushio declared.
"Kashima Antlers!" Haruna shot back.
"Gamba Osaka!" said Tsukasa.
"The F-Marinos," Keiko Iida said, nodding.
"Vegalta Sendai because I have 100 friends on Twitter who support them!" Ai said with pride.
"Suwon Bluewings," Michiko said, visibly embarrassed. "I'm sorry; I just like the name because it sounds cute!"
"Well, that leaves one person," Akiyo said. "Eri, who's your favorite team?"
Her heart was beating fast. She took a deep breath. Then she said the words while she closed her eyes. "Los Angeles Galaxy."
"Who?" Chika wondered. They were all turning to Eri with looks of surprise.
"The Los Angeles Galaxy. That's my team."
"Oh, you mean that team with that English dude who used to play for my side!" Nobuyo remarked. "I forgot his name."
"David Beckham," Haruko said, annoyed. "How can you forget one of the greatest English players in history?"
"I guess I did. Yeah, that's the guy. Buy why the Galaxy?"
"Well, how I ended up supporting LA...it's a weird story. Do you guys wanna hear it?" Eri said, blushing.
"Yeah," they all replied.
"Do you really want to hear it?"
"YEAH!" The response was overwhelming.
A sigh. Well, there was no turning back. "All right, I'll tell you about it. Sheesh, you people are embarrassing me as it is..."
Eri remembered it very well. It was a day she would never forget. Last summer, she was on a special with her boyfriend-turned fiancée Makoto Endou and his parents to Los Angeles. At the time, she never know what like in Los Angeles was. It was unusual how Makoto and Eri met. Before that fateful week, Makoto, who played goalkeeper in high school just like his father, would watch Eri practice with her teammates at Sakuragaoka's gymnasium. He watched her leap into the air, the sweat coming down her body as she laid another spike with pinpoint accuracy. The way she moved on the ball was so quick. One second, she in one part of the court. The next second another part. It was, as Makoto would say in his own personal blog, "love at first sight. Because of her, volleyball became my second-favorite sport." After one practice, Makoto met Eri, and she was a little bit hesitant in welcoming a gentleman into her life, but after the two of them ate at the nearby Max Burger, talking about sports, they started to hang out together more often, until a couple of weeks before the visit, Makoto made the offer to take Eri out for seven days on the Golden Coast of California.
And after that, everything else was history."
"So you haven't been to a football match in your life, huh?" Makoto asked her as his father, Mamoru, drove down the San Diego Freeway—Interstate 405—from their summer villa in Malibu.
"I've only watched a few matches on TV, but I never really got interested in it," Eri giggled. "I mean, I know our national team is great, but I've never really followed them."
"You'll be in for a treat, sunshine," Mamoru said. "Have you heard of this team called the LA Galaxy?"
"What's that team?"
"It's a team full of superstars who are the best in their league here in America," said Makoto's mother Natsumi.
"When we first got our green cards, we wanted to follow a local team in this city," Mamoru added. "There are two teams in this city. There's Chivas USA, which is owned by a club from Mexico, and there's the Galaxy, who are actually better than Chivas in terms of talent. Naturally, it was an easy decision."
"During the summer, Mom, Dad and I go here to watch some games before going home," Makoto said. "My favorite player on the team is this one guy named David Beckham."
"David...Beckham?" Eri raised an eyebrow, clearly unaware of this player.
"You don't know who David Beckham is?"
"Well, it looks like we really have a newcomer to the game, huh sweet cheeks?" Mamoru grinned to Natsumi.
"Looks like you're going to have to give her a nice introduction, honeybunch," Natsumi warned with a wink.
"You think I am not prepared for that?"
The car exited off Avalon Boulevard as it made its way up the road toward the Home Depot Center. Mamoru put on his shades. Everyone else did. The sun was bright, and it was beating down.
"I am always prepared."
"So this is the Home Depot Center?" Eri said, walking on the sidelines with Makoto, Mamoru and Natsumi. "This is beautiful."
"Like it?" Makoto. "Eri, this place here is the Cathedral of American Soccer. The US National Team trains here, and there's also tennis courts, a volleyball court, beach volleyball courts, a velodrome, a baseball field, a softball field and a track and field stadium."
