In the creative heart of Stax Entertainment, Mitsunari sat alone in one of the dimly lit studios, a soft red glow from the equipment panels reflecting off the glossy floor. He wasn't just producing another track as he was crafting a statement. A celebration. A battle cry. The beat pulsated through the room, heavy with attitude and layered with deep kicks and subtle synth swells. This was "Burn," a hip-hop-influenced pop anthem he was building specifically for Block M.
He had envisioned "Burn" as a powerful showcase of each member's growth introducing rhythmic rap sections seamlessly colliding with melodic, emotional vocals. He wanted everyone to shine: Jeren's fire, Johnny's cool precision, Hoya's resurgence, and Suho's smooth blend of charisma and grit. It would be their anthem. A track not just to celebrate their debut, but to send a message to everyone watching as Block M wasn't just a survival show project, they were a movement.
In the main practice room, Block M was completely unaware of what was brewing. They were finishing up rehearsals for a smaller showcase when Mitsunari called them in, one by one, to test out parts he was working on. The hook, intense and sharp, demanded all nine of them in unison, dancing like their lives depended on it. The verses were fast, fierce, and rhythmically intricate, pushing their delivery and stamina.
"It's hard," Mark admitted after his first run-through, chest heaving, "but it's addicting."
"You built this for us?" Josh asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
Mitsunari smiled. "This is your reward. You earned it."
Tao watched from the booth, arms crossed, impressed by what he saw. When practice ended, he motioned for Mitsunari to step outside for a word. The air in the hallway was quieter, more serious.
"There's a rumor," Tao began, voice low. "I'm hearing that Floor7 is planning something."
Mitsunari's brows furrowed. "What kind of something?"
"Another release. Possibly on the same day as Block M's debut performance for 'Burn.' Chen will be in it, maybe even leading it." Tao's tone was sharp, but calm. "It's not confirmed. Just whispers."
Mitsunari took a breath. "You want me to tell the others?"
"No," Tao said, shaking his head. "Let them focus. You and I will keep an eye on it."
Though Mitsunari nodded, he felt a spark ignite inside him. This wasn't just creative rivalry anymore. This was strategic. Floor7 wasn't done trying to overshadow them.
Still, he didn't let that disrupt his process. Back in the studio, he made more revisions while sharpening beats, layering harmonies, enhancing every moment. He added a bridge after Donghun's rap verse, giving Hoya and Johnny a chance to duet with vocal intensity, and the result gave him chills.
Meanwhile, choreography rehearsals began. Tao had brought in two of the best hip-hop dancers in the industry to assist Mitsunari with shaping the routine. It was, by all standards, brutal. There were no clean breaks since only beat drops and dynamic formations.
During one late-night session, Suho collapsed onto the floor, laughing. "Are we training for a track or a war?"
Jeren grinned, eyes gleaming. "Maybe both."
Mitsunari watched proudly. "This is the hardest thing I've ever made… and the best thing I've ever made for someone else."
Back in Tao's office, another conversation was brewing.
"You're going to need to start prepping soon," Tao said one morning.
"For what?" Mitsunari asked, sipping his coffee.
"The survival show. For the girl group." Tao slid a folder across the table. "We start the recruitment process soon. You'll be a judge. One of the creative directors. You'll help shape the foundation, the sound."
Mitsunari blinked. "I'm building a team and mentoring them again?"
"Yes," Tao confirmed. "Only this time, it's bigger. It's the first girl group under Stax."
Mitsunari sat back, processing the weight of it all. His own debut album had only just settled into the world. Now he was helping raise another generation.
But first, there was "Burn."
Block M continued perfecting the track. Every member now had their own role locked in as Josh opened the song with powerful bars, Mark followed with slick wordplay. The vocals from Issac and Donghun soared while Byeongkwan and Johnny handled transitions with intricate flair.
As the official stage date approached, teasers were filmed. Outfits were prepared. The music video shoot was wild, shot across industrial rooftops, neon-lit alleyways, and fire-lit sets. True to its name, the song burned with hunger.
And though Mitsunari never told them about the rumored Floor7 release, every member of Block M pushed like they already knew. They felt the pressure in the air, the weight of expectation, the whispers of comparison.
On the final night of rehearsal, the full team gathered with Rui, Jun, Mizuha, Tao, and even VIRE. They watched the final run-through in awe. The stage was explosive, and the guys gave it everything.
"Whatever Floor7's planning," Rui said quietly, "they better be ready."
Because what Mitsunari had created for Block M wasn't just a single. It was a firestorm. And once "Burn" dropped, it was going to scorch everything in its path.