426-430

Chapter 426: A Heartfelt Moment

Originally, Jay Leno and Anson were just joking around—the question of whether the band members would attend the "Spider-Man" premiere wasn't the main point at all. The real focus was how the topics of discussion became so intertwined, each one leading to the other.

However, Connor, with a serious expression, said, "Uh, I took a week off from the supermarket. I'm not sure if I can make it; I need to check with my manager."

Laughter, which had been bubbling up, slowly fizzled out, and the atmosphere suddenly grew cooler.

The entire studio fell silent.

At home, the supermarket manager, who was in the middle of eating a sandwich, choked and began coughing violently: "I... cough, cough... I’m innocent."

Jay Leno raised an eyebrow, voicing the question on everyone's mind, "Supermarket?"

Connor, unfazed, nodded calmly. "Yes, I work as a cashier at a supermarket. Sometimes I help with inventory and stocking; that's my job right now."

Jay Leno remarked, "Wow, so when Anson said there were two versions of the story, he wasn’t joking?"

Anson threw up his hands in mock exasperation, looking to the heavens as if to say, "What happened to trust?"

Low laughter rippled through the audience, but it quickly quieted down.

Jay Leno pressed on, "So, what's your version of the story? Before that performance, before you met Anson, what was happening?"

Lily looked at Connor, who looked at Miles; their expressions were tinged with difficulty.

Even though time had passed and those memories should have lost their sting, the reality was different. The three of them were still scattered, standing in the long tunnel of chasing their dreams, searching for a glimmer of hope.

Two years had passed, but nothing had changed dramatically.

That was the harshest truth.

In the end, it was Miles who, with the most composure, gave the answer.

"Actually, by the time Anson showed up, the band was on the verge of breaking up."

"We had held on for a long time and tried a lot, but we couldn’t find a way out."

"That day, we ended our performance early because yet another member decided to leave. He couldn’t keep going, and we argued—it wasn’t a pretty scene."

"We were trying to chase our dreams, but clearly, life had other lessons in store for us."

Miles, ever the straightforward one, narrated what was a tumultuous story in the tone of a simple, bland recounting—no dramatics, no tears.

Yet it was this calmness that made the truth feel even more brutal and cold.

As the studio atmosphere settled into a somber mood, Jay Leno once again displayed his knack for lightening the moment.

"Anson, so you just stood by and watched all this?"

All eyes turned to Anson.

Anson: Me???

Then Anson spoke, "Yes, like Hermes, I quietly observed everything from the sidelines and then swooped in to steal Apollo's cattle."

His quick wit and easy banter with Jay Leno sparked laughter again, lifting the mood in the studio.

Even though the topic had turned heavy, it was a late-night talk show, and there were always ways to present and dissect things differently.

This time, Jay Leno leaned back, satisfied, and said, "No, what I mean is, this must be where you got the inspiration for 'Wake Me Up,' right?"

His look and tone seemed to say: See? You misunderstood me.

A clever twist, and Anson hadn’t expected to be "caught" by Jay Leno like this, but he didn’t mind, nodding in confirmation.

"Actually, that’s correct."

"As I mentioned earlier, I had just finished a movie audition that day. I thought I did well, but I wasn’t sure if I would get the role. Clearly, Hollywood doesn’t believe in tears."

This small, self-deprecating remark brought another round of soft laughter from the audience.

"Then, I saw their street performance, noticed their bold choice of including a cello, and also witnessed the emptiness and the struggles that had pushed one of the band members to his breaking point."

"I don’t blame the person who left because chasing a dream is really hard, but I thought to myself, I’m willing to keep dreaming until the day someone wakes me up."

"In that moment, inspiration struck me."

In Anson's simple words, conveyed with a light smile, there was soul and color. Now, thinking back to their earlier performance, those words carried weight—more powerful than any slogan or declaration.

The audience erupted into thunderous applause.

This time, there were no cheers or whistles—just pure, simple applause that gradually built into an overwhelming force, reverberating through the entire studio. The energy was palpable, shaking the set of "The Tonight Show" in a way that was rare, if not unprecedented.

Perhaps "The Tonight Show" isn't like "The Oprah Winfrey Show," where the focus is often on heartwarming stories and emotional moments. But that doesn't mean it shies away from touching on the bitterness and pain that often lie beneath humor. In fact, the best comedy often springs from tragedy.

