24 Simple Happiness

"Thank you, thank you for your encouragement and support. It was the final piece of the puzzle that made tonight perfect," Cliff expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

The words of thanks echoed in his ears, followed by Ollie and Maxim's enthusiastic voices. Duncan, as he briskly walked away, still felt the rush of emotions in his chest.

Involuntarily, Duncan looked back one more time, and he saw the group of young people celebrating, high-fiving, and cheering. They were rejoicing because of the affirmation, and Duncan's lips curled up in a smile once again.

Indeed, happiness and joy are contagious.

Duncan was somewhat surprised by his impulsive actions. He had mentioned waiting by the back door for the band members as though he were a fan following a star.

Duncan was already thirty-five years old, long past the age of idolizing pop rock and far removed from his youthful days of enjoying this genre.

Tonight, he had been drawn to something different—While he wasn't particularly interested in the music of Kings for a Day, he found himself captivated by the atmosphere of their performance and the allure of the stage. That was what truly brightened his mood.

The passion, innocence, and madness on display were akin to singing at the top of one's lungs at the edge of the world, defiantly displaying the vivid colors of life.

It was as if they had momentarily broken free from the mundane and monotonous routine of life, leaving Duncan to feel the exuberance of his youth once more. This sense of resonance was the most beautiful and moving scenery.

So, without overthinking it, Duncan had spontaneously made his way to the back door. He had no ulterior motives or grand purpose in mind; he simply wanted to express his appreciation and gratitude for the joy they had brought him tonight.

After all, his life had become an endless cycle of repetitive days and years. It had been a long time since he had experienced such a surge of emotions. In this brief encounter, he had managed to open a window into his otherwise mundane life.

He didn't need to think about his demanding boss, his family's burdens, or the uncertain path ahead. For now, he could just laugh freely and purely.

He cherished nights like this.

Although he was surprised by his own actions, what surprised him even more was that, upon reflection, Duncan felt no regret. Instead, he was glad he had done it.

The entire encounter had been brief, with only a few back-and-forth exchanges. Duncan hadn't even asked for the band members' names.

Nevertheless, he had memorized the faces of these four individuals and the radiant enthusiasm they had exuded on stage. The memory of those bright eyes and the passion of their performance was enough.

In this moment, as Duncan watched the band members celebrate, his steps became lighter.

"Kings for a Day" Duncan contemplated for a moment. He had a feeling he would encounter this band again in the future, even though he had never been a fan of pop rock. His intuition seemed to suggest so.

...

"Ah! Ahhh!"

As the stranger turned to leave, Ronan, who usually remained calm and composed, couldn't contain his excitement any longer and let out a joyful scream. His smile extended from his eyes to his lips.

Ollie, not understanding the reason, joined in with a scream of his own, even more excited. He jumped up and down as if he were a kangaroo, getting ready for the next jump.

When the elation subsided slightly, Ollie asked belatedly, "Why are we screaming?"

Cliff, rolling his eyes, responded, "You guys don't even know what you're screaming about."

Ronan, still smiling widely, turned to Ollie and said, "He really liked our stage, Ollie! Do we actually have fans?"

Fans.

The word had a magical quality to it, rolling off the tongue like sweet music. Just uttering the syllables filled their chests with warmth and happiness.

Ollie continued jumping up and down, each jump higher than the last, much like Mario collecting mushrooms in the classic Famicom (NES) game "Super Mario."

He cheered in unison with Ronan's emotions. "Fans! Fans! Do we really have fans?"

Seeing Ronan and Ollie jubilant and openly expressing their inner joy without reservation, Cliff and Maxim couldn't help but join in the celebration. It felt as if they had grown wings and were soaring high in the night sky of New Orleans.

In truth, happiness could be quite simple. Even the sincere appreciation of a single audience member could bring forth unbridled smiles.

This sense of elation continued through dinner, and their raised spirits didn't wane.

Sam, the owner of the Noon Bar, had kept his promise. Not only had he provided two free dinner orders for the band members last night and tonight, but he had also paid them extra for tonight's performance.

Three hundred dollars!

It might not have been much, but for the band members who were struggling to make ends meet, it was a timely boost that truly made the night perfect. Even Cliff, who had been feeling apprehensive, finally cracked a smile, able to fully relax and enjoy the evening.

Dinner was like an unexpected bonus.

Cliff and Ollie had already placed their orders and watched with amusement as Maxim and Ronan struggled to make a decision.

Maxim had a slight frown on his face, seemingly dissatisfied with the menu offerings. In contrast, Ronan's right hand tapped lightly on the table, eager to try every dish on the menu.

Cliff, noticing Ollie's curiosity, leaned over and whispered, "Ronan, the waiter is waiting."

Ronan, as someone who usually made decisions faster than Maxim, should have been quick to order.

"Well, give me a moment," Ronan replied politely. His eyes, however, remained fixed on the menu, piquing Ollie's interest. He wondered if Ronan had uncovered some hidden secret recipe within the menu.

Sensing Ollie's curiosity, Ronan explained, "I'm trying to decide between the crayfish sausage roll and the roast beef roll."

Cliff was baffled, "Aren't those the same thing?"

Ronan responded with utmost seriousness, "Absolutely not! While they may both be rolls, you must understand that Nora's rolls have a distinctive Southern flavor, right?"

His serious and focused expression was reminiscent of a scientist explaining his research findings.