"Also, a lot of youth teams play at the pitches adjacent to this stadium," Mamoru added, taking a whiff of the grass.
"We make sure to get fieldside seats next to the home team's bench so that we can see the players practice, and we can see the action up close," Natsumi pointed out with gusto.
The four of them took their seats. Above then, an animated version of the Galaxy logo was spinning around, moving across the screen. Underneath the screen and the grass berm was a group of seats that were decorated with a banner that said "ANGEL CITY BRIGADE." Eri looked in front of her. There was a corner that had another banner that said, "LA RIOT SQUAD."
"Angel City Brigade? LA Riot Squad? Who are these guys?" Eri asked Makoto.
"Every team in this league has their own supporters group. My team has a couple of dominant supporters groups called the Angel City Brigade and the LA Riot Squad. If you look to the right of that ACB banner, there's another one that says 'Galaxians.' That group was there when the team was founded in 1995."
"What do they do?"
"They sing, they chant, they wave flags and they get the stadium rocking with their support," Mamoru said. "It doesn't compare to some of the support in the , but this is pretty impressive. Our team is facing the Seattle Sounders tonight, and they have really good support because it's a sellout at those matches, and the place is really loud."
"You remember our only visit to Qwest Field earlier this year, and we watched the Sounders play a game, right Mamoru?" Natsumi asked.
"Yeah, I do. It was their very first home game in league play. They killed the New York Red Bulls 3-0. And their setup is similar to what they have in Europe with their support. You and I had a drink with the capo of the Emerald City Supporters and we were talking with him about the Premier League and how it was fun to replicate that atmosphere."
"It's a workout to jump and shout with them; I was about to collapse."
"I wasn't feeling a thing; I was flying."
"Leave it to you to say that!"
"Being a football supporter must be hard work, huh?" Eri wondered wistfully.
"Yeah, it is," said Makoto. "They don't sit on their asses watching the game. They're too smart to do that."
"Where's everyone, though?" She saw nothing but empty bleachers.
"The fans here don't check in until about an hour to kickoff, Eri. When it's an hour, there is a rush, and everybody comes in. Some even tailgate before the match."
"Tailgate?"
"That's eating a meal before going to the stadium. Fans do this so that they won't have to buy much at the concessions."
"I see."
"Here come a few of the players now." A few Galaxy players with gloves were trotting out on to the pitch, getting the legs warmed up before taking some shots. Nearby, some coaches were placing some cones the surface in anticipation of the other players going through their warm-ups. Across from them, the Sounders training staff were doing likewise, and a tall goalkeeper with a shiny bald head was hearing the worst from those Angel City Brigade members who arrived early.
"Who's that guy?" Eri asked.
"His name is Matt Reis, and he used to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy when he was younger," Mamoru said. "He's not too bad, and he has a few more years left in him before he retires from the game. This league gets players from Europe, South America, and even Asia. One team in this league has a Japanese international, Kosuke Kimura of the Colorado Rapids."
"Players from Japan also play in America?"
"Absolutely."
"You thought we were just restricted to baseball players, huh, Eri-chan?" asked Natsumi.
"Yeah, I know Ichiro, but...wow."
"Hopefully he's not the last Japanese player to play in MLS. They need to look at getting more talent from our country over here to play," Mamoru said, watching the rest of the players on both sides enter the stadium for warm-ups.
"I like the music they play," Eri said. "It's fun to listen."
A few synthesizer notes were playing on the intercom.
"Shall we dance, princess?" Makoto said to Eri, who blushed.
"O...Okay. I like this song!"
"Natsumi, get the camera," Mamoru motioned.
She could only laugh. "Oh boy...this really is her first time."
"Hey, what are those two doing?" asked Mike Magee to his teammate Josh Tudela, watching Eri and Makoto dance to "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga, with the volume turned up.
"They're really enjoying themselves out there," he replied.
"Hey, Mike and Michael!" hollered assistant manager Dave Sarachan. "You can talk to those guys later. You got a job to do! Focus!"
"You know something?" Mike said to Josh as they both returned to their drills.
