The four weeks leading up to Bill Kaulitz's visit felt like both the longest and shortest of Lisha's life. She and Tom spent every spare moment in the hidden music room, polishing their songs and working on a special duet they'd written together—combining Tom's heartfelt lyrics with the energetic style Lisha loved from Tokio Hotel.
Mia had nearly fainted when they told her the truth about Tom's real identity. After she'd recovered from the shock, she'd spent an hour asking every possible question about Bill—what he was really like, if he'd be willing to take a photo with her, if he'd ever perform in Manila again.
"He's actually coming here next month for a secret show," Tom had told her, grinning at her wide-eyed reaction. "And he wants us all to be there—even you, Mia. You're basically our band's unofficial manager anyway."
True to his word, Mia had thrown herself into planning—organizing their practice schedule, making sure their instruments were in perfect shape, and even designing custom t-shirts for the three of them with lyrics from their song "Posters."
The day Bill was set to arrive, Lisha could barely sleep. She'd spent hours picking out what to wear—finally settling on her favorite striped shirt, dark jeans, and her silver skull ring. Tom had told her not to be nervous, but as they drove to the small venue where the secret concert was being held, her hands were shaking so much she could barely hold her guitar case.
The venue was an old theater in the heart of Manila, hidden away on a quiet side street. When they walked inside, Lisha's breath caught—Bill Kaulitz was standing on the stage, talking to a group of sound technicians, wearing his signature style: black leather jacket, spiked hair, and enough silver rings to rival Tom's collection. He looked exactly like he did in her posters, but even more incredible in person.
When he saw Tom, he broke into a huge smile and walked off the stage to pull him into a hug. "Tom! Finally—look at you. You've gotten so tall."
They talked for a few minutes, catching up like the family they were, before Bill turned his attention to Lisha and Mia. His eyes lit up when he saw her ring. "So you're the famous Lisha I've been hearing about. Tom says you know every one of our songs by heart."
Lisha nodded, barely able to speak. "Y-yes, sir. I've been a fan since I was twelve."
Bill laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "None of that 'sir' stuff—call me Bill. And I hear you two have been making some music together. Tom says you're really talented."
"Thank you," Lisha said, finding her voice at last. "We actually wrote a song—about how sometimes you think you love someone you've never met, but then you find someone real right in front of you."
Bill's smile softened. "That sounds beautiful. Would you mind playing it for me? I was hoping to hear what you've been working on. In fact… I have an idea."
He led them onto the stage and gestured to the microphones set up there. "How would you two feel about performing it with me tonight? The crowd is full of die-hard fans—they'll love it. Plus, I think your song deserves to be heard by more than just us."
Tom looked at Lisha, his eyes shining with excitement. She nodded—her nervousness replaced by a rush of adrenaline. "We'd love to."
As the sun set and the venue filled up with fans, Lisha stood backstage with Tom and Bill, watching the crowd gather. Bill had spent the last hour helping them practice, giving them tips on stage presence and how to connect with the audience.
"Remember," he said, clapping them both on the shoulder. "This is your moment too. Don't be afraid to let people see who you are."
When their turn came to go on stage, Tom took Lisha's hand and squeezed it. "Ready?"
"Ready," she said, and for the first time since she'd met him, she didn't see a lookalike or a secret half-brother. She saw Tom—the boy she loved, standing beside her as they were about to share their music with the world, and with the very person who'd inspired her to start playing in the first place.
They walked onto the stage to cheers from the crowd, and Lisha felt a wave of emotion wash over her as she saw people holding up Tokio Hotel posters and singing along to the songs playing over the speakers. She picked up her guitar, Tom sat down with his bass, and Bill stood beside them at the microphone.
"Good evening, Manila!" Bill called out, and the crowd roared. "Tonight, we have something special for you. I'd like to introduce two very talented musicians—Tom and Lisha. They've written a song that touched my heart, and I want to share it with all of you."
As Tom started playing the opening chords of "Posters," Lisha closed her eyes for a moment, remembering all the posters on her walls, all the dreams she'd had, all the moments that had led her here. When she opened them, she saw Tom looking at her with love in his eyes, Bill smiling beside them, and a crowd of people ready to listen.
She started singing, her voice clear and strong:
"Posters on my wall, faces on my screen / I thought I knew you, living in my dreams / But then you walked right in, broke through every line / Showed me real love is better than design…"
Bill joined in for the chorus, his voice blending perfectly with hers and Tom's, and the crowd started singing along too—even though they'd never heard the song before. In that moment, everything came together: the girl who'd loved a star from afar, the boy who'd hidden his truth to find someone who saw him for himself, and the idol who'd inspired them both to make music from their hearts.
After the song ended and the applause died down, Bill put his arm around Tom's shoulders. "Some of you might know that Tom is my half-brother—we've been apart for years, but music brought us back together. And it brought him to Lisha, who reminds me why I started making music in the first place."
He turned to Lisha and Tom. "I have one more surprise for you both. I'm starting a new label for up-and-coming artists, and I want you two to be my first signings. We can record your songs, help you share your music with the world, and make sure you never have to hide who you are again."
Tears streamed down Lisha's face as the crowd cheered again. Tom pulled her close, and she could feel him shaking with happiness. They'd come so far from that first day under the mango tree—from fan girl and lookalike to musicians about to start their journey together, with the very person who'd inspired them both by their side.
Later that night, as they stood outside the venue watching the stars, Tom took Lisha's hand and looked into her eyes. "You know what's funny? I spent years trying to be someone else, trying to hide who I really was. But meeting you made me realize that the best part of me is the part that makes music with you."
Lisha leaned her head on his shoulder, looking up at the sky. "I spent years loving someone I'd never met. But then I met you, and I realized that the real thing is better than any poster, any video, any dream I ever had."
Tom kissed the top of her head. "So… does this mean you'll be my girlfriend officially? No more secrets, no more pretending—just us, making music together?"
Lisha looked up at him and smiled, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "Yes. A thousand times yes."
As they stood there holding each other, with the city lights twinkling around them and the sound of music still echoing in their ears, Lisha thought about all the posters on her bedroom walls back home. She'd keep them up—they were part of who she was, part of the journey that had led her here. But now she knew that the best story wasn't the one she'd dreamed up from afar—it was the one she was writing every day with Tom, together.
THE END