Chapter 2: The Trip of a Lifetime

"Girls, before I hear you out you need to know my position on this…." The Chairwoman said now looking down all 9 of them. "This isn't the same as getting my permission to enter Love Live! It's a trip to America and there are many risks. We don't know if were being taken for fools here, or if they want to denounce us on US Soil for ruining singing groups. Plus we don't know if this is legit. All I know is that I want to hear opinions from all 9 of you and then we'll vote, but we only have 20 minutes before he returns, so if anyone wants to break the ice now would be the time to do so."

The members of the group stood in sheer silence, how would anyone want to say no to a trip like this, and for the senior members of the group who were due a trip anyway to celebrate graduation soon this would seem like the best shot. The silence was broken however by the most unlikely member of μ's.

"I think we should do it." Rin holds her hand up shaking at the notion. Maki turned at her surprised almost ready to poke her in the face.

"Rin seriously, why would you want to?"

"Yes, I know I'm not the one who can usually keep up at the right moments but I would love this chance."

"I'm with Rin on this." Maki agreed

The whole fact that Maki and not Hanayo, who usually is Rin's right hand agreed with her made everyone reevaluate their ideas.

"I move we vote." Nico said doing the hurry up motion. "The debate and reasoning is going to end up taking a while all we need is a simple 5-4 majority. If we don't want to we shouldn't be forced to."

8 mouths stood stunned in silence while Eli stared at Nico smiling.

"Well if Nico's the one who suggested it as Club President then I second it. Lets vote, chairwoman can you moderate?"

The chairwoman nodded and noticed the clock. "We have 7 minutes to spare are you all in agreement that we should now vote and not debate this further."

All the girls but Umi and Honoka nodded them looking like they needed more time, remembering the majority rule suggestion the chairwoman knew it was time to vote.

"Now by a show of hands who is in favor of going to the United States?"

55 Seconds was all it took, for Hanayo to raise her hand up first, followed by Nico, Maki, Kotori, Eli, Nozomi, Rin, and Kotori. She took a mental count and made a slight nod when finished.

"That is 7 for, a little surprising indeed. Now who is against the notion?"

Umi raised her hand up quick while Honoka only slightly raised her hand up higher. The chairwoman nodded while Nozomi turned her chair to the others looking off centered.

"Umi, what's wrong, don't you want to do this?"

"Look guys," Umi sighed, "We almost disbanded cause of a competition and reaching our goal. I just really see this as possibly a last straw and I don't want to go through that again."

The eyes of the group now switched to leader Honoka, she also didn't vote for and that made them curious. Her eyes then turned upwards and eyed everyone.

"What, I agree with Umi?"

"You do?" The others yelled back in shock.

"Yes, we saved the school and we remained together as a group, I really don't think we have anything more to prove."

"But Honoka, were graduating soon anyway…" Nico reminded her. "I know they would love a senior trip and if we'd have to sing for a show, then I'm all for it."

Nico reminding her about the departure of the oldest members of μ's did make her reexamine her ideal. Maybe this couldn't hurt.

"I suppose I could if it meant giving Eli, Nico and Nozomi an overseas trip." Honoka resolved. The others cheered while Umi silently dreaded. The Skype sound chimed in notifying them it was time to bring back Dr. Mitchell. Kotori reconnected the monitors and faced the screen back. Hanayo put the call through and once again Mitchell greeted the group.

"Hello members of μ's, have you made a decision?"

The group one at a time in sequence nodded down the line, with the exception of Umi until the chairwoman stepped up. "Tell the Bella's we've accepted the challenge and we'll see you in America."

Mitchell broke into laughter mixed with cheers and then smiled. "Great news, the event will take place in a month and a half. We'll finalize the schedule within 4 days for when the competition will take place; I look forward to meeting all ten of you guys in person, until then."

Mitchell switched off the screen on his end while cheers erupted in the room. The gauntlet had been thrown and μ's overwhelmingly accepted. Now would come the matter of practice making perfect.

Umi on the other hand was not as jubilant shuddering in the corner wondering one simple thing.

"This is going to be a disaster I know it, I know it…."

Umi repeated that over and over concerning Honoka and Kotori.

10 Hours Later

The video promotion came online almost as soon as they could be found and filmed. But there they were the voices of the ICAA's Gail Abernathy-McKadden and John Smith dancing it up in the outfits the Bellas wore at nationals.

"Hey John what are we doing. The dancing sure must be putting people off so what is it?"

"Well Gail, I'm glad you asked, ever since the new darlings of acapella, the Barden Bella's went all modern, the sport certainly has taken off."

Gail slid off the stage in earnest. "It sure has, but how can it get bigger?"

"I know, Sing-Off" John yelled while sliding off the stage. He and Gail now walked up the auditorium ramp while talking simultaneously.

"On November 17th we'll be broadcasting live from Phillips Arena in Atlanta as the Barden University Bellas will be taking on a rising group straight out of Japan's Girl power Idol craze from Akihabara μ's."

"So be aca-insane in the membrane." Yelled Gail as she swung the doors open

"Tune us in and let the sounds of these two great groups compete for your enjoyment." John also yelled in earnest.

"The Peach Stomp of ATL; Coming Soon." Both yelled out as a picture flashed on screen showing the Bellas and their competition μ's.

In the apartment of Fat Amy one word was now scrawled all over November 17th on her planner.

μ's!