It was an early morning when all the members were getting ready to depart to the Empire, Akira and Yeong-su walked to the music department as Akira thought in his mind, aimlessly walking through the academy as Yeong-su was right behind him.

"Are you excited for AZ✧RA's next performance?" Yeong-su asked, breaking the silence.

Akira pouts, "...Ugh, It's a shame I have to do my own duties at a day like this...I guess using Yang as an excuse isn't an option...". He replied, Yeong-su chuckled. "I'll be there to fill you in, as your temporary secretary! I'm sure you'll be able to attend their next one!" He says with a smile.

Akira hummed in agreement, he suddenly stopped in his steps. Yeong-su raised his brow in confusion. "Nguyen?" He spoke to him. "I think i'll be fine not attending...I just remembered something.." Akira answered quietly.

"...While they perform..I do need to take care of something..." He looked at Yeongsu with a smile, Yeong-su quickly catches on. "..Ah. I remember. You sure you don't need assistance? You do have a lot on your hands president". He questioned with a slight worried tone, Akira let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "I'll be fine...but i'll let you know if there's trouble".

-

They soon arrive to the department. Akira knocked and entered.

"Yang?...Oh! there you are!"  Akira's head appeared out the door as Yang was speaking to Mr. Fujin in the music room. They both turn around seeing him enter the classroom, Yang smiled. "We're ready to depart Yang" Yeong-su spoke,

"...Alright, i'll be back tomorrow! Thanks!" . Yang approached the two of them and the three began to walk to the entrance of the academy. "Good luck guys!" Mr. Fujin yelled to them.

After all the members were in front of the academy, they were greeted by a small group with cameras flashing at them as a large black van was in the drive way.

"Since the empire is a neighboring kingdom to our district, you all will be transported by vehicle." Yeong-su told the members. The driver opened the side of the van and encouraged them to enter. As they all excitedly went into the van, Yang had some small talk with Akira before leaving.

"They said you'll be coming back tomorrow morning...You sure you guys will be alright?" He asked her, Yang glanced at the others who were already seated. She smiled and nodded, Akira sighs as Yeong-su entered the vehicle as well, giving him a smile to rub salt on his wound.

"Alright then...I'll be watching y'all, Good luck".

The driver closed the van door and entered the drivers seat, Akira waved as the van eventually drove away.

—

After several hours of driving, they eventually saw the borders of the Empire as they all saw a bridge that had a fancy silver gate that closed it. As the gate slowly opened, the van drove on the bridge as everyone gasp.

"Woah! It's amazing to see Moon Glade Lake in real life!" Kailani said as she looked out the window, under the bridge, was a vast ocean of glistening waters. all the others looked at the window in awe.

"I wonder if we're gonna visit Eclipse Castle!" Ryuu replied with a bright smile, Yang was searching up their itinerary list,

"I think we are, we're also gonna be going to other popular places if you guys want too". she said to the other members, they all cheered. Yeong-su chuckled at their silliness as he was sitting in the front of the van.

Yuzhen was eating a snack as she was looking at her phone, Nakida was seated next to her.

"Are you gonna be okay Sia?" She asked her with a soft voice, Yuzhen looked at her with a calm expression. "I'll be okay, since we haven't been here for a while...I plan to have a comeback" She said with a cheeky smile, Nakida chuckled.

(..That's nice...It's relieving to see her so confident..)

—

After arriving to their hotel, they exited the vehicle and took a first look at their hotel. "Wow! it's so tall!" Ryuu exclaimed.

"Hotel Luna? It's the most luxurious hotel here.." Vanni added. Daisuke looked at the tall building in surprise, he nervously asked Yeong-su,

"Are we gonna be in one of the top floors?..". Yeong-su shook his head, "They contacted us for our stay here and we booked a floor that doesn't make your ears pop 24/7" he replied.

After checking into the hotel, Yang checked the time. "We still have a few hours left until our performance, do you guys wanna explore around the empire? We have to explore with a body guard though.." Yang announced to the group.

"Oh yeah! Some of our dancers are already here and we'll be meeting with them. Me, Ryuu and Lani will be busy" Vanni explained to her, Yang nodded.

"I can't wait! guys, let's go to Blue Moon Beach too!" Ryuu says as they're getting to meet up with the dancers. As the three of them left, Yang suddenly had an idea. "You guys wanna go shopping?" She requested, Yuzhen and Nakida seemed eager to shop as they nodded immediately.

"I'll stay here, i'm gonna be meeting with another group anyway" Daisuke replied, Yang and Yuzhen looked at each other as he knew what he meant.

(we're totally gonna bombard them later..) Yang looked at Yuzhen as they communicated by eyes. Yuzhen nodded. (Say less..) She replied silently. Daisuke looked at the two and sighed,

-

Before the trio arrived to the stadium, they were exploring around the area since they had lots of time until their performance. As they were driving in a private taxi, Vanni looked at the list of suggestions Yang gave him.

"Ooh, we should go to this place Yang suggested, it's called Cynthia Cafe" He told the two. Kailani and Ryuu seemed interested and agreed.

They arrived as they stood in front of the fancy restaurant, the trio looked at the exterior and seemed intimidated. "I swear this kingdom hits diff.." Ryuu whispered, Kailani nodded. "This empire just called me broke".

They entered the restaurant anyways and was seated near a window at front. After they were given the menu, Ryuu admired the ambiance. "this empire is no joke...I feel out of place" he spoke quietly. Vanni looked at the menu, "haha, i'm glad we have Yuzhen and Yang for directions..." he replied.

After they received their meals, the trio began to dig in. Ryuu was surprised when he took a couple bites, having puffed cheeks as he hummed in satisfaction, Kailani and Vanni chuckled.

"I'm guessing it's good Ryuu?" She asked him, Ryuu immediately nodded with sparkling eyes. Vanni held a spoonful of his food to Ryuu,
"Say ah" he said with a smile, Ryuu opened his mouth, taking a bite. Ryuu ate as Vanni admired him, Kailani scoffed.

"This whole interaction adds to the reason why i'm a third wheel" she joked.

After they ate, they paid for their meal and were about to walk out of the restaurant.

"Should we come here again with the rest of us? the food was so good!" Ryuu suggested.

"We'll ask, should we go somewhere else?" Kailani asked. As they walked out the door, three people near them walked the opposite direction, entering the restaurant they exited. Ryuu suddenly stopped and turned around, feeling shaken by the people who just walked past them.

(It's them..) He thought. It was a few members from M✯BIUS; Eric, Yue and another person

"Ryuu?" Vanni called out, the twins standing there looking at Ryuu's uneasy state. He gasped and slowly continued walking.