The empress woke up from her slumber. She glanced around her surroundings to figure out where she was. It was in her apartment. She doesn't remember what happened after Tsukumo made her drink so much alcohol.

She got out of bed to go to the bathroom to wash her face. She looked at herself in the mirror. It was reflecting her eyes. She stared at her eyes thinking what happened between Momo, her, and Tsukumo.

Natsume walks out of the bathroom and goes to the kitchen to make breakfast. Suddenly, someone knocked on her door. She goes to the door to see who it was. She opened the door.

Someone grabbed her shoulders and Toma came into her apartment. His face was worried and scared.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

The empress was confused. "I'm fine, Toma. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? You! I haven't seen you for 3 days! I wanted to apologize to you for what I did. I felt bad. I couldn't stop thinking about it. What did Ryo-san do to you and Momo?"

She understands what Toma wants, but he needs to chill. "Toma, calm down. Let's take a seat."

Toma didn't want to calm down. He hugged her. "I'm sorry."

"Natsume, why is the door op-"

Toma released Natsume and turned around to voice. It was Shinobu with a few grocery bags. Natsume sent a message to Shinobu. He sighed.

"Shin! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Toma apologized.

Shinobu walked past Toma. "You're fine. You are lucky that I'm not Tsukasa. He would have your head."

Toma gulped when Shinobu mentioned Tsukasa. He remembered what happened between Tsukasa and him. It was a scary experience.

Shinobu gives Natsume the bag of groceries. She grabbed the groceries from Shinobu. The red-haired patted her head.

"I'm not a kid." She pouted.

"I know, but I'm glad that you are safe and okay. The others will be happy to hear this," Shinobu turned to the door and started walking away from them. "I'll leave the cooking to you. Tsukasa will start complaining when I return." He closed the door from behind.

Toma was surprised to see Natsume act like that to Shinobu. He wants to pat her head too. Part of him wants to pat her head now. Natsume to the kitchen and place the groceries on the table.

"Time to cook food. I'm damn hungry." Natsume grabbed the utilities to cook.

The Leader of ZOOL walked to the kitchen watching Natsume start cooking. He was worried if Natsume was alright. "Do you want me to help you, Natsu?"

She glanced at him and replied, "I'm good, but shouldn't you go to work?"

"Yeah, but I'm worried about you."

"I told you before that I'm fine. Now, go back to work. Tsukumo will have your head."

Toma didn't want to leave Natsume's side. He wants to know what happened between them. "What did Ryo-san do to you and Momo?"

Natsume tried to remember what happened that day. "I remembered that Momo and Tsukumo were talking to each other about their past. Then Tsukumo said something important that caught my interest. I told him that it will drown him in that path if he continues. He got angry then made me and Momo drink alcohol."

Toma was shocked that Tsukumo made Natsume drink alcohol despite her age. "I can't believe he did that."

"So, what are you going to do now?" Natsume asked as she started cooking eggs into the pan.

He wanted to change ZOOL. He wants to show Tsukumo that they can do it. "I'm going to tell Ryo-san that we don't need dirty tricks to win. We can win without it."

She smiled. "Good luck. I'm going to be busy. Now then, go to do your job as an idol. Show me that you do it without any tricks from Tsukumo."

He nodded. "I promise," the place got silent. He didn't know what to say next. He rubbed the back of his head. "I better get going. Be careful, Natsu."

"No need to tell me twice." Toma leaves her apartment to go to work. Natsume sighed lightly as she scooped up the eggs into a plate. "I wonder if that song went to IDOLiSH7. Are they going to sing it? Of course, the other members of IDOLiSH7 don't know. Nagi should know what's in those lyrics. Not just Nagi, Minami as well. Did Minami threaten Nagi? Well, all those questions will be answered soon."

Natsume finished her breakfast plate then sat down. She glanced at the two eggs and poke the yolk. The fork poked through the yolk causing the yolk to slide down. She was thinking about what IDOLiSH7 would do if Nagi returned back to his homeland. The empress needs to talk to Minami about Sakura Message, but Minami is the hardest for her to get to. She needs a way to get through to him without telling him anything about Haruki.


