CHAPTER 27: SHINE ON STAGE!

The warning bells rang out, and the fans couldn’t help but grab the hands of their friends, so excited they were about to leap from their seats.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Each heartbeat pounded, and then—Bang!—a resounding crash echoed as Leonard burst through like a hero kicking down the door. One foot slammed against the stage floor, the spotlight beaming down on him alone, making him the absolute center of attention.

Leonard lifted his head, and at that moment, the flowing melody was shattered by a metallic clash. The audience below instantly erupted in deafening screams.

"Aaaaaa Leonard, Leonard!"

"I love you!!!"

[Clearly, this is being broadcast through the screen, yet I can still hear the fans’ screams.]

[As expected of Leonard, this intro has so much promise!]

[Can’t wait for their performance!]

[Go Leonard, go! Zerone for the win!]

[Where’s Joshua, Joshua, Joshua?!]

In the end, the concept Zerone chose was "cool and edgy." Their stage outfits followed a racing theme, focusing on powerful dance moves and vocals.

[Aaaaa Joshua’s here! Truly a beauty, mlem mlem mlem! My god, so different from episode 1!]

[Absolutely stunning, that face shines brighter than anyone else in the group.]

[Honestly, the others feel unnecessary, only Joshua and Leonard fit together!]

[Sis, I know exactly what you’re trying to say.]

[Not really, the others are performing very well too!]

Down in the audience, Andy’s camera lens was fixed on Leonard.

It was undeniable—Leonard’s handsome face and magnetic stage energy captivated the crowd. The girl beside Andy screamed so hard it was as though she might stop breathing at any second.

Right then, Andy heard a barely restrained voice next to him:

"Joshua..."

The girl with dark circles under her eyes stared through her camera lens, whispering under her breath.

Andy instinctively looked back up at the stage. He saw the other members falling aside, leaving center stage to the tall, lean youth who moved with fluidity, making each dance step look effortless.

Suddenly, the boy leaned forward slightly, and the big screen zoomed in, filling the display with his face. He abruptly lifted his head, like someone who had just pulled off a perfect prank, a mischievous smile curling his lips. His tongue darted out playfully as he raised one hand to wipe the streak of red-and-blue makeup across his cheek—at the exact moment, he winked.

The studio instantly exploded in deafening shrieks.

"Aaaaaaa!"

"Joshuaaaaaa!"

After that, he placed one hand directly on the ground, and in the same instant, his whole body suddenly spun upward, springing to his feet and sliding seamlessly back into formation. It was a difficult move—no, it was so absurdly difficult that gasps of shock erupted from the audience below. Andy could even catch the astonished expressions of a few other members still on stage.

By the time Andy snapped out of it, his camera had already captured the image of the boy with those dazzling blue eyes, shining like a starry galaxy.

[WoW the screams are deafening, but there’s no doubt about it, because I’m screaming too! Aaaaaa!]

[Joshua, that’s illegal!]

[Whoever gave Joshua the dance break deserves ten bags of carrots as a reward!]

[Seriously, how did he even pull that off—hip hop?]

[Probably magic, hahaha.]

[Actually, it’s not that hard, follow the video.]

[But you can tell Joshua’s technique is solid...]

[Keep an eye on this kid.]

[That was an impressive moment, I was honestly left with my jaw hanging...]

After the dance break, Zerone’s performance gradually reached its finale.

The camera panned across each member at the end, giving everyone just a few seconds before the audience. With each face on screen, the crowd stirred and erupted again.

Joshua crossed his arms, keeping a stern face in a ’cool guy’ act, his chest still rising and falling heavily from the performance.

Right then, a finger suddenly poked his cheek. Joshua couldn’t help but look up in surprise, only to see Leonard staring at him. Whatever Leonard said was inaudible, but Joshua broke into a bright smile, his eyes curving into the shape of a crescent moon, shimmering as if stars were about to spill out. His dimples deepened, and Leonard poked his cheek twice in the end.

[Sisters, sisters, protect our boy, protect our boy!]

[Aaaaaa, that look from Leonard, you could call it drowning Joshua in a sea of love.]

[Foby is realllllllll!]

[They’re both adorable.]

[No! Joshua’s cheek should belong to me! Leonard, do you really get to touch it? Bite Joshua’s cheek already! If you won’t, then let me do it!]

[Dream about it, in your dreams, anything is possible hahaha.]

[So cute I can’t take it!]

Andy could hear the sound of teeth grinding furiously from the sleep-deprived girl next to him. He had no idea what she was mad about—fangirls were simply impossible to understand.

He glanced at the photos on his camera screen and thought to himself.

Zerone quickly left the stage to make room for the next group.

Backstage, Joshua leaned against the wall. His face, flushed from earlier performance, was now pale, and cold sweat dripped down.

Nine was seething with frustration:

[You didn’t listen to me. Just now, you were lucky you didn’t collapse on stage. Applying medicine while still dancing around only triggered side effects—the condition of your body temperature is unstable, you need to go to a hospital.]

Joshua trembled slightly, but he was clear-headed, and so he stayed calm:

"We can go back and apply the medicine. I’m on leave anyway."

[No medicine treats a fever.]

"I can just... buy something to take..."

[Would you dare to take it?] Nine’s words were only a guess, but seeing Joshua’s face, he knew Joshua wouldn’t dare.

Nine grew more agitated.

At that moment, Leonard cheerfully walked over, giving a light cough:

"Don’t you have something to say to me, Joshua?"

Joshua looked at him, confused.

Leonard frowned—they had been interacting so naturally on stage just earlier! He lifted his chin proudly:

"That matter from before. As long as you apologize, I can reluctantly—"

Before he could finish, Joshua suddenly collapsed forward onto him.

Leonard instinctively caught him, chuckling:

"That’s the second time. This time, you didn’t even move your feet. If you’re so eager to fall into my arms, you’ll need my forgiveness first..."

Joshua said nothing. Leonard could feel the boy’s breath against his neck, hot and heavy, like steam trapped inside a kettle.

He shuddered, hastily holding Joshua up, panic flashing across his face:

"Hey, Joshua, Joshua, what’s wrong with you?"

Joshua’s breathing was labored, his body drained of strength, his forehead burning with terrifying heat.

Just then, footsteps approached, and Luther’s mocking voice rang out:

"Hugging and clinging—Joshua, since when did you get so cozy with this annoying redhead brat?"

Luther was already in his casual clothes. His group had performed before Joshua’s, and he only came backstage intending to tease Joshua a little. Instead, he stumbled upon the sight of Joshua and Leonard holding each other.

Leonard frowned at him:

"Joshua’s sick."

Luther raised an eyebrow, as though something clicked in his mind. Suddenly, he crouched down and pulled off Joshua’s shoe.

Leonard scowled:

"What the hell are you—"

He froze.

The white sock on Joshua’s foot was soaked in blood.

Luther’s face twisted, his voice nearly a roar:

"Joshua!"

Joshua still had a sliver of awareness left, instinctively flinched in shock.

In the next instant, Luther had already wrenched Joshua from Leonard’s arms, lifting him and striding away quickly.

Leonard stared at their retreating figures, his face blank with chaotic emotions. Without another thought, he immediately chased after them.