The backstage area was chaos. Staff rushed around with clipboards and headsets, idols adjusted their outfits in front of full-length mirrors, and cameras flashed for behind-the-scenes interviews.
LUMINA waited in a quiet corner, lined up for their turn on stage. Their comeback performance would stream live on one of the biggest music shows in Korea—a chance to grab attention, maybe even gain new fans.
Kael checked his reflection for the tenth time, adjusting the black leather jacket on his shoulders. His sharp amber eyes scanned the other groups as they passed, confident but calculating.
That was when the room seemed to shift.
A group of five walked in like they owned the place—heads high, movements sleek and practiced. Their name tags read ASTRIX, and their presence was impossible to ignore. Fans screamed from the hall outside the door just at the sight of them.
Kael's jaw tightened. Of course he knew them. Everyone did. They were the rookie kings—the group that had debuted just two months before LUMINA and was already breaking records.
Lior, their leader, was the first to spot Kael. He smiled—a calm, elegant smile that didn't reach his eyes—and walked over. His team followed like shadows.
"Well, well," Lior said, his voice smooth as silk. "If it isn't LUMINA. Performing after us, right?"
Kael didn't flinch. "Yeah. Why?"
"No reason," Lior said with a shrug. "Just hope you can keep the energy up after our stage." His lips curved into a perfect, polite smile. "It would be… embarrassing if the audience fell asleep."
Eren scoffed under his breath, but Kael raised a hand to silence him. His amber eyes locked on Lior's, unblinking.
"We don't need your concern," Kael said flatly. "We'll handle it."
Lior chuckled softly, tilting his head like Kael had just said something amusing. "Confidence. I like that." He leaned closer, his voice dropping so only Kael could hear. "But confidence won't save you from irrelevance."
Before Kael could reply, the staff called ASTRIX to the stage. Lior winked and turned away, leading his members with perfect grace.
As they walked off, Eren cursed low. "Cocky bastards."
Sion—who had been silent until now—smirked, arms crossed. "They're good, though. Admit it."
Kael ignored him. His hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles burned. He hated the way Lior spoke, like LUMINA didn't matter.
He turned to his members, voice sharp and commanding. "Focus. We're next. No mistakes."
The others nodded quickly, falling silent under the weight of Kael's tone.
But as they moved toward the stage entrance, Kael caught sight of Klan. The omega walked quietly at the back, head bowed, fingers twisting nervously. His soft ash-brown hair hid most of his face, but Kael saw the tension in his shoulders.
Klan had seen the fans outside screaming for ASTRIX, their banners filling the hall. Not a single one for LUMINA.
Kael slowed his pace until he was beside him. "Don't let them get to you," he said low, just for Klan.
Klan startled slightly, glancing up with wide gray-blue eyes. "I'm not—"
"Don't lie." Kael's voice softened, just a fraction. "You're better than you think."
Klan's throat tightened. He nodded, even though the ache in his chest didn't ease.
Because deep down, he wondered if Lior was right. If no matter how hard they tried, they'd never shine bright enough.
The stage lights flared, and the MC's voice boomed.
"Next up—LUMINA!"
Kael reached for Klan's wrist just before they stepped out, his grip firm, grounding.
"Eyes up," Kael murmured. "We own this stage."
For a moment, Klan believed him.
But as they walked into the blinding lights, the roar of the crowd for ASTRIX still echoed in his ears.