Chapter 27: Unshaken Bonds and Revealed Truths
The press conference the following day was a circus. The lights were bright, the cameras flashing, and the air was thick with tension. Titan and Eclipse were both in the same room, and the media, sensing blood in the water, eagerly waited for any sign of a crack in the calm.
The rivalry between the two groups had escalated. After the explosive performance, the media had quickly latched onto the whispers of Hanjun's return—repeating the narrative that Titan's rise was no accident. They painted him as the mastermind behind Eclipse's success and questioned the group's authenticity. It felt like a trap, one that was carefully laid out to divide them.
Hana sat beside Jisoo, her fingers pressed into the armrest of her chair, trying to keep her breathing steady. She glanced over at Taehyun, who sat a little further down the row, his usual cold expression firmly in place. Minjun, Jaemin, Seojun, and Hyunwoo all sat upright, eyes sharp, their postures tense.
As the media began throwing their questions, it wasn't long before they got to the inevitable one.
"So, Eclipse," one reporter began, his eyes glinting with curiosity, "it's been widely speculated that Titan's producer, Hanjun, played a pivotal role in your early success. Can you confirm his involvement in Eclipse's rise to fame? Or is it just a coincidence that Titan's success seems to mirror Eclipse's trajectory?"
The room fell silent, and the weight of the question hung heavily in the air. Hana's breath caught in her throat. She could already feel the storm brewing. The question wasn't just about their music—it was about their identity, their integrity.
Soyeon, sitting next to the group, spoke up first. "There are false narratives being spread about our group, and I'd like to set the record straight," she said, her tone firm. "Eclipse's success is the result of the hard work, talent, and dedication of each member. We've always maintained full control over our music and creative direction."
Hana nodded in agreement, but it was clear that the media was hungry for more. One reporter raised his hand, a smirk on his face. "So you're saying the rumors about Hanjun's influence are unfounded?"
Jisoo stood up, his calm demeanor barely hiding the fire in his eyes. "It's not about what people want to believe. It's about the truth. Yes, Hanjun worked with us during our early days, but he did not create us. We made Eclipse what it is. We earned our success."
Another reporter jumped in. "But can you honestly say you didn't benefit from his guidance? His connections?"
Jisoo didn't hesitate. "We've all benefited from guidance at some point. But that doesn't mean someone else owns our story. Our journey was ours from the start. And we're standing here today because of our work, not anyone else's."
The room was silent again. The reporters shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsure how to respond to Jisoo's conviction. Minjun, ever the mood-maker, added with a smile, "If you want to blame someone for Eclipse's rise, you can blame us for working our butts off in every practice and performance."
Laughter rippled through the room, breaking the tension, but it was quickly replaced by another biting question.
"What about the accusations that Hanjun was responsible for Eclipse's signature sound, and now Titan is carrying that same sound forward? Do you think that's a coincidence?"
The group's faces grew serious, but it was Taehyun who answered, his voice steady and unwavering. "Music is an evolution. Every artist learns, adapts, and grows. We've evolved beyond the point where Hanjun's influence is relevant. What you hear in our music now is us. Not him."
Hana looked at Taehyun, seeing the weight of his words settle into the hearts of everyone in the room. He wasn't just defending their producer, their past—it was a statement of the group's journey. Their story wasn't defined by one person or one moment. It was theirs, and no one could take that away from them.
Seojun, who had been quiet up until this point, spoke next. "We've faced criticism, comparison, and even personal attacks. But nothing matters more than the music we create together. Eclipse is built on trust, and that's not something you can fake."
Jaemin, his eyes sharp, added, "We stand by our producer. The truth is, it's not about the past. It's about where we're going. We're proud of what we've accomplished, and we're focused on the future."
The reporters seemed to realize they weren't getting the answers they expected. The group wasn't backing down. They weren't going to let Hanjun's shadow define them.
One final reporter asked, "So, no regrets about working with Hanjun? No lingering ties to him?"
Taehyun's response was simple, but the finality in his tone made the room go quiet. "There's no past to regret. Only what we've built. And no one—not even Hanjun—can take that from us."
The tension in the room eased as the group stood tall, their unity undeniable. It wasn't just about proving the media wrong—it was about showing the world that Eclipse was more than the sum of its parts. They were a force of their own.
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Later that night, as the group gathered in their dorm, the atmosphere was lighter. They had faced the storm and come out stronger, their bonds unshaken. Hana sat beside Jisoo, feeling a sense of calm settle over her.
"Did you mean it?" she asked quietly, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.
Jisoo turned to her, his expression earnest. "Every word."
Hana smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I don't know what I would've done without you guys."
"You don't have to," Jisoo replied with a wink. "We've got your back, always."
As the group chatted and laughed, Hana couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Eclipse was more than just a group—they were a family. And no matter what the future held, no matter the challenges they would face, they would stand together.
The rivalry with Titan wasn't over, but Eclipse had proven something important today. Their success wasn't just because of their past—it was because of who they were now and who they were becoming.
And that was a truth no one could take away from them.
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