On the day of VIRE's live performance, the world tunes in to watch the long-anticipated debut of their new album Awakening. The production is grand with flashing lights, synchronized choreography, and a roaring crowd that sings along with every lyric. Tao and Mitsunari watch from the studio, the performance streaming on the big monitor. Each track hits with impact but it's the emotional ballad "Love Lost" and the title track "Awakening" that bring the crowd to a hush. The members of VIRE pour raw emotion into their vocals, and even Tao nods slightly, acknowledging the quality of the show. "They brought it," he mutters, arms crossed. Mitsunari remains quiet as his eyes fixed on the screen, watching the group he once stood beside dominate the stage.
As "Awakening" begins to play, Mitsunari feels a familiar pull in his chest. The lyrics, the chord progressions, even the subtle vocal arrangements as all the pieces he remembers helping craft in late-night writing sessions with the group. He closes his eyes for a moment, letting the music wash over him, both beautiful and haunting. He still loves the song as it's honest, it's powerful but it's also bittersweet. No one in the world knows he helped build it. There's no credit, no acknowledgment. Just silence where his name should be. As the final chorus echoes through the studio, Mitsunari exhales slowly, shoulders tight. "It's a great song," he says quietly, more to himself than to Tao. "But it doesn't belong to me anymore."
Tao leans back in his chair, arms crossed as he watches the screen fade to black after VIRE's performance. He turns to Mitsunari, sensing the weight on his mind. "You're not the only one who's been through it, you know," Tao says, voice low but calm. "I've been there too, more than you probably realize." Mitsunari looks over, curious. Tao rarely talks about his past in detail. "Do you remember the boy group LYO?" he asks. Mitsunari's eyes widen slightly. "Of course," he says. "They were huge when I was growing up. 'Under Cover,' 'Say What,' 'Missin You,' all those tracks were everywhere. 'Rowdy' was the first dance cover I ever learned."
A quiet smile crosses Tao's face as he nods. "Yeah, well… I was supposed to debut with them." The words hang heavy in the air for a moment. "I was part of the original lineup during training. I helped write early versions of those songs, even choreographed parts of 'Bad.' However right before the debut, ElectriK Boys Entertainment cut me. No warning, no explanation. Just like that, I was out." Mitsunari's expression shifts to disbelief. "Wait, you were almost in LYO? You're serious?" Tao nods again, more firmly this time. "Dead serious. No credit, no spotlight it was just silence."
Tao stands and walks over to the console, resting his hands on the soundboard. "I won't lie; it crushed me. For a while, I didn't even want to make music anymore. However, I used it. All that frustration, all that heartbreak, I put it into my work. Built this studio from nothing. Created my own sound, my own lane. And now? The same labels that ghosted me are trying to partner with Stax." He turns to face Mitsunari directly. "You've got that same fire, Mitsu. You're doing it already. Don't let what they took from you define you. Let it fuel you."
Mitsunari is silent for a moment, his mind reeling from Tao's confession. He had no idea his mentor carried such a similar story, one of betrayal, of being erased from history… But Tao didn't just survive, he rose. That thought ignites something in Mitsunari. The bitterness from hearing "Awakening" live starts to fade, replaced with a new resolve. Maybe he didn't get credit then but now he had a voice, a team, and a shot to tell his story his way.
As the days inch closer to the release of Is This Something More, Mitsunari feels the pressure turning into excitement. The countdown begins as teasers are posted, the beat circulates online, and the buzz starts to build again. Fans are speculating, trying to piece together what's coming next. Tao watches the momentum grow with a strategist's eye, while Mitsunari prepares for the moment he finally steps forward not as a background name or a hidden contributor but as an artist with something to say.
A few days before the big event, Tao pulls Mitsunari aside in the studio, holding a printed list in his hand. "The venue just finalized the full lineup for the live premiere," he says, handing the list over. Mitsunari scans it quickly, eyes widening as he reads the names. "It's a stacked show," Tao continues. "VIRE will be performing Awakening again probably trying to dominate the headlines. I'll be on stage performing On Air, KIK UP's doing Gimmie, and Mash is bringing Zoom 2 U. And you…" Tao pauses, looking Mitsunari dead in the eyes with a smirk, "You'll be making your solo debut performing, Is This Something More live for the first time."
Mitsunari takes a breath, the reality setting in as the names echo in his head. He's not just releasing a song he's stepping onto a stage shared with some of the biggest names in the industry, including his former group. Tao rests a hand on his shoulder. "This is your moment. You're not just some feature anymore. You're the main act now. No hiding behind anyone else." Mitsunari nods slowly, the nerves bubbling beneath the surface, but so does a steady fire. Sharing the stage with VIRE, Tao, and top-tier girl groups means this event will be massive, but it also means one thing: the world is about to see who Mitsunari really is.