Returning to school for the first time since the release of "On Air" feels surreal for Mitsunari. The moment he steps onto campus, he can feel the difference when people whisper as he passes, phones subtly pointed in his direction, classmates pretending not to stare. The energy is a mix of awe, curiosity and tension. Some approach him with wide smiles and congratulations, while others keep their distance, unsure of how to treat someone who's now at the center of the industry's spotlight. Despite the fame, Mitsunari keeps his head down to focus on getting through the day. However, nothing prepares him for seeing Mizuha again, standing at her locker like no time has passed at all.
Their eyes meet across the hallway, a brief silence stretching between them louder than any conversation. It's the first time they've seen each other since their last text messages that ended with uncertainty and distance. Mizuha offers a small smile, not quite shy but hesitant. Mitsunari, unsure how to respond, nods slightly before walking past. It's only later when their teacher asks them to stay behind and help clean the classroom, that the two are alone together again. As they sweep and stack chairs the silence lingers but gradually the awkwardness gives way to a more familiar rhythm.
"You've really become a superstar, huh?" Mizuha says teasingly, brushing eraser dust off a desk. Her tone is playful, but there's an edge of something else it feels like something more personal. Mitsunari chuckles softly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Not quite. Just got lucky with the right people." She raises an eyebrow. "You mean Tao?" He nods. "Yeah, he believes in me." Mizuha's smile lingers as she looks at him. "Well… I'm glad. Just don't forget about us regular people." Mitsunari smirks. "Impossible. Especially when the regular people are this distracting." Her eyes widen slightly at the flirt, but she laughs it off, cheeks tinted pink as they finish up the last of the cleanup.
Back at the studio that night, Tao brings up a new idea, Mitsunari's first solo single. "You've already proved you can hold your own," he says, pacing with excitement. "Now it's time to show them who you are without anyone else's name attached. Just you." The idea is thrilling and terrifying at once, but Mitsunari feels the challenge tug at him. He agrees and they begin planning. Meanwhile, the shadows of Floor7 Entertainment grow darker. Rumors spread of the company's frustration with Mitsunari's success and behind the scenes, executives begin to plot ways to tarnish his reputation. Fueled by a mixture of jealousy, betrayal, and business politics.
A few days later, Mitsunari watches an interview on his phone. It's VIRE his former group sitting on a sleek set, being asked about his departure. At first, they keep it vague but then one of the members, someone Mitsunari was especially close to says bluntly, "Honestly, we're just glad the headache's gone. We can finally focus without distractions." Mitsunari's breath catches. The words cut deeper than he expects. Seeing their faces, hearing their tones it feels like a betrayal. However, a part of him refuses to believe it's the full truth. As the interview continues, he notices how stiff they look, how rehearsed the answers sound.
Mitsunari leans back, phone still in hand, the sting of the words lingering. Deep down he doesn't believe they truly meant what they said, not all of them at least. He knows how Floor7 operates. The control, the pressure, the forced narratives. If anything, it makes him more determined. He won't let them rewrite his story. He'll write it himself with his voice, his music, and his truth. When his solo track drops, he intends to make sure there's no mistaking it: Mitsunari is here to stay.
After leaving the studio that night, Mitsunari rides the quiet train home, the hum of the tracks blending with the thoughts spinning in his head. Despite Tao's excitement about the solo track and the industry buzz swirling around him, His mind keeps drifting back to the conversation with Mizuha in the classroom. One line in particular sticks with him, "It's personal." He hadn't asked about it then when caught off guard by the emotion behind it but now he can't ignore it. Sitting on his bed with the city lights flickering through his window, he finally opens his messages and types: "What did you mean when you said it was personal? Back when everything went down… why didn't you say anything?" He hesitates, then hits send.
A few minutes pass and just when he thinks she might not reply, her message comes in. "I didn't want to be part of all of that.. the fame, the drama. I was trying to stay out of it, to forget it all, but I couldn't. I wanted to say something. I really did. But I didn't have the courage. And I knew if I stepped into it, I wouldn't be invisible anymore." Mitsunari stares at the words, understanding all too well the consequences of fame. Before he can respond, another message pops up. "Also…. I don't know if now's the right time with everything going on but… do you wanna go do something together sometime?" Mitsunari blinks at the screen stunned. After everything the silence, the distance, the uncertainty. He didn't expect this but for the first time in a while, his expression softens into a real quiet smile.
A few minutes pass as Mitsunari stares at her message, heart thudding just a little faster. He takes a breath, then types back: "How about tomorrow?" He hesitates for only a second before hitting send. Across town, Mizuha is curled up on her bed, phone in hand, when the message lights up her screen. Her eyes widen slightly, and a soft blush rises to her cheeks as she reads the text. She hadn't expected him to say yes so quickly or at all. After a short pause, her fingers move over the keyboard. "See you then… text me the address and time." Mitsunari smiles to himself as he sets the phone down. Despite everything in his life, the fame, the music, the pressure this moment feels refreshingly simple and maybe even more exciting than anything that's happened in the studio.