"What's that?"
"I think we might have it tough tonight."
"I've had a little bit too much
All of the people start to rush.
Start to rush by.
A dizzy twister dance
Can't find my drink or man.
Where are my keys, I lost my phone.
What's going on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. Just dance.
Wish I could shut my playboy mouth.
How'd I turn my shirt inside out? Inside out, right.
Control your poison babe
Roses have thorns they say.
And we're all gettin' hosed tonight.
What's going on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. Just dance.
When I come through on the dance floor checking out that catalogue.
Can't believe my eyes so many women without a flaw.
And I ain't gonna' give it up, steady tryna pick it up like a call
I'm gonna hit it, I'm gonna hit it and flex and do it until tomorrow, yeah
Shorty i can see that you got so much energy
The way you twirling up them hips round and round
There's no reason at all why you can't leave here with me
In the meantime stay, let me watch you break it down.
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. Just dance.
Half Psychotic, Sick hypnotic got my blueprint its symphonic.
Half Psychotic, sick hypnotic got my blueprint electronic.
Half Psychotic, Sick hypnotic got my blueprint its symphonic.
Half Psychotic, sick hypnotic got my blueprint electronic.
Go. Use your muscle, carve it out, work it, hustle
I got it, just stay close enough to get it
Don't slow! Drive it, clean it Lysol, bleed it
Spend the last dough
(I got it)
In your Pocko
(I got it)
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-doo-doo-doo
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. Just dance."
"It's so much fun dancing with you, Makoto-kun!" Eri said, laughing as the two of them returned to their seats.
"You're not too bad yourself, Eri. You turn me on when you're dancing."
Mamoru licked his lips and gave a thumbs up as he gave the camera back to Natsumi. "Good job."
"You gotta save room for the players, too, you know," she pouted, slapping his thigh.
"Owww! My dear, that hurt! Anyway, we will. It's a digital camera anyway. We won't have to worry too much about space."
"Hope not..."
Eri heard some chanting in the distance. "LA GALAXY!" Bump, bump, bump-bump-bump-bump. "LA GALAXY" Bump, bump, bump-bump-bump-bump. A large checkered flag with the team's crest waved in the air.
"By the sounds of it, it looks like the game will be starting soon," she noted, watching both teams return to the locker rooms.
"Yeah, it's getting closer to game time," Makoto said. "You getting excited."
"Kinda."
"Oh, you are. Just admit it. You're fired up for this. Are you ready to see the Galaxy win?"
"I hope they do their best."
"Awww, come on, you know they will win this game."
"Fine, they will win."
"You're not motivated enough. Let me try something here. Hey Dad."
"What is it, son?" Mamoru asked.
"Can I take Eri to the grass berm so we can watch the game from over there?"
At that moment, Eri felt her heart beat fast. She felt the passion grow inside her. The two of them had been going out since the fall, but she never knew that Makoto had it in him to go this far. However, there was a bond between her and Makoto that she never realized before. But it was growing, and it was strong. They helped each other with homework. They learned about each other's interests and discovered their compatibility. Makoto even helped some of Eri's teammates with their homework and joined in off-campus study sessions, going so far as to become their own personal tutor. It was a companionship that was sailing towards its highest point, and it had no intentions to stop. And both of them knew it.
"Go right ahead," he said. "Your mom and I will meet you outside the Northwest entrance when the fireworks show is over."
"Fireworks?" Eri gasped.
"Yeah, it's Fourth of July today," Makoto said. "Did you know that?"
"Oh my gosh...Yes, I want to follow you there!"
"All right, come on!"
"Don't run up the stairs, you'll hurt yourself, kids!" Natsumi shouted as the rushed over to the berm.
"Let 'em have their fun, dear," Mamoru replied. "We used to do that back when we were back at Raimon Junior High, remember?"
Natsumi knew that all too well. "I've come to regret my actions after so many years. But I owed it to you for realizing the good I had in me, and for making me who I am. Now I don't regret anything at all, because you're with me."
"I know, Natsumi. I know." And they shared a long, deep kiss.
"Whenever I need to get away from everything going on down there, I relax out here," said Makoto, laying himself out on the berm. "Actually, this place is only open if the game is a sellout."
