235-237

Chapter 235: A Low-Key Debut 

“What?!” 

Sophie jumped up in excitement, just like Kevin in Home Alone bouncing three feet high on the bed. She completely forgot about the mess on her face and her earlier embarrassment. Her bright eyes and flushed cheeks said it all—pure happiness, with pink bubbles of joy practically floating around her. 

Her joy was infectious, and Cain couldn’t help but laugh as well. For a moment, he even forgot what he was about to say. After pausing to gather his thoughts, he finally continued, “What I wanted to say is... you probably don’t know, but the band’s album has officially been released. And...” 

He didn’t even get to finish before Sophie cut him off with a gasp of excitement. 

She quickly covered her mouth to avoid disturbing the cozy vibe of the coffee shop—though the quiet chatter around them never really stopped. Still, she couldn’t help but hop in place, doing a little scissor-legged dance to express her excitement. Her actions spoke louder than words. 

Cain smiled even more, the joy clearly visible in his eyes. “And... the band has already started their tour. Guess what—one of the stops is in Washington!” 

“Ah!” Sophie didn’t scream, just let out a short gasp. She held back her excitement, her joy shining brightly through her eyes. That warm melody was still echoing in her ears: 

“Everyone’s chasing the light.” 

To be honest, Sophie wasn’t exactly a die-hard fan of One Day King. After all, the band hadn’t released that many songs yet, and there wasn’t enough material to really form a deep connection. Her impression of them still lingered at the level of being moved and happy during their live concert—that was about it. 

But at her lowest and most vulnerable moment, she first heard “Chasing the Light” again. Then she got not one but two pieces of good news about a band she liked. That small burst of happiness filled her chest to the brim. The joy it brought went beyond the news itself. 

Sometimes, life really is just that simple. 

Time flowed gently like a stream. As summer slowly passed to the other side of the world, the Northern Hemisphere stepped into November—fall in full swing. The stars shifted, and One Day King began a brand-new journey. 

Atlantic Records had also made a drastic change in how they were handling the band. 

In any industry, success isn’t just about talent and hard work. Luck is always a key factor—just like during the Gold Rush, even a little bit of luck could lead to completely different outcomes. It may not be the most important thing, but it could very well be the most decisive. 

And the entertainment industry is no different. 

Some successes happen purely by chance. Some overnight stars shine in ways that can never be replicated. Even building a top-tier superstar requires the right time, the right place, and the right people. 

One Day King had never been able to break through. There were many reasons why, and luck was one of them. Now, Atlantic Records sensed a window of opportunity. They couldn’t predict the future or guarantee success, but they decided to take a leap of faith. 

Originally, the plan was to wait until the band completed their debut studio album. Then they’d follow the usual steps: hold a press conference, shoot music videos, stock the album everywhere, and launch a full promotional campaign—step by step, hoping to win over listeners. 

But now, Atlantic decided to take a back seat. Instead of a traditional marketing rollout, they chose to let the radio buzz grow organically, banking on word of mouth to build momentum. The idea was to create a sense that this was “music discovered by listeners, not pushed by the label.” 

Of course, that didn’t mean Atlantic Records was doing nothing. From behind the scenes, they did make moves—first by informing partner radio stations that the “ban” was lifted. 

That was huge for the stations. It meant green lights all around. DJs didn’t have to take risks like Daniel had—they could now play One Day King’s music freely, whether it was due to listener requests or personal preference. 

And since there was no mandate on how often to play the songs, DJs had more freedom. That little bit of leeway might just tip the scale in One Day King’s favor. 

Even a tiny shift like that, multiplied across thousands of radio stations, could generate unbelievable momentum. 

Soon after, One Day King completed the recording of their debut studio album. 

Atlantic released the album quietly, with no fanfare or promotional campaign, and sent the band straight into their tour. 

It wasn’t the grand, dazzling debut many might expect—no flashing cameras or red carpets. But truthfully, that’s how most indie bands start out. 

Take Maroon 5, for example. In 2002, they released their debut album Songs About Jane under BMG, one of the five biggest record companies in the world. That was during the last golden age of rock. But even so, the album went completely unnoticed at first. 

