CHAPTER 33: THE “BROKE” PERSONA IS ESTABLISHED

[To activate the next mission and receive additional rewards, please answer the following question!

In Room 202, there is a trainee who doesn’t want to be an idol. Who is it?

Time limit: 10 days.]

Nine mused aloud: [Are you sure about this? I don’t know what’ll happen if you get it wrong.]

He was clearly trying to warn Joshua. [Why not test Luther first? Just in case?]

Joshua didn’t answer him. Instead, he said, "If Arthur is the correct answer... do you know what that means?"

Nine was confused. [What do you mean?]

Joshua didn’t respond, but a pop-up exploded with virtual fireworks, congratulating him for answering correctly.

In Room 202, Arthur was the trainee who didn’t want to become an idol.

[Hey, if you’re gonna say something, then say it all! Are you trying to act mysterious or something? It’s not cool at all, I’m telling you!] Nine shouted. He had to get mad at Joshua at least once daily to hit his emotional KPI.

Joshua ignored him. Nine sighed dramatically. [This one-sided relationship is exhausting. I’m out.]

And with that, he vanished.

At the same time, another pop-up appeared before Joshua.

[Mission: Collect 50,000 Fame Points!

Time limit: 20 days

Reward upon completion: "I’m a Seasoned Singer!"

Punishment for failure: Be buried together with this world

Mission Progress: 0/50,000]

The moment the mission activated, the number "0" began ticking upward, indicating that Joshua’s fame points were increasing—slowly but steadily.

Nine popped back up again: [The filming period for the second stage will be longer, and there’ll be more events too. Don’t worry. Fifty thousand fame points looks like a lot, but it’s not that bad.]

Joshua, however, was focused on something else. "You’re not mad at me anymore?"

Nine immediately raised his voice: [Do you even know what real manliness is? Only someone like me can make the ladies swoon, you hear me?!]

"Nine, what exactly are you? A human, a soul... a demon?" Joshua suddenly asked.

Nine froze momentarily before snapping, [Why are you asking that kind of question? Just focus on your mission already!]

He had only calmed down a bit, yet somehow, Nine sounded irritated again.

"Joshua, wanna go shopping?" Just like always, Justin’s voice rang out as he opened the door.

Before Joshua could respond, Luther looked up from his notes and roared, "Great idea, Joshua, let’s go! Honestly, I’ve never seen you wear anything decent. It’s time you learned the benefits of having me as your big bro!"

Joshua: "..."

Expression unreadable, Joshua said, "First of all, when did I ever agree to you being my big bro? And second, shouldn’t you be focusing on songwriting right now? Don’t you think you’re being a bit... careless?"

Luther wagged his finger. "You wouldn’t understand the world of geniuses."

Sometimes, Joshua thought Luther and Nine were similar.

He jumped from the bed, startling Luther so much that the latter practically leapt into the air like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What the hell—your leg’s healed already?! The bite mark you left on my neck is still there! I’m not fighting you again!"

Nine commented dryly: [Fascinating conversational technique.]

Justin’s face darkened. "Joshua, let’s just go."

Whether Luther came or not, Justin clearly couldn’t care less about him.

Ultimately, the three went out together, with Joshua walking in the middle. He glanced up at Justin, then at Luther, deep in thought.

Suddenly, someone pressed down on his hat—Luther, laughing loudly. "No need to feel inferior, you’re pretty tall yourself! But the junior can’t be taller than the big bro."

Joshua brushed Luther’s hand away. "I told you, I’m not your junior."

Luther clearly had a handsome face, yet he always seemed determined to act like some street punk.

Joshua couldn’t help thinking that one day Luther might actually turn into a full-on gang gang gang rockstar. That wouldn’t be so bad since Luther’s rap skills were impressive.

"Hey, zoning out again? Your best buddy’s talking to you!" Luther’s voice came close to his ear, his breath brushing against Joshua’s skin—sending a sharp shiver down Joshua’s spine.

Startled, Joshua shoved Luther away, both hands flying to cover his ears as he stared blankly at him.

Luther stumbled back, ready to curse at Joshua, but then he froze—because Joshua’s dazed eyes and the faint blush on his face made it look like he was about to cry.

Luther stopped short, suddenly unable to make another teasing remark.

He scratched the back of his neck in mild frustration, looking away as he muttered, "Why such a big reaction... that sensitive, huh?"

Joshua’s eyes widened; his lips pressed into a thin line. Then, without a word, he lifted his foot and stomped hard on Luther’s shoe before storming off ahead.

Justin gaped for a second—then hurried after him.

Luther jumped in pain, then hurriedly chased after him. "What the hell, Joshua? You act like a girl—embarrassed over that? Next time, don’t whisper in my ear, okay! And you stomped on my shoe..."

"Joshua..." Justin called out anxiously as he caught up, his voice low. Joshua turned to him, calm-faced, though his cheeks were still slightly flushed, soft like a ripe peach.

Justin froze momentarily, then blurted out, "Luther’s really going too far!"

Joshua nodded. "Exactly."

"Hey, are you talking trash about me?!" Luther had caught up by now, but Joshua ignored him and asked Justin instead, "What were you about to say just now?"

Justin remembered his question and laughed. "I was just asking how old you are—a small step to strengthen our relationship!" He shook his phone lightly. "If possible, we could exchange contact info too."

Luther interjected: "Me too!"

Joshua pushed him lightly to the side. "Stop leaning on me like that!" Then he said, "I’m 17."

"Still young," Luther commented, only to receive a playful punch from Joshua.

He pretended to be scared and jumped aside.

Justin said from the side, "Then you’re the junior, since I’m 19 already, ha ha."

Luther added, "And I’m the big bro—I’m 20."

Joshua glanced at him. "Old."

No sooner had he spoken than Luther leaned in close, so close their noses nearly touched. Joshua’s eyes widened, instinctively trying to step back, but Luther gripped his shoulders and smiled. "Take a good look—see if I’m really old, or maybe I have wrinkles at the corners of my eyes that I don’t even notice?"

They were both bundled up tightly, Luther wearing a hat and mask, revealing only his green eyes—soft, hard to judge his gender. Though his gaze was sharp, Joshua didn’t focus on that; he drifted into his daydream.

"Princess..."

Finally, Luther lightly tapped Joshua on the forehead. Joshua covered his forehead and leaned toward Justin, ignoring Luther completely.

Luther found Joshua’s attitude both infuriating and amusing.

Regardless, they eventually arrived at the mall.

Luther gestured dramatically. "I told you, Joshua—I’ll treat you. Pick whatever you want!"

Joshua shook his head. "I have money already..."

"A suitcase with four outfits?" Luther raised his eyebrows in mock astonishment, exaggerating the expression.

"Anyway, I’m rich now..." Joshua said, though his words seemed almost meaningless. The image of the hardworking, poor student he had cultivated was firmly established—so much so that even Justin looked at him with sympathetic encouragement, as if to say, We’re friends, don’t worry.

Luther raised his voice: "A big bro is for moments like this, Joshua."

Nine: [Ha ha ha, ha ha ha]

Joshua: "..."