Eri stretched, yawning. "So it is a sellout?"
"Yep. Pretty much. Look, both teams are coming out of the tunnel." Two lines of players, escorted by young children holding their hands, were led out by the referee and his assistants.
"The entrance music is so majestic. It's like gladiators coming out to the Coliseum in Rome."
"I like it as well. Can you stand?"
"Yeah."
"They're gonna play the Star-Spangled Banner in a bit."
Midway through the piece, one flurry of fireworks came out. Then another, then another. Eri was mesmerized at the sight. Then the finale, which was a fitting appetizer for the pyrotechnics that would take place later that night.
They both lay down on the grass again, and Eri started to feel a little bit tired. "Already?" Makoto said in disbelief as he found himself wrapped tight in Eri's embrace.
"I'm starting to feel a little bit sleepy," she said. "I can always experience a game like this with my closed, right?"
"I guess you can. I keep my eyes fixed on the action. You know, if you need to close your eyes and sleep for a bit, just picture 20 people chasing a ball, with a player on each opposite end, and thousands of people shouting, chanting, singing and drumming.""
"So I can still watch the game with my eyes closed, huh?"
"Enjoy it the way you want to enjoy it. Anyway, you, the love of my life, are with me. Go. Give yourself a break."
Eri then closed her eyes, and at that point, the ref blew his whistle, and the match began.
"I can really feel the energy of this stadium," Eri whispered as Makoto stroked her hair and ran his fingers down her skin. "It really vibrates and makes me feel alive."
"Football matches can do that to you. It's really unique. There's so many famous stadiums out there that play this game: Wembley, San Siro, Stamford Bridge, Maracana, Santiago Bernabeu, Stade de France, Camp Nou, Stadio Olimpico, Azteca, Signal Iduna Park, the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo..."
"They all play that game, huh?"
"Every place in the world plays football. This is the world game you are experiencing firsthand."
"And I am experiencing it with you."
"And I know you wouldn't want it any other way."
"How would you know?"
"Your embrace is as honest as your feelings for me."
"Makoto...kun...wake me up when they score, okay?"
He stroked her side ponytail, one of the many charm points that defined her. "Don't worry, you will realize it, and this time, you won't need my help it doing it, I promise you."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Their pinkies touched. Five minutes later, a goal from Alecko Eskandarian in the eighth minute was enough to give the Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the Revolution.
Eri opened her eyes. A flash raced upwards, before exploding into a flower of light. One bloomed. Another. Another. Waves. The real celebration was underway.
"I love watching the fireworks at night," Eri said, snuggling closer to Makoto, feeling his heartbeat, smiling.
"I do too. I have something to hand you."
"What is it?" She was blushing, as if she knew what he was going to give her.
Makoto produced a small box that had a ring. He placed it on Eri's left ring finger. After looking at her soft, smooth hand, he lifted his head, and their eyes met against the fireworks exploding in the distance.
"Eri," Makoto said, "I have loved you, ever since I first saw you at practice on that autumn afternoon many months ago. I want to do everything to make you happy. This has been my wish since Day 1. I want to make life easier for you. I want to make life easier for both of us. I want our future to have nothing but happiness, because you are the key to my happiness."
"I feel the same," she whispered. "Every day I look forward to seeing you after I do what I have to do, and the time we spend together has made my feeling for you that much stronger. I want to spend more time with you. I've never thought about having a family yet, but maybe I can give it some time now."
"I know. That's why I am wearing the same ring you are." He showed his hand, and the tears came down Eri's eyes.
"Makoto...Makoto...!"
"Eri Taki...when you graduate from Sakuragaoka Girls Senior High School...will you marry me?"
A long pause, then the tears really fell down. "Yes. Yes, Makoto Endou. I will marry you. Because I love you."
The fireworks rained down as they both kissed and embraced each other, consummating their own collective passion in the early July evening. There was no turning back.
As the fireworks show ended, and the fans began to leave the stadium, Eri and Makoto walked down to the Northwest entrance, holding each other's hand, smiling.
