On the Stage?

Days gone and cities being left behind… They visit Los Angeles where they saw the concert of a Diva named Celine Dion. Xion was lucky enough to win a lucky on the spot roulette for a private backstage meet and greet for 10 lucky fans before the performance. Yiren and Yuyeon are just waiting in their seats for the performance with some snacks and drinks in their hands enjoying the opening act.

Taking the situation for granted, Xion asked to play the piano for her for one song, "All by Myself". Celine was known to bring some unknown musician into her stage for a surprise for her fans. Since they are backstage where usually the team rehearse, there was a grand piano there.

As a fan service, Celine told him to play the piano first not to down the festive atmosphere, and Xion agreed. It's not a one time situation that Celine happened to be asked by her fans like Xion.

Xion sits at the piano, and the audience calms themself.. starts to play it.. no spoken words are uttered after that. Everyone was just speechless.. Celine then asked Xion,"why did you choose this song?" He replied, "I lost my father when i was very young, and my piano teacher told me that if i didn't want to speak up my mind or have trouble expressing it, i can use the piano as the medium for it. Your song is the first song that makes me cry when I play it at home, that's why I chose it, and I've played it more than 500 times on my count. and I guess that might be the reason why my mom bought your ticket for me."

Celine then proceeded to call his team manager and conductor and briefly explained her reason. The team then takes Xion to another small room and talks to him. They practice the song for 30 minutes with no things to fix much as Xion can easily follow their instruction to the details. Having a GrandMaster level in Piano Mastery is not a simple matter here; the real deal can easily know the difference and with some small guidance, Xion was perfect and ready for the performance.

When Celine came back, the team manager and conductor explained some sequences to her about the performance and then they proceeded with the dry rehearsal for the performance.

The manager then gives Xion a pass ticket to come backstage 30 minutes before his performance, with the cue marking from one of Celine songs that she will sing tonight.

Xion then goes back in silence as some guards bring him to his seats for the guards. Yuyeon and Yiren welcomed him and asked about the fanmeet which Xion replied was fantastic, Yuyeon was happy to see his son so delighted because of that.

While the Opening Act finishes their performance after the cue from the stage manager, everyone then screams as the Diva herself comes to the stage with some instrumental music played in a medley.

Xion was astounded when he found that the System suddenly upgraded because of "Recording of Legendary Performance" since Xion's body reacts to every note, sound and ambience because he also learns vocal.

30 Minutes before his performance, he told Yuyeon and Yiren that he wanted to go to the bathroom as the previous guard signaled to him. He then approaches the guard and both of them then hasten their speed to the backstage.

Some Stylist and Make-up Artist then prep him well with some fancy dress just like the other dancer, a white sleeveless t-shirt with suspenders and black long pants with white shoes. After putting on some light makeup, the difference is so significant that Xion can easily be mistaken as an aspiring artist on the stage.

Stylist and Makeup Artist gasped in admiration, where the manager praised him for his appearance. 10 minutes later, Celine came backstage to change her clothes but still managed to give a thumbs up for Xion when she saw his looks.

After a Quick change, Celine then brings Xion under the stage and both of them are then prepared after a smal pep talk along the way. Celine asked him if he was nervous but Xion just replied with i am in perfect condition.

Celine then distracted the audience with some talks before the encore as the pianist and Xion exchanged places. Celine moves to the piano and says " this particular song talks about loneliness but i find a new meaning in it today as you might feel it too, as this song speaks about many things through many occasions. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome… Xion."

The spotlight then shines on Xion as he plays the song on piano, the audience didn't have the time to cheer as they quickly quiet it down because the performance started early.. Xion just replayed the missed part again while looking at Celine as the Diva nodded in approval.

The atmosphere in the audience is just silence. the only sound heard is from the piano and some slow breath from everyone. All eyes are on the stage, glued to the performance that stores the atmosphere with sadness, loneliness, longing and regret.

after one minute, Xion stopped but Celine picked it up with a solo vocal to the chorus

~~All by myself

Don't wanna be

All by myself

Anymore

All by myself

Don't wanna live

~~~~

Xion then played the song from the first verse again as Celine sang the song, but jumped the chorus and started the second verse as they had practiced. Every note combined with Celine's vocal makes the audience silent and drowned in their own imagination..

Near the end of the performance, Celine sings in a High note for the performance which blows the audience's mind even more.. When both Her eyes meet Xion's. She uttered with his lips gesturing "You sing too", while pointing the mic closer to Xion. Xion without thinking much just continued his performance and sang the chorus part. This time the tones of the song turned different, even with the same lyrics.

Xion's tone of the song turned from longing into desperation and loneliness and a cry for weakness in his voice… He ended the song reminded about his late father which brought some emotional voice into the song.

Celine was listening to the audience, she could see the changes in the atmosphere in the great hall and decided to keep quiet. After two minutes of silence, Celine then speaks " Warm applause for… Xion".

Yiren and Yuyeon were the first one to give applause for the performance, they didn't know what to say but just clapped their hands enthusiastically . The Audience followed one by one giving applause and whistling, ignoring the tears in their faces…

Later backstage after closing the performance, Celine talks to Xion, while asking the guards to bring his family backstage. "You have good vocals and you play piano greatly.. are you interested in becoming a singer? I can hook you up with some big names, take notes that I didn't do this on a whim, but I believe you have potential." "I haven't thought about that but I will really have to reject it for the moment. I want to continue my education first, but if you need my help in the future, I will gladly come.. Xion replied confidently. Celine didn't force him further but reminded him to call her if there's something she can help with.

After a small greeting with Celine and getting her personal number for Xion, the family of three left the concert hall, while Xion told them about everything on their way back.

The family then continues their trip like nothing happened before as they enjoyed different cuisines, going to places and continued to Beijing where they first saw a young composer named Alan Walker rock the stadium with his sets of instruments which shocked Xion on how instruments and music can influence greater crowds atmosphere, goes to Tokyo where he saw the concert of PeaceMinusRock where they combine rock music with orchestral performance where Xion finally decided that he too wanted to become a singer that can influence people's heart, and finally they arrived in Seoul where they watched K-pop artist from BeatStar Entertainment, BeatEvo performed on stage entertaining millions of fans on-site which makes Yiren more determined to become an idol.

All along the road since Los Angeles to Seoul, Xion's System was put on Upgrade Mode because every time they goes to a concert, the Upgrade bar get refreshed over and over again like being added new function perfecting the old ones, but the recording feature still function as usual as it shows the result of a concert like "Legendary" or "Epic" class performance. Alan Walker and BeatEvo got Epic Rating and PeaceMinusRock got Legendary Rating. Xion also recorded many street performances during the trip.

In a Penthouse room of a Hotel in Seoul, Yuyeon was surprised and speechless when both Yiren and Xion uttered their intention for coming to Seoul, especially when they both said that they wanted to become singers. She even caught off guard when the children showed the results of the International Exam Test for Senior High School. She then brewed tea and put it on the table before the children.

The siblings know this is the deciding moment, as everytime Yuyeon wanted to have a serious and intimate conversation with them, she always does this before. Yuyeon poured the tea into the cups, and started to relax herself. Unlike Yuyeon, Xion and Yiren became more tense in their seats, like facing a death sentence after a huge crime was committed.