Chapter 6: So This is the TSA.

As Honoka paced at the school gate back and forth the situation became more and more grim.

"The one time I'm at school early and it's everyone else who ends up arriving late."

Her feelings got more and more dire until she heard one familiar voice.

"Hey…"

Rin and Hanayo appeared in the distance fully decked out in a mix of bag and vacation wear. As Honoka walked up to greet them Kotori and her mother came around the corner.

"Good morning ladies…" As the chairwoman helped out with Rin and Hanayos bags. Nico and Umi popped in from behind.

"Who called Honoka getting here first…." Nico rudely mentioned while her and Umi looked around the corner, wondering where the rest of the gang.

It was another 5 minutes before the sounds of laughter from Eli, Maki and Hanayo arriving around the other street completed the group of ten. As the entirety of the team assembled group leader Honoka had a few words before the journey began.

"Guys, we've been through so much together so far. Now we stand here on the precipice of our biggest journey well ever have. If something needs to be said by anyone now would be the time."

As the girls and the chairwoman looked around at each other it ended up being Nico who would take the leap.

"I think we need to thank Honoka for bringing us together…"

The others applauded and hugged her for that notion.

"But the only thing I want to say is…lets give those preppy idol posers a true taste of what idols look like."

The group cheered in unison and began the short walk between the school and Akibas train station. A mere 25 minutes passed before the ten of theme arrived at Narita. To say they were confused on where to go would have been and understatement. But the long way to the lone plane flying to Hawaii had them being lead by Honoka and missing the gate 3 times. In addition to getting stopped by security for running when they were late for the flight.

It was when they touched down in LA and began the 4 hour layover before the flight to New Orleans that the magnitude of where they were began to take hold.

"What do you know, Its much better than I thought."

"Easy, Kotori," her mother mentioned. "Were only in the airport. We got another step to go through."

Rin rubbed her hair confused. "What step is that?"

"Guys, its security, they have to check us and see if were threats." Eli brought up. "Plus we got immigration as well."

"Why would we be threats…" Honoka offhandedly put forth. "Were only America bound to beat the best at what America has to offer."

Honoka whooped and yelled all the way through security and ended up getting pulled aside and questioned. While Nico smirked and snickered not thinking that she would set off the metal detector and also get pulled away.

"Well it serves you two right." Umi said as they reached their gate. "You hear all sorts of stories about the American TSA and that's pretty much a bigger story on foreigners."

"Well we didn't know…" Nico and Honoka whined while the Chairwoman looked at the TV.

"Guys shush, I think they're talking about us." Hanayo mentioned and looked while the others also turned. The TV Showed the Bellas in practice and then flashed a picture of the group performing Wonder Zone.

"Looks like were on the fast track to stardom." Maki had to point out. "They always air attack ads here."

"Well usually those are political."

"Nozomi, it's not just politics that air attack ads. If someone bought a national TV Commercial they can air anything no matter the subject."

"Unless it's racial or direct threats against someone." The chairwoman mentioned. "You can truly get away with anything in the states."

The group let that pass them by and board the second flight. As it was a long flight most of them got sleep. But not Maki as she set out her tablet and concentrated on the last 2 ICAA championships.

"How did they manage to get their before Becca came in."

The moment that the vomit flew got rewound over and over again and it was all that Maki could think about even as they landed and Vegas and rushed for their last connecting flight to Boston.

"If we could only get up to their level. Those mash-ups could be something that will either make or break us."

Maki kept that on her mind as she fell asleep, slouching on Rin who almost always slouched on Hanayo. But this time Hanayo got an extra pillow and propped her friend up.

As the flight continued the thoughts ran through everyone's minds. What would the reception be, how would they know who they'd be dealing with, and in the fearless leader's case…

"How long until we eat?"

All would be answered soon enough.