The clock rewinds to that night in Las Vegas.
After wrapping up their short special performance, Ronan and the crew packed up their gear and left. Lugging heavy equipment, they made a quick move, grabbed a fast dinner, and then hurried to the MGM Grand entrance for their third show of the day. This kind of life had become second nature to the band. As long as the audience enjoyed it, every effort was worth it—
And sure enough, those two girls showed up again!
No doubt, this was a moment of pure happiness.
This time, the band put on a full, proper set. The two girls joined in, soaking up a thrilling 30-minute performance that showcased the band's unique charm. The members poured their hearts into displaying the fruits of their recent hard practice.
Though it was technically a show for the two girls, the band's electrifying performance drew a big crowd of passersby. At its peak, nearly a hundred people gathered around, and the fiery energy lit up the desert night.
When the show ended, the audience left buzzing with excitement, and the band felt utterly exhilarated.
A stage isn't just a platform—it's something performers and audiences build together. Without that connection, a self-indulgent act struggles to shine. Never forget: the stage's brilliance depends on the crowd's appreciation and response.
Tonight, the band had pulled off a sweaty, adrenaline-pumping street show and earned cheers and applause from the audience. It was pure joy.
Even after the performance, the band wasn't ready to wind down.
On the way back to the motel, they kept belting out songs, having a blast. Only Ronan stayed quiet, chowing down on a beef burger and fries with a look of total satisfaction. He was in his own world, savoring a different kind of fun, ignoring everyone else.
Leaving behind the dazzling, chaotic glamour of Las Vegas's casino district, the band headed back to the old downtown area where their motel was.
Sure, lodging in Vegas wasn't pricey, but hotels in the casino zone tacked on extra resort fees—hardly ideal for a budget-conscious band. The motel, on the other hand, was a steal. A room for the night cost just twenty bucks, way cheaper than even the low-end hotels in the tourist area.
So, the band stuck with the motel.
Stripped of its flashy facade, the old downtown revealed a different side of this desert city. The simple, unpretentious residential area buzzed with everyday life—like a noblewoman shedding her makeup and jewelry, showing off a plain yet striking beauty, a totally different vibe.
The brightly lit motel was still lively, filled with the hum of activity. It was a stark contrast to the tourist district—no glitz, no grandeur—but the songs echoing through were just as familiar.
"…Oh-oh-oh, I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways, no message could be any clearer."
"If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change."
"Na-na-na! Na-na-na!"
Ollie and Maxim traded lines, belting out Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." No matter the era, it's a timeless classic—and singing it at the top of their lungs felt amazing.
But clearly, both Ollie and Maxim were worn out. Their voices weren't at their best, and soon they started cracking. The classic tune turned into a bit of a mess. Ollie tried dragging Ronan in to save the day, but Ronan, mid-bite, wasn't having it.
He pointed at the food in his mouth and glared at Ollie: Eating while distracted is disrespectful to the food—don't you know that? If his hands weren't full, he'd have already smacked Ollie with a playful punch.
Amid the hoots, hollers, and laughter, the group stumbled along, singing an off-key, pitchy "Man in the Mirror." Their noise echoed down the hallway until a door swung open, revealing Alice's bare, fresh face. Startled, Ollie immediately waved his hands in apology.
"Sorry, didn't mean to disturb your work!"
Tonight, Alice hadn't joined the band for the Strip performance. She'd stayed back at the motel to edit videos.
Ever since the road tour kicked off, Alice's workload had piled up.
It was her idea to create a video series and upload it to YouTube, and she was passionate about it. But she was just one person, stretched thin between filming and editing, with no time to spare.
So, at Ronan's suggestion, the band took over filming during street performances. They'd either hold the camera themselves or set up a tripod, handling the shooting so Alice could focus on sorting footage and editing. This kept the weekly updates on track.
Of course, when Alice had the time, she'd still step in to film herself. Street performances weren't just about capturing the act—surroundings, audience reactions, and passing crowds were all part of it, worth including in the frame. Plus, lighting, composition, and camera movement? The band couldn't match Alice's pro skills.
Whenever energy allowed, Alice tried to handle the filming herself.
Today, with a video due for upload tomorrow, she'd stayed behind to finish editing instead of tagging along.
Seeing Alice's face, Ollie realized their racket might've disrupted her work and quickly apologized.
Alice bared her teeth at him in mock protest, like a mastiff flashing its fangs. Ollie flinched back half a step.
Maxim snickered, mercilessly teasing Ollie's embarrassment.
Alice shot Maxim a sharp look, and he shut up too.
Ignoring them, she waved Ronan over. "Come here, come here! I need your input on something."
Ronan didn't think twice. Alice often asked for his take during video production—it wasn't the first or second time. He nodded, heading over. Not before flexing his authority with a fist wave at Ollie and Maxim, though, then following Alice into the room.
Cliff, who'd cleverly kept a low profile, dodged the chaos. Ollie and Maxim spotted him right away: Wait, wasn't he howling along with us just now? How'd he slip by unnoticed?
They exchanged a glance, then teamed up to corner Cliff. The hallway erupted into noise again.