Weeks had passed since the triumphant release of Mitsunari's debut album, and the excitement still lingered in the air at Stax Entertainment. The energy in the building was infectious as fans were still pouring in messages of support, and the album continued charting strong. Block M was working on their next stage routine, Mitsunari had started planning his next visuals, and VIRE was in the midst of their own comeback planning.
Then came the announcement from XCITE.
With dramatic visuals and an electric teaser, XCITE revealed the name of their new comeback single: "Lightning." It was bold, flashy, and unapologetically loud its everything fans had come to expect from XCITE. But this release came with something else, something that sent a ripple through the fandoms: it was the first official release with Chen as a new member.
The announcement made waves across the internet. Chen had originally been picked as one of the Top 9 to debut in Block M, but Floor7 the label behind XCITE had pulled him from the group last minute, redirecting him to their in-house project group. The decision had caused massive controversy online, and the tension between Stax and Floor7 had been heavily speculated ever since.
Now, the moment had arrived. XCITE's new track would premiere on live broadcast that evening, and everyone at Stax was aware of it. Tao, ever watchful but composed, decided they would all watch it together. "It's always good to see what others are doing," he said, though the room could sense there was a deeper layer to his words.
The Stax Entertainment lounge was filled. Mitsunari sat alongside the members of Block M, VIRE sprawled across couches and chairs, Rui leaning against the back wall. Even Mizuha came to join the group, sipping tea and curious about the spectacle.
As the clock hit the performance time, the screen flashed on. XCITE appeared on stage with a bold, stormy background as thunder rumbled and flashes of lightning danced across the LED screen behind them. The song kicked off instantly with a heavy EDM beat and aggressive choreography.
Chen was front and center in the first verse, his vocals sharp and powerful. Everyone at Stax watched intently as he belted out his lines. There was no denying it as Chen had stage presence. Despite the drama surrounding his departure, he looked confident, maybe even defiant.
The beat dropped into a heavy dance break, and the lighting onstage flickered in sync with the pounding drums. The visual effects were dazzling, and XCITE's synchronization was tight. The performance was polished and almost too polished, some felt.
Jeren, sitting near the edge of the room, narrowed his eyes. Suho sat beside him, arms crossed. Mark leaned forward, watching every move. While none of them said anything, the tension in their bodies made it clear: this wasn't just another comeback as it felt personal.
Mitsunari, however, watched with a more measured gaze. He'd worked with Chen briefly during the survival show, and while he respected his talent, the way Floor7 pulled him still left a bitter taste. "He's good," Mitsunari muttered, loud enough for Tao to hear.
"He is," Tao replied calmly. "But he's not the only one."
As the chorus came back around, the camera focused again on Chen. His voice carried strength, but there was something in his eyes. A spark, maybe even a challenge. Whether it was meant for Stax or not, the energy was undeniable.
After the performance ended, the room sat in silence for a few seconds.
"Impressive visuals," Rui finally said. "Very calculated."
"They trained that performance hard," Jun added. "You can see it in the transitions."
Mizuha glanced around the room and spoke gently, "But did anyone else feel like it was… missing something?"
Jeren finally spoke. "Yeah. Heart."
There were nods around the room. The talent was there, but it didn't have the same soul that Mitsunari's "Survivor" performance did. Or the raw power of VIRE's "Code Nineteen." Or even the vulnerability in "Ask You Tonight." It was technically perfect, but it didn't move the room.
Still, it left an impression. The rivalry between Stax and Floor7 was reignited.
Tao stood up and turned to everyone. "This doesn't change what we're doing. In fact, it reminds us why we work the way we do. Not for flash, not for quick fame. We build legacy."
The Block M members nodded, some more tense than others. Hoya, who had almost not made it into the group, felt a particular weight seeing Chen front and center of XCITE. He gripped the armrest but said nothing.
Later that night, fans online began comparing the two groups again. "Block M vs XCITE" trended for hours, but many fans posted that "Survivor" still resonated more deeply than "Lightning." Comments like "XCITE brought the storm, but Block M brought the healing" circulated widely.
Mitsunari, checking his phone in the quiet of his studio, looked through the reactions. He didn't comment or repost anything. He simply nodded, then got back to work on his next idea. Because that's what he always did, and he kept moving.
Meanwhile, Block M returned to their practice room. They had a performance of "Survivor" coming up again, and they wanted it even sharper. The fire was lit in all of them. Not out of spite but out of purpose.
And while Floor7 celebrated XCITE's new release, at Stax Entertainment, the focus never wavered.
This wasn't the end of the story. This was just another chapter.
And in the grand narrative of music, heart always outlasts lightning.