132-133

Chapter 132: The Texture of a Voice 

Julio stood at the front of the stage, overseeing the band’s first rehearsal. 

Rehearsals, honestly, were a grind—tedious and exhausting. It was all about tweaking tiny details, checking and rechecking everything over and over. From a pro’s perspective, it was tougher than the actual show. Every step had to be spot-on; there was no room for slacking off or joking around to get through it. Outsiders could hardly imagine how draining it really was. 

One Day Kings had just kicked off their rehearsal. The soundcheck was underway, but there was still a ton of adjusting and teamwork ahead. Julio stepped aside, giving the pros space to do their thing. His job was simple: keep everything on track. 

“…Girl, you’re so amazing, just stay the way you are… stay the way you are… stay the way you are…” 

Ronan’s a cappella voice rang out, plain and unadorned. No flashy tricks, no soaring high notes—just pure, simple singing that carried the melody and lyrics. Yet, in the gentle lift of his tone, there was something captivating, pulling you in without even trying. 

Take the word “amazing” in “you’re so amazing.” Ronan’s pronunciation was fuller, rounder, with a soft curve to his lips that gave the sound a special texture. It was like a whisper in a girl’s ear—quiet, intimate, with a charm that could make your heart skip a beat. 

Or the key word “way” in “stay the way you are.” His voice trembled ever so slightly, stretching the note just a touch, making the next sound shorter and crisper. You could hear a hint of shyness and nerves in that quiver, like the feeling of confessing a crush. 

No big show-off moves, just a soft hum with his own spin on it. The real magic was in the unique texture hidden in his voice—it tugged at your heartstrings without you even noticing. 

Then, maybe to test his pitch, Ronan played with a little rhythm-and-blues riff. “Stay the way you are… ahhh, ah-ah-ah…” He shifted through a few smooth runs, his clear, bright voice flowing like a crystal-clear spring over your heart—sweet, refreshing, graceful, and enchanting. 

Before you knew it, a smile crept up, your eyes locked on Ronan, unable to look away. It was like your whole focus sank into this short, offhand performance. Even just a couple of casual lines carried a mesmerizing charm in their distinct texture. 

Clear, clean, unique—it was as if time’s hourglass slowed down. You leaned in to listen, and the rehearsal’s boredom and fatigue melted away. All attention zeroed in on Ronan, making time fun again, until you lost track of it altogether. 

A flicker of surprise passed through Julio’s eyes.  

He wasn’t a pro, just a listener sharing what he liked. But Julio could definitely sense something different about Ronan—a standout quality. 

“Everything Should Be You” had already won endless praise in Bruno’s hands, with countless covers popping up worldwide. Yet Bruno still had his own vibe, something no one could copy. Today, though, Julio found Ronan’s take shining with its own flavor, painting the song in new colors. For a classic track, that was rare—really rare. 

To Julio, Ronan’s version held its own against Bruno’s. Now he could see why John had tapped One Day Kings as a last-minute opener. This band had a real, unique spark. 

Diego, the sound engineer, felt the same but noticed different things.  

From a sound perspective, Diego could tell Ronan wasn’t “showing off” or trying to kiss up to the concert’s star, Bruno Mars. He was all about testing rhythm and pitch, feeling out the tempo shifts, tweaking details based on highs and lows, and—most importantly—getting a handle on how his voice resonated through the in-ears.  

In just those three short lines, Ronan switched between three different vocal techniques, tuning into how the vibrations hit the in-ears, then adjusting his rhythm and pitch accordingly.  

For most singers, pinpointing those tiny differences was tough—it was more of a gut feeling, adjusted by instinct or raw talent. Plenty of others just crashed and burned live, with pitch, tone, and timing all over the place. Some even went off-key or cracked.  

Only a rare few could pick apart those details by ear—a gift from the universe. (Professional vocal training? That’s a whole different story.)  

Diego could see Ronan tweaking things on the fly—a pleasant little surprise. Even in a test run, the singing was gorgeous. You could feel Ronan pouring different emotions into it: 

The first half was a lover’s confession—sweet and happy with a shy, nervous edge, like a caramel macchiato with a drizzle of honey, the sweetness spilling out from the rich coffee aroma. 

The second half was a quiet ode to a secret crush—trying to stay calm while praising them, but carefully hiding the real feelings behind it, like black coffee without sugar or milk, its bitter depth a private taste only he could savor. 

Diego loved Ronan’s voice, especially its texture. It made you want to close your eyes and soak in it, letting the sound wrap around you as you drifted in it.  

Sometimes, you just know talent when you hear it—that natural gift that leaves you in awe, like the spinning chairs on The Voice. Diego would’ve turned for Ronan in a heartbeat. 

The singing floated through the Verizon Center, echoing around the venue—a normal sight at a concert rehearsal. But a few staff members paused their work, glancing up at the stage, wondering, “When did Bruno Mars get here?” Realizing it was someone else, they went back to their tasks.  

After a brief pause, a slick R&B run came through the speakers—smooth and effortless, like silk slipping through your fingers. That light, flowing texture was so lovely that some staff looked up again, a faint smile in their eyes. Maybe they found the flashy skill amusing, or maybe the dazzling technique and its tender beauty left them quietly satisfied.  

This unfamiliar face could sing. 

Chapter 133: Fully Immersed 

Ronan is completely lost in the moment. 

