Joshua had only wanted to hurry back and check his mission, but when he dashed out, he unexpectedly ran straight into Justin, standing at the door.
Before he could even dodge, Justin had already stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace.
Joshua's whole face was pressed against Justin's firm chest. Justin was tall and broad, not the soft kind of "round" like Joshua, but packed with solid muscle. His large hand even landed on Joshua's back, patting as if to reassure him—but the very next second it froze up, as though he didn't know where to put it.
Joshua couldn't help but tilt his head and looked dazedly at Justin.
At the same time, Justin was lowering his head. His features were sharp and handsome: a high, straight nose, long, narrow eyes, and thin lips. His short hair emphasized the strong lines of his face even more. With his tanned skin and muscular build, he was the type of boyfriend material many fans would swoon over.
But right now, he looked utterly foolish—lips pressed tight, gaze trembling. Not even his darker skin could hide the flush spreading across his face, creeping all the way to his ears, as if his head was about to start steaming.
"S-sorry…" Justin quickly backed away, flustered and stumbling so badly he nearly fell.
Joshua hurriedly caught his hand and asked, "Are you alright?"
Justin shook his head hard, standing there blankly staring at Joshua, lips pressed together, hands twitching nervously.
Seeing him like this, Joshua couldn't help but chuckle softly. Tilting his head, he smiled and asked, "What is wrong with you? Did someone tease you or something?"
Justin realized Joshua hadn't paid any mind to his strange behavior. He lowered his eyes, unaware of this odd mess of emotions inside him.
Embarrassment, joy, frustration, restlessness—all tangled together.
Idiot, why did you run up and hug Joshua out of nowhere?!
Even Justin himself couldn't understand what he was doing.
Lowering his gaze to Joshua, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, he looked a little dejected as he softly said, "Joshua, I'm sorry. Could you… Don't be mad at me anymore? I promise I won't do that again next time."
He spoke slowly, his eyes not daring to meet Joshua's, though he didn't know what he feared.
"I'm not mad at you at all." The boy's clear voice suddenly rang out.
Justin looked back startled, only to see Joshua watching him—lips curved, eyes shimmering with watery light, staring straight at him with an unhidden smile.
Joshua glanced at Justin's slightly misty eyes and silently sighed again: this big guy really had a fragile heart. Smiling, he said, "Clearly, you were avoiding me. You said if I taught you to dance, you'd give me Aria's keychain, but you didn't even let me teach you."
With that, Joshua lowered his eyes, lips pressing together in sadness.
Seeing this, Justin panicked, quickly grabbing Joshua's hand and blurting out nonstop: "No… I'm sorry… when we get back to the dorm, I'll give you the Aria keychain. I also have a standee and badges. I'll give you everything, okay? I wasn't avoiding you at all."
Only then did Joshua lift his eyes to him, smiling.
When Justin met that smile, his mind became strange and confusing again.
Joshua raised his hand, and Justin instinctively lowered his head in confusion.
Joshua had only intended to brush some dust off Justin's shoulder. Surprised at his reaction, he looked at the bowed head before him, then said nothing—just gently patted it. "Alright, truce. I'm not mad at you; you won't avoid me anymore."
Justin pressed his lips together and obediently nodded.
Night had fallen, the moonlight bright and clear. Justin lowered his gaze, watching Joshua walk beside him, then looked at the sky. Like obsidian, his black eyes seemed like they could draw in all the light.
"Joshua, about what you said… that "no matter how good the relationship is, no one else can define you for you"—I think you're right."
Justin's sudden words made Joshua glance at him in puzzlement.
Justin stood just two steps away, his dark eyes locked unwaveringly on Joshua, as though lit up from within—a light Joshua couldn't fully understand.
"From now on, I'll define myself!" Justin said firmly, eyes shining bright as he looked at Joshua.
Joshua didn't quite understand, but he could feel Justin's emotion. He smiled. "Alright then, let's soar high together."
Looking at Joshua's smile, Justin thought he must look like a fool right now, yet his heart felt lighter than ever. His mind seemed suddenly clear, like a house long smothered in cobwebs that had finally been swept clean by someone unyielding.
Perhaps Joshua would never understand just how deeply his words had affected him. Maybe he was overreacting… but still…
That night, Justin didn't return to the dorms, saying he had something to take care of.
Joshua was almost the first one back to the room.
He quickly showered and sat on his bed, immediately pulling up his Personal Panel.
[First mission: Collect 1000 Fame Points!
Time limit: 10 days
Reward upon completion: New Voice Talent
Punishment for failure: Be buried together with this world.]
[Mission Progress: 897/1000]
Nine burst out in excitement: [Almost there, almost there! Finally, the moment has come—the first mission is about to be completed! Joshua, aren't you excited? Aren't you thrilled? A whole new world is about to open up, hahaha! This is amazing!]
Nine "hugged" the 897 Fame Points, screaming with joy. Even its bad mood because of Justin lessened a little.
Heavens knew how furious it had been when Justin suddenly hugged Joshua and rambled on and on—it nearly wanted to kill someone!
What the hell was that tall, dark brute, daring to touch Joshua like that?!
Joshua didn't even pay attention to it—just went on about friends this and friends that. Annoying!
Once this mission was complete, Joshua finally realized who the real treasure he should cherish was!
Looking at the number before him, Joshua's eyes also lit up a little.
Nine continued: [The key is that your dancing skills pay off. Now we must strengthen your singing, and we'll be unstoppable!]
Joshua nodded. "That's right, Nine. Thank you."
[Thank me for what? This is an equal partnership, hmph. Please don't act like you owe me anything. A perfect system like mine can never be bought!] Nine shouted in a lofty voice.
Joshua chuckled. Suddenly, he leaned back, flopping onto the bed. His eyes closed, but a smile still lingered on his lips. "Mm, thank you."
[I said don't thank me…] Nine muttered under its breath, then realized Joshua's breathing had already grown steady.
Maybe he really was exhausted today.
All Justin's fault, dragging things out—otherwise Joshua could've gone to bed earlier!
At the thought of Justin, Nine ground its metaphorical teeth in frustration.
It quickly opened its personal page.
[The Wolf Doesn't Eat Meat]: Sending out a love note—new edit video on the way! Joshua was just too cute today, and his dancing was amazing. Any new fans falling into the pit? Roll call! Heart heart~
[Joshua 1st support]: Wolf, why don't you make a dedicated fan account, or at least change your name to be easier to recognize?
[I Hate Veggies]: Ye feels like Wolf has the makings of a leader.
Nine skimmed through the comments. If it had lips, it definitely would've curled them in disdain. Leader, my foot. It was only trying to push Joshua's mission progress forward faster!
These fans were just like their idol—full of delusions, hmph!