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A sudden downpour erupted out of the clouds. You hurriedly used your backpack to shield your head and quickly hid in a nearby coffee shop. The aroma of fragrant coffee beans and the dim yellow light made your agitated mood slightly eased. You asked the shopkeeper for some tissues to wipe the water stains and shook the heavy backpack soaked by the rain. At this moment, your gaze accidentally caught a figure in the corner. A boy wearing a striped shirt, who had also had to seek refuge in this small coffee shop due to the bad weather, lifted his soaked trousers and tried hard to dry the water droplets on the cuffs. This was clearly very difficult. The boy helplessly raised his stiff neck and noticed you staring at him. Surprised, he exclaimed: "Oh? It's you!"
You also recognized him too, that talented guitarist teenager, Richard Ox. Not long ago, you even watched his first performance after joining the Goat Skin Band. This kid performed so skillfully as if he had been playing rock music for 30 years. The audience, who were initially skeptical and whispering, turned into amazement and cheers. That day, you quickly got in the front row early to fulfill your previous promise. However, he was fully focused on playing intently, seemingly not noticing you even though you were standing in the front row. Even though you were there, you didn't expect him to remember you. You two only met once, to be precise, you were still strangers.
"Hey, Richard." You walked towards him with a smile. "I think the rain won't stop for a while. If there's nothing urgent, why don't we sit down and have a chat?" Richard nodded, and then you two sat facing each other in the window seat. The rain violently attacked the transparent window, leaving a series of winding water stains. Outside, there were no pedestrians, and it was a hazy, lonely world in a bluish-gray color.
"What are you doing here?" You were the first to ask. Richard pursed his lips and sighed before speaking: "I just went out for some fresh air. But then I got caught in this awful weather. I didn't get any dinner but I was soaked by the rain... How about you?"
You were silent for a moment. Just before the heavy rain began, you and your girlfriend ended your date with a fierce argument. You both felt anxious and confused about your future. After days of compromising, this was the result of today's argument. So you stormed out in anger. "I, uh, I just had a fight with my girlfriend and we parted on bad terms. I just wanted to find a place to calm down. I never expected to run into you." Richard realized this was an awkward topic and apologized to you: "I'm sorry. I brought up your sad story."
"It's okay," you changed the subject. "By the way, I watched your performance in the front row. It was really great! Your head-shaking is so cute!" Your elbow rested on the table, your palm supporting your chin as you narrowed your eyes and cast a praising glance at Richard.
"Thank you..." Richard's cheeks flushed a bright red color, and his smile became even more charming. You knew that his blushing was not because he felt uncomfortable about being praised, but rather his pride in success and recognition. "Wait, so you actually came to my performance? I thought you had forgotten. I didn't see you..." He felt a bit disheartened, lowering his eyes in a pained manner, then suddenly raised his head sharply, "I was confused. I'm nearsighted, but I don't dare to wear glasses on stage. Large groups of audience members to me are like moving mosaics." Richard smiled shyly. You simply can't imagine how such a simple child could adapt to the chaotic adult world.
At this point, you felt a bit hungry, so you suggested: "Let me treat you to something to celebrate your successful debut performance!" You beckoned the waiter over, but Richard spoke before you: "Hello, emmm two cups of latte and two scones please." While you were still in a daze, Richard had already placed the order: "Thank you for supporting my performance. I'll treat you. I just got paid recently and can buy a lot of new picks!"
The richly fragrant latte and scones were served. You all listened to the melodious jazz and chatted the whole night. You found that this excited young man in front of you was full of vitality like a perpetual motion machine, completely different from the dull and listless office workers who were worn out by life. He had a happy family, a lovely cat, impeccable talents, and a bright and free future. Richard's existence was like an ideal fairy tale world. He admitted that he was a little nervous about joining his favorite band and being criticized by others, but he couldn't show panic, otherwise the newspapers would fabricate stories. He was well aware of the power of public opinion.
"I know they call me 'little dick' of Brett, but I don't care. They are jealous of my talent, and this only shows their incompetence and meanness."
After an unknown amount of time, when you were able to detach your thoughts from the conversation, you noticed that the rain had finally stopped. Above you was a bright moon partially hidden behind the clouds, and more people were walking on the road. You raised your hand to look at your watch——10:10. You should go home now. You bid Richard goodbye with reluctance and once again expressed your love for Suede, and once again told him that you would try your best to watch his future performances, although you were also a poor lonely soul crushed by life.
Once, after a long and tiring day of work, you saw Richard, who had just finished a performance a few days ago, walking around the street with a camera in his hand. You exchanged a few words with him and he asked for your help: "Could you take a photo for me? I want to take a picture with this poster. I like the me in the leather jacket and having my hair dyed black. But when I used the hair dye for the first time, it got into my eyes and I almost became a blind guitarist. This is so ridiculous!"
You guided him to find the comfortable position and took several pictures in a row. Richard was looking at the photos with delight and pointed at one of them, saying, "I like this one! Laughing makes me look too silly and not mature at all." In the photo, he smiled calmly, with tender expressions in his eyes. His faded black hair appeared warm brown in the sunlight. Although he dressed himself in a black leather jacket to resemble the "rock star look" he imagined in his mind, the white polka-dot blue shirt inside still gave him a childish appearance. You mustn't say these words; don't break his fantasy.
"Oh no," Richard frowned. "The poster wasn't fully captured. Look." He pointed to the Simon on the left who was out of the frame. "Can you take it again for me?" You took the camera and snapped a picture, but you couldn't see the new photo. You checked it several times and found that it was broken. "OK... Thank you all the same!" Although a bit disappointed, it couldn't dampen Richard's excitement. Later, he sent you a stack of photos of the band, including this one, so this imperfect yet perfect photo became your treasure.