Ultimately, Joshua doesn't get Aria's special-edition keychain because Justin suddenly runs off, looking like he never wants to see Joshua again. The dance lessons went down the drain with him.
[Don't bother with unnecessary people. We need to focus on practicing—center, center!]
Nine kept urging inside Joshua's head.
Joshua chuckled softly. He didn't reply, just began stretching. The sooner he regained his flexibility, the better.
A sudden announcement echoed throughout the room by four in the afternoon, drawing surprised exclamations.
"Tonight we'll be doing a livestream!"
"A whole 30 minutes live!"
"I wonder if anyone will even watch our room..."
Everyone was buzzing with chatter. Joshua lowered his eyes to check the notice on his phone.
The topic choice was wide open, and the group size wasn't restricted. Just what exactly was the production team aiming for?
[This season's concept is set to lean toward freedom, to help draw out each trainee's potential rather than forcing them into rigid formats,] Nine explained.
Joshua glanced at the long faces of the trainees around him. It was clear they preferred things to be rigid—the production team's sudden shift had caught everyone off guard.
Just then, a weight suddenly pressed down on his shoulder. Joshua turned to find Leonard grinning at him.
"Hey, did you see the announcement? Want to team up with me?"
Leonard was sure Joshua already understood his current skill and standing. When the production team's notice went out, countless fans were waiting to welcome him. If Joshua did the livestream with him, there was no doubt Joshua would gain a lot of attention!
Everyone here was aiming to become an idol—Leonard didn't believe Joshua could stay unmoved.
Joshua glanced at him and said softly, "Thanks." Then he walked out.
Seeing this, Leonard's lips curled with satisfaction. He quickly chased after Joshua, talking as he went.
From the side, Justin—who had been packing his things—watched their retreating figures, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"So, have you picked a topic yet? The program didn't give any hints at all? How about we make dumplings? Make a Joshua-shaped dumpling..."
Leonard drawled, unable to resist teasing others even for a moment.
But the moment they stepped out of the training building, Joshua suddenly brushed his hand away and said softly, "Thanks for the offer, but I don't want to do a live with you."
It was as if some invisible sound shattered.
Leonard's expression darkened as he looked at Joshua. He didn't speak or smile—his silence alone carried an intimidating weight.
Inside Joshua's head, Nine screamed: [What's with that face?! Is he planning to hit you, that bastard?! I'll kill him if he dares lay a finger on you!!!]
Joshua met Leonard's gaze in silence.
Staring at the boy before him, Leonard suddenly realized that maybe there were times he made the wrong judgments, too.
Joshua's eyes were moist, almost watery, yet they didn't look weak when he grew serious.
"Do you even realize that compared to the rest of you, I'm famous on an entirely different level?" Leonard lifted his chin, his tone cold.
Joshua, however, wasn't the least bit intimidated by his demeanor. "Then plenty of people will be willing to team up with you. I don't like you. Stop bothering me."
Leonard froze, staring at Joshua. His lips twitched, then suddenly curled into a laugh born of fury. His face twisted viciously as he sneered, "You don't like me? You're telling me not to bother you anymore?"
From childhood until now, no one had dared say something like that to him!
"You think I'm annoying? Do you know how much screen time my so-called 'annoyance' could bring you? You think you're so amazing? Your body alone doesn't even meet the standard!"
Leonard's words came sharp and venomous, his eyes burning red. He didn't even know why he was so angry.
All he'd meant to do was tease Joshua. He just found Joshua irritating. So why was he the one furious instead?
Panting hard, Leonard caught himself by Joshua's calm, emotionless gaze. His breath hitched, his lips pressed tight, and then—he abruptly spun on his heel and ran off.
[He's insane. That guy's actually insane! Please don't pay him any mind, Joshua, you're definitely going to debut! Damn bastard, thinking anyone needs him—who the hell does he think he is?!]
Nine's voice grew smaller and smaller, until the latter half was inaudible, like some shadowy murderer endlessly plotting in the dark.
It noticed Joshua's expressionless face, as though Leonard's words hadn't left much of an impression. Still, it couldn't help but worry:
[You better not be upset! We came here to debut, not to waste time on nobodies! If you let yourself get distracted, you're not worthy of me!]
Joshua: "And just how valuable are you?"
[I'm priceless,] Nine declared smugly.
Joshua couldn't hold back a laugh.
Seeing that, Nine secretly sighed in relief—only to flare up again moments later. When would episode one even air? It needed more resources to edit videos! Of course, it didn't care whether Joshua was looked down on. What mattered was that Joshua was its artist and couldn't be bullied like that. Yes, exactly! That was the point!
The dorm was empty—it seemed his roommate was still training. Joshua grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom.
The sound of rushing water soon followed, along with humming.
Of course, Joshua used every moment to improve his skills—even if it was just by 0.1 or 0.2 points, it still counted. He wouldn't admit it, but singing while showering had a charm.
Steam blurred everything, and in Nine's vision, it was just a mess of mosaic. Joshua glanced at himself in the mirror. He had a hunch that losing weight wouldn't be too hard—this body shared far too many similarities with his old one...
Click!
Just then, the bathroom door suddenly swung open. Startled, Joshua looked back.
There was Luther, leaning against the doorframe, long hair soaked with sweat, his beautiful face creased slightly as he glanced Joshua's way.
"Your singing is unbearable." With that, he walked straight to the sink, splashed water on his face, then strode out just as smoothly.
Joshua: "..."
[Aaaaaaa that bastard! Joshua, sing ten songs at him, right now!] Nine raged.
[Wait, hang on—did Luther see you, Joshua? What is this? What is happening here?! This is sexual harassment! Oh my god, there's a dangerous criminal right next to you! That jerk—so rude, so infuriating!] Nine felt like it was about to explode.
Joshua, however, didn't take it to heart. "...It's fine. We're both guys anyway, and I was already wearing pants."
Still, Luther's behavior wasn't exactly appropriate. Joshua didn't mind, but others might not see it the same way.
"Next time, don't just barge in on someone showering." Joshua stepped out, toweling his hair, reminding Luther.
At that moment, Luther was sitting cross-legged on the floor, with a handheld console. His legs were faintly ashen. Hearing Joshua, he lifted his head, the lollipop stick in his mouth tilting upward.
"So what? You embarrassed? I didn't even look at you. Nothing worth seeing anyway."
His personality was entirely at odds with his appearance.
Joshua chuckled, a perfect PR smile. "No, it's just that I've got a great black dragon below. I'd hate for you to feel insecure, princess."