Through the lens—
The sunlight resting on Ronan's shoulders softened, a golden glow tracing the outline of his face. The lines of his features melted into a halo of light, and even the fine hairs on his skin shimmered gold. It felt like he might ascend into the heavens at any moment, breathtaking and surreal.
Then, Ronan tilted his chin slightly, pausing for two beats. His voice broke free from his throat, blooming unrestrained. The clear tone warmed in the golden sunlight, like a spring kissed by the sun—cool yet carrying a faint warmth, rippling like a chime.
"'Cause everyone's chasing the light, you know… everyone's chasing… the light!" (Note 1)
Ollie slowly looked up. From the corner of his eye, he caught half of Maxim's focused, immersed profile. But right now, he didn't have time to pay attention to Maxim. His gaze locked onto Ronan, mouth slightly agape, completely captivated. It was just raw singing—no instruments—yet his mind instantly conjured the matching drumbeats. A grand, sweeping melody roared to life in his head.
They really were chasing the light.
They were all pursuing their own shining moments, searching for the unique meaning in their lives, bursting with the vivid brilliance of their fleeting existence. Amid the bustling, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, they tried to glimpse the hidden depths of their souls through each other's tears.
But it was never that simple. The darkness—unyielding, inescapable—clung to their ankles, holding them back from running free.
"When the weight of the world falls on your shoulders, when despair crushes your soul, keep pushing on, singing loud like a soldier…"
A sudden clarity! A rush of freedom! Wings soaring high!
With Ronan's voice, the enchanting lyrics fused seamlessly with the stirring melody. It was as if they stood atop Everest, arms wide, embracing the sky, the mountains, the ocean, and the horizon. Their spirits lifted, hearts trembling faintly—
This wasn't just about One Day Kings' struggles. It was about everyone lost in their darkest moments, bewildered and adrift. No one was exempt. Every word carried the weight of emotion, pulling them in uncontrollably as a storm of memories raged wildly.
Even with darkness clinging to them, even under crushing pressure, even stumbling forward, they had to keep going—singing loud like soldiers.
Then Ronan lifted his head. Sunlight spilled across his cheeks, delicately outlining his features. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like wings unfurled from his shoulders, ripples of light spreading outward, stirring their souls.
"Shouting, 'Come on! Come on! We can make it home!'"
His voice climbed higher, power swelling between each word. Every note pulsed with the melody's strength and color, raw and honest emotion bursting into boundless energy. All eyes around them slowly turned his way.
"'Cause everyone's chasing the light! You know everyone's chasing the light!"
Ronan stood up.
"Come on! Come on! 'Cause! Everyone's chasing… the light!"
Gradually, he rose to his full height, but his soaring emotions still hadn't peaked. Without hesitation, he stepped onto the chair and then onto the table. The dining table transformed into a makeshift stage. His tall, lean figure towered again, dazzling sunlight blurring his face into a radiant glow.
Boiling passion, surging fervor, and racing blood unleashed everything. They gathered strength anew, broke free from the darkness, and chased the light once more. At the edge of exhaustion, with trembling knees and weak legs, they summoned one last burst of power, shattering the chains of shadow to chase the light again.
"Darkness blurs the view, like a veil over your eyes, but the power of true love can tear it apart!"
The poetic lyrics danced between his lips, emotions fully unleashed. Even after reaching the peak, energy kept pouring out endlessly.
Maxim's vision blurred unexpectedly. He couldn't tell if it was the blinding sunlight or something else. He just stared at Ronan quietly, the dazzling figure impossible to look away from, reawakening memories buried deep inside:
That pure, simple love from the very beginning—the untainted joy that came straight from the heart. But when had it started to dull? When had they grown timid? When had they begun overthinking everything?
Was it because seven years of struggle yielded nothing? Because of Trastan's betrayal and abandonment? Or Scooter's disdain and scorn? Or maybe because they wanted too much, losing sight of the simple wish they started with, life's complexities making them forget who they were?
Maybe all of it.
So they started shrinking back, growing scared, making excuses, ready to give up. But was this the end? Was this all life had to offer?
What came next?
Would they just settle into an ordinary, mundane existence? But the real question was: Is life ever that simple? Does everything just fall into place? Can dreams really come true so easily? Even outside of music, could they truly find happiness in a regular job?
Dreams or reality—life was never easy. It didn't matter the field. The road to happiness and joy was the same for everyone. Everyone chased the light, even the most ordinary, everyday kind. It was never a breeze.
Like right now.
Standing on a rickety dining table—no audience, no lights, not even accompaniment—this spot, hardly a stage, became one bathed in a spotlight. Ronan, singing his heart out, seemed to hold the whole world. His very being burned, belting out:
"Come on! Come on! Singing loud like a soldier, everyone's chasing the light!"
Like soldiers—fighting through blood and sweat, never giving up, refusing to surrender, battling on!
Like soldiers—singing with all their might!
Like soldiers—chasing the light!
Ronan's voice climbed higher and higher, soaring across three octaves with wild abandon. Every emotion, every feeling poured out. The smooth, piercing high notes traced a breathtaking arc across the sky, sharp and clear like a crescent blade, sending chills down their spines.
Even in the darkest moments, so what? They'd never give up, never surrender!
Even battered and broken, so what? Live as brilliantly as summer flowers, die as quietly as autumn leaves—they'd keep exploring the breadth and depth of their finite lives.
"'Cause everyone's chasing the light."
Note 1: "Looking For Some Light" — Colony House