Natsume was standing in front of ZOOL's dressing room. She can hear them talking behind the door, but she doesn't know what they are saying. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The door opened. Haruka was standing at the door. He was surprised to see Natsume. He hasn't seen her for 3 days. He was curious about what happened to her for the past 3 days. He shook his head.

"Natsume?!" The rest of the members heard her name and turned to the door. "What are you doing here?"

Toma was shocked to see Natsume here. He was wondering why she was here. Is she here to talk about Tsukumo? He waited for her to speak.

The empress walked to the dressing room looking around for Minami. She spots him and walks up to him. Minami didn't know what she wanted from him. She was brave enough to come here by herself without anyone with her. Haruka closes the door hoping what conversation Natsume will start. Torao didn't know Natsume had a thing for Minami. He smugly saw the scene. Toma looked at Torao wondering why he was smirking.

"Is there something you want from me?" Minami glared.

Natsume crossed her arms. "Of course, I want to talk about that song."

"What song?" He knows what she is talking about, but pretends not to know about it.

She huffed. She knows that Minami is pretending not to know about the song. "Don't play innocent, Minami. You know what I'm talking about."

The other members don't know what's going on. They look at each other and shrug. They just have to wait until they reveal it.

Minami sighed. He was curious how Natsume knew about the lyrics in Sakura Message "You know I'm not the friendly type."

Now, it was her turn to give him the glare. "I don't give a damn if you are or not. I just need you to answer my question."

"And what if I don't." He frowned.

"I have my ways to spill you out, Minami. You may or may not like it." Her words became icy.

It was sending chills up his spine. Haruka gulped. Minami can see Natsume's eyes become like a predator's eyes. It was showing him that she isn't afraid of him. Torao could get lessons from her.

Before Minami could speak, someone knocked on the door. It was a sign of relief for Minami. He didn't want to talk about the song to Natsume. He walks to the door. "My, is it time to star-" He opens the door.

IDOLiSH7 walked in the door surrounding Minami. ZOOL was shocked to see Minami surrounded by IDOLiSH7. Natsume knew this was going to happen. She noticed that Nagi isn't with them. He probably went back to his Northmare.

"My! I didn't know you were this famous. I didn't know you were going to have visitors. If you were getting visitors, you could have told me. I would have left. And we could have our conversation in a private manner." Natsume said jokingly.

Minami glanced at Natsume as he sent a message to her. She smiled as she was enjoying the entertainment.

Mitsuki looked around the room and saw Natsume here in ZOOL's dressing room. He was dumbfounded why she was here.

"Oh, Hayabusa-chan, I didn't think you were going to be here. What brings you here?" He asked.

"I could ask you guys the same thing, but I can tell that Nagi isn't with you guys. Don't tell you here to ask Minami about Sakura Message?" Natsume already knew why they were here.

IDOLiSH7 glanced at Natsume. They were dumbfounded how she knew about Sakura Message.

Yamato walked up to her and asked, "Do you know what's hidden in the lyrics?"

"I thought you wanted to talk to Minami about that. I'm here to ask him the same thing." She replied sarcastically.

"Hayabusa-chan, please. We're worried about Nagi-kun." Sogo begged.

Natsume sighed. This isn't the time to tell them everything. It is too early. "Sorry. This isn't the right time to tell. You guys are here for Minami. I don't want to waste your time on me."

IDOLiSH7 glanced at each other. They don't know what to do. They should know that Natsume doesn't know much.

Riku walked up to Natsume, giving her the innocent look. "You know something, do you, Hayabusa-chan. It's like you know Nagi. You know Haruki Sakura, right?"

"Who knows? There are secrets that people can't tell yet. You will soon know the truth when you find Nagi."

Iori glanced at the empress. "To think that you are Momo's helper. I doubt you. If our senpai trust you then I should as well, but that doesn't mean that I fully trust you."

The empress tilted her head then smirked. "How nice of you, Iori. Don't worry. I'll have you gain full trust in me."

Iori felt shiver up in his spine. Now, he doesn't know if he wants her trust. He turned his head away from her.

Yamato remembered something. "Wait," Natsume turned to the Leader of IDOLiSH7. "When Nagi introduced himself to you, you stared at him for a few minutes. It looks like you know him."

