The day of the performance arrived swiftly, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and determination. Word had spread fast about Rock On’s upcoming live stream, and thousands waited eagerly, eyes glued to screens across the globe.

Inside the studio, a nervous energy hummed gently beneath the surface. Instruments stood ready, lights softly illuminating the stage set for a performance that would either elevate them or plunge them deeper into conflict.

Miura stood quietly in the dressing room, adjusting her necklace as she stared into the mirror. Her reflection stared back—steady, resolute, but softened by vulnerability. She took a calming breath, feeling the faint tremble of nerves beneath her skin.

A small knock at the door drew her attention. Sona peeked inside, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. Her eyes were wide and curious, innocence glowing softly in her expression.

“Hey, kiddo,” Miura said gently, turning toward her. “You alright?”

Sona nodded hesitantly, stepping further inside. “Are you nervous?”

Miura knelt down to her level, softly brushing Sona’s hair back from her eyes. “A little bit,” she admitted quietly, smiling warmly. “But knowing you’re here helps a lot.”

Sona smiled shyly, then leaned forward, hugging Miura tightly. “You’re gonna be great. I know it.”

Miura’s heart swelled with emotion as she hugged her back. “Thank you, Sona.”

The door opened gently again, Urara sticking her head in. “We’re on in five, Miura.”

Miura stood, taking one last breath before holding Sona’s hand. “Come on. Let’s do this.”

The studio lights dimmed. A hush spread over the room, amplifying the anticipation hanging in the air. Cameras began rolling, streaming the feed to countless viewers worldwide.

Miura sat quietly on stage, acoustic guitar resting gently on her lap. Kid settled at the piano, exhaling slowly as his fingers lightly touched the ivory keys, waiting for her cue. Reyn sat at his drums, perfectly still, while Urara took a deep breath, gripping her bass with quiet determination.

Miura looked toward her bandmates, meeting each of their eyes with quiet reassurance. They nodded back, each knowing exactly what this song meant to her—to all of them.

Then, with a deep inhale, she began strumming softly, her voice breaking gently through the silence:

“I hear your voice, in a memory,

Echoes from a place I cannot reach.

Why does it sound just like you,

Yet you can’t hear me speak?”

Kid joined smoothly, his fingers dancing softly over the keys, the piano notes weaving beautifully around Miura’s clear, heartfelt voice.

Her words trembled gently through the air, raw and honest, touching the hearts of every listener:

“Do you remember how we laughed,

Beneath the endless sky?

Tell me now, did you love me,

Even when you said goodbye?”

Reyn softly brushed the drums, delicate beats whispering beneath Miura’s tender melodies, like a heartbeat—steady, comforting, yet powerful.

The music swelled gracefully, Miura’s voice growing stronger, emotion pouring through each lyric as tears gently pricked her eyes. Urara carefully entered the song, her bass grounding the harmony in warmth and depth:

“All I’ve wanted, all I’ve tried,

To feel you one more time.

Your voice calls through darkness,

Yet the silence isn’t mine.”

At this moment, Kid gracefully stood from the piano, his fingers sliding over to his waiting guitar. He closed his eyes, stepping seamlessly into the melody, each strum enhancing Miura’s passion-filled voice.

The entire band’s intensity built steadily, their sound filling the space, resonating with powerful vulnerability:

“If you could see me standing here,

Would you whisper through my fear?

If you could hold me just once more,

I’d never ask for more.”

Miura poured every ounce of her soul into these lyrics, tears openly flowing as her voice soared, reaching toward an unreachable place, a voice beyond:

“A memory that won’t let go,

Yet you’ll never truly know,

How your voice still echoes here,

Haunting every silent tear.”

The music surged to an emotional crescendo—Kid’s guitar singing with fierce passion, Reyn’s drums reverberating powerfully, Urara’s bass deepening the emotional pull of the melody.

Then, gently, like a feather touching the earth, the music softened again, Miura’s voice trembling with heartbreaking sincerity:

“But in every silent night,

When stars begin to fade,

I feel your voice again,

The sweetest serenade.”

With one final, tender note, the song ended, lingering gracefully in the silence that followed. Miura lowered her guitar slowly, eyes still closed, breathing deeply as silence filled the studio.

Then, all at once, a wave of applause erupted from the small gathering of friends and crew. Reyn let out a long, relieved exhale, Kid smiled broadly, and Urara brushed away tears, smiling proudly.

Miura opened her eyes, looking toward the control room where Sona stood behind the glass, eyes wide and sparkling. The young girl gave her a small wave, mouthing the words, “I love you.”

Miura smiled gently, a warm feeling washing over her as she mouthed back, “I love you too.”

As the livestream ended, the world was left stunned—deeply moved by the sheer humanity and heartfelt beauty of the performance. Almost immediately, online responses flooded in, exploding in support and praise. Within hours, the song had gone viral, becoming a rallying cry against Iris Corporation’s artificial creations.

At Iris Corp Headquarters, panic consumed the executive floors. Screens flashed red as stock values collapsed, hundreds of millions of dollars evaporating before their eyes, a direct reaction to the undeniable truth resonating in Rock On’s music.

Back at the house, excitement overflowed. Everyone gathered, buzzing with excitement, joy, and relief. Miura entered to a thunderous cheer, laughing softly as Sona ran into her arms.

“You were amazing!” Sona exclaimed, hugging Miura tightly.

Kid groaned theatrically, throwing his hands up in mock despair. “I flew halfway across the globe for this, ya know!”

Reyn laughed heartily, clapping Kid firmly on the back. “Worth it, though, right?”

Kid smiled fondly. “Always.”

Urara laughed warmly, hugging Miura and Sona both. “Guess we really showed ‘em, huh?”

Miura glanced around at her bandmates—her family—and felt an overwhelming surge of pride and affection. “Yeah. We did.”

Gramps, smiling warmly from his recliner, raised a glass. “Couldn’t be prouder of ya. Of all of ya.”

Mark entered quietly, gently placing a hand on Miura’s shoulder. She smiled softly, leaning into his comforting presence. Sona tugged gently at her sleeve, looking up hopefully.

“Can we celebrate now?”

Miura laughed, nodding warmly. “Absolutely, kiddo.”

As the laughter and celebration spilled into the night, the darkness of what awaited them lingered silently in the distance, unnoticed for now. Because in this perfect moment, Rock On had conquered the world—one beautiful, heart-wrenching song at a time.