"Chasing Light" or "Born This Way"?
As the creator of both songs, Ronan felt honored to be able to choose one to represent the One-Day King band as the first real opportunity for listeners to get to know them.
For him, it was like choosing between his left and right hand. "Born This Way" was his first creative attempt after coming here, filled with unease and apprehension, yet it truly captured his inner thoughts. "Chasing Light," on the other hand, was a spontaneous product of inspiration, perfectly诠释ing the band's feeling of holding onto hope even when at rock bottom, which became the turning point for the band.
Both songs held equal significance.
"'Chasing Light.'" But Ronan didn't hesitate too much in his choice; it seemed like the answer had already been in his mind.
Perhaps this was a decision at a crossroads of fate. Choosing which song would be the medium through which the band was first understood by the public would lay the foundation for everything in the future. It was like the band The Killers; if it hadn't been "Mr. Brightside," their trajectory might have been completely different.
However, Ronan didn't delve too deeply into it, because the more he thought about it, the more complicated it became, and he would lose sight of his initial intention.
"Because it's more uplifting." That was Ronan's reason.
The arrangement and lyrics of "Born This Way" were darker and more intense, carrying the sharp and frantic desperation of a scream in the darkness. In comparison, "Chasing Light" was warmer and brighter, the entire melody having a golden, sunlit hue.
So, Ronan made his choice.
Choosing "Chasing Light" wasn't so much a matter of personal preference or intuition, but rather Ronan's subconscious act. Because in his eyes, One-Day King was a band that "even if it's just for one day, is willing to be their own king, blooming and igniting their lives to the fullest, and then turning away without regret."
The reason for the decision sounded a bit hasty and simple, but it was indeed a genuine thought from the heart.
Cliff still wanted to argue and debate, but Maxim didn't care. As long as Ronan's choice aligned with his own, that was enough.
Maxim refused to leave any room for discussion. "The choice has been made, two against one, that's the final result. Give up the struggle, this is fate! Fate!" Then, Maxim locked Cliff's neck in his arm and dragged him away in an almost kidnapping manner, decisively ending the argument.
"Maxim... Max..." Cliff's struggling figure looked like a powerless octopus, pitifully weak.
Ollie followed with light steps, "I think both songs are good, really good, Cliff, don't you think?"
They didn't have time for a slow meeting and discussion. Once the choice was made, they had to immediately get to recording. Starting tomorrow, the next few days would likely be packed. If the band didn't want to go to Boston next week to record, they had to seize the afternoon opportunity now.
Thinking about returning to the recording studio, their steps became impatient.
Ronan also called out to Alice, preparing to follow along – with the band entering the recording studio again after a long time, Alice naturally couldn't miss the chance to document it.
"Ronan!"
But Alice called out, stopping Ronan in his tracks. She smiled and met his questioning gaze. Without any fuss, she directly handed Ronan a palm-sized red cardholder.
Ronan didn't immediately take it, but still reached out first. "What's this?"
Alice didn't speak, only gesturing with her eyes for Ronan to open it himself, which made him laugh. "What kind of plan do you have tucked away in your pocket again?"
It wasn't until Ronan opened the cardholder and saw what was inside that Alice explained, "I know how important this opportunity is for you guys, and I wanted to do my part."
The cardholder wasn't filled with cards, but a thick little stack of green bills, each with a face value of one hundred dollars. There were at least three thousand dollars inside.
"Alice..." Ronan raised his eyes, looking at his sister in disbelief, the words catching in his throat. "You... where did this come from?"
Ronan knew Alice better than anyone. Putting aside her school tuition loans, she usually went without makeup and was very frugal. Whether it was the allowance Max and Ronan gave her, or her own earnings from part-time jobs, it all went into filming her movie, purchasing various equipment. How could she possibly have any spare money?
"Ronan, that's not the point..." Alice didn't want to say.
But Ronan refused to compromise, just quietly gazing at Alice, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes.
Alice looked at Ronan's stern gaze, feeling a little helpless. "I pawned the Super 8..." Her voice was still a bit hesitant, trailing off halfway through, and then she shrank back, seemingly anticipating Ronan's impending outburst.
"Alice Cooper!" Ronan raised his voice directly, trying his best to suppress his anger. The gritted teeth in his voice betrayed his emotions.
But in the end, Ronan still couldn't vent his anger, because more than being angry at Alice, he was dissatisfied with himself – this was a situation he had created, so how could he blame Alice? Then his voice choked in his throat, and unexpectedly, his eyes welled up.
This made Ronan feel a bit embarrassed. "I... I thought you liked that gift." He lowered his eyes to hide his awkwardness.
Alice chuckled softly twice, ruffling her slightly messy hair. "I do like it, I really do. But it's precisely because I like it that it's even more valuable." Then, Alice looked at Ronan and gave him a big smile. "Remember what the card said that you and Max gave me when you gifted it to me? Now, I want to give those words back to you."
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"Dear Alice,
Never be afraid to chase your dreams.
Love, Max and Ronan."
Such a simple sentence resurfaced in his mind, pressing heavily on his chest.
Taking a deep breath, and then another, Ronan finally calmed down. He looked at Alice seriously, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curving into a smile. "Looks like this recording session has to be high quality, the pressure feels a bit heavy."
Seeing Ronan's smile return, Alice slightly raised her chin, saying proudly, "You know it. Remember, I'm watching you at all times." Alice even pointed to her eyes with two fingers, moving them back and forth between herself and Ronan, emphasizing her words.
Ronan obediently made a salute gesture. "Yes, ma'am!"
Then, Ronan turned around, his right hand held up like a teapot spout. "Ms. Cooper, may we now depart for work?"
Alice took Ronan's arm, looking like a distinguished member of high society, her head held high and chest out. "Of course. Let's go!"
The two siblings were having fun on their own, completely oblivious to the gazes around them, their back-and-forth performance showing perfect understanding.