For the next two years, Maroon 5 was constantly on tour—either performing or traveling to the next gig. It wasn’t until 2004 that Songs About Jane finally caught on and won over the public. The following February, they won the Grammy for Best New Artist. 

At that point, it had been nearly three years since the album's release. 

Maroon 5 wasn’t the first band to debut in such a rocky, drawn-out way, and One Day King certainly won’t be the last. 

Now back on tour, One Day King didn’t seem all that different from before signing with Atlantic. They were still living out of motels, still hitting the road, still hopping between venues, and still mostly unknown. Nothing felt dramatically different. 

But in reality, everything had changed. 

First, they were no longer playing bars or restaurants. Now their shows were in proper venues—places that could hold between 1,000 to 3,000 people. You can’t book those kinds of spaces without a legit company backing you. 

Second, their entire tour was professionally managed: drivers, assistants, sound engineers, lighting techs, directors—an actual crew. They had officially outgrown the amateur circuit. Their performances were now structured and professional, on a whole new level. 

Finally, because the venues were much larger, Atlantic encouraged One Day King to invite one or two other acts to join the tour. If the band couldn’t find suitable partners, the label would step in and extend the invitations themselves. The goal was to create a synergy—where the total impact would be greater than the sum of its parts. 

It was still a tour—but on a scale they had never imagined. 

Chapter 236: The Rising Tide 

"Ronan!" 

Oli's voice rang out in the dark, cutting through the biting midnight winds of the East Coast. The icy gusts howled so fiercely they seemed ready to shred his voice into slivers, making it almost impossible to tell where the sound was coming from. It gave the night a surreal, dreamlike feeling. 

But to Ronan, this wasn’t a problem. Even the wind’s howls sounded like music to him—like a nocturne under the stars, quietly unfolding. 

He lifted his right leg to rest against the wall behind him, leaning forward slightly as he waved at Oli. Then, with a satisfied sigh, he leaned back and refocused his attention on the hamburger in his left hand. He took a huge bite, stuffing his mouth full of juicy meat and soft bread. His brow relaxed in satisfaction, a quiet “Mmm” slipping from his throat as the savory flavor filled his senses. 

Jeremiah Folletts watched Ronan’s face and unconsciously swallowed. Then he laughed at himself. 

“God, watching you eat is making me hungry,” he chuckled. 

Ronan simply gestured toward a brown paper bag on the roof of the nearby car, his eyes inviting Jeremiah to help himself. 

Jeremiah waved it off with a laugh. “I’m really not hungry—honestly. Just watching you makes me feel like I’m starving. I had a burger for lunch, too, but now I’m wondering if I’ve ever actually tasted one.” He paused, eyeing Ronan wolfing down the burger. “Wait, McDonald’s is that good?” 

Ronan’s cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk as he mumbled, “Jeremiah, post-show high-cal food is a gift from God.” 

Tonight, the second show of their New Jersey leg had just wrapped up. 

One Day Kings had invited Shining Band to join them on tour. Back in late September, Shining Band had just finished their first collaborative tour. So when Ronan called Jeremiah with the offer, the timing was perfect—and they’d said yes without hesitation. 

And just like that, the two bands hit the road together. 

Realistically, in terms of name recognition, Shining Band still held the upper hand. But both were on the rise, still climbing the industry ladder. Jeremiah and his bandmates were genuinely excited to work with One Day Kings, and they never acted high and mighty. 

Still, both groups had limited drawing power. Even venues seating between 1,000 and 3,000 required strategic planning. To play it smart, Atlantic Records avoided major cities like New York and Los Angeles, opting instead for nearby alternatives— 

New Jersey and San Diego. 

This made it easier to fill the venues and keep energy levels high. After all, no artist wants to perform to a sea of empty seats. 

In fact, the joint tour had done remarkably well. Their New Jersey venue held about 2,000 people, and for three nights in a row, they had over 90% attendance. Even after the final curtain dropped at 11 PM, the buzz hadn’t died down. 

Over here, Ronan was rewarding himself with a well-earned burger. Over there, a wave of enthusiastic fans had stopped Oli in his tracks. 

