271-273

Chapter 271: Suspected Encore 

The night was intoxicating. Brilliant neon lights, piercing cold wind, hazy halos, and wild cheers— All of it blended together like the gentle, deep-blue ocean, waves softly brushing against the skin. The body could feel that flexible force through muscle and flesh. Blood began to boil. Cells screamed with excitement. 

Indescribable bliss. 

“Luonan!” “Luonan!” 

There were shouts from every direction. Here, there—everyone was calling out for Luonan. The voices of fans from One-Day King and Shining Band mixed into a chaotic, roaring mess that made the very air bubble with energy. High-pitched voices from girls, low rumbles from guys—all clashing in tone and style, yet blending together like a magnificent symphony. No words could describe the harmony. 

The passion and exhilaration in the crowd were so pure and intense that you could feel the happiness coming from deep inside. Not even words or looks could fully capture the beauty of that melody. You just had to close your eyes and listen. 

And so, Luonan did exactly that. 

Buzz. Clang. 

It was a unique kind of symphony—majestic like Beethoven’s Fifth, yet gentle and profound like a D major concerto. Emotions flowed thick and full through the notes, making you want to quiet down and soak up every drop of that raw, pure feeling. 

Heavenly. 

That’s the magic of music—there’s melody in every corner of life, but you need a heart willing to slow down and truly listen. 

In his mind, Luonan was already composing a new tune. Sparks of inspiration collided in his thoughts, completely immersing him. This was the ultimate beauty. His smile lifted lightly, and joy surged in his chest. 

After a long and intense performance, the exhaustion slowly settled in. But somehow, it felt like it melted away, reminding everyone why the stage was so beautiful, why they were willing to risk everything for their dreams, and why they kept going— 

For this moment. 

Sophie was the first to notice Luonan. He was like a glowing beacon—wherever he stood, eyes naturally gravitated to him. He didn’t need to do anything special; his aura alone made him stand out. 

Just as she was about to speak, she saw Luonan close his eyes, and her head filled with question marks. What kind of reaction is that? 

But Sophie wasn’t surprised. Her eyes remained fixed on him. Even the rushing crowd couldn’t break her focus. And somehow, time seemed to slow down. The world remained noisy, but all the sounds faded into the background. In that moment, it was just the two of them. And then, she noticed something on Luonan’s face— 

A look of pure enjoyment. Of drifting. 

Enjoyment? Drifting? 

Was he really lost in a moment of bliss? Even though Sophie had made her judgment, she still couldn’t help but doubt herself. Did I misread that? 

“Oh my God!” 

At that moment, Kane finally pushed his way over. He glanced at Luonan, then quickly turned to Sophie— And then looked back at Luonan, confused. 

Wait… is he seriously enjoying being surrounded by all this cheering? 

It’s not that enjoying it was wrong… But the way he stood there, soaking in the applause, he really did look like a king. 

If he were onstage, Kane wouldn’t think twice. Artists need pride and confidence under the spotlight. But offstage? That pride starts looking like arrogance. Without the lights and the stage, it just seems… ungracious. 

Kane knew he was being picky and contradictory, maybe even harsh. But those were his thoughts. Nothing more. 

He wasn’t planning to criticize Luonan for being “full of himself.” He just wanted to leave— To be precise, this moment confirmed for him that he had zero interest in artists outside the spotlight—whether they were singers or actors. And yes, even models. 

Nothing personal. 

So, Kane looked back at Sophie, hoping that now she’d seen the band members up close, she’d be ready to go. But instead, he saw her closing her eyes too—with that same look of enjoyment. 

Kane was utterly baffled. Luonan’s into this, fine—but Sophie, too? What is going on? 

And besides, Luonan was outside the crowd. They were in it. This was not the place to be "enjoying" anything! 

Amid the swarm of people, Sophie relaxed. Her body began to sway with the crowd—and then, she heard it. A melody hidden beneath the cheers. Delicate, enchanting, with a unique texture. 

Even though she couldn’t hear it clearly—only a vague impression— Her spirit leapt with joy. 

“Kane, did you hear that?” Sophie opened her eyes and shouted at Kane, trying to confirm what she’d felt—trying to prove she wasn’t imagining things. 

