Chapter 11:Rising Tension

Chapter 11: Rising Tension

The air around Hana had never felt so charged. The competition for the role of Eclipse's producer was just around the corner, and with each passing day, the pressure mounted. Her songs were ready, the members of Eclipse had given their approval, and she was ready to prove herself. But with every step she took, Soyeon's jealousy simmered beneath the surface, and the weight of that tension made everything feel more intense.

The Final Showcase

The day of the competition arrived, and Eclipse was more involved than ever. They were given a chance to rehearse with the final tracks, but it wasn't just about their performances—this showcase would determine who would be their official producer for the album.

Hana stood backstage, watching the others prepare. The sleek, black outfits of Eclipse shimmered under the stage lights as the group prepared for their final performance. Her heart beat in her chest, every moment feeling like it was happening in slow motion.

"You've got this," Jaemin said, flashing her a grin. "No one can compete with you."

Hana smiled, though her stomach was still in knots. She had been preparing for this moment for weeks, yet nothing could calm the storm inside her. The eyes of the industry would be on her today, and if she failed... she would lose everything.

Soyeon stood off to the side, her gaze cold as she observed Hana with barely concealed disdain. There was no hiding it now—Soyeon resented the position Hana had found herself in. The idea of a rookie songwriter, someone untested and unqualified, being in the running to become Eclipse's official producer was something Soyeon couldn't stand.

"You should just go home now," Soyeon murmured, barely loud enough for Hana to hear, but it was enough. "You know they'll choose someone with more experience."

Hana bit her lip, feeling the sting of the manager's words. But she refused to let them show. The words only pushed her to work harder.

"Let's get to it," she said, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

The Performance

The lights dimmed as the show began. Eclipse took the stage with their powerful energy, launching into their first song. The music thrummed through the arena, and the audience roared as the boys performed with their usual flair. But Hana's mind wasn't on the crowd or the spectacular show they put on—it was on the tracks she had written. This was it. Her moment.

They moved seamlessly through their set, each song feeling more polished than the last. Jisoo's smooth vocals in Luminous, Minjae's commanding presence in Anchor, Hyunwoo's heart-wrenching notes in Glass Skin—it was a true collaboration. But when they reached the last track—the one she had kept for herself—she felt her breath catch.

Phantom Heart. Her song for Taehyun.

The beat dropped, and the room was filled with Taehyun's voice. The lyrics were haunting, the melody dark, and the words... they were everything she felt—everything she had poured into the song just for him. Eclipse's voices blended together beautifully, and the choreography was flawless. But it wasn't just the performance—it was the emotion behind it.

Hana's eyes met Taehyun's during the song, and for the briefest moment, their connection was undeniable. His usual aloofness had softened, just for a second, and his gaze held something deeper. Something unspoken.

The song ended, and the audience erupted into applause. But Hana didn't let herself feel relief just yet. She still had to wait—still had to prove that she deserved to be the producer.

Soyeon's Sabotage

Behind the scenes, things weren't going as smoothly as they appeared. Soyeon was becoming more and more irritable as the day wore on. Every time Hana walked by, she could feel the venom in Soyeon's gaze. The manager had tried to sabotage her in small ways, but Hana had always brushed it off. Today, though, Soyeon had something else in mind.

"I hope you realize you'll never fit in with them," Soyeon said, her voice low and malicious as she confronted Hana backstage. "You're just a girl who got lucky. But lucky doesn't last forever."

Hana's heart raced, but she stood tall. "Maybe not. But I've earned my place."

Soyeon's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "We'll see. You might have the songs, but they won't want someone like you as their producer. Not after today."

The Decision

After the performance, the waiting game began. The judges were deciding, and Eclipse's members were seated off to the side, waiting for the verdict. Hana could feel her palms sweat as she tried to breathe normally, but the tension was unbearable. She glanced over at Taehyun, who was unusually quiet. He didn't look at her, but his presence was calming in its own way.

Soyeon was talking to the judges, her lips moving with a practiced smile. Hana couldn't hear what was being said, but she didn't need to. She knew exactly what Soyeon was doing—making sure the odds were stacked against her.

Finally, the decision was announced.

"Hana, you've done an amazing job," the head judge said, smiling at her from across the stage. "We believe you're exactly what Eclipse needs. Your music has soul, and the members truly connected with it. Congratulations, you're the official producer for this album."

For a split second, Hana couldn't breathe. The weight of her success hit her, and everything that had seemed impossible became a reality. She had done it. She had won.

The Aftermath

As the members celebrated, Hana stood to the side, still reeling from the announcement. Soyeon stormed past her, the fury in her eyes clear. She had lost—Hana had won, and nothing could change that now.

Taehyun appeared beside Hana, his expression unreadable, but there was something in the way he stood next to her—something that felt different, more... real.

"You did it," he said quietly. "I knew you would."

Hana turned to look at him, her heart racing. For a moment, all the chaos around them seemed to fade.

"Thanks," she whispered. "But I didn't do it alone."

Taehyun's lips quirked into a small smile, and for the first time in weeks, Hana felt a glimmer of hope.

End of Chapter 11