“AHH! OH MY GOD!” The shrill scream was loud enough to scare off any nearby crows or rats hiding in the parking lot. 

“Oli! Oli, oh my God! I love you SO much! You’re my absolute favorite in One Day Kings! Can I please get a photo? Please, pleeeeeease!” 

Her voice sliced through the wind and reached Ronan and Jeremiah, who turned to look. 

They saw two excited young girls bouncing in place—and a rather frozen Oli. 

Oli had stopped a few steps away, looking a little stiff and nervous. 

He still wasn’t great with strangers. He needed time to warm up. Once comfortable, he was fine—like with the members of Shining Band. But fans and casual listeners were a different story. They came to hear the music, to support the band, and Oli wanted to give back, to show appreciation, maybe even connect. 

So, he was learning. 

He hadn’t conquered his nerves just yet, but at least now, he no longer turned around and ran. That was already progress. 

He glanced toward Ronan. 

Ronan gave him a fist pump of encouragement. 

Then Oli turned back to the girls. 

To help ease the tension, Ronan raised his voice and joked, “Wait, you like Oli the most? Jeremiah and I are going to be heartbroken!” 

“Sorry! We just love Oli best!” one of the girls giggled brightly, their laughter floating through the wind and softening the atmosphere. Even Oli relaxed a little. 

That’s the magic of touring—artists and fans meeting face-to-face, closing the gap and forming a special kind of bond. Over time, that bond turns a casual listener into a real fan, someone who not only loves the music but starts to admire the person behind it too. 

Simply put, live shows build emotional bridges. 

And now that One Day Kings were back on tour, they were slowly gathering a crowd of dedicated followers. Each band member had their own supporters, and after every show, fans would surround them, eager for a chat or a selfie. That feeling—that this is really happening—was becoming more and more real. 

As for Wesley from Shining Band and Maxim from One Day Kings, they were currently missing in action because fans had caught them while they were buying burgers and fries. Ronan and Jeremiah, however, had pulled their hats low, grabbed the food, and slipped out the back. The others? They didn’t care about food and had already gone back to the hotel. Oli had only come out because hunger caught up to him late… and ended up getting caught by fans. 

Thanks to Ronan’s interruption, Oli’s attention returned to the girls in front of him. After a brief pause, he gave a shy nod. 

“YES!” the girls cheered, bouncing with excitement. Even without words, they understood right away. 

Their joy was so infectious, it made the whole night feel warmer—even the wind seemed gentler. 

Chapter 237: An Important Call 

Watching Ollie doing fan service, Ronan didn’t feel envious in the slightest. He pulled his eyes back and focused again on the brown paper bag in front of him, pulling out his second burger. 

Normally, these burgers looked hefty enough, but in Ronan’s large hands, they instantly appeared miniature—like something he could polish off in just two bites. The way he unwrapped and bit into it with practiced ease made Jeremiah shake his head and cover his face. 

"How many are you planning to eat?" 

Jeremiah still hadn’t gotten used to it. Ronan, who looked all charming and gentlemanly on the outside, was actually a full-blown foodie—and a champion eater at that. Even Ollie, with his tall and brawny frame, couldn’t compete. Ronan was the living proof of the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” 

With a perfectly serious expression, Ronan replied, “Isn’t four the standard portion?” 

Chomp. 

With that, he took a massive bite. Since he’d already eaten one burger earlier to fill the worst of his hunger, he could now slow down a bit and really savor the flavors—the interplay between the bun, the meat juices, and the crisp vegetables. 

“….” Jeremiah was speechless. Watching Ronan devour the burger, the aroma of grilled meat wafting through the air, and seeing that dark brown barbecue sauce oozing between the bread and lettuce—it was hard not to swallow a bit of drool. 

In the end, Jeremiah couldn’t resist. He reached into the paper bag and grabbed a burger for himself, imitating Ronan’s motions. One big bite later, the hot, juicy patty practically melted in his mouth, sliding down his throat with his saliva. It was pure comfort, and every cell in his body seemed to hum with satisfaction. He closed his eyes, wearing an expression of bliss. 

