The morning after the confession video, the internet was a battlefield.
The love was loud—but so was the hate.
Headlines clashed across news sites:
> "LUMINA's Kael and Klan Confirm Relationship—Industry Divided."
"Fans Defend the Idol Couple Amidst Backlash."
"CYN Stock Drops After Idol Love Confession Goes Viral."
Klan scrolled through his phone slowly, curled in a blanket on the dorm couch. The supportive comments warmed him… but the hateful ones stung more than he expected.
> "I can't believe they lied to us."
"They ruined LUMINA's image."
"Why would an omega idol think it's okay to go public?"
His hands trembled. He put the phone face down.
Kael, who had just returned from his solo vocal session, paused at the doorway. "You read the comments again."
Klan didn't answer.
Kael crossed the room and gently pulled the blanket down to see his face. "Klan…"
Klan met his gaze, eyes rimmed red. "I knew they'd hate me more than you. I knew it."
"They're just loud," Kael said softly. "But not right."
---
At CYN's headquarters, things weren't any calmer.
The boardroom was in flames—figuratively.
"Pull them from the comeback!" one executive shouted.
"They violated public trust!" another added.
The CEO stared out the window, expression unreadable. "No."
Everyone turned.
"What?"
The CEO turned back slowly. "We tried to silence them. And they still came back stronger. That video? That was love. Not a scandal."
Silence fell.
He sighed. "Let the storm pass. But don't pull them. Let's see what the world really chooses."
---
That choice came faster than expected.
LUMINA's fan café tripled in members overnight.
Their song "Eclipsed Hearts" jumped 43 spots on the charts.
Hashtags like #LoveWinsWithLUMINA and #OmegaRightsAreIdolRights trended for hours.
But the backlash didn't disappear.
Some variety shows canceled their appearances.
A brand deal for Kael's cologne was suspended.
Hateful videos surfaced, dissecting their every move.
In a now-viral clip from a live fan call, a fan bluntly told Klan:
> "You should've stayed quiet. I loved you before. Now… you're disgusting."
Klan smiled gently through the screen and answered, "Then maybe… you never really loved me at all."
---
That night, the members gathered around the practice room mirror, watching fan cams.
Eren sighed. "We're in deep now."
Sion cracked his neck. "Then let's swim, not sink."
Tavi added quietly, "If one fan hates me for who I love, I'll sing for a hundred who don't."
Kael looked at them all and then at Klan—who still hadn't smiled all day.
"Let's give them something they can't ignore," he said.