Hello everyone! This is a shorter chapter with a slight time jump. Before I get to the revealing of the connections between everyone and everything, I wanted to do this "episode" first because, well I think it fits for the mystery component. I will make a longer one next time for sure... Enjoy.

Hello. So I revised some things in this chapter to make it clearer and more visual.

*I apologize for any grammar and comprehension issues. I wrote this one on the faster side. Let me know if I need to fix anything or review it based on your enjoyment.

Chapter 3 - Gap

The air was chilling. She laid in bed with the blanket tucked close to her and tucked up to her chin. She thought of her memories with her friends. The times where she would walk hand and hand with her two childhood best friends. The time when she waited for the acceptance letter from her dream school and the chilly air then, at the moment where she read her student number on the giant board along with hundreds of others. The three of them made it together and they all cried in tears of joy for this occasion.

When she started the infamous idol group to save their beloved school. Her members all saw her as the one who radiated confidence and was oozing happiness, but that was beyond her case. She always doubted herself and doubted her ability to pull through such an amazing feat, but she couldn't let her members or her family know that because if they did, she would lose the most important thing to her. In this full world of people and creatures, there were only two individuals that made her feel like she could be accepted for being who she truly was, and that was both relieving and sad. Those two people are gone from this world because there were people that wanted to harm them and take away their happiness. They always told her to never place your bets on someone else other than yourself.

Many years have passed since the time she ran away from herself and those who tried to help her, but she couldn't go back. She had betrayed the trust of the people closest to her in order to get her revenge and she must pay. She needed the reason why she was deprived of her happiness and those who were around her.

She got up from the bed. She swiped her hand through her silky and wavy orange hair. One strand got stuck in her cartilage piercing and was slightly pulling. From her bed, she stood up to walk over to her make-up mirror and bent down. She carefully pulled that strand out of her hair and stopped to look at her pouty lips and puffy cheeks. 'I must have been crying again,' She thought to herself because her eyes were somewhat pink.

Her 22nd birthday was a few months ago. There was nothing joyous about this occasion because she only felt empty. She found the ugly truth and deprecating closure. She wanted to run back to where she belongs, but she couldn't and who knew if they would accept her back.

A vibrating sound shook the girl from her deep thoughts. She went to her bedside and sat down. Her phone was faced down on her nightstand.

Noa, the meeting is soon. Please be ready for me when I get there. – sent 08:49

Okay, manager. – sent 08:51

She didn't have time for this, she needed to get ready for the meeting and the interview. She moved away from her phone and started to get ready. She chose a dress that was white and that had bright red petals. She went back to her make-up mirror and put in her gold color contact lenses that did nothing for her sight. It was her trademark look when people would call her name during concerts or interviews. Even though they were gold, you could always see a hint of ocean blue behind them.

She fixed her hair fast and put it in a yellow ribbon ponytail because she knew that the make-up artists that she had were going to "do" her up anyways.

She waited a good 20 minutes and then a black-tinted car came rolling up. She didn't hesitate to get in the front passenger side. She closed the door and they started off.

"Good morning," The manager said to her passenger. She was wearing a tight black suit where her bust was practically spilling out. Her lipstick was this dark purple and her sunglasses were impenetrable. Her black hair was resting on both of her shoulders.

"Morning," The tired orange hair girl replied. She thought that the way her manager was dressed today she looked like someone she knew. "Your more dressed up than normal, Kana." She continued the dull conversation.

"Well, I have to be. This interview is very important. Even though your actual birthday was months ago, it's your birthday interview. Many fans and people are celebrating you, Noa." The manager answered.

Noa, the girl who was scouted at the age of 18 and became an instant hit. Her lyrics, mannerisms, and looks were unaffected by those around her and the realist she could be. An idol that was a beacon of hope and empowerment of those who are lost and struggling among the Japanese culture. She worked hard to be noticed by her country that she loved and the people she loved but also detested.

"You're a young woman who is an idol but isn't gullible or fake." Kana retorted.

Nao just sat in her head replaying the last sentence in her head while mentally cursing herself. Kana noticed the lack of response and decided to say, "You know, I remember you being a dark little thing that rarely smiled or talked. But when you sang, it was beautiful and showed raw power. My friend told me about you but didn't give any information on your background or history… What I am saying is that I hope one day you'll let me in Noa. You're special to me as a friend, not just a client." Kana declared as they approached their destination.