At this moment, no one was an exception.

Clap, clap, clap.

The applause, like a tidal wave, swept through the room.

The studio erupted in a way the crew hadn't seen in a long, long time—or maybe ever. There were laughs and applause, excitement and astonishment—a rollercoaster of emotions.

Some audience members got up from their seats, not to approach the stage, but to stand on tiptoes and get a better view of what was happening.

In the backstage area, Ivan noticed Hayden’s distracted demeanor. "Hayden, are you okay?"

Hayden’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly waved his hand to brush off the concern. "I’m fine, just a bit of a stomach ache. I just need some fresh air."

Despite his words, Hayden's gaze involuntarily drifted back toward the stage.

Even though he wasn’t there to witness it, and couldn’t hear what was happening, he had a strong intuition that all this commotion, all this energy, was because of Anson.

For a moment, his thoughts wandered, his focus dissolving into the air, carried away by the intensity of the atmosphere.

The excitement, the passion, the fire—it was almost too much to believe this was just a late-night talk show taping. But Hayden couldn't help thinking that with Anson, anything was possible.

Jay Leno wasn’t immune to the moment either. His gaze fell on Anson once again. This young man kept surprising him, time after time.

But Jay didn’t ask Anson another question. Instead, he turned to Miles. "So, when your video went viral on the forums, did those band members who left come back?"

Miles: ...

Miles’ expression darkened. Despite his efforts to suppress it, he couldn't hide the anger brewing in his eyes. The emotions were raw and powerful.

He didn’t want to answer—not because he couldn’t, but because he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to use those ugly, bitter words to describe those people, fearing it would taint his mouth. He had no desire to associate with them.

Call him naive, call him foolish, say he was out of touch with reality—it didn’t matter. But he believed that:

One must have principles.

Without principles, one becomes nothing more than a worm or a hyena, and even if success is achieved, it can’t hide the squalor and pettiness of the soul.

This was Miles’ conviction.

So, he sat up straight, lifted his head, and held his chin high with a quiet dignity, refusing to speak. The silence hung in the air, creating a brief but palpable pause in the show.

*Chapter 427: The Weight of Dreams*

Although talk shows aren't live radio, where three seconds of silence would be a broadcast disaster, even a brief audio gap during a recorded talk show can still be disastrous.

Yet, Miles didn’t care.

Facing Jay Leno’s question, Miles stood tall with clear eyes but refused to speak, letting the silence linger in the air.

It was a bit awkward.

This time, Anson didn’t interject—

This was their story, their life, and he was just an observer, not in a position to comment or interfere.

Lily glanced at Connor, whose jaw was slightly clenched, clearly struggling to control his anger. In the end, it was Lily who sighed softly and spoke.

“Yes, they did reach out to us again.”

“But after some probing, once they realized we hadn’t signed with any record label, they hung up.”

Just two short sentences, but they carried the weight of much bloodshed and scars.

No one else could imagine what they had felt, the conversations and emotional turns they went through with their former bandmates, leading to final disappointment and pain.

Lily was also trying her best, trying to keep her emotions in check, stating the facts as plainly as possible, avoiding too much personal emotion.

Jay Leno glanced at Anson, who now had his eyes downcast, deep in thought, his presence quietly subdued, with no intention of making a joke.

Jay Leno spread his hands, “Once this show airs, they might regret hanging up too soon.”

A small joke lightened the mood again.

It wasn’t that Jay Leno was being flippant, but "The Tonight Show" wasn't the place for deep, heartfelt conversations; they needed to maintain the overall tone of the show.

As for deeper thoughts, those were for the audience to ponder.

Blair and Karen exchanged glances, clearly not having anticipated that such a story lay behind that performance.

But thinking about it, Blair wasn’t surprised.

Why do people love music?

Because music carries emotions, those things that can’t be expressed in words are poured into the notes, creating sparks during the performance.

No wonder.

No wonder that performance was full of passion and fervor, while today’s performance carried a different feeling, because back then, they were truly at the brink of giving up, standing at the edge of despair. If it weren’t for Anson, there wouldn’t have been anything afterward.

Of course, even now, the band's future remains uncertain.

Thinking of this, a mix of sweetness and bitterness welled up.

Quietly, Blair just quietly watched the three in front of her, seeing the glow of dreams and the wreckage of life on their faces.