She didn't think Yamato would have a good eye. What can she do? Does she tell them or keep hiding? They were all staring at her with those eyes. It reminded her of the past. Everyone looked at her with those eyes.

She sighed lightly. "Are you that depressed to know?" Natsume stares at all of the IDOLiSH7.

They all nodded. They don't know what happened to Nagi. She would have done the same thing to her boys if one of them left the group without a reason. That she respects.

"Do you know Haruki Sakura?" Mitsuki asked, walking towards her.

Natsume turned around to sit down on the chair. She lifts her right leg on top of her other leg acting like an empress to them.

Everyone was wondering what she was doing. Mitsuki wasn't shocked. He kept a straight face at her. Toma noticed that he isn't the only one that is attractive to the empress.

"I do. I have known him since I was at Northmare during my trip," that shocked everyone in the room. Minami didn't know that Natsume met Haruki. This is news to him. "I didn't know that Haruki was in Northmare at that time."

"But that doesn't answer our question," Yamato pointed it out, bluntly. "Why did Nagi leave?"

The empress crossed her arms as she turned to Yamato. "Nagi Valhart von Northmeir, the 2nd prince of Northmare."

"A prince from another country." Riku said.

"It is true." Mitsuki said.

"That sounds like a fairytale." Haruka commented.

"It does, but it is real. He is from Northmare Royal Family. The 1st Prince of Northmare is the heir to the throne. He needs Rokuya-san for his popularity. Maybe that's why he took Sakura-san as a hostage." Minami said.

"How do you know all of this, Minami? Do you know anything about the royal family?" Haruka asked, as he looked at Minami.

The platinum blond hair shook his head. "The royal family is brimming with love. They are also ideal too. I never knew much about them when I was living with Sakura-san."

The orange haired MC started to hesitate when Minami mentioned the famous songwriter. "You mean Haruki Sakura!? Do you know where he is? Nagi has been looking for him for a long ti-"

"I don't know where he is if he is held hostage by the royal family. Even if I know where he is, he doesn't have enough time left in this world." Minami felt pain when he talked about Haruki's sickness. He felt like crying out his anger. "He was dragged into Rokuya-san affairs."

Toma sees that Minami was sad. He wishes he can do something to cheer him up. "M-Mina."

Minami took a deep breath. He doesn't have time for grief. "Sorry for showing my feelings. Anyhow, his highness needs to keep Sakura-san alive to threaten Rokuya-san. If he left Japan, then he won't be coming back if Sakura-san is alive. He probably spent his last moment with his friends here before heading back to Northmare. So, leaving IDOLiSH7 is his only option. He doesn't want you guys to get involved."

IDOLiSH7 stood quiet as they heard everything. They didn't know what to respond after that. Riku was about to speak until the door opened.

"Excuse me? ZOOL is IDOLiSH7 here," the staff member sees IDOLiSH7 in the room. "Oh, you're here. It's time for you guys to come back."

Yamato nodded. "Understood. Let's go. Sorry for taking your time."

"No worries." Minami said, quietly.

Natsume never heard Minami yell when he was talking about Nagi being part of Haruki's life. She can't blame him. Haruki was still sick when Minami left Northmare, but there was something that Minami didn't know.

Should she tell him? Or wait? Minami still looks upset. Maybe this isn't the right time for him yet. They could go to Northmare if Minami desired it dearly. She looked at him again. The empress can see that he wanted to see Haruki one last time.

She stood up from the chair to walk up to Minami. Minami stared at her curiously. Natsume reached her hand on his cheek. He flinched when she touched his cheek. He didn't know how to react. He wanted to move away from Natsume's touch, but for some reason his body didn't want to move. Minami was enjoying her touch. It was calming him down.

"It's okay to cry, Minami." She said calmly as she moved her hand.

Minami just glared at her and sighed lightly. He didn't know what to say. The other ZOOL members were worried too.

"Are you okay, Minami?" Haruka asked.

The songwriter looked at the youngest member. "What do you mean?"

Haruk was worried. "You were yelling earlier."

"I wasn't. My emotions were feeling sick in my body." Minami frowned.

"Are you sick? You should lay down." Toma started to panic.

"That's not what Minami meant, Toma." Natsume said.

