Actor in Hollywood

Connor was waiting, eagerly and excitedly waiting. He couldn't remember the last time he had anticipated a performance this much or enjoyed one so thoroughly.

In this moment, he could feel every cell in his body filled with joy and excitement, completely immersed in the bliss of performing.

It wasn't just because the crowd around him was growing larger, but because they were fully absorbed in the music. It wasn't about the numbers; it was about how they could feel the emotions in the music, how they could celebrate with the band, how they could lose themselves in the music. And then, he and the crowd became one.

Connor looked at Miles, his heart full of joy.

And then, finally—

"Connor!"

He heard his name, exchanged a glance with Miles, and like in a relay race, they completed the handoff. With a step forward—

Strum, strum, strum.

Ting, ting, ting.

The bright and rapid guitar strings poured down like a summer storm, but instead of fear, it made people want to open their arms and embrace the clear blue sky. In an instant, they were transported back to their childhood, wearing rain boots and raincoats, running fearlessly into the rain to splash in puddles.

Miles and Anson didn't stay idle. They joined in with the cello and guitar strings to complete the ensemble. It was clear that Connor had entered a state of exhilaration.

With a spin, Connor looked at Miles. Both of them broke into smiles, their eyes meeting. The cello and guitar merged completely, their back-and-forth playing colliding like a piano duet, fully unleashing the charm of the melody.

Roar.

Hah.

The crowd erupted in surprise.

They hadn't expected the charm of the cello, nor had they anticipated the power of the instrumental performance. Applause and cheers burst out spontaneously.

Then, Connor spun around and, together with Anson, looked at the keyboard that had been waiting patiently.

"Lily!"

**Lily could feel it too.** Music is a melody that flows from the depths of the soul. It doesn't lie and often crosses all kinds of barriers to communicate, connecting souls of different ages, genders, countries, and cultures, creating a resonance even among those meeting for the first time.

*Plink plink, plink plink plink.*

The melody from the black and white keys flowed seamlessly, dazzling and bright, bursting forth with a grand and magnificent energy that spread across the entire world.

Fingers, dancing.

A smile, blossoming.

Lily looked up at her three companions. Anson's guitar was the first to join in, followed by Connor's guitar and Miles' cello. With the keyboard as the lead, the different strings intertwined and collided, creating a powerful and symphonic atmosphere.

A perfect fusion of skill and emotion.

This was wild.

Amid the crowd's anticipation, Anson stepped forward—

But this wasn't Anson's solo moment. He stood diagonally opposite Lily and Connor, forming a triangle. The guitar strings guided Lily and Connor in completing the ensemble, the melody growing more and more intense, the rhythm more and more rapid. Even Miles' cello became more powerful.

*Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.*

Anson began stomping his foot, firmly pressing his left foot to the ground. Connor and Lily joined him, using the simplest and most primal method to create a drumbeat.

The beat cut into the melody, waves of energy pounded against their chests, making hearts race with excitement.

The entire audience was stunned: Could a performance really be like this?

So, what should they do? What was the next step?

Countless passions and vitality filled their minds, leaving them unable to think. No one could offer an answer as they stood there, dumbfounded.

But this bright and burning energy gradually spread, drawing more and more people to this once unknown little corner.

It was hard to say when it happened, but the crowd grew denser, layer upon layer, surrounding the space until it was completely packed. It was impossible to judge just by looking—

A hundred people? Two hundred? Five hundred?

Or more?

But, does it matter?

Not at all.

Anson spun around, and Miles reappeared before the crowd. A flurry of rapid string sounds exploded, with sweat glistening in the sunlight. Before he could catch his breath, Miles looked up at Anson, his eyes bright, and everyone's gaze followed.

Anson had returned to his original position, standing behind the snare drum, drumsticks in hand.

Finally!

Only now did people understand why Anson chose the snare drum position—

*Bang!*

The drumsticks came down!

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

One hit after another, then Connor, Lily, and Miles all joined Anson, matching the beat, singing out loud together.

"Oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh!"

In sync with the melody, in sync with the beat, they sang with all their might, as if this was the final destination of their dreams, as if this was the end of the world, holding nothing back.

The answer was clear—

Enjoy it together, jump together, sing together.

Blair was the first, unconcerned with the gazes of others, but now people finally understood that Blair had found the right way to enjoy the performance.

Jumping, singing.

The entire place was boiling, no one could resist.

They followed Anson's rhythm, "Oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh!"

Simple chords, easy to sing along with, quickly understood, without any hesitation or shame, joining in with head-nodding abandon.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

One beat after another, the drumbeat pounded on their hearts, and the rich, multi-layered melody roared in their ears, giving their souls wings to soar.

Crazy, utterly crazy.

In New York, on the streets, in this city where people don't even have time to eat because of their busy lives, in this moment—a brief moment—they released their true selves, bravely facing their dreams, celebrating with abandon, singing and dancing with no inhibitions, standing in the sunlight, embracing freedom and happiness.

From string sounds to keyboard notes to drumbeats, the layers of the melody grew richer, the emotions more grand and intense, and the volcano could no longer be contained.

It erupted!

Just like that, it erupted, with no exceptions.

Screams, cheers, singing, applause, all erupted simultaneously.

New York, because of this little corner, hit the pause button for a moment. In this instant, people forgot themselves and their lives, simply holding onto a fleeting moment of happiness, blooming with abandon.

Then—

Anson threw the drumsticks high into the air, and the crowd erupted in screams and cheers.

Connor, Lily, and Miles sang in unison.

"Wake me up when it's all over…" (Note 1)

And Anson sang out with all his might, "Oh...oh!" His high notes soared freely, fully igniting the last of the energy in the surging blood and fervor.

"When I'm wiser and I'm older…"

Anson held nothing back, "Wiser and I'm older…" hitting one octave! Then another!

Emotion, bursting forth.

In the unrestrained and brilliant release, the hearts of the entire audience burned along with Anson's singing. One by one, like crazed fools, they cried, laughed, sang, and danced, no longer caring about the gazes around them, immersed in their own thoughts, releasing everything.

"All this time I was finding myself…"

Anson looked at the three young people in front of him, and the four of them sang together, "But I didn't know I was lost."

With a turn, Anson raised his hands high—

Without any communication, there was an unspoken understanding, and the entire audience looked to Anson, following his lead.

*Clap!*

The audience's applause became the drum, making them the fifth member of the band, joining Miles, Connor, and Lily in an incredible ensemble.

*Clap!*

Anson led, and the crowd's synchronized applause matched, like a band that had been refined through countless rehearsals, creating an unparalleled momentum.

On the streets of New York, an unbelievable scene unfolded, as if time had come to a complete stop in this street corner.

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Note 1: "Wake Me Up" – Avicii (Hoppipolla version)

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