They arrived at the interview spot and were immediately met by cameras and fans being held back by security. Noa stepped out of the car carefully so her dress wouldn't flip over and waved to those who were screaming her name. She gave a small smile to those waving at her as she passed and bowed as well to let them know that she noticed them. She was one of the few idols that had a chic attitude with fans and got away with it beautifully because she was loved by many. She was never rude to them but she also never let her fans take her by force or let them manipulate who she wanted to be.

Kana, her manager stood next to her like a bodyguard and walked her up to the double doors. As soon as they got into the building, Kana hurried the idol along to get her make-up ready and get her prepared for the interview.

As she was getting ready for the interview, she ate a few bites of her food that were gold rice balls that tasted delightful but while she ate, she prepared some of her responses to questions that she didn't know they were going to ask. She never got the questions beforehand because she wanted her fans to get her raw answers and her natural self when it came to pressure. She wasn't a gifted speaker, she screwed up all the time but that is what makes it real for herself and her fans. After 2 hours of being there, she was almost ready to go on. She got up from her seat and followed her manager's instructions. They didn't change her dress upon request though they did change her hairstyle to drape over the shoulder, bold red lipstick was placed on her, and a nude foundation was powdered on.

As she was walking, her heels would clack on the ground and letting off an echo of busy fast feet as she hurried along the behind the stage. When she was in deep thought she saw something in the corner of her eye which made her freeze. She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the figure walk towards her. The leader of A-Rise and her members.

"What are they doing here?" Noa whispered furiously to Kana.

"I don't know. I didn't think they had an interview with them today." Kana whispered back while looking at her calendar.

The group didn't do so well when they debuted because their company went bankrupted almost as soon as they officially became professional idols. Another company picked them up but demanded that they added two more members because three was too little. A-rise was now a group of 5 girls made of Kira Tsubasa, Todo Erena, Yuki Anju, Koizumi Hanayo, and Nishikino Maki. The two last members were members of their rivals from when they were a school idol group. The two muse members accepted the invitation because those two were the most passionate about continuing idol fame. Though one member that you'd expect to be an idol is now working as a producer for professional idol stardom. The only member that was had another job was Nishikino Maki. She couldn't get out of taking over the hospital but she wanted to pursue the music route so she does behind-the-scenes hospital stuff as a CO-CEO with her mother.

As they got closer, Noa got stone cold-faced and smiled with her jaw shut tight. Her manager saw her reaction and mentally beat herself about it. She knew she was going to get an earful when they got back to the car. For some reason, every time A-Rise requested a collaboration, Noa would firmly say no and would not want to talk about it.

"Kahousaka Noa. Wow. It's finally nice to meet you face to face." The A-Rise leader, Tsubasa said her greetings.

Noa tensed up to her voice and her heart started pumping incredibly hard. She then cleared her throat and said, "Hello. Kira Tsubasa and members." Her eyes never made direct contact with them.

"There are so many questions that I want to ask… I am a big fan of yours." The squeaky high-pitched member, Hayano interjected.

"Unfortunately, I have an interview." Noa coldly dismissed them.

Tsubasa was looking at her face with her green marble eyes which made Noa's heart skip multiple beats. "I just want to make sure we leave off on the right note. I mean, every time we ask to collaborate with you, you decline. Did we do something wrong?" Tsubasa inquired.

Noa swallowed a ton of spit that was stuck in her throat and did a motion that her manager was deeply shocked by and also threw off A-rise. Noa smiled with her mouth reaching ear to ear and her teeth were showing. Her eyes were half-moon-shaped and she said, "I'm sorry. I'm just not good with others. Though one of these days I would love to collab!" She walked away with her head down heading to the interview spot.

Tsubasa was stopped dead in her tracks because she remembered the one person that had that personality though she had not seen her in about 5 years.

The spotlight was burning. It felt as if all eyes were on her and she couldn't get away. She sat in a red leather chair that complimented her dress very well. To her left was a table with a mug that said, Talk with Us, and the host seat just on the other side.

The show began.