Truth is, he still hasn’t quite gotten used to the in-ear monitors. It’s like singing underwater—his own voice feels like a faint distraction, something he needs time to adjust to and get comfortable with. 

But at the same time, there’s a part of him that kind of enjoys it. The enclosed feeling from the in-ears wraps around him, pulling him fully into his own little world. It’s like belting out a song in the bathroom while showering—no one else can hear, so he lets loose completely, singing like he’s the king of the stage. 

It’s a weird contradiction, but it feels so real. 

Ronan doesn’t even notice what’s going on around him. Other people’s reactions don’t matter right now. He’s all in on the rehearsal—that’s the only thing that counts. He turns to Cliff, giving a slight nod. “Could you play a bit of guitar for me? ‘Just the Way You Are.’ I want to feel how the notes come through the in-ears.” 

Cliff throws him an “OK” gesture and starts strumming lightly. 

The melody flows through the in-ear monitors, surrounding Ronan completely. He closes his eyes, feeling his pulse slowly sync with the rhythm, beating along with it. It’s like sunlight breaking through the dark, brushing his skin with a faint, warm tingle. His heartbeat joins the flow. 

“Ah, ahhh… ahhhhh… ahhh…” 

Ronan hums along, as if he’s exploring the world through sound—a brand-new world built from notes. The gentle rises and falls take shape in his humming, the soft vibrations in his throat hushing the rest of the world. Dust particles dance like little sprites in the sparse light, weaving into the form of musical notes. 

For a fleeting moment, Oli swears he sees a beam of light pierce through the venue’s roof, spotlighting Ronan and brightening the entire stage. All eyes are drawn to him, unable to look away. 

There’s something magical about Ronan up there. He starts to glow. 

Before they know it, everyone’s caught up in his humming, feeling light and free. It’s like pushing open a golden door to a breathtaking view—towering mountains and vast oceans stretching out endlessly. Arms wide, they could hug the whole world and dive headfirst into that boundless blue. 

Ronan raises his right hand in a signal, and Oli catches it perfectly, dropping a heavy drumbeat right on cue. Sure, “Just the Way You Are” isn’t one of King for a Day’s original songs, but it’s been a massive hit over the past year. They’ve played it countless times at commercial gigs and street performances—it’s more familiar to them than their own tracks. 

Oli kicks it off, then Maxim joins in, and the band’s performance locks into gear. 

The first song King for a Day rehearses? Bruno Mars’ breakout hit, not one of their own. It’s a unique vibe. 

Julio’s left scratching his head: They’re not seriously planning to perform this at the concert, right? This isn’t some jab at Bruno, is it? 

Luckily, Julio’s worries don’t last long— 

After a quick adjustment to the in-ear effect, King for a Day shifts into full rehearsal mode, running through the setlist they’ll perform as the opening act. 

Truth be told, none of the four have fully adapted to the in-ears yet. It’s their first time, and controlling the space and rhythm isn’t as easy as it seems—especially with the venue’s sound system being totally different from what they’re used to. The finer details still need work. 

But rehearsal has to start for real, and Ronan knows they’ve got a ton to do. So, they dive in, getting used to it as they go. 

Concert rehearsals happen in stages: first round for mics and sound, second for lighting, third for stage performance. Every round means running through the full setlist because, at a professional show, sound engineers, lighting techs, and everyone else need to tweak details for each song to set the vibe just right. 

Take the chorus, for example—if the guitarist rips into a wild chord progression, the lights need to spotlight them, not leave them in the dark. 

Or the intro—if it starts with the drummer, the lighting has to match the song’s mood and set the tone for the whole live experience. 

Stuff like that. The crew needs to understand the stage layout and each song’s style to make the right adjustments. 

Details make the difference. It’s not like a Full Moon Party where you cycle through a few lighting presets and call it a day. 

For a top-tier concert, lighting and sound engineers are non-negotiable—and pricey—because their skill decides how the show looks and feels. That, plus stage design, costumes, and makeup, are all key pieces of the puzzle. 

A great concert is a full-on audiovisual feast. 

So, King for a Day has to nail their 30-minute set, making sure every song clicks for the crew. 

Since they only joined the tour lineup today, everything’s starting from scratch—and with the actual show creeping closer, there’s not much time left. The band and staff alike are in crunch mode, pulling overtime to keep the tour on track. 

They’ve got a mountain of work ahead. 

But the band quickly zeroes in, throwing themselves into rehearsal. It’s hectic and heavy, but they’re loving every second. 

Julio breathes a little easier watching them. 

A clattering sound comes from behind—not jarring amid the blasting music, but enough for Julio to glance over instinctively. A smile creeps into his eyes as he steps forward, pulling the newcomer into a big hug. “I was starting to think you weren’t showing up today.” 

“An afternoon phone interview got delayed,” the guy says with a playful groan. “Supposed to be at two, didn’t start till four. I already hit the sauna and got a massage at the hotel, and I still didn’t miss it.” His tone’s light, but the annoyance in his eyes is clear. 

Julio raises an eyebrow, surprised. “Who was it…” Before he can finish, the guy spills it. “Who else? Miss ‘Butterfly’ Mariah Carey. Word is, her little dog’s tummy wasn’t feeling so hot.” 

He rolls his eyes, painting the picture perfectly. 

(End of Chapter)