Chapter 20: Clash of the Comebacks
Eclipse had barely returned from their nationwide tour before they were thrown right back into the thick of promotions. The album—now a massive twelve-track record thanks to Hana's idea—was performing beyond expectations. Fans were raving, the media was buzzing, and their music videos were trending across every platform.
"Alright, team," Manager Yoo called out during their early morning meeting. "You've got a packed schedule this week—music shows, interviews, and your first joint appearance with the new rookie group… Titan."
At the mention of the name, the room tensed.
Titan had debuted the same day Eclipse had made their comeback. With six members, sharp visuals, and a concept similar enough to cause noise, their album launch had sparked online comparisons and fan wars.
"They're not bad," Jaemin said, scrolling through a few of Titan's teaser clips. "Kind of intense. A bit robotic, though."
"They're clearly being molded to rival us," Minjun added with a small scoff. "The industry always needs its 'next big thing.'"
Hana, who was helping Jisoo prep snacks in the corner, looked thoughtful. "Well... if they're good, then they're good. It's not about rivalry. It's about how we stand out."
Taehyun glanced at her briefly, nodding in agreement.
The group was scheduled for a joint backstage interview at K-Music Countdown, one of the biggest live shows of the year. There, Eclipse would perform their title track "Echoverse", while Titan would showcase theirs, "Signal Fire."
Backstage chaos.
Makeup artists moved like wind. Coordinators barked orders. Cameras clicked. Hana stayed mostly in the background, flipping through her notebook, confirming last-minute cue changes with the director. She'd been promoted to "Official Creative Liaison" for Eclipse—a fancy title that reflected just how much she meant to the team now.
Then came the moment.
"Eclipse, meet Titan," the coordinator said.
The six boys of Titan stepped into the waiting lounge, dressed in sleek black and silver. Their leader, Riku, stepped forward and bowed. "Nice to meet you, sunbaenim."
Jaemin returned the bow, his usual charm switched on. "Welcome to the battlefield."
Riku smiled politely, but his eyes flicked briefly toward Taehyun and Jisoo—curious and calculating. Titan's members were clearly trained to perfection, but Hana sensed a strange coldness beneath their smiles. Not arrogance—something more... manufactured.
During the interview, Eclipse answered questions with confidence and humor. Jisoo's cheeky answer about their "secret weapon being their heart" made fans online swoon instantly. Titan's responses were more scripted, but precise.
When asked if they saw Eclipse as rivals, Riku gave a small smile. "We admire Eclipse greatly. But naturally, every star eventually sets for a new one to rise."
A subtle jab. The room went quiet for a second before Minjun laughed. "We're not planning on setting anytime soon."
The tension hung in the air until the host moved on.
Post-show debrief.
Back at the dorm, Eclipse gathered for a quick review with Manager Yoo and Hana. Everyone was exhausted but fired up.
"You guys killed it," Hana said, grinning as she clicked through fan responses online. "The live vocals were insane. Even your dance cam went viral, Jaemin."
Minjun snorted. "And people loved when you almost tripped over your mic cord."
"Shut up," Jaemin groaned, hiding under a cushion.
Soyeon walked in with printouts of upcoming press topics. She passed one to Taehyun without a word, then moved to sit beside Hana.
Taehyun watched her for a second before glancing at the paper. "We'll need to watch Titan. They're sharp."
Soyeon didn't look up. "And hungry."
The two locked eyes for a beat—tension, understanding, something else.
Minjun noticed it. So... the wall is cracking, huh?
As the group filtered out to prep for the next day's schedule, Hana stayed behind to organize the music sheets.
"You okay?" Jisoo asked, leaning on the doorway.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about the way Riku looked at you and Taehyun," she said.
"He's trying to size us up."
"He looked at you like a threat."
Jisoo smiled at her gently. "Good. I want them to know Eclipse isn't fading away anytime soon."
She smiled back, but her eyes drifted to her notebook. Something about Titan still unsettled her. There was more to them. Something... off.
Would you like Chapter 21 to focus on Eclipse's preparation for their next concept, or dig deeper into the mysterious vibe surrounding Titan?