Stax Entertainment and the release of "On Air"

After Mitsunari receives the message from Tao with the address to Stax Entertainment, he wastes no time and starts making his way there, weaving through the busy city streets with purpose. As he walks, his mind drifts towards words he has started free styling thinking about what the song could be about for "On Air." The rhythm of his steps sets the pace for a verse forming in his head, each line pulsing with the anticipation and raw energy of everything this opportunity could mean. Words start to align like beats syncing to a metronome, inspired by the buzz of the city, the static of passing conversations, and the hum of something big about to happen. 

As Mitsunari finally approaches the towering glass building of Stax Entertainment, his heartbeat quickens, the rush of nerves and excitement mixing in his chest. The sleek, modern look reflects the overcast sky, casting a cool glow over the sidewalk as he steps through the doors. Inside, the lobby is polished and minimal, buzzing with quiet activity. Waiting near the front desk is a woman in a sharp blazer, her posture professional but welcoming. She greets him by name with a knowing smile and gestures for him to follow. Mitsunari tries to steady his thoughts, brushing imaginary dust from his jacket, knowing this could be the start of something major. 

He's led down a hallway filled with framed records and dim ambient lighting, each step amplifying the anticipation. When the studio door finally opens, Mitsunari is hit with the scent of soundproof foam and the faint echo of bass from another room. Inside, leaning casually near the mixing board, is Tao. He looks up, his expression unreadable for a moment before it breaks into a relaxed grin. "You made it," Tao says simply, his voice carrying a calm confidence. The air between them holds a strange familiarity, like two frequencies finally aligning. Mitsunari nods, his mind already switching gears. As he is partly in awe, preparing to prove he belongs in this room. 

Tao leans back against the mixing console, arms folded as he speaks with quiet intensity. "The track, 'On Air,'" he begins, "is about how, as idols, our lives are constantly being broadcast. It's not just about the performances, we're on air every second. Online, in person, caught in a flash by paparazzi, followed by stalkers, or just watched by the fans who love us. Every move we make can be recorded, shared, and judged. Fame doesn't come with an off switch. So this song is about us telling that truth. The pressure, the exposure, the price we pay to chase this dream. Tao's eyes fix on Mitsunari's, searching for something beyond surface excitement. "So, he adds after a beat, you ready for that?" 

Mitsunari meets his gaze without flinching, a steady confidence in his voice as he replies, "Yeah. I've been thinking about this verse since you sent me the address. I've already got some lines in my head, I just needed to hear the beat." Tao nods once, satisfied, and reaches over to hit play. The track hums to life, as a low and pulsing rhythm with a hook that flows smooth but heavy, echoing Tao's voice: "We live on air, no filter, no fear…" As the beat fills the room, Mitsunari feels a knot of nerves tighten in his chest but beneath it, something stronger starts to rise. This is what he came for. He closes his eyes, lets the rhythm settle into his bones, and knows in that moment that he's ready to lay down his verse. 

Mitsunari steps up to the mic, headphones slipping over his ears as the beat loops in his head. He takes a deep breath, then dives into his verse as each word hitting with clarity and intent. His flow is sharp, threading emotion through every bar as he speaks on being watched, judged, and misread. Tao listens closely from behind the glass, nodding with every line but occasionally jotting something down. After the first take, they go back and make a few small changes to tighten phrasing here, shifting the rhythm there. Mitsunari is open to the tweaks, grateful for Tao's precision and ear for detail. After a few more takes, the verse locks into place, perfectly riding the beat. When the final playback echoes through the speakers, the track feels complete like a clear signal finally broadcast. 

Tao leans back, arms crossed, a small grin tugging at his lips. "This is it," he says, satisfied. "This track's debuting at number one. I'm dropping it the same day VIRE's comeback single hits." Mitsunari's stomach tenses at the mention of his former group as he knows what that means. The comparisons, the speculation, the headlines that'll pit his name against the people he once called brothers. It's a bold move, and Tao knows it. He meets Mitsunari's eyes with calm assurance. "But here's the twist, no one's gonna know who the feature is until the track drops. Your name's not on the teaser, not in the promo. When the track goes live, that's when the world finds out you're back." 

The weight of those words hits Mitsunari hard. He nods slowly, processing it all. The surprise factor, the sudden reappearance, it could shake the industry, stir the fans, and reignite everything he thought he left behind. But beneath the pressure, there's a fire. He didn't come this far to hesitate now. "Alright," he says quietly, voice steady. "Let's drop it." Tao gives a sharp nod, and in that shared moment of silence, it's clear they both know what's coming isn't just a song release. It's a reckoning. 

Two weeks after signing his contract with Stax Entertainment, Mitsunari finds himself swept into a whirlwind of preparation, press teasing, and silent anticipation. Tao's upcoming track has become the most anticipated release of the year it's not just for his long-awaited return, but for the mystery feature no one can figure out. The buzz intensifies with every teaser and cryptic post. Then, just hours before the official release, Tao speaks during a live countdown broadcast, sending the hype into overdrive. "This isn't just my comeback," he says, his voice steady and commanding. "This is the start of our domination of the charts here at Stax Entertainment. Our new artist will become the focal point of this industry soon enough." Tao doesn't mention Mitsunari by name, but the message is clear to anyone who's been watching closely since something big is coming. 

Mitsunari sits in the studio lounge, watching the final seconds count down on a monitor. Despite the calm expression on his face, his heart races. The praise from Tao still echoes in his mind, and the gravity of it starts to settle in. He isn't just a feature as he's being positioned as the centerpiece of Stax's next chapter. As the clock hits zero, the track drops across every major platform. Within minutes, the reaction is explosive. Social media floods with reactions, fans scrambling to identify the mystery rapper, dissecting every bar, every vocal tone. When Mitsunari's voice hits the verse, fans immediately begin connecting the dots. The track soars up the charts, climbing faster than anyone expected. Simultaneously, VIRE's new single releases and the comparison is unavoidable. 

As Tao's track races to the top, Mitsunari's name trends worldwide. Floor7 Entertainment, home of VIRE, begins to panic. Their own release is being eclipsed by the very member they let go. Rumors begin to swirl as calls from Floor7's executives leak, and internal chaos becomes public knowledge. Meanwhile, fans of VIRE launch an online campaign, pleading for Mitsunari to return to the group. Petitions, edits, emotional fan videos, and it all begins to flood his notifications. The love is overwhelming, but it's also a weight. Mitsunari never imagined his comeback would cause this much disruption. 

Knowing he needs to address it, Mitsunari posts a statement on his personal social media. It's short but heartfelt: "I'll always love my brothers in VIRE. They were a huge part of my journey. But right now, I'm happy where I am. Stax Entertainment is my home, and I'm not looking back." The post gains instant traction as its praised for his maturity and honesty by many, while others lash out in disappointment. Still, it's a line in the sand, and it solidifies his commitment to his new path. Behind the scenes, Tao watches the post go up with a satisfied smile. Mitsunari made his choice, and he did it with integrity. 

Floor7, on the other hand, is far from pleased. Executives at the label issue vague statements about "contractual boundaries" and "professional responsibility," hinting at legal action or public rebuttals. It's clear they didn't expect Mitsunari's return to happen like this under a new banner, with a bigger impact than they ever anticipated. But Tao isn't worried. He knows the storm is only temporary. What matters is that Mitsunari didn't just return, he arrived and now the industry is already beginning to shift.