"So, you two have committed yourselves to each other this early, huh?" Mamoru said a laugh, hands on his hips.
"She's the one, Dad," Makoto said. "I love her. With all my heart."
"I love Makoto-kun, Mr. Endou," Eri replied, still sniffling.
"They're so wonderful together, dear," Natsumi said.
"Hey, before we head back to Malibu, I got a couple of things for you," Mamoru said. From his bag, he took out a couple of scarves with the words "Angel City Brigade" on it and placed it on Makoto's and Eri's shoulders.
Makoto was beside himself as he raised it high. "Wow, awesome, Dad!"
"This is nice, but why?" Eri asked.
"Apparently a couple of Angel City Brigade members asked me if I was the guardian of the two kids dancing on the pitch. I said 'Yeah, I am,' and one of them gave me these scarves. He said, 'this is their reward for dancing like true Galaxy fans: auxiliary membership to the Angel City Brigade.' He also said that he hopes you two sit in their section from now on, and that there is always a seat available. That's what he said."
"Special memento is special," Makoto said.
"I love football. I love everything about it," Eri said to him. "And I love you."
"Shall we go home, Eri?"
She nodded. "Let's go, Makoto."
"A new future awaits both of us," he said, punching a fist into the air as the four of them left the stadium. "Man, I can't wait!"
"Unbelievable," Nobuyo said in disbelief. "None of us have boyfriends yet and you're the only one who is actually engaged. I'm so jealous."
"I wanted to keep this secret, but, yeah, I'm already taken," Eri said in a high pitch.
"Congratulations, Eri!" Chika said.
"Outside of Mio, Yui, Ritsu and Mugi, you have gone farther than any of us have gone," Himeko concluded.
"Here's to you being a loving wife," Ichigo said, drinking some water.
"That takes guts to accept a proposal that soon," Fumie said. "I would have asked him that we be friends first, but it seems they are like peas in a pod!"
"Are you sure you are ready to be a wife?" Youko wondered.
"Makoto's mom can always teach me!" They all cracked up.
"Good luck."
"Anyway, I'm looking forward to Las Vegas," Akiyo said, looking outside the window. "It will be a place teeming with...effervescence."
"Just don't play on the slot machines while you're at it," said Shizuka. "When we get to the hotel, go straight to check-in. Got it?"
"Yeah!" they all said.
Eri broke out her iPod as the others continued to talk about the band and Las Vegas. "A little Elvis Presley will ease my mind," she said to herself. "Hang in there, you guys. We're coming." And she closed her eyes, and whispered once more, "We're coming."
"That was a crazy interview," Ritsu told the members of Hokago Tea Time as they milled around in the Hugh Hefner SkyVilla with Ui Hirasawa, Jun Suzuki and Nodoka Manabe. "I'm just glad we have time to kill before tomorrow, when we go through a run-through of our lineup."
"No kidding," Mio Akiyama said, playing cards with Tsumugi on the bed. "I'm glad this night is going to go quickly, and we won't have to do much. It's always nice to have some time to kill when we have a week like this."
"Mmmmm, it always feels good to be in a jacuzzi in the middle of the early evening," Yui Hirasawa buzzed, her eyes closed and her soul submerged in refreshing clear water...and an aqua two-piece.
"That's three straight times, Yui-sempai," Azusa said. "I wanna dive right in. I don't care if I'm tanned like a Brazilian, I'm coming in now!"
"Then go. Come on Azunyan! The water is inviting!"
Azusa cannonballed into the jacuzzi. "Ohhhh, this feels so good! Aaaah!"
Yui was feeling her chest again. "Oh my, they're gotten bigger. I'm so impressed."
"Ahhhh, sempai, not so hard. You always do this, come on now! Nyan!"
"There go those two again," Jun said, eating another doughnut while sipping some iced coffee.
"Onee-chan, be gentle with Azusa-chan, will you?" Ui called out. "She's very fragile, you know!"
"Just what are you implying?"
"That's she's fragile?"
She went back to munching on her doughnuts. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Nodoka was busy doing some notes. "You guys need to get ready for next week and start studying. Already I got a head start on everyone, and all of you need to catch up, with the exception of Ui, Jun and Azusa."