"Oh… I'm sorry." He flustered. Toma stopped being flustered. He was worried about Minami. If he was gone, Toma would go out of his way to find him. "That Sakura-san guy. He's sick, right? Don't you want to see him?"

Minami sighed deeply. "That's in Northmare. That place is rarely visited. His highness has Sakura-san hidden."

"We can go there after the festival in Denmark. I can arrange things." Torao commented.

Natsume was surprised. "Denmark? Why are you guys going there?"

The ZOOL members looked at their leader. Toma can see the eyes staring at him. He can't believe that he has to tell Natsume. The pressure was on him.

"I'll tell you…" Toma rubbed the back of his neck.

He told Natsume everything about how they are going to Denmark.

"It's not everyday that you go overseas to promote yourself. I'm surprised that Ryo is letting you guys overseas. Even through, you guys are still a new group. It's rare."

"What about you, Hayabusa-chan?" Minami asked.

She knew what he was talking about. Natsume can't tell them that she is going too Northmare, but on a business trip. "I'll be busy. I don't have the time for that."

"I see." Minami was a little sad when he heard that.

"At least, you have a place to stay at Northmare. If you guys are planning to go there, Mido Hotel is in Northmare."

Minami stood silent.

Toma smiled. "Yeah! We can ask Ryo-san if we can arrange the schedule before or after the festival."

Haruka looked at Toma with his curves. "You made him mad the other day, Toma. I can talk to him. You want to see him, Minami?" He turned to Minami.

"I didn't say that, did I?" Minami was starting to get upset.

It was Haruka's turn to stand quiet. He didn't know what to say to Minami.

The empress didn't want to be here. It was like she too is part of it. "Well, I'll let you guys deal with your problems. I have other things to attend to." She turned around to the door.

"Natsume," Torao called her. Natsume didn't think Torao would call her nicely. She stopped in front of the door and turned to Torao. "I need to talk to you about something when you have the time."

"You know where to contact me." She said as she left the room.

The other ZOOL members looked at Torao. They don't know what Torao has plans for Natsume.

Haruka looked at Torao. "Are you going to ask her on a date?"

Toma's chest started to hurt when Haruka said that. He didn't know that Torao was attracted to Natsume. He wanted to do something about it, but he didn't know what to do or say to Torao.

"You can say that. We have known each other for a long time." Torao said bluntly.

"She said you know where to contact her? Do you know where?" Minami asked.

"Y-Yeah. How do you know where to contact her?" Toma agreed with Minami, hiding a hint of jealousy.

"You guys are acting like I don't know how to call her. I have my ways to contact her. It's not that hard."

They didn't believe Torao. "Yeah, right."

"I'm not lying. I'm serious."

They still don't believe him.

"Why are you so worked up, Inumaru-san?" Minami noticed that Toma was acting a little differently.

The Leader of ZOOL flinched. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Torao chuckled. "Are you jealous, Toma?"

Toma started to blush. "I'm not. I was curious."

"Curious that I'm going to date Natsume. Who knows." The oldest member started to tease his leader.

"Huh? Toma like someone? I thought he wasn't popular like Torao and Minami. I can't see him with a girl. They will reject him." Haruka glared at Toma.

"C-Can we not talk about this topic?" Toma wanted them to stop. It was making him flustered.

Someone was knocking at the door. It interrupted the conversation. Toma sighed in relief. He was saved.

"Come in." Minami called.

The staff member opened the door and said, "ZOOL, it is your turn on stage."

"We're coming." Toma said.

Minami looked at Toma. He knows that Toma is hiding something. It was obvious. Minami decided not to spill it out. Toma would get flustered really fast. His words would be jumbo up. The songwriter doesn't know if he still trusts Natsume. Maybe in Northmare will tell him the truth.


The empress was exhausted from her job. She was in her dressing room changing into her clothes. She stared at herself in the mirror, reflecting on her past self if she was like Ryo. They probably would have been friends. It was a good thing her boys saved her.

She was also thinking about what Torao wanted from her. It could be that he finally realized that Ryo is using him from the beginning. She does have to meet him at the location.

Natsume sighed lightly, hoping it would go well. She grabbed her stuff from the dressing room and left.

"It's time to meet Tora. I hope that Ryo isn't following him or the others. Toma would follow Tora. Such a dog he is. Haruka and Minami wouldn't care a thing about all of this."