But Kane couldn’t hear her. The screams and cheers had reached a new level. One-Day King and the rest of Shining Band had appeared, and the entire place was in chaos— Like the world had been turned upside down. 

“Ahhhh!” “Ahhhh!” 

Kane didn’t have time to think. His only goal was to stay on his feet. He instinctively grabbed Sophie’s hand, keeping her steady amid the crashing waves of bodies. 

“Damn it!” 

Just as Kane was about to lose his balance, the crowd quieted slightly. He steadied himself and stood on tiptoe, trying to stay grounded— Otherwise, he'd be swept away like a leaf in the wind. 

Then he followed the direction everyone was looking— And somehow, without question, his eyes landed straight on Luonan. 

Even though the band members were all in the same general area, and no one had a precise line of sight— Kane just knew it was Luonan. It was like Luonan had his own gravitational pull. 

Like a halo. 

Luonan opened his eyes. He didn’t say anything. He simply gestured with both hands, motioning for the fans to calm down. 

But that was no easy task. 

There was no stage to create height or separation— He stood on the same level as the crowd. The fans couldn’t see his hands, couldn’t hear his voice. The sea of people remained a surging mess. 

Boom. Boom. 

Wave after wave crashed forward— And soon, they’d swallow up both bands entirely. 

So now the question is— 

What happens next? 

Chapter 272: So-Called Charisma 

Boom! Boom! 

Waves of searing heat surged forward like beasts with claws and fangs, roaring toward the King of Japan and the members of Shining Band. In the blink of an eye, the scorching tide had already drawn near, threatening to swallow everyone whole. Against the overwhelming numbers, even the most skilled performer could only do so much. No one—not even artists—could stop the tide alone. 

They were like insignificant ants facing the sheer force of nature. 

Kane did everything he could just to shield Sophie with his body, but even they couldn’t resist being pushed forward. The unstoppable flood pressed on relentlessly. One small misstep could easily spiral into chaos. Without realizing it, Kane’s eyes turned to Ronan. 

Maybe, deep down, he wanted to see how Ronan would handle the situation. After all, just moments ago, Ronan had been basking in the applause. But now? Could he still enjoy it? 

It wasn’t schadenfreude, nor was it anger—it was just… curiosity. Pure curiosity. Maybe because Ronan’s behavior had been just too strange. 

And then— 

Ronan realized it too. His actions weren’t working. This was the backstage area of a concert, not the stage itself. The fans, overwhelmed with excitement, couldn’t control themselves. Even those still somewhat rational were powerless against the surging crowd. 

Chaos was inevitable. 

Ronan was caught off guard. 

He had never faced anything like this before—he had no experience to draw from. So… what should he do? 

He turned to Wesley beside him. He thought maybe the Shining Band had some experience, but Wesley looked… just thrilled. Like a kid who loved stomping in puddles and couldn’t wait to put on his yellow raincoat the moment it started pouring. 

He had no intention of avoiding the downpour. 

There was no time to hesitate. Ronan quickly turned his gaze back to the crowd. Raising both hands high, he began clapping in rhythm. 

Clap! Clap! Clap! 

At the same time, he shouted to his bandmates, “Clap! Clap with me!” His voice didn’t carry far, but Ollie and Jeremiah caught on. They nudged the people beside them, and one by one, they joined Ronan, clapping in sync. 

Ronan didn’t linger—he turned straight to the fans in front of him and shouted at the top of his lungs. 

“Encore!” 

“Encore!” 

Again and again, his voice echoed from his chest. His eyes sparkled like stars in the night, and his upturned lips carried an irresistible charm. There was a kind of power in it—hard to describe, but impossible to ignore. 

And just like that, the frenzy was reignited. 

“Encore!” 

The fans at the front picked up the chant. Their memories of the concert were still fresh, and their excitement reignited. One by one, they raised their hands and clapped along with Ronan, reliving the energy of performing side by side with the band. 

“Encore!” Clap-clap! “Encore!” Clap-clap! 

A call, two claps. Then again—another call, another two claps. Soon, their bodies started moving to the rhythm, as if the music had taken hold of them again. Before anyone realized it, voice, movement, thought—even soul—all blended with the beat. 

