The next day, OG received a message.
Not from their old manager.
Not from the staff who used to ignore them.
It came directly from Koharu Entertainment.
A black envelope was delivered to their dorm like something out of a movie—sealed neatly, their group name written in elegant silver letters.
Inside was a simple invitation card.
"Dinner with Koharu Entertainment.
All OG members are requested to attend."
No please.
No if you're free.
Just a sentence that felt like an order dressed as politeness.
Kairi read it aloud and rolled her eyes. "Requested… like we can say no."
Hana hugged a pillow tightly. "Do we have to go?"
Aiko scoffed. "We signed. We belong to her. Of course we have to go."
Yuki looked at Sakura. "Are you okay?"
Sakura forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'll be fine."
But everyone knew she wasn't.
Still… they got ready.
Not in glam.
Not in designer.
Not like idols meeting a CEO.
They wore casual clothes—hoodies, jeans, sneakers, simple tops. The kind of outfits they'd wear while buying groceries, not while sitting across from the woman who owned their careers.
It was almost like silent rebellion.
If you want to treat us like products… we'll show you we're still human.
When they arrived, the restaurant wasn't the same one Sakura had gone to before.
This place was calmer. Softer. Private.
A long table was prepared with warm lighting and elegant dishes already waiting. It didn't feel like a trap the way the last dinner did…
But it still didn't feel safe.
Rinn stood near the entrance, her usual calm expression intact.
"Welcome," she said, gesturing them inside.
As OG stepped in, Koharu looked up from her seat.
And the moment her eyes landed on Sakura, something in her face softened—like she had been holding her breath all day just waiting for this moment.
Then her gaze moved to the others.
And when she saw their outfits…
Koharu chuckled.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't mocking.
It was almost… amused.
"Casual," she said, leaning back slightly. "I didn't expect that."
Kairi lifted her chin. "We didn't know it was a fashion show."
Hana's eyes widened at Kairi's boldness, but Koharu only smiled faintly.
"I like it," Koharu said. "At least you're comfortable."
Aiko didn't sit immediately.
She stared at Koharu like she was trying to burn a hole through her with pure hatred.
"You really think a dinner fixes everything?" Aiko asked coldly.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Yuki subtly reached for Hana's hand.
Sakura's heart clenched, but she didn't speak.
Koharu's expression didn't change. "No," she answered calmly. "I don't."
Aiko scoffed. "Then why are we here?"
Before Koharu could respond, Aiko stepped forward, voice sharper.
"You bought our group like we were nothing. You robbed my solo debut award. You played with our career, our reputation—"
"Aiko." Hana whispered, trying to stop her.
But Aiko was already too deep.
"And now you sit here smiling?" Aiko's voice trembled. "Like you're some hero?"
Koharu's eyes darkened slightly.
But before she could speak—
Rinn did.
Rinn's voice was calm, smooth, but it cut like a blade.
"If you're going to bark," Rinn said, "at least do it with facts."
Aiko froze.
Rinn continued, her gaze sharp.
"You performed perfectly and you deserved that trophy. Yes. Everyone knows that."
Aiko's eyes flickered.
"But don't act like your anger is only about the trophy," Rinn added, stepping closer. "You're angry because you feel invisible next to Sakura."
The room went silent.
Sakura's eyes widened in shock.
Yuki gasped softly.
Kairi whispered, "Damn…"
Aiko's face flushed with humiliation. "Shut up."
Rinn didn't flinch. "Or you're angry because you think the world will always choose her over you. And you hate that you can't stop it."
Aiko's hands shook.
Hana stood up. "Rinn, stop—"
But Koharu raised her hand slightly.
"Enough," Koharu said.
Rinn stepped back instantly.
Koharu looked at Aiko, her gaze steady.
"I'm not here to fight you," Koharu said. "And I'm not here to win your approval."
Aiko's lips trembled, but she didn't speak.
Koharu exhaled slowly.
"I did something unforgivable," Koharu admitted, voice quieter. "I know that."
Her eyes moved to Sakura for a second.
Then back to Aiko.
"I manipulated the charts," Koharu said. "I bought influence. I created a fake miracle."
Aiko's expression cracked.
Koharu continued, "And I did it because I thought OG falling meant Sakura would disappear."
Sakura's throat tightened.
Koharu's voice softened. "I couldn't accept that."
The confession hung in the air like smoke.
Kairi looked away, disgusted.
Yuki's eyes were wet.
Hana looked torn between anger and pity.
Aiko's voice came out shaky. "So you admit it."
Koharu nodded. "Yes."
Then, unexpectedly, Koharu stood up.
She bowed.
Not a small polite bow.
A deep one.
To Aiko.
"I'm sorry," Koharu said sincerely. "For what I did to your debut. For what I did to your moment."
Aiko's eyes widened.
Even Sakura looked stunned.
Koharu straightened and spoke again, her voice firm.
"I will not show favoritism," she said. "Not to Sakura. Not to anyone."
Sakura's breath caught.
Koharu continued, "OG will be promoted the way any top group should be promoted. Music shows, variety, interviews, sponsorships, global stages."
She looked at all five of them now.
"You will have proper budgets," Koharu said. "Proper staff. Proper rest. Proper marketing."
Kairi's eyes narrowed. "And what do you want in return?"
Koharu paused.
For a second, her gaze flickered toward Sakura again.
But she controlled herself.
Then she said something that surprised everyone.
"I want nothing," Koharu replied.
Aiko laughed bitterly. "Liar."
Koharu didn't deny it.
Instead she sat back down slowly.
"I know you don't trust me," she said. "You shouldn't."
She lifted her glass of water but didn't drink.
"I won't ask Sakura for dinner alone again," Koharu promised quietly.
Sakura's fingers loosened around her chopsticks.
Koharu added, "I won't interfere with your awards. I won't sabotage your competitors. I won't manipulate your success."
Rinn looked slightly surprised at that.
Koharu glanced at her once, then continued.
"You will earn your comeback," Koharu said. "The real way."
The dinner continued after that.
Food was served.
Hana and Yuki ate carefully, still tense. Kairi spoke only when needed. Aiko barely touched her plate, still shaken from Koharu's apology.
Sakura remained quiet the entire time.
She listened.
She watched Koharu.
And she couldn't understand it.
Because Koharu looked… genuine.
Her eyes didn't have that wild obsession tonight.
Her voice didn't sound like a predator.
She looked like someone trying desperately to fix what she broke.
But Sakura knew better than anyone—
Sometimes obsession could also look like love.
After dinner, Koharu stood up again.
"Thank you for coming," she said. "Rest well. Training begins tomorrow."
OG left the restaurant together.
The car ride back was quieter than before.
Not because things were okay.
But because everyone's mind was tangled.
Hana whispered, "She apologized…"
Yuki nodded slowly. "And she promised no favoritism."
Kairi scoffed. "Promises are cheap."
Aiko stared out the window, voice low. "She said the right words."
Sakura finally spoke.
"But do we believe her?"
No one answered.
Because the truth was…
Koharu wasn't just their enemy anymore.
She wasn't just the villain in their story.
Now she was their company.
Their lifeline.
Their cage.
And OG had no idea whether this comeback would save them…
Or become the final thing that destroyed them.