The empress arrived at the entrance. There was a large person standing in front of the entrance. It was Torao, waiting for Natsume to arrive.

"You took your time, Natsume." Torao said.

Natsume shrugged. "You know me, Tora. Shall we get going?"

He nodded.

They walked to the taxi to head to the location.


They arrived at the destination spot. The Hayabusa Company. The largest company in Japan.

"It's been too long since I was here." Torao glanced at the building.

Natsume walked past Torao and said, "It has. Come, let's go somewhere privately. It will be just the two of us." She smiled.

"You know, you don't have to say it like that." Torao knew what the empress was doing.

"That's you too, pretty boy." She backfired, turning around.

Torao didn't know what to say. It is true, but Natsume does it differently than most girls he dated. "You have changed a lot in the past. What changed you?"

She smiled. "Let's not waste time out here. You don't want Ryo to see you with me." Natsume turned back to the entrance, continue to walk inside.

The oldest member trailed behind Natsume.


They were in the conference room, sitting across from each other. Torao never thought Natsume would talk to him face to face. She was worried about him. Maybe his heart was the one that decided him to talk to the empress.

"What do you want to talk about?" She asked.

Torao was feeling a little nervous. He isn't a fan of other companies, but Natsume doesn't have the presence of a powerful company. It was more normal like a normal person. Maybe Ryo was wrong about her.

"I was thinking about what you told me before. It keeps ringing in my head. I couldn't ignore it." He replied.

The white empress chuckled. "I didn't think I would say that, but I'm glad you couldn't forget."

"Ryo-san is being more harsh on us now. Toma made him mad the other day. He gives us more tighter schedules. It's killing me and the others." Torao was worried about his members' feelings and concerns.

"Ryo wanted you guys to get hurt. That's what he is doing, but you guys are countering it. The tighter the schedule, the stronger and better you will get on Ryo. You have shown what you guys want him to appreciate. Do that, then he will approve of you guys."

"You think it will work?" Torao was worried.

She nodded. "Of course! You're his show."

"He said that the crowd will throw eggs at us on stage. I don't want that."

"Show the crowd ZOOL's performance as a group. The crowd will love it. You have to show the journalist that you're not Ryo's puppets."

"You know so much, Natsume. How long have you been an idol?"

"12 years."

"That long?!"

"Yes. And to answer your previous question. My boys were the one to change me."

"Your boys? You mean Clash?"

She nodded. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't from them. I would be like Ryo."

"It's a good thing you did change."

"Was that supposed to be an insult?"

"No." He didn't think that Natsume would be like Minami.

"Anyways, I won't be here in Japan for a while."

"Where are you going?" Torao was curious.

"Northmare."

"Why are you going there?"

"My dad can't go to his highness party there. So, I'm the one who has to go."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't know. For some reason, I feel like I can trust you with this information. Don't tell the others about it. Toma would be worried if you tell him." Natsume rubbed her temples.

"True. He would go looking for you. He does have a thing for you, Natsume. I'm shocked. What did you do for him to fall for you?"

She smirked as put her finger on her mouth. "That's my secret."

"You're really one cruel empress." Torao can see her acting like a true empress.

"I really am."

Torao glanced at her. He can see why she is The White Empress. "You are a strange one. Did Minami figure out your personality?"

"He did. I was surprised that he was able to figure out my personality. Minami's fortune is truly scary." Natsume lends on the chair.

"When was that?"

"It was two days after I joined you guys as manager." She replied.

Torao didn't know what else to say. Shockingly, Natsume went through a lot in the past.

"What made you become an idol?"

"My mom." She said with a straightforward answer.

"Your mom? You mean Kana Hayabusa?"

The empress nodded. "She inspired me to become an idol. She was my idol. Mom taught me a lot of stuff when she was living her normal life."

"Where is she now?" Torao asked curiously.

Natsume glanced at the floor. "She's no longer in this world. She died of an illness."

The oldest of ZOOL was surprised. "I didn't mean to bring it up." He was saddened.

She shocked her head. "It's okay. I have Clash and my family with me. I'm not alone." She smiled.

"I see. Everyone is your family."

"You as well."