“Right? I told you, a post-show burger is the most delicious thing in the world,” Ronan said with enthusiasm. 

“Of course, McD’s isn’t the best option.” 

“I’m not talking about those fancy five-star hotel gourmet burgers—just regular fast food chains. Even in the assembly-line process, some places manage to craft a distinct flavor, and that’s pretty impressive.” 

“If I could choose, I’d definitely go for Five Guys. Their buns are softer and more fragrant—you can really taste the wheat. Seriously, the grainy sweetness is hidden in the gluten; you have to chew carefully to notice it. But once you do? That faint sweetness adds a whole new dimension to the filling. That’s what makes it so special. And…” 

Ronan suddenly swallowed his own saliva—he could practically taste it just from imagining—and his face lit up with passion, eyes sparkling, his animated gestures radiating enthusiasm. 

Just as he was really getting into it, he was interrupted. 

A big, glaring “I’m not happy” was written all over Ronan’s face as he turned toward Alice, frowning. “We’re in the middle of a very serious discussion.” 

Alice was covered in metaphorical sweatdrops. If food talk counted as a serious discussion, then how much of their daily time was “serious,” exactly? 

Still, she knew Ronan well enough not to argue. Instead, she simply held out his phone. “You got a call you might want to return.” 

When the band performed, none of them carried their phones on stage. Alice held onto them and handed them back afterward. Ronan, though, hadn’t even bothered picking his up—he’d completely forgotten he even had one. 

With both hands occupied by the burger, Ronan just gave her a quick nod, silently asking her to wait. Then he took another big bite. 

Without needing more prompting, Alice explained, “It was Jimmy Kimmel. Since I answered, he seemed a bit surprised and didn’t say much. But I could tell—he probably has something to talk to you about. Maybe it’s better if you call him back.” 

Chomp chomp. 

Ronan didn’t reply right away. He calmly chewed, swallowed, then turned to Jeremiah. “After Bruno’s tour ended, there was a private party. We were lucky enough to attend and meet a few people—Jimmy was one of them.” 

It wasn’t bragging or trying to be mysterious. Ronan explained their connection to Jimmy openly and plainly, so that there’d be no room for speculation or misunderstanding. His tone was easygoing, like he was just sharing news with a friend. 

Jeremiah chuckled, “God, if Wes and I went to one of those parties, we’d probably shrivel up like mummies.” He threw his hands up and shook his head, pretending to ward off the mental image. His exaggerated reaction made Ronan laugh, too. 

“Honestly, if Jimmy hadn’t helped us out that night, it might’ve been a disaster.” Ronan’s tone was sincere. “I don’t know why he called—maybe just to ask for tickets to tomorrow’s show. He and his friends might be coming to Jersey.” 

Jeremiah gave it some thought. “Well, that’s a good thing, right? Who knows, maybe we’re the next Justin Bieber.” 

That sent both of them into laughter. 

Ronan quickly finished his burger—one, two bites, and it vanished. Jeremiah stared in shock, mouth open, completely stunned by how fast it had disappeared. He seriously questioned whether he’d just imagined the whole thing. 

But Ronan didn’t seem to notice. Smiling contentedly, he wiped his hands with a napkin, then took his phone from Alice. Without acknowledging Jeremiah’s dumbfounded expression, he walked off and started dialing Jimmy’s number. 

Ring… Ring… 

After a short wait, the call connected, and Jimmy’s lively voice came through, oddly energetic for this late hour. 

“Finally! I’ve been glued to my phone all night waiting for your call.” 

In the past, Ronan might’ve taken that literally and felt guilty. But after spending more time in North America, he’d learned—this kind of self-deprecating joke was just how they communicated. It wasn’t just for talk shows. It was everyday humor. If you couldn’t laugh at yourself, you didn’t get the joke. 

“Sorry, man,” Ronan said with a big grin. “Ever since we went viral, my schedule’s packed. Didn’t you hear? Prince William’s waiting for me on Line 2.” 

That made Jimmy laugh heartily on the other end. 

And it was obvious—it wasn’t forced. Jimmy genuinely liked him.