PRESENT: “Runa. Runa!” I heard Ren’s voice. “Are you okay? Memory playbacks again huh? Don’t worry, the show is about to start. Ruby is waiting for you out front.” His smile is very comforting to see. I guess I got lost in my thoughts, literally.
PRESENT: I watched Ren play his guitar solo on stage with such confidence. The crowd supes adores him! I looked at Ruby close beside me and even she, though they don’t get along too well, is cheering for Ren. It’s nice to see how things have changed. I still remember when I first watched him perform in the band.
Runa Back at Age 15:
Tonight is Ren’s band’s performance. I had something planned to help Ren come out of his comfort zone tonight but in order to do that, I needed help from someone special. I also asked her to be my date because, well, RUBY feels specially close to me and I want her to meet Ren too! “Hello love!!” She greets me with a kiss on the cheek. Goshh did I blush? Hope she didn’t see that. “Let’s go meet that talented friend of yours!”
The inside of the bar was a refreshing sight to see, at least for me. In here, I’m not weird and different. I actually felt like I belonged. But I shouldn’t be distracted too much, I still have a critical mission to do to help Ren. Where IS he anyway? I’ll go look for him while Ruby waits here for our “special guests“.
“Please don’t expect too much okay? It’s not that my band isn’t great. They are super talented. But I can’t say the same for me so…” Ren nervously kept mumbling things like these. I held his hands that were ice cold and looked him in the eyes. “Ren, look at me, and look at your band. We are here for you. And you are here because we believe in you. Just love your music and your artistry and work out of love for your craft. Now go and rock this place out!”
Great! The b!tches that humiliated Ren are here just like I planned. One of the students from their group is Ruby’s garage client and she helped me find out their names so I can hack and send out a fake influencer invitation party. Soon the rest of their friends will be here too. Bet they didn’t expect this crowd and place. If I could read their minds they’re probably thinking they’re too good for this bar. Tch.
Soon the band started playing. Ren smoothly played his guitar at the back. Oh wait, it’s time for his guitar solo! Play it cool, Ren. I know you’re surprised to see your schoolmates in the audience, but trust me, you can do this. You just have to believe in yourself.
It doesn’t take long before Ren’s performance to hit viral on social media. The popular kids are here and posted him, super impressed. They are all mostly positive encouragements and compliments. Ren, you are finally recognized and seen as who you truly are.