Lily let out a long sigh, “Maybe we should change our phone numbers.”

For once, Lily made a joke herself, earning a round of applause.

Jay Leno breathed a silent sigh of relief, “So, I have a curious question. Now that you’ve found each other, and I imagine record labels have noticed you as well, if—just hypothetically, if you had the opportunity, would you want to become a band and record an album?”

He paused for a moment, “Oh, I guess this is something you should discuss privately.”

Even as he said this, Jay Leno looked at Anson with interest.

On the other side, Miles and the others quickly exchanged glances. If they said they hadn’t thought about it, that would be a lie; but the key point was, the decision wasn’t up to them, was it?

Anson, however, looked relaxed. He wasn’t about to discuss his career plans in public, especially not on a talk show.

Anson believed Jay Leno was joking as well; they shouldn’t treat the show as a therapy session, spilling out their truths.

“Jay, I’m very expensive, you know?”

A little quip was enough.

Jay Leno got the hint, turning to the three young and innocent band members, “You really shouldn’t have praised this guy so much earlier.”

—Look, the band isn’t even formed yet, and someone’s already thinking of going solo.

The callback joke brought the studio into laughter, including Connor and the others, who couldn’t help but pick up on the underlying message.

Jay Leno regained control of the situation, “So, can I assume that the band doesn’t have a name yet?”

Anson turned to look at the three, making a gesture inviting them to speak:

Although they didn’t have a band yet, naturally, no name; but the three of them did have their own band, and this was a good chance to promote it.

Unexpectedly, Connor shook his head, “Our previous band is already history; there’s no need to revive it in the future.”

Saying goodbye to the past.

This essentially closed the door on the possibility of reuniting the band. Even if the former members watched “The Tonight Show,” there was no reason for them to try to reconnect.

Here, a chapter was closed.

Before coming on the show, Connor and the others had their own considerations.

They could have easily taken the opportunity to promote the band and keep it going. With the popularity of "The Tonight Show," once the episode aired, they could have booked commercial gigs, and maybe even found new opportunities for growth.

However, they chose to let it go.

If the past fifteen months had taught the three of them anything, it was to see the harsh and bloody reality of the world of fame early on. They shouldn’t cling to unrealistic hopes but instead stay true to themselves and their values.

Otherwise, they might one day fail to recognize the person staring back at them in the mirror.

Though it was tough, and despite their reluctance, the three reached a consensus.

Jay Leno was slightly taken aback; he hadn’t expected that answer.

He turned to the first camera, “So, can someone tell me, what exactly did we record today?”

“A singer promoting a movie.”

“A band that came to perform a song but has already disbanded.”

“Wait, did we miss something?”

Haha, hahaha.

Jay Leno’s sarcastic and teasing tone easily brought the energy back up again.

Indeed, it was a rare sight: neither promoting a movie nor an album, going round and round without a clear focus for the entire show.

It felt almost surreal.

Then he looked back at Miles and the others.

“Does this mean that if the opportunity arises, you’re ready to start fresh?”

Miles, the honest one, instinctively looked at Anson, the unspoken message being: the decision lies with Anson.

Anson was caught off guard.

Connor quickly jumped in to stop Miles, “Yes, if we were to continue pursuing a music career, we’d probably start fresh with a new approach.”

As for whether they would form a band with Anson, that was a different story altogether.

Outside the show, they would discuss it with Anson, rather than use the show to pressure him into a decision.

However, despite Connor's efforts to steer the conversation, the eyes in the studio still subtly turned to Anson. Even without Miles’ reaction, everyone understood that the decision ultimately rested with Anson.

Once again, Anson found himself in the spotlight.

The pressure was immense.

*Chapter 428: Seriously Overdue*

The crowd bustled, and all eyes were once again fixed on Anson.

Not just Miles, not just Lily— even Connor couldn’t hold back after he spoke.

Connor knew they shouldn't be pressuring Anson. They had neither the right nor the authority.

Anson had only crossed paths with them by chance, with no prior connection, yet had lent a helping hand twice. Once, allowing them to rediscover the joy of live performance, and the second, unbelievably, getting them on the stage of The Tonight Show—

Something they never dared to dream of.

Moreover, Anson had his own career to focus on, with his acting work thriving.

They really shouldn’t be asking for more.