The chant spread—one person, then two, then three… ten… fifteen… twenty… Until the entire front row had come to a stop, jumping and shouting in place. They were singing the same chant, side by side with Ronan and the others. 

Cheering! Jumping! Celebrating! Partying! 

This was always meant to be a party—where passion and madness drowned out logic. Without thinking too much, they got swept up in the atmosphere and let the celebration carry them. 

“Encore!” Clap-clap! 

Thunderous chants erupted with a force that felt almost unreal—like stepping into a stadium during a championship football game. The synchronized roar shifted from “Let’s go, clap-clap!” to “Encore, clap-clap!” Different words, but the same fire and adrenaline. It truly felt like they were begging for an encore performance. 

The intensity matched the earlier concert encore—if not surpassed it. The booming chants crashed against their eardrums and thundered through their minds. 

Kane couldn’t believe his eyes. Shocked and stunned, he looked around at the twisted, ecstatic faces of the crowd. In an instant, they were back in concert mode—jumping, shouting, full of fire. The chaos had vanished. No one was pushing forward anymore. 

Somehow… Ronan had regained control of the scene. And not by killing the mood—but by lifting it to an even higher peak. 

How…? 

Even having witnessed it firsthand, Kane still couldn’t understand how Ronan had pulled it off. 

He turned to look at Ronan again. That handsome face still wore a bright, radiant smile—but Kane didn’t see arrogance or pride. Instead, he saw something that glowed with a unique kind of charisma, something that kept pulling his gaze back. 

In the middle of the surging crowd, where every face blurred into a mass of symbols, one figure stood out. Ronan. His sharp, bright eyes sparkled even through the haze of lights and noise. He was fully immersed in the moment—soaking in it, savoring it, like a carnival spirit come to life. 

That kind of charm didn’t need words or actions—or even music. It was something that burst from within, a natural aura and presence. No matter where or when, dressed up or not, he’d always stand out in a crowd. 

Wild. Dazzling. Unapologetic. 

Now, faintly, Kane started to understand. What Ronan had been enjoying earlier wasn’t the applause. It wasn’t the crowd. It was something else—something Kane still couldn’t quite define. There was a vague feeling forming in his mind, hard to describe, and it piqued his curiosity. 

Just what was Ronan enjoying? 

“Encore!” Clap-clap! 

In the heart of the roaring chants, Ronan’s smile bloomed fully—dazzling and unforgettable. Kane couldn’t look away. He simply stood there, watching. 

And then… almost without thinking, he joined in. He jumped, shouted, celebrated. The tension and hesitation he’d been carrying melted away, replaced by joy and warmth. He relaxed, giving himself to the unique celebration that surrounded him. 

His blood boiled again. His mind roared once more. 

It felt like the concert had never ended. No—it was even better than the concert itself. 

For Kane, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Chapter 273: Commanding the Entire Scene 

"Encore!" 

Clap! Clap! 

Shouts and thunderous cheers filled the air! 

Everyone was jumping, clapping, and reveling in the moment with wild abandon—but even amid the all-out celebration, there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere that could still be felt. 

At a concert, music becomes the perfect bridge—no need for words. The rhythm and melody alone are enough to draw people in completely. But now, with no music playing, the connection between people had changed. It had become something deeper and more nuanced. 

It was passion. It was excitement, elation, and emotional resonance… a fire that came from the soul, all sparked by the music—and for the two bands standing before them. Or perhaps it started with the music and extended toward the bands. The crowd had transformed from concertgoers enjoying a show into fans who were emotionally connected to the performers. 

The bond beyond the stage slowly closed the distance between them. From the audience to devoted fans, the gap was both vast and intimate—and with that, the chemistry began to take root. 

"Hahaha!" 

Kane heard Sophie’s carefree and joyful laughter. He instinctively turned to look at her and saw her face glowing with happiness, her eyes shining as they looked back at him. No words were needed—he could feel her joy. And it was something Kane had never experienced before. 

Only then did Kane realize his own laughter was rumbling in his chest, uncontrollable and freeing. It made his whole body feel lighter. All the tangled thoughts in his head had quietly vanished, and now, the only thing coursing through his mind was sheer joy and exhilaration—a pure kind of happiness. 

