"Just a small-town girl wandering in a lonely world, she boarded the midnight train going anywhere."
The gentle and clear piano keys sounded like the tinkle of cold spring water, accompanied by a mellifluous voice that narrated the story deep within. The sincere lyrics conveyed a warm smile, facing the world's chaos with composure.
"Just a city boy, growing up in South Detroit, He took the midnight train going anywhere"
There were no frills or complexities, just plain singing that carried the underlying emotions through articulation and melody. The bustling atmosphere in the bar faded into the background. The calmness wasn't silence; rather, it was a peaceful atmosphere where the previously chaotic energy slowly settled. It was as though the turbulence in the air was dissipating, and the mind was drawn in. Even without listening carefully, you could feel the warmth and strength in the singing.
Sincere and pure emotions held tremendous power. A single light, a singing voice, and a quiet listener were enough. The stage was minimalistic, lacking elaborate decorations, yet it emanated raw and impactful energy.
And perhaps it was a coincidence.
Boom! Boom!
Two consecutive drumbeats shattered the emerging tranquility, commanding everyone's attention. In an instant, the audience's focus shifted, and they realized what was happening:
The show was resuming.
But what had just occurred?
There was no time to ponder; thoughts were stifled. The singing on the stage pressed on, capturing everyone's ears:
"A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume"
The keyboard's rhythm gradually grew stronger, and the mellifluous voice hinted at resilience born from life's ups and downs. Emotions began to seep through, with every heartfelt word resonating in the hearts of the listeners. Boundaries between reality and illusion, reality and memory blurred as the melody led thoughts deep within.
Originally, it was a mere shift of attention, but now, eyes displayed traces of trance. Countless memories from long ago, nearly forgotten, but not quite, resurfaced, and complex emotions welled up.
Starting from the figure bathed in stage light, golden musical notes constructed a bridge that reached deep into the hearts, evoking resonance.
"For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on"
Melody and vocals wove together, climbing toward a climax. The powerful drumbeats burst like stars, and the singing blossomed, as if the entire world was illuminated by a burst of stars.
Suddenly, he raised his head, focus sharp, and saw Ronan standing at the center of the stage with open eyes. His deep and clear gaze radiated brightness and joy, and a subtle, contented smile reflected firmness within the song.
Boom! Boom!
Thunderous sounds reverberated, conjuring an image of a desolate late-night street, where one stood bewildered, seeking the North Star's guidance amidst confusion. The guiding voice sounded from deep within, like an inner compass.
"Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night."
High notes soared freely, fires blazed, and emotions were set free. Lingering confusions and loneliness of late nights, long-lost passion and dreams, all came back to life in the listeners' memories. These were things they thought they had forgotten, but now, they were awakened.
Once upon a time, they too had chased their unfinished dreams, partied until dawn, believed they could change the world, and thought the future was theirs. Once upon a time, they had searched for like-minded friends to fight alongside...
Everyone had a lost youth.
However, that was the distant past, long buried in memories, their edges and corners eroded over time.
But now?
They sat in a smoky bar, amidst the scent of alcohol and cheap perfume, drowning their sorrows in bitter drinks, pretending everything was fine. But beneath that veneer, they struggled with the mediocrity of their lives, breathless in their inaction. They had forgotten the exuberance of smiling through an all-night party.
"...Livin' just to find emotion." The singing voice reached its peak, and the flexible high notes carried the tremors of the vocal cords. It was slightly unsteady, bearing flaws, far from perfect. Yet, this imperfection made the figure under the spotlight real, relatable...
Just like everyone present.
He sang with vigor, his powerful voice making every word resonate. The eardrums throbbed in response to the unfiltered emotions conveyed.
"Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice"
For the final time.
This was their last chance to risk it all, to give it their all, to make a daring gamble, to seize their destiny with both hands, even if it lasted just for a single day. They were willing to burn like moths to a flame.
He who sought to be the master of his own fate was content for this one day.