Chapter 25: Spotlight Games and Ghosts from the Past
Back at the Eclipse dorm, the energy had shifted. The joint shoot was done, and the media coverage was already exploding across the internet. Photos of Eclipse and Titan side by side flooded the trending pages. Fans dissected every glance, every pose, every micro-expression.
Hana sat with the group at the long kitchen island, scrolling through her tablet while news clips played softly in the background.
"'Tension or teamwork? Eclipse and Titan meet again under flashing lights'," she read aloud.
Minjun leaned over her shoulder. "They make it sound like we were in a drama."
Jae-min smirked. "Weren't we?"
Hyunwoo tossed a grape at him.
But Jisoo wasn't laughing. "The media wants drama. They'll spin it even if there's nothing."
Taehyun crossed his arms. "We gave them nothing. They'll dig for more."
And dig they did.
A new article hit the feeds just as Eclipse's first live stage rehearsal was beginning.
"Titan's explosive rise guided by new genius producer: industry whispers hint he once shaped Eclipse's earliest success."
Hana frowned, tapping on the article.
Soyeon entered with her phone buzzing. "Everyone, we need to talk."
The group turned to her instantly.
"There's been a leak," she said tightly. "Titan's new producer… it's Seo Hanjun."
The room fell utterly silent.
Jisoo sat forward slowly. "You're sure?"
She nodded. "The label tried to keep it quiet, but Titan's agency confirmed it in their latest press kit. Seo Hanjun is back. And he's with them."
It hit like a punch.
Seo Hanjun—the man who trained Eclipse through their rookie days. The man who helped develop their debut concept. The one who disappeared two years ago without warning, citing "creative differences." They hadn't seen or heard from him since.
"Why would he go to them?" Jaemin asked, voice edged with disbelief.
"Because we're on top now," Seojun muttered. "And Titan wants the throne."
Minjun gritted his teeth. "He taught us everything. And now he's using it against us."
Hana felt the sting too. Hanjun had been one of the first to encourage her songwriting when she worked behind the scenes. He once told her she had "the pulse of Eclipse" in her melodies.
Now that pulse was being replicated—mirrored—in Titan's latest tracks.
Soyeon took a breath. "I won't lie. This complicates things. The media's going to run with the narrative. 'Former mentor vs. his former group.' Eclipse vs. Titan—rebirth versus legacy. We don't respond. We just perform."
"Three stages," Taehyun said quietly. "Three chances to remind him who we are."
That night, Eclipse rehearsed harder than ever.
Each live stage concept was different:
Stage One – "Shadow Crown": A fierce, theatrical piece blending hard-hitting choreography with dramatic lighting. Taehyun's solo section was raw and mesmerizing, drawing stunned reactions from even the staff.
Stage Two – "Burn Me Bright": Jisoo and Jaemin took the lead in a passionate duet-rap bridge that carried the theme of betrayal and rebirth. The vocals soared, the message clear—we've been broken, but we rise.
Stage Three – "Evermore Night": A haunting ballad that Hana helped write, performed under flickering candlelight and a giant LED moon. The lyrics? Bare and honest. Eclipse telling their fans, and maybe their ex-producer: We remember everything.
Between rehearsals, Hana worked late, fine-tuning camera angles and harmonies. Jisoo stayed up with her most nights, making sure she ate. Sometimes, Taehyun would silently join, handing her tea without a word.
And in quieter moments, Hana wondered:
Had Hanjun left because of her? Had her presence shifted something? Had her music lost its spark—or had it burned too bright?
She didn't ask the others. But the ache stayed.
After a long night, Hana stood by the dorm balcony alone, watching the city lights flicker below.
Taehyun joined her, hood pulled over his head.
"You're taking it harder than we are," he said quietly.
"I just… I thought he believed in us."
"He did. And maybe he still does. But people change."
She looked at him, eyes tired. "What if we can't beat what we helped build?"
Taehyun's gaze met hers. "Then we build louder."