"Welcome everyone to Talk with Us. Today we have a special guest who just turned 22 years old and is the hottest idol to ever exist and be on this show. Sorry, other idols we don't mean any harm." The crowd chuckled. "Starting her career as an 18-year-old and building up from there. Debuting only a year later to beat Japanese musical charts and number one female artist of the year. We welcome, Kahousaka Noa!" The host shouted as she stood up from her chair and bowed to those who were waving and screaming her name. The host was a short stubby looking man with a thin mustache and balding hair.

They both sat down and got comfortable.

"Thank you for having me today and for the birthday wishes that many have sent me."

"You are loved by many Kahousaka. What did you for your b-day?"

"Well, I composed songs and hung out with my manager. Not very exciting right?"

"Haha, not very but it is very much you, I suppose," The host said which made Noa click her tongue silently. "So, Kahousaka, many have been waiting for this interview but you denied us a lot, why now?"

Noa had to think because she knew this host was very much popular because he gets dirt on people and idols. "I felt that it was time. I have been wanting to be on the show but I felt like I wasn't good enough."

"Good enough? You are a SUPERSTAR! You are more than good enough. This episode alone will pay our employees for months!" The crowd laughed at the host's comment. "Meaning, you're so popular that I was worried that if we didn't have you on, the show would tank." The crowd cheered along with the statement.

Noa smiled and responded, "Of course not, this show thrives on the hard work of those idols who are working just as hard as me or even harder."

"Your humble attitude is something that people really love about you Noa… Oh my gosh. I'm sorry, Kahousaka. I got too familiar. If I did that, my kids would think we were best friends." The host giggled at his own joke and was expecting Noa to tell him that it was okay, but she never did.

"Alright, before we get to business. Tell us a little about yourself. Your likes, dislikes, and the hot details. As a hot idol, you don't really go on talk shows that much which is understanding because you're busy."

The stage light beamed on Noa as she was forming her answer and for some reason, the memory of her early idol days came to mind. They made her unconsciously smile and the crowd cooed at the sweet smile of the mysterious popular idol. Noa chirped at the question, "For those who listen to my music, I take it seriously as any idol does and my goal is for people to feel better when they listen to it. As for who I am, I think my new song wraps it up pretty well." Noa was cunning when it came to formulating her words because she didn't want to spend too much time on her background.

"Well, that just makes me curious about it then. Tell us about your new single. What does it mean and why is it relevant to you?"

"My new single is something I have been making for 3 years or so. It is very personal to me and for who I wrote it to, I hope that it will reach them."

"OH. Do I hear a song for a boyfriend?" The crowd gasped at this.

Noa smiled and turned directly to the camera and the crowd, "No. This song was made for myself to come clean and find who I truly am. I had never shared this with anyone before, but I have lost people that I loved and that were dear to me. This song isn't for them, it isn't for the ones who are already lost, but for the ones who want to find answers and end this chase." The crowd wasn't sure how to react to this news. Noa's manager was in the back watching the screen in shock because she didn't know much about who she was.

"Um. I'm sorry. Who did you lose?" The host was taken back with this answer.

"No. I'm sorry that I brought the mood down but I wanted to express the real reason for writing this song. Your show is known for getting dirt and answers, so this is it. Those that I lost were tormented by those around them and those who misused the power they were given. I am not guilt-free myself…" Noa took a moment to see the reactions on the audience's face and the host. "These past years have been filled with grueling work which I have loved and also hated, but now that I have found the closure and answers, I can finally be set free." Noa sat there in the heat of the stage light.

The host could sense the awkward tension in the air and laminated, "Ah. Well, I am glad that you were able to find yourself. How about we listen to your single that is being revealed for the first time today, The Doors are Closed."

The song carried out throughout the stage and brought tears to the eyes of the crowd. The song was interpreted as a girl who lost her way and found nothing but darkness. Then a letter came to her telling her not to falter and not to assume the end. There is no guarantee that there will be a good end but at least there is an ending.

The song ended. The crowd did not cheer and make a peep. Most of them were dazed at the beauty and the message of the song. It was greeted soon after with soft claps. The host who was normally an obnoxious man silently clapped as she was standing in the spotlight. The sides of her hair were damping because of the heat they were emanating. After 2 solid minutes of clapping, the host stirred up, "Born star. I have never heard anything so-" The host was cut off because the show right there the show ended abruptly after she sang because crazed fans were trying to break in and see Noa. Noa quickly made it off the stage and her manager swept her up in her jacket and walked her to the car. Before they got to the car, Noa saw Tsubasa watching her with her eyes wide open as if she realized something.

