"Forget. Give up. Turn around."
It seemed as if numbness would make everything alright. It seemed like self-deception could change everything; create a brand new horizon.
But was it really that simple? Could he truly convince himself? Could he truly find happiness? Could he genuinely discover his own future? Could he actually give up?
In the past, when life came to an abrupt halt, it had felt like shackles. Unwillingness and regrets had fueled him, pushing him to keep running, fighting for every breath.
Now that he'd regained his health, should he choose a different path? Should he give up music and explore a broader life?
Regardless of the past or the present, the dream of music seemed like a dead-end. Perhaps giving up was indeed the easier path.
"Ah!"
A roar erupted from deep within his soul, growing louder and more intense. The rhythm in his mind burst forth like a thunderclap, causing his heart to coil, even his blood vessels tingled with pain, and his entire body tensed as it surged towards its peak.
Ah.
Ah!
The roar from the depths of his soul broke through its constraints and burst from his throat,
"Help me, it's like the walls are caving in
Sometimes I feel like giving up
No medicine is strong enough
Someone help me
I'm crawling in my skin
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can't"
Give up, simply give up, turn around and forget it all. But he couldn't. He just couldn't do it.
It was because he understood what it meant to persist to the end. He comprehended the bumps and thorns that lay ahead.
He knew his persistence was a foolish choice, pushing himself into a situation he was unsure of. He understood it all, but he still couldn't do it.
He couldn't.
Emotions poured out in an instant, and Ronan involuntarily clenched his fists. He opened his eyes, looked up at the starry sky, and saw the brilliant starlight reflected in his pupils.
He could clearly capture the bright and dazzling starlight, as if he could grasp a shooting star tearing through the night, and in that moment, the entire world seemed to be ablaze before him.
"It isn't in my blood
It isn't in my blood"
The energy in his melody soared to its peak, taking a beautiful pause to let the emotions blossom to the fullest. It was exquisitely controlled, allowing the heart to swell at its climax.
The sound was beautifully contained, suppressing the bubbling of blood, and the blazing fire surged deep within his pupils, igniting the misty vapor.
Ronan's singing reverberated in the empty swimming pool, the echoing sound creating ripples upon ripples. Despite the lack of water in the dry pool, one could sense the grandeur and majesty of the crashing waves.
Silently, Alice watched Ronan's silhouette through her camera lens. There was a sense of openness and vastness, as though her chest could embrace the entire world, the blue sky, and the sea. It was as if everything was within her reach.
Tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily. Hot tears blurred her vision, but the lingering touch warmed her heart. She had heard Ronan's cry for help and sensed his inner turmoil and pain.
Ultimately, Ronan was just an ordinary person with dreams, struggling and fighting in a world full of obstacles. After seven years of persistence, he was running toward a future without an end in sight, uncertain if he was even heading in the right direction.
He grew tired; he wanted to give up. He understood what the right choice was, but he couldn't.
He couldn't.
He even called out for help, hoping someone would stop him, perhaps even tie him down and force him to give up his pursuit.
But...
Alice knew that even if someone tied Ronan's hands and feet, they couldn't bind his spirit. His soul remained free, passionate, and wild, always ready to spread its wings and soar. The sky was where Ronan's heart truly belonged, and no one could restrain him.
It was in his blood, etched deep into his soul, an inherent part of him.
Ronan's pure and resonant voice echoed in Alice's ears. Despite its high pitch, it held a touch of tenderness and unwavering passion. It enveloped the night, warm and clear, breaking down every defense to warm the heart.
Through her camera lens, Alice watched Ronan's back. It seemed that after expending all his energy, his shoulders drooped from fatigue, and a shadow cast over his bowed head. At this moment, his facial features were obscured, but Alice could still capture a sense of loneliness.
Sizzle.
Sizzle.
The sound of the camera film winding spread through the air, followed by a crackling noise. The streetlight next to the swimming pool seemed to short-circuit, sparks inexplicably bursting forth, before fading into darkness. A burning smell lingered in the air.
Both Alice and Ronan raised their heads suddenly, their eyes directed toward the sacrificed streetlight. There was a sense of bewilderment in their gaze. Then, Ronan noticed Alice's presence.
Turning toward her, Ronan spotted the camera and his movements became stiff and unnatural. Even his voice took on a formal and somewhat artificial tone as he asked, "Why are you here? When did you show up over there?"
"Puchi!" Alice burst into laughter and approached Ronan with the camera in hand. "No need to be nervous. Just pretend the camera isn't there. Be yourself, authentic and genuine. That's all you need to do. Consider it my second pair of eyes."
Alice used the camera lens to get closer to Ronan's face. He raised his hand awkwardly to stop her, which only made Alice laugh even more.
She then turned off the camera and set it aside; it seemed they had captured enough footage for the night, and she needed to change the film if they continued.
But Ronan was still adjusting. After confirming the camera was off, he visibly relaxed. "How can I ignore the camera when it's right there?"
"That's something you'll have to get used to," Alice said with a smile. After a moment of silence, she continued, "I believe you should keep going."
Ronan looked puzzled.
Alice clarified, "I mean, the song you just sang. I could feel the power in the melody and the emotions in the lyrics. If this isn't reason enough for you to continue, then life won't offer a more perfect answer."
With that, Alice gently bumped her shoulder against Ronan's.
"Believe me, the stage belongs to you. When you sing, you're transformed. I can see your aura! It's in your blood."