Yet, understanding that logic didn’t stop their gazes from drifting toward Anson. Their hearts pounded uncontrollably.

The atmosphere grew tense and anxious.

And Anson?

In the eye of the storm as the center of attention, he remained completely at ease.

Slowly, he stretched out his legs, switching positions, and crossed them again. "God said, 'Be careful what you wish for.'"

"Dangerous."

His lazy, casual voice carried a raspy charm as his meaningful gaze fell on the three of them, instantly lightening the mood.

Ha!

Witty.

He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t refuse either. Instead, in classic talk-show fashion, he joked about the situation—

Beware, Anson isn’t Jesus Christ.

If they formed a band with Anson, and as his popularity skyrocketed, the band either became dominated by him or Anson broke off to go solo, neither of these outcomes was something anyone wanted to see.

His words subtly mirrored earlier conversations.

A perfect pivot and response.

Even Connor and Lily exchanged a glance, showing some hesitation in their eyes:

Maybe Anson was right? Perhaps they should reconsider their approach?

And what about the studio?

Whoa!

Blair was the first to cheer, pumping her fist as she stood up again.

Screams and cheers erupted, impossible to calm down.

Before heading to Los Angeles, Blair had been filled with anticipation. She had longed to meet Anson up close. Last time, she had been so close on the streets of Manhattan but missed the chance, a regret that had lingered.

Now, that moment was finally here, and her expectations kept growing higher and higher.

She had been so excited that she couldn’t sleep, much to the concern of Karen, who tried to ground her in reality. Karen didn’t want Blair to be crushed if the real meeting fell far short of her expectations. The disappointment could devastate her.

However.

There was no disappointment.

Not only that, but it far exceeded her expectations.

After a warm-up on the red carpet, Anson had thrived on the talk show, finally finding the perfect platform to display his charm. His chemistry with Jay Leno was electric, showcasing the true depth of his character beneath his exterior, effortlessly winning Blair over.

Although Blair hadn’t confirmed it yet, she believed that Karen felt the same—

After all, Karen was now beside Blair, jumping and shouting with raised fists, her enthusiasm so intense that Blair couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.

The studio erupted into chaos once more.

Even Jay Leno had to work hard to calm the crowd down and steer the show back on track.

“So.”

Jay Leno took a deep breath.

“Though we’re uncertain about the future of the band, as far as I know, we still have time for one more song.”

"Anson, is the band going to perform another song live on the show?"

Is the show really wrapping up?

In truth, Jay Leno didn’t want it to end.

The interaction with Anson had been full of unexpected delights—tense, thrilling, and packed with highs. In a sea of interviews promoting summer blockbusters, it had been a refreshing change.

If he could, Jay would have loved to continue talking with Anson.

But he couldn’t.

The show had already run over, and significantly so. The director had signaled twice, pacing back and forth like ants on a hot plate.

Though Jay hadn’t directly communicated with the director, he sensed the seriousness of the situation.

During the pre-show writer’s meeting, both Jay and the writers expressed strong concerns that an interview with independent band members might go off track. So, they’d prepared thoroughly, listing different topics and scenarios for Jay to explore to ensure the show didn’t turn into a disaster.

One segment was meant to involve Blair and Karen, the two people who had filmed the viral video, coming onstage to recount that afternoon’s events from their perspective, creating a three-sided narrative with Anson and the band. This would offer viewers a comprehensive retelling of that fateful afternoon.

Whether or not it would be captivating was yet to be determined, but it was definitely well-prepared and would help fill the runtime.

In theory, perfect!

But in practice?

There wasn’t enough time. Not only did they run out of time to interview Blair and Karen, but Jay hadn’t even gotten to ask many of the questions he had for the band members. His mind still brimmed with countless topics he wanted to explore with Anson, but the director kept signaling:

The show was seriously overdue.

If it had been an earlier time slot, without summer blockbusters cramming the schedule; if the guest had been a bigger name, with a stronger audience draw, Jay would have been more than happy to record a full-length episode with Anson, free from the constraints of time, allowing for a deeper conversation.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs.

Even Jay Leno had to consider the schedule and ratings. They simply couldn’t give an independent band more time, no matter how regrettable it was.

Jay was long past the age of acting on impulse.

So, despite the disappointment, Jay knew he had to wrap up the show. Still, he had a feeling they’d meet again in the future—

More than once.

