Since that powerful debut stage together, Mitsunari had kept in frequent contact with Jeren and the members of TurnUP. They messaged often, sent memes, gave each other musical feedback, and occasionally hopped on late-night calls to talk through creative ideas or just blow off steam. Mitsunari had become an unexpected big brother to the group, especially to Jeren, who leaned on him more than he realized.
It had been several weeks since the survival show had begun, and out of the initial 100 contestants, only 30 remained. Remarkably, all five members of TurnUP had survived so far. Their fans that were new and old were rallying behind them with surprising momentum.
The producers of the survival show decided to shake things up for the next challenge. They divided the remaining 30 contestants into five groups of six, each group tasked with covering a popular song from the past year by notable artists in the industry.
Group One, which included Johnny, was assigned KIK UP's viral pop anthem, "See Ya". Known for its complex formations and flirty energy, the challenge for this group would be mastering both the vocal finesse and sharp choreography.
Group Two had Hoya and were told to tackle MASH's explosive and high-tempo track, "Stampede". It was an aggressive, fast-paced song with unpredictable drops that's perfect for showcasing stage presence but brutal for stamina.
Group Three had Mark, and their assignment was none other than VIRE's emotional powerhouse, "Code Nineteen." A fan-favorite with intense vocal peaks and a story-driven performance, the expectations were sky-high.
Group Four, the only one without a member of TurnUP, was handed MAYZE's ethereal ballad-dance fusion, "Feather." A hauntingly beautiful piece known for its subtle elegance and flowing movement, it tested control and sensitivity.
Group Five had Suho, and they drew LYO's energetic anthem "Rowdy" a track that relied heavily on charisma and freestyle choreography. The group knew they'd have to bring not just precision but attitude.
And finally, Group Six, where Jeren had landed, received what many considered one of the hardest pulls: "Is This Something More," one of Mitsunari's most emotionally raw and performance heavy songs to date.
The announcement caused a wave of surprise throughout the studio but the biggest reaction came when the staff revealed that a special guest judge would be arriving that day to evaluate the rehearsals.
When Mitsunari walked in, the room exploded. Some contestants screamed. Others gasped. A few just stood in stunned silence. It wasn't every day that a contestant had to perform an artist's own song in front of them.
"Yo, chill, chill," Mitsunari said with a grin, waving his hands. "I'm not here to scare you. I'm just here to help. I've been where you are. And I just wanna see you all shine."
The tension visibly melted from the room. Even the most nervous contestants started smiling. His presence wasn't intimidating as it was reassuring.
Mitsunari made his way from group to group during rehearsals, giving feedback, clapping during the practices, and even demonstrating a few moves here and there. When he reached Group Five, where Suho was working on "Rowdy", Mitsunari saw that they were struggling with the choreography's timing and energy shifts.
Without hesitation, he dropped his bag, stepped into the mirror line, and began breaking down the choreography count by count. His energy sparked theirs, and soon, the group's confidence returned. Suho gave Mitsunari a thumbs up after nailing a difficult section, and Mitsunari smiled, nodding in approval.
Meanwhile, Group Six, with Jeren, was feeling the pressure. Performing "Is This Something More" in front of Mitsunari was both an honor and a massive weight. The song was vulnerable and emotionally demanding as it wasn't just about hitting moves; it was about feeling everything.
Mitsunari sat cross legged during their run through, observing each member carefully. Jeren, always a perfectionist, stumbled during a solo line and lost his flow. Mitsunari noticed the drop in Jeren's energy immediately.
When the practice ended, he stood up and clapped. "That was solid, but not quite there yet. Jeren," he called gently, "you're in your head, man. You don't have to be me. You just have to be you by telling the story in your way."
Jeren nodded, a little breathless, but took the words to heart.
Backstage, the members of TurnUP huddled during break. They all felt the added pressure, but seeing Mitsunari in person again brought a sense of peace. During the earlier rounds of the survival show, they had spoken openly about the impact Mitsunari had made on them and how he believed in them, mentored them, and helped reignite their passion.
Unknown to the others, Mitsunari had already spoken privately with the judging panel weeks before the show aired. He had given TurnUP his full endorsement, telling them, "They just need the right moment to remind people who they are."
And now, as rehearsals came to a close, that moment was almost here.
Each group performed snippets of their assigned songs in front of Mitsunari, who sat next to the main producers, giving notes and sharing insights on everything from mic control to transitions.
During Group One's cover of "See Ya", Johnny surprised everyone by perfectly replicating the cheeky smirk and dance break that had made the original viral. Mitsunari clapped and laughed, clearly impressed.
Group Two's Hoya shined in "Stampede," taking the center during the most aggressive parts of the track. He had improved immensely from the earlier rounds, and the confidence showed.
Group Three's performance of "Code Nineteen" brought even the producers to quiet applause. Mark's voice cracked with emotion, and rather than apologize, he pushed through the final line with raw power just as VIRE had done on their debut stage.
Group Four's graceful rendition of "Feather" moved Mitsunari. He scribbled a note to the director: "This team surprised me."
Then came Group Five with Suho, who led the rowdy charge across the stage like he owned it. The energy was chaotic and fun, the improvements from Mitsunari's coaching clearly visible.
Finally, Group Six stood before him. Jeren stepped forward, took a breath, and began the song that once represented Mitsunari's deepest thoughts.
This time, he didn't try to mimic Mitsunari. He made it his own. His voice trembled at the start, but when the beat dropped, his body flowed with ease, every lyric colored by his own journey. When the final line came, Jeren's voice cracked again but this time it felt intentional, perfect.
Mitsunari stood and clapped, smiling widely. "That," he said, "was you. And it was amazing."
By the end of the day, the contestants were exhausted but uplifted. Mitsunari's presence had changed the mood entirely. He wasn't just a judge as he was a beacon.
For TurnUP, seeing him again reminded them of where they came from and how far they'd come. They weren't out yet, but they were climbing. And this challenge might be the push they needed to reach the next stage.
As the lights in the studio dimmed, Mitsunari passed Jeren in the hallway. He tapped his chest and whispered, "You're still rising. Don't stop now."
Jeren nodded, eyes determined. "I won't."