I am the Entertainment Tycoon

Chapter 749: Sound Check: The Final Rehearsal



Mafra Q Hall, Beord Bazaar, Catadrid

5:00 PM, Saturday, March 27th

The stage was a cavernous expanse of polished wood, gleaming in the subtle light as the tech crew adjusted the rigging and fine-tuned the lighting above. Cables snaked across the floor, linking monitors, amplifiers, and instruments into a sophisticated network of sound and rhythm. The faint hum of speakers was the only noise filling the space as Moonlight and his team prepared for the sound check, the anticipation for the night ahead palpable.

The stage had a beautiful decoration, but we will only introduce this when the concert starts a few hours later.

Theo, in his persona as Moonlight, stood in the center of the stage, adjusting the guitar strap across his shoulder. His red contact lenses gleamed under the house lights, casting a faintly eerie glow that perfectly matched his persona. Dressed in sleek, stylish attire-a mix of dark fabrics that shimmered in the light-he had already begun mentally walking through the setlist. Every song had its own energy, its own flow, and he needed to feel the rhythm of each one before stepping onto this stage later in front of thousands of people.

His small band of musicians had assembled, ready for the rehearsal that would set the tone for the evening. Jakob, the drummer, sat poised behind the drum kit, quietly tapping out a soft beat to warm up. Luna, the bassist, adjusted the tuning on her instrument, her fingers sliding gracefully along the frets, while Kei, the guitarist, casually strummed a few chords, his fingers dancing effortlessly along the strings.

At the side of the stage, Tsukuyomi, the enigmatic figure that was Aurora, stood with her half-black, half-white hair cascading over her shoulders, her silver mask glinting faintly as she waited for her cue. She would be joining for only a few songs, but her presence was just as important as Moonlight's, especially for the highly anticipated duet of "Save Your Tears."

Theo strummed his guitar once, the sound echoing through the hall as the sound engineers in the back made their final adjustments. The air felt heavy with anticipation, but there was quiet confidence in the team. They had rehearsed, albeit remotely, and now, the sound check would smooth out any lingering kinks.

"Alright, let's run through the setlist from the top," Moonlight called out, his voice calm yet commanding. "We'll go one by one, adjust anything we need to, and make sure we're tight for tonight."

The first song on the list was "Perfect," a gentle, emotional ballad that Moonlight would play on the guitar. As Jakob counted them in, the soft strumming of Theo's acoustic guitar filled the hall, the notes warm and enveloping. Kei's electric guitar provided a subtle undercurrent, while Luna's bass added depth to the sound. Jakob's drums were delicate but steady, guiding the tempo with precision.

Moonlight's voice, smooth and full of emotion, wove through the melody effortlessly. He had played this song countless times, but each performance was a new moment, an opportunity to connect with the audience, even in rehearsal.

As the song ended, Theo nodded in approval, glancing over at the band. "Sound levels good? Anything off?"

The sound engineer's voice crackled through the in-ear monitors. "Everything sounds good on our end. Want to move to the next?"

They transitioned into "Before You Go," a more poignant song, tinged with sorrow and reflection. Moonlight's guitar played a central role once again, his fingers gliding over the strings as the band built around his melodies. Jakob's drumming was more pronounced here, driving the emotional intensity of the piece forward, while Luna's bass pulsed in harmony with the beat.

When that song came to a close, Moonlight shifted to the piano, his fingers hovering over the keys as the intro to "The Scientist" reverberated through the venue. The song was more intimate, the piano's haunting chords echoing in the empty hall, and Moonlight's voice carrying a sense of vulnerability.

Tsukuyomi watched from the sidelines, quietly humming along as the sound filled the space. She knew she wouldn't be needed for several more songs, but it was vital that everything felt cohesive, seamless, and precise.

Next came "Say You Won't Let Go," a shift back to the acoustic guitar. The transition between instruments was smooth-almost second nature to Moonlight now-but the rehearsals ensured there were no hiccups or surprises later. Kei's lead guitar added a gentle but stirring accompaniment, his notes weaving in and out of Moonlight's melodies.

"Let's kick it up," Moonlight said, flashing a grin beneath his mask as they launched into "bad guy." This time, Moonlight was on the synthesizer, twisting dials and pressing keys as the familiar, pulsating beat began to fill the hall. Jakob's drums were more aggressive now, driving the rhythm, while Luna's bass throbbed with intensity. This song had a different energy entirely-more confrontational, more daring.

As the song built to its climax, Moonlight's red eyes glinted with the reflection of the stage lights, his hands moving deftly over the synth controls. The sound was sharp, edgy, and exactly what they needed to energize the crowd tonight.

"Great. Next," Moonlight instructed, the setlist flowing easily now as they hit their groove.

They moved seamlessly through "Dance Monkey," where Moonlight once again commanded the synthesizer, building a playful, high-energy soundscape that contrasted sharply with the heavier emotional weight of the previous songs. The band followed his lead with precision, each note landing exactly where it needed to.

Finally, it was time for "Believer" and "Save Your Tears," two songs where Moonlight opted not to play an instrument, instead focusing entirely on his vocals. As they rehearsed "Believer," Jakob's drumming grew more intense, driving the song's powerful momentum forward, while Luna and Kei supported with a heavier, more rock-infused sound.

And then came "Save Your Tears," the moment Tsukuyomi had been waiting for. She stepped onto the stage, her silver mask reflecting the light as she took her place beside Moonlight. As the song began, their voices intertwined effortlessly, hers ethereal and haunting, his smooth and resonant. The duet was captivating, even in this empty hall, as the two personas blended together, creating something powerful.

When the final notes of the song faded away, there was a moment of silence before Moonlight nodded, satisfied.

"Let's run through the surprises," he said, glancing at Tsukuyomi, who gave a subtle nod.

The surprise songs weren't on the official setlist, but Moonlight had a couple of extra tricks up his sleeve for the concert. They rehearsed these songs quickly, making sure everything flowed seamlessly, but keeping the details tightly under wraps.

Finally, after over an hour of rehearsal, they were done. The sound check had gone off without a hitch, the band was tight, and Moonlight felt a sense of calm wash over him. Everything was

falling into place.

Moonlight glanced at the clock. It was just past 6:00 PM now, and the gates would open soon. Outside the venue was buzzing with life, excitement building as the fans waited in line, waiting for the moment when the gates would open, and they would finally would see the stage where Moonlight would perform.

Moonlight turned to the others, offering a small smile behind his mask. "Great work, everyone. Let's get ready for the show."

As they stepped off the stage, the anticipation hung in the air like electricity. In just over two hours, the concert would begin, and the world would finally see Moonlight and Tsukuyomi in their full glory.