Melody in the Ruins
In 20XX, a new content trend called "real-time roleplaying broadcasts" using AI was gaining some traction. They set up hyper-realistic stages with AI, and the streamer sticks to their prepared setting while filming live. Surviving zombies, spending your final days on an Earth hit by meteors—everything's fake. But viewers get immersed in the realistic staging and the streamer's acting, chatting in real-time and having a blast. There's an unspoken rule: avoid breaking immersion with real-world talk during the broadcast.
So, if you ask who's the hottest channel among these streamers lately? Everyone would name the same one. A mysterious channel that popped up out of nowhere. In a snow-covered world with no one around, a beautiful girl and a cute kid traveling together. Unlike other broadcasts loaded with flashy effects, it was just plain old daily life—nothing special, kinda boring. But their staging and everyday moments felt so real, not like acting at all. Plus, both girls were stunning, so of course the viewer count exploded.
"Wish we could collab with them someday."
"Wanna send an email, but no contact info... ugh."
"Whoa, the background quality is insane. Wanna ask what program they used."
Even some famous streamers reached out, hoping for a joint stream. Regular viewers who loved the broadcasts were dying to know where these superhumans came from. They scoured every bit of info on their identities, but came up empty. All they could do was praise the thorough anonymity and solid prep.
But sharp-eyed viewers felt an uncanny vibe and started suspecting. Some even claimed the settings she dropped mid-broadcast might be real, and this could be a feed from the future. People dismissed it as nonsense, conspiracy crap, told them to see a shrink. No matter how realistic the staging or brilliant the girls' acting, there were subtle plot holes that didn't add up—like any story. Everything shrouded in mystery, but folks figured the truth would drop when their journey ended. Doubters and believers tore into each other nonstop.
But like dogs fighting, the second the broadcast went live:
The bickering vanished as everyone tuned in. Right now they're arguing, but maybe someday they'll hit the truth. If that day comes, can people handle the grim future? Whatever—complicated headaches like that didn't matter now. For those who believed it was fake, it was just fun, special entertainment. Yeah, if it's fun, that's enough.
"Unni, look at this!"
Chaeng~!!!
A bolt from the blue in the quiet space. The chat exploded from the noise ambush while rummaging, and my eardrums were ringing too. Once it settled, I looked at Hope—she held a cymbal in her tiny hands. Worn but otherwise decent.
"Cool, right? When you hit 'em together, it goes zing~."
"Yeah, super cool. But warn me next time before you hit it. Thought my ears were gonna fall off."
"Got it. So what's this called?"
"Cymbals."
"Cym-bals?"
She tilted her head at the unfamiliar word.
"One of the instruments old folks used for music. Where'd you find it?"
"In that room over there. Tons of other stuff too."
Following her excited lead, I headed to the room. Instruments littered everywhere like trash.
"But Unni, what's an instrument anyway?"
"Instruments are—"
Reciting the chat verbatim would scrunch up Hope's face. How to explain to spark her interest?
"Tools that capture every sound in the world. They make the songs you hum even prettier."
"Whatcha mean?"
"Snow crunching, humming, engine revs, even gunshots. People take sounds we hear daily and shape 'em into beautiful music."
I took the cymbals from her hand, got in position.
"Like this."
Chaeng~ Chaeng~
Unlike her full-force smash, a light tap rang clear. Same instrument, totally different sound—Hope gaped, mesmerized.
"Old folks used those instruments to play music so beautiful it made you cry."
"For real? So if I use 'em, my songs would sound way cooler?"
"Yup."
Kids gotta try new things right away. Hope's eyes sparkled as she turned to the instruments.
"Lemme check the others!"
"Don't touch the super dirty ones."
"Kay!"
As she dug through the trash piles, I helped out. Instruments, huh. Never dreamed I'd find any here. Thought they were all gone. Snapped violin and guitar strings, cracked flute, rusty harmonica that looked gross to blow, torn hand drum. No intact ones— all busted. Hope pouted, kicking the floor sulkily. She looked downright depressed.
"Hope, it's okay. You can make music anywhere without these."
"Really?"
"Yeah. For example... huh?"
While consoling her, my gaze caught a hidden door crack. Pushed trash aside, opened it. A room with a collapsed wall, sunlight pouring in on a lone grand piano, forlorn.
Hope's eyes lit up at the massive thing she'd never seen, toddling over fast. She gingerly pressed a white key—clear note rang out. Tinkering more filled the quiet room with colors of sound.
"Unni, what's this one?"
"Piano. One old folks used."
"Pi-a-no... I like it. Cool name."
I went close, tapped lightly. Ding~ A bit off from neglect, but way better than the wrecks outside. Dusted the stool, sat straight, fingers poised properly.
"Ooo~"
Hope admired from the side. And—
"Sat down, but... no clue what to play."
Chat scrolled fast, salty from dashed hopes. I cringed at the complaints. Not like I had zero piano experience. As a kid in my past life, I went to lessons briefly. But so much time passed, I'd forgotten most. No songs I could play. Sheet music might help, but just the piano here.
"Unni, when you're stuck, just follow your heart. That's how I sing."
"Follow my heart, huh..."
Eyes down, pondering—a melody flashed in memory. Sheet music forgotten, but I traced the tune as best I could. A song carried by stars in the night sky.
Letting instinct guide, fingers danced over keys. Finished the whole thing.
"Unni, amazing! You nailed it!"
Thunderous applause from Hope and chat. Insane. Was I always this good? Felt way better than my past life. Maybe I got talent for music now. No other way I'd nail a half-remembered tune like that. I'm a beast. Stunned by myself, eyes glued to keys. But in this world, no stage for it—left a lonely pang.
"So this is music. Different from my humming."
"Weird?"
"Nah, love it. Makes my chest go zing~."
Seeing her bounce excitedly warmed my heart. Yeah, my talent won't shine for the world, but for this moment...
"Hope, sing whatever. I'll piano along."
"Fun!"
She stood by the piano. Just as she started...
"But what song for this?"
"Follow your heart, like always."
"Kay!"
Rhythm and lyrics a mess. Still, fingers wove to make her song bloom beautifully. Colors filled the quiet world. Right now, dazzling Hope shone on us. Spring in winter.
Objectively, not a great song. Piano decent but amateur compared to pros. Yet echoing in a ruined room, it moved hearts.
Someone edited their duet and uploaded to a video site. Hit 850k views in a week, still climbing. Touched hearts worldwide. Problem: got too famous. Now communities hyped it as "innovative new music birth," full of pretentious weirdos.