Chapter 5: The Buildup Before the Big Event.
In the final week before the girls and the chairwoman were due to leave for their competition, the practices kept the girls on their feet. The days after school had the girls spending 2 hours on the roof, 2 doing their exercising and 2 more with Maki drilling them on scales with the piano in the club room. For everything that they had gone through to get this ready to make the biggest journey they had ever planned out there was a sense of optimism among the girls.
3 Days Before the Flight.
"Kotori have you seen the passports?" her mom was yelling as she and her daughter were packing their bags. "We need to have them out right away so we can make the train."
"Mom, I think you keep them with your meeting folders." Her daughter mentioned showing two identical blue books poking out. As the chairwoman organized Kotori looked for her books she got a text notification on her phone. As she scrolled she noticed the folder sticking out of the end table drawer underneath the TV.
"Oh Mom, I found it."
As her mother ran and grabbed the passports, Kotori scrolled down the line of her contact list quickly sending warm wishes to the members of μ's. It was hard to believe that in a mere 3 days their journey east would begin. While her mom looked over the itinerary as they grabbed the remaining essentials and packed them in their bags, one small cloud hung heavily over the young girls head.
"I almost went to the US before, is this going to repeat itself like that."
The chairwoman noticed a small tear form in her daughter's eye and quickly grabbed a tissue, handing it off in earnest.
"If this is going to be a bit much for you, because of what happened the last time you went to the states, you know we don't have to go."
"No mom I'm fine with this." She responded while letting a few sniffles out. "Besides the others wanted to do this and I'm not depriving them of that."
After a few more minutes of hugging and packing the two of them went to bed. As Kotori mentally readied herself for what lied ahead, on the other side of town at the Kosaka's family bakery one member of the family was more than eager for what was ahead.
"Hello America!" In her room Honoka imagined herself in front of that stadium audience. "We are μ's"
Unbeknownst to her the door suddenly creaked open and her sister Yukiho popped in. After finding out that she wouldn't be able to watch μ's perform in person her strive turned to nothing but pure jealousy.
"She doesn't even have to post herself online and she gets a free overseas trip!"
Across town as Umi visited Eli and her sister to set up arrangements for school viewing of the competition. The questions now became about the area and its history.
"Are you guys going to visit Atlanta at all?"
"Alisa has a good point." Umi mentioned, "We do have downtime planned.
"Didn't you once tell us that distractions were the reason why we weren't that good in the first place?" Eli made the fact loud and clear. "Although there is a good American Civil War museum in the city"
The three pulled up a map of the city and pointed out all the interesting details between Barden and Atlanta
"I'm sure we'll end up getting a tour via a montage anyway." Umi lacked confidence when it came to crowds.
2 Days Before the Flight.
"Kayo, what do you think?"
"Not that bad, it shows off the nicer traits of your legs."
Rin and Hanayo after practice went clothes shopping at the nearby mall getting some additional wear for the trip. After 25 minutes however, Hanayo was starting to tire of the chore and was going through the motions, mainly not wanting to hurt her best friends' feelings. Rin held up a scarf that was decked out in American colors.
"Well it may be cold would this help?"
"Yeah, it would. Rin can you help me now grab some outfits."
"Kayo I'm not done yet?"
"Rin it's been nearly a half hour, plus how much are you planning on taking anyway?"
"Oh no these aren't for the trip I just wanted something new."
"Minus the scarf?"
"Well yeah, the scarfs going with, it's American it will be like showing off over there."
With that out of the way Rin switched focus to Hanayo and her search for the perfect outfits.
22 Hours Before The Flight.
"Hey sis, can you open up?"
The last thing Nico expected at that hour was the voice of her younger sister Cocoa. She went over and opened the door wondering why she would have a blanket and pillow at this hour.
"Let me guess bad dream?"
"Well yes, somehow you get lost in America and your backup dancers have to perform without you."
Nico motioned for her sister to get into her bed and she scooted to the far left side. She joined while covering themselves up.
"Now what gives you the feeling something like that will happen?"
"Well, I saw Dad watching a film about a girl who goes overseas with her friends and ends up getting kidnaped. Idols like yourself would be really valuable to those people."
Nico rubbed the hair of her younger sister while also rubbing the back of her pjs both admiring the material and calming her down at the same time.
"Cocoa, you don't have to worry about me, besides it's my position to care for my fellow dancers and make sure the only thing that happens is that we win the competition. Now are you still going to cheer me on?"
It took a minute for Nico to realize that her sister had fallen asleep. Nico smiled and covered her up.
"I'll miss this."
With that Nico got comfortable and soon joined her sister in dreamville.
4 Hours Before The Flight.
"Maki, do you have everything packed?" Her mother was yelling as Maki tied her blue tie on the uniform. "I don't want you to be short as the long flight goes on."
Maki looked at her bag and thought it through. Her snacks, computer, school assignments, and research on the Bella's were are carefully tucked away. As she took a look around her room one detail did stand out.
"Mom, where's my camera?"
"I gave it to Hanayo yesterday when I saw her out. Maki you've got to be better at remembering where your valuables are."
Maki came down the stairs carrying both her schoolbag and her luggage. As her mom looked on and smiled wondering how fast she was growing up. Maki noticed and waved her off.
"Mom, don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
"No it's something else, lets go over the arrangements."
Maki wanted her mom to send her a keyboard she ordered to their hotel just so the girls would have something to practice on once they got to Atlanta, along with anything else she needed. As the two of them finished the doorbell rang.
"Yes." Her mother tapped the intercom and answered.
"Its Eli and Nozomi, were here to pick up Maki."
"She's set to go I'll send her out."
As Maki looked at tears welling up in her mother's eyes she hugged her accordingly.
"Be safe and call when you get there?"
"I will Mom, they're having a viewing party at the school for the completion if you get free time. The others have their families also attending."
Her mom simply nodded and helped her open the door.
"I'll see you in 3 weeks."
As Maki walked to the gate to join her friends her mom looked on with pride and kept waving until they were out of sight. Once they were out of the way, Maki asked Eli a personal question.
"Are you wishing they were coming to support us?"
"As much as I want them with us, I think it would be better if they rally support here at home."
Nozomi nodded in agreement. "Besides, I don't think they would all fit in the bags."
Eli laughed at her joke while Maki smiled. For them it would be the start of a long and unexpected journey together.