Maybe, just maybe… coming to the backstage of this concert wasn’t such a bad idea after all. And maybe, what existed beyond the stage wasn’t always something to be afraid of. 

Reality might shatter the perfect image created on stage—but it might also reveal a different kind of charm that exists offstage. Everything in the world has two sides. Ultimately, it depends on how someone chooses to see the essence of things. Art is no different. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Kane caught sight of Ronan’s smile. It was nothing like his on-stage persona. Simpler, purer, lacking the dominating aura that had just held the entire venue in its grip. He looked like the boy next door, maybe even a college student. With his T-shirt and jeans, he was surprisingly approachable. It was hard to imagine this was the same lead singer who had just shattered the stage with his performance. That contrast—almost jarring—could’ve felt disappointing. 

Yet Kane found himself liking this version of Ronan. There were no barriers, no sense of distance. Ronan's voice now seemed to carry a new layer of authenticity. Vaguely, the song "Chasing the Light" took on a whole new meaning. But with his mind still buzzing, Kane couldn't fully pin down the feeling. 

What was this feeling? 

Kane couldn’t explain it—but it wasn’t bad. So he let go of his final shred of caution and gave in to the frenzy, his smile blooming fully. 

"Jump! Jump! Jump!" 

"Jump! Jump! Jump!" 

Ronan’s lips curved into an uncontrollable smile—no one knew who started the chant, but soon the entire crowd had picked it up, reducing everything to one simple word: "Jump!" The crowd gave up clapping and shouting, and began bouncing in place. The backstage area instantly transformed into a full-on dance floor. 

"Jump!" 

Even the members of One-Day King and Shine joined in. Ollie looked stunned at first, then burst into laughter. Though he remained a bit reserved and didn’t fully join the dance, the tension in him began to ease. It was progress. 

Ronan turned just in time to see Wesley flailing his head wildly, his hair flying like he was starring in a shampoo commercial. His face was a blur, completely consumed by the beat. Ronan couldn't hold back—he burst into laughter with a loud “Pfft.” 

“Haha…” 

But soon, Ronan realized the energy was about to tip over into something else entirely. If he didn’t rein it in now, this might really become an all-night rave. 

And with a tour ahead, he had to protect his voice. A concert without vocals would be a disaster. 

So, Ronan raised both hands high above his head and repeatedly motioned downward, calling out loudly to the crowd, "Quiet down!" 

Normally at a party or club, nobody would care about such a gesture. Everyone would be too lost in their own world to notice. 

But this wasn’t just any party. 

Just earlier, Ronan had pulled everyone into party mode with just a few words and gestures. So now, when he raised his hands again, people assumed he had another idea. Naturally, they responded—curious and expectant. 

And then, something magical happened. 

Buzz… buzz… 

Little by little, the crowd began to calm down. The dancing, raving audience slowly fell silent. Gasping for breath, with flushed faces and shining eyes, they all turned toward Ronan. You could feel their excitement just beneath the surface. They weren’t done yet. They were still burning with anticipation, yearning for more. 

But even so, they managed to restrain themselves—for now. They watched Ronan closely, as if waiting for his next command, ready to erupt with unstoppable energy at any moment. 

Kane felt his heart surge. 

This was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The heat and adrenaline pulsing through his veins gave his mind a crystal-clear focus. He could feel the excitement in his own body—and all around him. Like waves beneath a calm sea, the audience was holding still, but barely. A storm was brewing, and the one holding the trigger… was Ronan. 

Kane stared at him, unblinking. It felt like he was meeting the real Ronan for the first time. The roar still echoing in his ears made everything feel surreal. He was gasping for breath, heart racing—and yet he couldn’t look away. This moment was even more intense than the concert itself. 

What was this feeling? Why had he never experienced anything like this before? Why did it take so long to open the door to this whole new world? 

And just like that, the raging “ocean” began to settle. 

Even Jeremiah was scanning the scene in disbelief, unable to hide his awe. There was only one thought swirling in his mind: 

How did Ronan do it? 

The band Shine had plenty of touring experience. Being chased by passionate fans was nothing new to them. But they had never found a way to control it. All they could do was brace themselves, try to maintain balance, and wait for the storm to pass. 

No one could control a crowd this wild—at least not in their experience. 

And yet, here Ronan was… proving them all wrong. 

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