Ollie was taken aback and couldn't believe his ears. "No... tell me, you're not serious."
But Ronan seemed to discern the astonishment in Ollie's words and affirmed "You heard me right. I am serious; I genuinely believe it."
"No, no, no, it shouldn't be like this. The piano should still be used in the first verse..."
"No, the piano should only be introduced when the chorus officially begins. We should leverage the different textures of the keyboard sounds, enrich the layers, and create a three-dimensional effect."
"Ronan, the guitar strings are too thin. Not to mention that the string texture is more suitable for ballads. From a melody structure perspective alone, it's also illogical. We should get straight to the point and use the key sounds to establish the entire theme in the first verse. The skeletal texture, this is the correct approach."
"I disagree, Ollie. I hold that..."
"God, Ronan!"
The conversation between them became rapid, intense, and stormy, with no room for breathing. It resembled a relentless barrage, with arguments flying back and forth.
Neither side would yield, and they stood firm, their faces flushed, almost as if they might resort to fisticuffs at any moment.
Their words rushed out so quickly that they couldn't keep up with their own breathing. Their opinions were stuck in their throats, and Ollie's eyes were wide open, fixed on Ronan. His round eyes seemed poised to pop out at any moment, like a feisty rooster.
However, Ronan remained unfazed.
Throughout the exchange, Ronan never raised his voice or rushed his words. He remained composed and calm, his thoughts well-organized and his demeanor unwavering.
Even when Ollie's temper got the better of him and he repeatedly interrupted, Ronan stayed calm and steered the conversation back to his perspective.
Furthermore, regardless of Ollie's increasing fervor and agitation, he couldn't sway Ronan's resolve.
Ronan's determination and unwavering stance were evident in his eyes, which held a slight smile. Oddly enough, despite Ollie initiating the conversation, it felt as if Ollie was losing control.
As a result, Ollie grew more and more agitated and anxious. Paradoxically, he appeared to be losing ground to Ronan, and he felt increasingly frustrated.
Glaring fiercely at Ronan, Ollie noticed that Ronan looked back at him without wavering, exuding a steadfastness that never wavered. His bright eyes made Ollie start to doubt and feel momentarily confused—what exactly was Ronan so resolute about?
"No! Snap out of it, Ollie!" Ollie slapped his own cheek hard. The sudden movement startled Ronan, as it was an unexpectedly forceful blow that produced a clear sound.
Ollie's cheeks even reddened slightly from the impact. Before Ronan could react further, Ollie abruptly turned and stormed out of the room like a whirlwind.
Ronan was left bewildered: What just happened?
Then Ronan received the answer. There was a heavy knocking on the door from the neighboring room, and Ollie's voice echoed in the hallway. "Maxim! Maxim! Cliff!"
Thirty seconds later, Ollie returned with his rescuers in tow, creating a ruckus. Ollie was attempting to get Maxim and Cliff's input, and the tumultuous voices conveyed the restlessness and frenzy of a midsummer night into the room.
It felt as if three thousand flies were swarming around, but the hurried words failed to explain the situation clearly.
The two newcomers were perplexed
Maxim gave Ronan a questioning look.
Cliff couldn't help but laugh and jest, "One night it was one thing, and now it's another. I bet the other residents are wondering what's going on with this band, and no one has called the authorities yet."
It was a self-deprecating remark that lightened the mood within the band.
"Cliff, no!" Ollie, not in the mood for jokes, assumed that Cliff believed they were quarreling and was eager to clarify.
However, Ollie, sweating profusely and struggling to articulate his thoughts, found himself unable to explain.
He cast an intense gaze at Ronan, silently protesting: This isn't just my problem; don't you have any opinions?
A smile twinkled in Ronan's eyes, and he took the initiative to explain, "I got inspired and created a song, but Ollie and I disagreed on the arrangement. That's when you all showed up."
Maxim's smile relaxed, and he exchanged a playful look with Cliff.
In truth, within the band, all four members encouraged one another to create more and explore new territory. They believed it would spark more creativity.
However, Ronan and Cliff hadn't made much progress. They were both trying, but Cliff seemed to be on the verge of giving up.
As for talent, who could say for sure?
Ronan had always lacked confidence, but he hid it well. He occasionally shared his thoughts with Ollie, but even Ollie didn't know much. Tonight, Ronan brought a pleasant surprise, and Ollie, by bringing Maxim and Cliff, hoped to offer some support. Ronan didn't decline.
Though Maxim didn't expect much, he still gave Ronan an encouraging look.
Cliff stood against the wall, adopting an attentive listening posture.
Skipping the convoluted explanation of the situation, they went straight to the practical demonstration. Ronan felt slightly nervous, worrying about what would happen if Alice liked his creation but his teammates didn't.
What if Alice's approval stemmed from familial comfort, and his teammates delivered a harsh blow?
"Exhale..."
Ronan breathed out quietly to soothe his uneasy emotions. His gaze met Maxim's, and he joked, "There's no need to be shy in front of us. It's not the first time. Don't worry; we all know the right way to criticize. We'll definitely hit the bullseye."
The jest instantly put Ronan at ease. He didn't delve into unnecessary details. He lightly strummed the guitar strings a few times with his fingertips and began to sing a cappella.
Ronan's voice was clear and pure. Though it lacked the husky or deep richness of a smoky or bass voice, it had a unique penetrative quality that quietly captivated the ears.
How could it be described?
As clear as water.
That was Maxim's initial impression.