Maybe not with the band, but certainly with Anson. Jay was 100% confident of that.

Anson responded, “Yes. Since this is such a rare opportunity, and we don’t know when the next one will be, we wanted to make the most of it. So, we composed a new song just for the show.”

Jay raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Did you write this one last minute again?”

Anson nodded, “Yep. Just finished it in the bathroom before we started filming.”

It was an obvious joke, so the comedic timing was perfect—

Ha! Ha ha ha!

Miles, ever the serious one, raised his hand and explained earnestly, “But Anson did write this song specifically for the show. We’ve been rehearsing it over the past few days.”

Jay turned to Miles, “So, this is the first performance?”

Miles nodded, “First time ever.”

Jay shrugged slightly and looked at Lily, “Well, if you mess up this time, no one will know, so you can just go for it.”

Laughter erupted throughout the studio.

Even Lily couldn’t hold back.

Perhaps Jay Leno was the only one who wasn’t laughing.

With a straight face, showing no expression, Jay maintained his deadpan comedian persona.

“And now, we’ll take a look at the viral New York street performance video that’s sparked endless discussion online. Then, we’ll return to enjoy a live performance by the band. That’s our show for today. Thank you, everyone.”

Chapter 429: Back on Stage

The studio erupted once again into cheers and applause.

One by one, the audience stood up, clapping to show their appreciation for Anson and Jay Leno. Their gestures conveyed more sincerity than any words could.

The audience for this recording was entirely different from the previous one.

Before entering the studio, while standing in line, word had spread among the waiting audience about the earlier recording featuring the cast of Star Wars: Episode II. Many expressed envy—after all, who could resist Star Wars?

However, as live audience members, they had no control over which episode they got to attend. Everything was randomly assigned by the show’s producers.

When the recording began, and they realized they were there to see an independent band, sighs of disappointment rippled through the crowd.

But now?

No, none of them were envious of the earlier audience. To be more precise, envy might still linger because, after all, it was Star Wars. But at this moment, no one was thinking about that. Their minds and hearts were filled with joy and happiness, completely immersed in the present.

Even though it wasn’t Star Wars, this recording experience was equally priceless.

Without a second thought, audience members stood up, clapping enthusiastically, eagerly awaiting the performance.

On stage, Anson stood up as well, turning and extending his right hand toward Jay Leno.

Jay blinked, momentarily surprised, then chuckled when he understood Anson’s gesture. “The show’s not over yet. We still have your performance to close it out, and we’ll see each other again backstage. Isn’t it a bit early to say goodbye?”

“And it’s moments like this that remind me you’re still new to this.”

Though the cameras were no longer rolling, Jay couldn’t help but tease him.

Anson: …

Indeed, Anson lacked experience—this was his first talk show appearance, after all.

However, Anson had heard a bit about show recordings in his past life.

In situations like this, the studio would often be cleared, leaving only essential crew members like the cameramen, lighting techs, and sound engineers. Everyone else from the production team would call it a day and head home.

The reasoning? Partly because the crew had already clocked out, but also because live performances could be unpredictable. Mistakes might happen, and sometimes, multiple takes were required. In such cases, there was no need for non-essential personnel to stay late. The key staff would remain with the performers until they were satisfied with the final recording.

This approach had its pros and cons.

The downside was that without the energy of a live audience, the performance could lack something in terms of atmosphere.

The advantage? The artist could ensure that the broadcast version of their performance was the best possible, resulting in a polished final product.

When Jay had mentioned the possibility of mistakes earlier, Anson naturally associated it with the need for multiple takes.

But it seemed… that wasn’t the case here.

Still, Anson wasn’t embarrassed. He glanced down at his outstretched hand, still hanging in the air, before looking back at Jay with sincerity.

“Are you sure, Mr. Leno? I don’t think we’ve reached the level where we can just waltz into your dressing room yet.”

A clever retort.

Jay immediately got the joke.

Typically, for high-profile guests, Jay would meet them backstage before the show. But today, there had been no such meeting with Anson and the band.

Now, Anson was teasing Jay about it.

Jay wasn’t offended. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and replied, “You’ve reached that level now.”

Then, Jay shook Anson’s hand.

The two exchanged a look and burst into laughter.

Jay followed up by saying, “If we had met earlier, the recording wouldn’t have turned out the way it did. I like the energy we created today.”