"Me too?"

She nodded. "It doesn't matter where you come from. As long as you have each other."

Torao started to think about it. "I see," he stood up from his chair. "It's time for me to go."

"Good luck, Torao. Oh, make sure Toma doesn't know about our conversation. He's going to bug you about this."

He smirked. "He's simping for you, Natsume."

"I know. He has been a very good boy too." She smug.

"He has been acting weird around you. I see why."

The empress chuckled. "Have fun in Denver."

Torao nodded. "Thanks."

Torao left the conference room. Natsume glanced at the window, watching the city lights.

"It's time for me to talk to dad for a bit." Natsume stood up from her chair.

She leaves the conference room to meet her dad at his office.


The empress was about to arrive at the entrance of the hotel. She was stopped by Minami. She didn't think she would be stopped by Minami. She was exhausted and didn't want to deal with this.

"This is a rare sight for you to meet me here." Natsume said. "So, what do you want from me?"

Minami walked up to her. He stared at her eyes like a snake glare. The empress stared at Minami like they were about to bite each other's neck.

"What else did Sakura-san say to you?" He asked.

The white empress was surprised that he asked that. "Nothing much. He told me that he likes my music."

"I see." He can't get a reading on her. "What did you do when you were with Sakura-san?"

"You ask a lot of questions, Minami," she sighed lightly. "We just talk about music and how he wishes to see Zero again."

The songwriter wanted to see Haruki again. He doesn't know if Haruki would hate him for leaving him. Inside of him, he wanted to apologize to him as much as he could.

"Sorry to bother you. Thanks for answering my questions." He turned around and left.

Natsume watched as Minami left. Suddenly, a voice from behind Natsume responded.

"What are you doing here, Natsu?"

"Minami asked me some questions." She replied. "Are you hungry, Minato?"

He nodded with a smile. "Yes!"

Natsume smiled. "Let's go. The boys are waiting for my return until I leave."


In the Sweetshot Cafe, Natsume was having her usual drink and relaxing. She was looking through the magazines of idols. The first thing she saw was ZOOL being trended on the cover. She glanced at it for a few minutes.

"Is that you, Hayabusa-chan?" A voice called.

Natsume looked up to see who it was. It was Riku, IDOLiSH7 center. She didn't expect to see him here.

"Why are you here, Riku?" She asked.

"I'm here because Tamaki wanted some pudding. He likes the puddings here." He replied.

That didn't surprise her at all. She was the one who made the sweets here. She didn't know that Tamaki loves king pudding. Maybe she can use pudding as an advantage to him.

"I didn't think he had a sweet tooth for king pudding, but cute at the same time." She smirked.

"Yeah! Oh, by the way, why did you leave ZOOL?" Riku was curious.

"Didn't Momo tell you?" She questioned.

Riku remembered. He took a seat across from her. "Oh, he did. But I'm worried why you left as the manager of ZOOL."

Natsume leaned on her chair. "None of them were fond of me, but one person. He's too nice, but helpful."

The red-haired center tilted his head. "Who would that be?"

"You know the answer to that, Riku." Natsume chuckled.

"Are you planning to go back?"

She shrugged. "Who knows. That's on Ryo."

"You want to join us? We welcome everyone who joins us." Riku was willing to welcome Natsume with open arms.

Natsume laughed. "Mitsuki said the same thing, but I declined. Thank you for the offer."

"Well, whatever you do behind the scenes. Hang in there!"

"Thanks. I will."

Riku remembered what he was supposed to do here. "Oh, I also forgot! I need to get the puddings here," he bowed to Natsume. "Have a good day, Hayabusa-chan!" He immediately went to the counter and ordered some pudding.

Minato already had the pudding ready in a bag then gave it to Riku. Riku smiled and thanked Minato. He leaves the cafe as the silver-haired waved bai.

Natsume picks up her cup of tea and sips it. She placed it down on the table then glared out of the window.


ZOOL was finished from their job. They walked out from the entrance. Toma looked up at the sky. He felt like someone was watching him. It could be Natsume or just fans. He rather has the empress instead.

Minami noticed that Toma was glaring at the sky. He was wondering if Toma was thinking about Natsume. He decided to look up as well to see if he can feel the empress too.