Chapter 768: The Last Pause of the Concert
Chapter 768: The Last Pause of the Concert
The lights on stage had dimmed, and the last echoes of the crowd's roaring applause still reverberated through the hall. Moonlight and Tsukuyomi had just delivered a breathtaking performance of "Wake Up", and the energy in Mafra Q Hall was nothing short of electric. As the stage fell into temporary darkness, giving way to a brief pause in the show, Moonlight and Tsukuyomi made their way backstage, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement.
The moment they stepped behind the heavy black curtains, away from the crowd's view, they were met with a wave of adrenaline and relief. The soft glow of backstage lights cast a warm hue on everything, and the muffled hum of the audience could still be heard in the distance.
Ayia was already waiting for them, her face glowing with pride and excitement. As soon as Moonlight, or rather, Theo, and Aurora-Tsukuyomi-stepped off stage, Ayia rushed toward them, arms outstretched.
"You two were incredible!" she exclaimed, pulling Aurora into a tight hug first, then turning to Theo. "That was beyond what I imagined! The crowd is loving it!"
Aurora let out a soft laugh as she pulled away from Ayia, her cheeks still flushed with the excitement of the performance. "I felt it," she said, her voice breathless but steady. "I felt that connection with them. It was amazing."
Theo, still catching his breath from the intensity of the song, smiled under his mask. His silver hair was damp from sweat, and he could feel the weight of the performance settling on his shoulders-but it was the good kind of weight, the kind that came after something truly special.
"That was exactly what I hoped for," Theo said, his voice filled with gratitude. He took a moment to look at his sister. "We did it, Aurora. They felt it. I saw the way the crowd responded. It was like we were all part of something bigger."
Aurora nodded, her eyes shining with the memory of the moment. "I've never felt anything like that before," she admitted, her voice soft. "Performing with you, hearing them sing along with us... it was like magic."
Ayia, standing between the two of them, beamed with pride. She had been the one to secure the concert, to set everything in motion, and seeing how well everything was going filled her with joy. "I knew it would be special," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "But hearing the crowd like that? The way they were singing the 'ohhh' part? That was something else."
Theo chuckled softly. "I had a feeling that part would hit them hard," he said, leaning his guitar against a nearby wall and running a hand through his silver hair. "But to hear them singing it back with that much emotion... I wasn't prepared for that."
The three of them stood there for a moment, letting the energy from the performance wash over them. There was a quiet sense of victory between them, an unspoken understanding that they had accomplished something truly memorable.
Ayia couldn't stop smiling. "I was watching from backstage," she said, her eyes bright. "When you started playing the intro, the whole crowd went silent, and then when you both started singing, it was like the entire hall just... exploded. I swear, people were crying."
Aurora's lips curved into a soft smile. "It's funny, I wasn't even nervous once I stepped out there," she admitted. "I was so focused on the moment, on the music, that everything else just faded away."
Theo glanced at her, his expression proud. "You were amazing out there," he said, his voice sincere. "You brought the song to life. I couldn't have asked for a better duet partner."
Aurora's face flushed with gratitude at her brother's words. "You weren't so bad yourself," she teased, nudging him lightly.
Ayia laughed, the sound bright and contagious. "You both were perfect. The crowd felt that energy, and that's what matters."
The three of them stood there for a few more moments, basking in the afterglow of the performance. It was a rare and beautiful thing to have shared that kind of connection-not just between the two performers, but between them and the audience. It was the kind of performance that would be talked about for years to come, and they all knew it.
After a few minutes, one of the stagehands approached, holding a headset and clipboard. "We're ready when you are," he said to Theo, giving him a nod. "The crowd's still buzzing out there."
Theo glanced toward the curtain, his silver eyes narrowing slightly as he focused. The final stretch of the concert was ahead of him, and while the duet with Tsukuyomi had been one of the highlights, there were still three more songs to go before the night was over.
"I'll head back out in a minute," Theo said, his voice calm and steady. He turned back to Aurora and Ayia, a soft smile on his face. "This is the part I've been waiting for."
Aurora gave him an encouraging smile. "You've got this," she said softly. "I'll be cheering for you from backstage."
Ayia stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Theo's arm. "You're going to finish this concert stronger than ever. Just remember that the crowd is already in love with you. Now it's time to give them a final act they'll never forget."
Theo nodded, taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly. "You're right," he said, his voice filled with determination. "This is what I've been working toward."
He glanced toward the guitar, leaning against the wall. It had served him well for the "Wake Up" performance, but the next songs would take him back to the piano and the acoustic guitar. His fingers tingled slightly at the thought of playing again, knowing the next few songs would be some of the most challenging and emotionally charged pieces of the night. He turned to Aurora one last time, his eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you for singing with me," he said quietly. "That duet meant more to me than you know."
Aurora's eyes softened, and she stepped forward, hugging her brother tightly. "It meant the world to me too," she whispered. "I'm so proud of you."
They pulled away, and Theo looked at Ayia, offering her a grateful smile. "Thanks for keeping everything running smoothly," he said, his voice filled with appreciation. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
Ayia waved him off playfully. "Go on," she teased. "You've got a concert to finish."
Theo chuckled softly, the weight of the moment settling comfortably on his shoulders. He took one final breath, letting the energy of the previous performances fill him with renewed strength. He wasn't just Moonlight tonight-he was an artist ready to give his all.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The backstage crew gave him the signal, and the lights on stage began to shift once more, signaling to the crowd that the show was about to continue. The low murmur of voices from the audience grew louder as the anticipation built.
Theo glanced over his shoulder at Aurora and Ayia one last time, offering them a small, confident nod. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward, moving toward the curtain that separated the backstage from the glowing stage lights.
As soon as he stepped through, the roar of the crowd hit him like a wave, the energy palpable and electric. They were ready. And so was he.
The spotlight fell on him, illuminating his figure as he crossed the stage with purposeful strides. His silver hair caught the light, and the mask covering the lower half of his face only added to his mystique. The crowd, still buzzing from the earlier performances, erupted into cheers as Moonlight took his place at center stage.
He sat down at the piano, his fingers hovering just above the keys, and the hall fell into a quiet hush once again. The night wasn't over yet. There were still three more songs to go, and Theo was ready to pour everything he had into them. He spoke with the crowd, before preparing himself for the next song.
With a deep breath, he let his fingers fall onto the keys, and the first notes rang out into the
hall.