Anson confidently responded, “Next time we meet, there will be new sparks.”

Jay paused, and then a broad smile spread across his face. “I’m looking forward to it.”

They released their handshake.

Anson turned and headed toward the small stage to join Lily and the others, starting to tune their instruments for the final performance.

The studio, while quieter, buzzed with a subtle excitement.

The audience, having just witnessed "Wake Me Up," and having been part of the entire recording, knew they had something to look forward to in the upcoming performance.

No one could predict what would happen next, but somehow, it felt like no matter what it was, it would be worth experiencing.

Blair, too, had settled down, her gaze drifting from one band member to the next—

Connor. Miles. Lily.

And finally, Anson.

No matter what, Blair’s attention inevitably landed on Anson.

Not long ago, Blair, along with the entire studio, had been entranced by "Wake Me Up." Back then, she had felt excitement, knowing what to expect—a sense of pride, exhilaration, and anticipation. Now, though she still felt anticipation, her emotions had shifted entirely. She was calm, collected.

It wasn’t that her passion had faded; rather, it had settled into her veins, becoming a part of her.

Quietly, Blair watched Anson's profile. He was biting his guitar pick, testing the sound of the guitar strings, and syncing with the other three band members, completely absorbed and focused. It was as if the whole world consisted only of him and his guitar, along with his three companions. Life seemed so simple.

In that moment, Blair could see through his exterior and truly feel the allure of this man.

The outer shell will eventually age and deteriorate. After passing its prime, it will no longer attract attention. People often think that being fickle is a man's privilege, but in truth, everyone is drawn to the new and tires of the old.

But charm doesn't fade.

Time may dull one's appearance, but it can polish charm until it shines even brighter.

Thump. Thump.

Blair could clearly hear the sound of her own heartbeat. It wasn’t wild or fierce, but steady and strong. In that instant, she realized deeply:

She had fallen.

The adjustment didn’t take long, and soon they were ready.

Visibly, Lily and Connor seemed a bit nervous. Anson noticed too.

He turned to look at the three of them. "Hey. Look at me."

All their gazes turned toward him.

"We focus on each other, on the music, on the performance. This is our moment, got it?"

A brief pause.

"Then let’s have a blast together."

As their eyes met, smiles began to spread across their faces. With a small nod, their racing hearts began to calm.

Anson’s gaze traveled to each of them in turn:

Lily. Miles. Finally, Connor.

Anson gave a small nod, signaling Connor, who took a deep breath in understanding.

At that moment, the cameras followed Anson’s gaze and finally noticed that Connor was holding a fretless bass.

Surprise!

And remarkably, this performance would begin with a bass solo.

Just like in "Wake Me Up," the opening was already something unique.

Gently, Connor’s fingertips plucked the strings, and the deep, resonant notes sent ripples through the air.

*Chapter 430: Not a Hero*

The bass guitar, with its four strings, is low-frequency and steady.

In a band, the bassist doesn’t stand in the spotlight like the lead singer, doesn’t have the rapid strumming of a guitarist, nor the flashy moves of a keyboardist. Even the drummer, hidden in the shadows, can easily stir emotions with the pounding of their beats.

Because of this, the bassist often lacks presence, doesn’t show off, and struggles to ignite the crowd. Even under the spotlight, they fail to connect with the audience, leading to the bass’s role being severely underrated.

In many bands, no one wants to be the bassist, and it’s often left to the keyboardist or guitarist to fill the spot. But this is a misunderstanding.

In a band, the bass is the true heart of the rhythm.

Pink Floyd’s drummer, Nick Mason, once said that a band is essentially just a drummer and a bassist, with some fancy performances added in.

In modern music, the drums are crucial, especially in bands, where they control the song's tempo and rhythm. The drums are bold, producing both high and low frequencies with impressive impact, making them the ultimate instrument for rhythm.

So why do professionals often say that drums and bass are inseparable partners?

Because the drum’s flaw is obvious:

It has no fixed pitch and cannot play sustained notes.

The bass, on the other hand, provides pitch and fills in those extended notes, working with the drums to create beautiful rhythmic lines.

In a band, the guitar is the skeleton, the drums are the muscles, the keyboard is the skin, and the bass is the blood—

It may not be visible, but that doesn’t make it any less important.