Ritsu scratched her scalp. "Arrgh, I can't take this shit anymore, I'm going downstairs to get some fresh air!" She stormed out in a fit of rage.
"Man, what was that all about?" asked Jun.
"Leave her alone, she needs to take some steam off every now and then," Mio replied, continuing to play cards with Tsumugi.
"I win!" the blonde socialite said.
"Damn."
She was angry. Real angry. She just wanted to experience life outside of the comfy, sinful confined of the SkyVilla. As she took the elevator down, Ritsu Tainaka took a few deep breaths. "Everything's gonna be all right, everything's gonna be okay, just calm the fuck down," she said, hyperventilating. "Vital signs okay, mind okay, ego okay, nightlife A-OK! I am ready to get wild like Sawachan! Yeah!"
As she got off the elevator, she wandered around the halls of the first floor, thankfully dressed in regular clothes so as to pass for a tourist on vacation. Nothing special. Nothing assuming. Keep it simple, stupid or fail frequently. That was her credo on Wednesday night.
But it would come crashing down, ka-thud.
Ritsu saw a long line of students leaving hotel registration that looked very familiar. No, they were too familiar. This was too good to be true. It was true!
"Hey, is that...is that Ritsu?" Nobuyo said, looking several yards across the lobby.
"It is her," Ichigo. "She's trying to hide from us."
"Ritsu, hey there!" Chika said. "We missed you."
"Oh god, I gotta get back to the room immediately!" Ritsu thought to herself as she quickly made the mad dash for the elevators.
"She's getting away!" Youko said.
"Everyone, get her!" Himeko roared as they all gave chase, dragging their luggage.
At long last, Ritsu got to the elevator. Thankfully it was empty, and she could return to the SkyVilla in peace.
"Close, close, close...dammit, why won't you close!" Ritsu said, jamming the Close Door button.
The door was closing shut, and it was a few more inches before she could get back to the hotel room safe and sound.
"Just one more centimeter...just one more centimeter! ONE! MORE! CENTIMETER!"
That centimeter, within seconds, grew to two centimeters. Three. Ten. A hundred, One meter. Two meters. Three meters. And then the door went wide open with everyone else from Class 3-2 waiting to squeeze inside.
Ritsu fell on her knees and let out a bloody scream that slapped the face of God silly. "Nooooooooooooooooooo!"
"Damn, she's taking a long time, isn't she?" Yui said, drying her hair while Mugi created twin braids for Azusa. "Poor Ricchan. I hope the walk eased her peace of mind."
"She'll probably be walking here very refreshed as ever," Mio said. "Her genki self."
"Sometimes she will always be like that," said Sawako Yamanaka, who joined Mio and Mugi in playing some poker.
"Ricchan really was stressed out today, I just noticed," Mugi replied with a frown. "It's not good to be stressed out."
"I'll be damned if Ritsu-sempai is even more stressed out when she returns," Jun said.
"Don't worry about a thing, Jun-chan," Ui said. "Everything will be okay."
"Glad I got these notes finished," Nodoka said. "whew."
A few knocks on the door. "Yoo-hoo!" said Chika.
"Is that Ricchan?" Yui said.
"Kinda sounds like her," Azusa said.
"Do you want me to go open the door?" Sawako asked.
"Let's all go, Sawachan!" Yui said.
"All right, follow me." They all followed the teacher to the exit. She opened the door and gasped. "Oh my goodness. My entire class is here."
"Hello, Miss Sawako!" Keiko Iida said with a grin.
Mio fainted.
"E...Everybody is here?" Azusa exclaimed.
"Ehhhhh? Why are you guys here?" Yui asked.
"Onee-chan, I can't believe it!" Ui was enthused.
So was Mugi. "This is beautiful! What dedication!"
"But where's Ritsu-sempai?" Jun asked.
"I'm here, in the front," she groaned, grabbed by the shirt collar by Nobuyo, who flashed a victory sign and a smile. "This sucks."
The rest of the class outside the room chorused. "Excuse our intrusion!"
"If this doesn't prepare us for the concert," Nodoka said, "nothing will."
END CHAPTER 14