A-rise finished their interview and rushed back to their shared dorms. The only one that didn't live there was Maki, but that was because of the hospital. The car ride was quiet because they were all thinking about the interview that Kahousaka did before. Her song was enchanting, beautiful, but incredibly sad. You could almost feel her bleeding through her words and her tone. As they reached the dorm, Tsubasa ran out and went straight to her room.

The other members were confused about the rash action of their leader. They all went into the house and sat in the living area because they knew they were going to get some answers. After 10 minutes, their leader came running down the stairs.

"I found it!" Tsubasa shouted while holding a piece of paper in her hand.

"What is that?" Erena inquisition.

"It's the note that was left by Chiya Suzu or Miyafumi Chizu as we knew. Remember? She left this note for Honoka. When Honoka left, she left this note behind on accident it seems." Tsubasa exasperated.

"Yeah?" Erena heckled.

"At the end of the letter, it says these words, The Doors are Closed. The same words that Noa wrote as her song." Tsubasa licked her lips. She stared intensely at the letter and continued, "What if…?" Tsubasa's brain was working overtime because they were too many connections to Noa and Honoka. The recent personality slip at the interview, the similar looks, the name, and now, the song. She didn't know exactly what it meant but if this is Honoka, based on her interview, she wants to be found, she's ready.

A telephone buzzer came through Kana's office phone. Kana answered it with a hint of annoyance in her voice, "Yes, what is it?"

Her secretary responded with, "Kira Tsubasa of A-Rise is here to meet with you, ma'am."

Kana snapped out of her daze and directed for the secretary to open the door.

"She's not here. She doesn't want to speak to anyone, especially to you." Kana harshly repeated Noa's words as soon as Tsubasa walked through her office doors.

Tsubasa stood in front of Noa's manager and caught her breath. She shifted closer to her and slammed one hand on the table, "I don't care. Where is she? I know that she can't hide. I know who she is." Tsubasa requested with deep breaths.

The night was coming around and the feeling of uncertainly was back in Kana's heart. Kana was worried about Noa because after the interview she took off with one of the company's car. Kana knew where she was but Noa requested for her to be left alone. She knew that she should be upset but, she's never seen Noa like this before and it honestly scared her. Kana knew there was some sort of history between the A-Rise leader and her but never could pinpoint it because Noa refused to even acknowledge her and Tsubasa seemed just as clueless.

"Ok. I'll take you to her. I may lose my job but if it's true and if you could help her, I'm willing to do this." Kana notified Tsubasa. She went into the office again to get the key to the other company car and drove off.

The drive was about 30 minutes. Kana and Tsubasa feeding off each other about Noa and her career. Talking about how she started and Kana's lack of information about her client's history. The only thing that Kana can contribute was Noa's behavior when she was on the screen. In an interview that Kana organized, Noa described herself as, humble, clumsy, real, and quiet. Which was on the ball because she had a dark aura her but she was never rude and difficult. They reached their destination. It was a cemetery. After getting out and looking, Tsubasa saw Noa standing in front of the tombstone. Her orange fell to her sides and her gold eyes were now a deep ocean blue.

While Kana stayed at the bottom of the hill, Tsubasa walked up the steep hill that seemed unnatural. After taking in the breath-taking sight of the orange-pink sky, she carefully stepped closer to the solemn girl and phrased the next words as non-threatening as possible, "I know it's you. I hear you, Honoka."

The girl standing there looked at Tsubasa and her green marble eyes, she couldn't contain her tears anymore. They fell so softly on her cheeks and whispered, "I've hurt so many people Tsubasa. I wanted to save them, but because of my desire, I hurt yet another."

The two of them stood on top of the hill listening to the slight rustling of the trees around and the soft cries of other people weeping for their lost ones. The name of the grave is someone that she hadn't visited before because this is some who had recently died in the past couple of days. There are now 3 people that Honoka is connected to and they are all dead. The ominous dangerous feeling was circling the air but Tsubasa didn't care because she never lost hope and she knows that there is a reasonable explaination for this… Right?