And that’s exactly the case here.

After the cello-driven opening of "Wake Me Up" stunned everyone, this band now daringly began with a fretless bass.

All eyes fell on Connor.

Connor, with his eyes lowered, focused entirely on the bass. His fingertips gently plucked the strings, and the deep, rich notes spread like ancient echoes, warm as moonlight flooding the ground.

Unconsciously, everyone held their breath.

From afar, a light, clear guitar sound chimed in.

It was Anson.

With a guitar pick between his lips, Anson’s eyes were fixed on the strings. The crisp sound of his fingers striking the strings flowed like a cold stream, dancing around the bass’s steady pull, intertwining different tones that tugged at the heartstrings.

A deep hum followed.

Wait, was that... a cello?

Miles’s bow glided across the G string, releasing a delicate, nuanced sound that was tender yet tinged with a hint of melancholy, filling every corner of the auditory space with layers of emotion. Unknowingly, hearts were filled with a bittersweet sadness.

Then came the soft tinkling of chimes, gently bouncing between the notes.

Lily had joined the performance quietly, like a breeze, without fanfare.

Closing your eyes, you could almost soar on the wings of the music—

Sitting in a pickup truck, driving straight down Route 66, with the windows rolled down, letting the wind carry in the world’s green trees, soil, rivers, hawks, blue skies, and cornfields. Life’s sorrows and troubles slowly faded with the rolling of the wheels, and you couldn’t help but reach out to catch the wind, feeling the years slide through your fingertips, as your scarred heart began to unfold.

People often think life is fine, rushing through each day, too busy to feel sadness or pain or to even think. But then, one afternoon, with a cup of tea in hand, lost in thought, you get hit unexpectedly by the music—

Realizing that you’re not okay.

Those pains, those struggles, those scars haven’t disappeared. They’ve just been hiding in the corners of your memory, slowly seeping in and eroding your soul.

Only you can understand what you’ve been through.

And so, you fall into the cracks of time.

The flowing melody. So simple, so light, yet so rich.

The layers, the images, the raw reality softly envelop the heart, gently pulling it down. Before you realize it, you’ve already fallen, fallen into the river of time, into the pit of memory, with the bitterness spreading across your tongue.

Blair froze, completely stunned.

Caught off guard, helpless.

Her eyes grew warm, as if she could see golden notes soaring from the instruments, fluttering their wings, and finally landing softly on her eyelashes.

She couldn’t help but hold her breath.

Gradually, the performance came to a gentle close. The entire studio was silent, as if even breathing and heartbeats had ceased.

The singing hadn’t even begun, yet everyone had already been captivated.

A spotlight fell on Anson, serene and radiant, slowly outlining his face. His long, thick lashes cast shadows, hiding his gaze within.

Ting.

Anson lightly plucked a string, and the other instruments quietly focused on him—

Just as they had promised before the performance began.

It was just the guitar now, a single guitar. The clear, pure notes stripped away all distractions, returning music to its simplest, most essential form. The entire world’s attention was on Anson.

He began to hum softly.

“Let me go.”

The breeze came, carrying the moisture of streams, the warmth of sunshine, and the fresh scent of grass. And just like that, the journey began—running full speed toward the unknown.

“I don’t want to be your hero. I don’t want to be some big shot. I just want to live life sincerely, like an ordinary person.” (Note 1)

The singing was light and effortless, without any fancy technique—just a guitar and a voice. You could almost hear the slight smile in the song, a smile that came from having weathered life’s storms, now calm and unburdened. Yet, hidden in the brightness of his voice was a quiet, broken sadness.

His fingers danced across the guitar strings.

Anson hoped the boy in New York would watch this episode, hoped the boy would hear this song. And then, with courage, turn around and walk away, step forward into the unknown. He didn’t want the boy to be tied down by the pain and darkness of the past, slowly suffocating in the repetition of daily life.

He didn’t need to be a hero. He didn’t need to become a hero to save himself.

He could still have a simple, ordinary life.

Run, Jack.

Anson lifted his eyes and looked into the camera, a smile spreading across his face. His eyes were a little misty, but he bravely held the camera’s gaze, softly singing.

“At your masquerade, I don’t want to be part of the show. Everyone should have the chance to grow on their own.”

Run, Anson.

He sang.

(Note 1: "Hero" by Family of the Year)