CHAPTER 65: JOSHUA’S SECRET

Right after the accusation from the person claiming to be Joshua’s old classmate appeared, conflicting voices began popping up like mushrooms after the rain.

[Lazy? Skipped classes? Expelled for poor grades? Seriously?]

[Haha, those stupid fans will never wake up.]

[Even if it’s true, that’s all in the past! Joshua is working toward a better future now! Anyone watching the show knows what he’s really like!]

[Besides, this is just a one-sided accusation! Today, anyone can call themselves a celebrity’s "old classmate" to get a bit of fame.]

[Exactly, there’s no solid evidence.]

[Aren’t those photos evidence enough?]

[What’s so hard about it? Just let Joshua show his academic skills if you want proof.]

[Why should my son jump into this filthy mess? Some random person shows up and barks a few words, and my son’s supposed to do whatever you people want? What a beautiful fantasy you’ve got there!]

Even though a few fans began to waver, some still firmly believed in the Joshua of today. Fans’ forgiveness always ran deep regarding their bias—besides, Joshua wasn’t the same as before.

However, the antifans took this chance to dance in delight, and others—those who enjoyed chaos—joined in to fan the flames.

They even dragged other academically poor idols into the discussion, and soon the battlefield grew as more fandoms joined the brawl.

Nine watched the reactions online, frowning quietly. Its eyes weren’t like human eyes. After scanning the photos circulating on the internet, Nine could tell they were Joshua—Joshua from before he appeared.

It actually wasn’t hard to tell. Others might not have seen Joshua’s former chubby appearance, but Nine had.

Back then, Joshua truly was unruly and reckless, utterly different from now. But if the accusations were true—if he really had been lazy—how could he possess A-rank dance skills from the start?

Moreover, Joshua’s attitude since his appearance didn’t resemble that of a lazy person at all. He loved this world, lit up when praised, and carried an immense faith in life itself. It was as if the very moment he appeared marked the point when Joshua decided to change everything and start over...

But could coincidences like that really happen?

Joshua held his phone, staring intently at the photos on the screen. His brows furrowed slightly, an inexplicable discomfort churning within him.

Something about it was wrong—he knew the person in those photos wasn’t him, yet everything about them felt like it shouldn’t be this way.

Then... what was it supposed to be? What should things have been like?

At that moment, Nine had returned. Joshua’s eyes flickered slightly as he continued staring at the phone, unblinking, the corners of his eyes faintly red.

Nine swallowed back the words that had reached its throat, irritation slipping into its voice as it said,

[I told you not to look at that garbage online, didn’t I? But you wouldn’t listen!]

[Hey, don’t cry. No one will see that pitiful face of yours except me, okay? I’ll handle this. We’ve got money—anyone who dares slander you will be dragged straight to court!]

Nine’s voice rose sharply.

Joshua still didn’t respond. At that moment, a drifting cloud passed over the land, blocking out the warm rays of morning sunlight.

Joshua took a deep breath, as though he had made some decision, and said quietly, "The person in those photos isn’t me..."

Nine fell silent. It was clearly Joshua in those photos—unless Joshua was talking about something else entirely...

A feeling crept over Nine, as though a hidden secret was about to be unveiled before its eyes.

Joshua’s voice trembled, tinged with panic. "Aren’t you curious? Don’t you wonder why I can dance, why I don’t know Aria, why I’m nothing like before? You—of all people—know everything, don’t you?"

Nine was taken aback.

[Alright, calm down, Joshua. ... tell me what really happened.]

Joshua lowered his head, curling up on the chair as if trying to make himself as small as possible. His voice came out hoarse and fragile:

"I’m not from this world. The world I lived in had reached its end—an apocalypse. I was trapped in a laboratory... it hurt so much... I wanted to die... and in the end, an explosion granted my wish. Then I woke up here. I got to live in a new, beautiful world. I just wanted to live..."

As he spoke, tears began to fall onto his shirt, one after another. Nine felt a jolt in its chest.

So that was why Joshua feared hospitals...

Nine didn’t know what Joshua had gone through, but his past must have been agonizing. And then Nine had appeared, right after Joshua’s rebirth—bringing him a mission that could kill him if he failed.

What had Joshua thought back then? Yet, despite everything, he had never once complained to Nine about anything...

Nine’s voice softened:

[I know, Joshua. Don’t cry... please.]

Joshua pressed his lips together, saying nothing. Not a single sob escaped him, but tears kept streaming down his cheeks—as if they would never stop.

He suddenly lifted his head, eyes unfocused as he stared into the void—into something that should not be seen.

"...Nine, even so, you wouldn’t kill me, right? Even if I’m someone who deserves to die... I don’t have anyone else. I only have you. You’re the only one who knows who I am in this world..."

Tears clung to Joshua’s face like blood flowing from a stone goddess’s eyes. Nine felt as if the heart he didn’t possess trembled—perhaps because of those tears or Joshua’s words.

Before Joshua could react, the air before him suddenly froze.

Then, a tall, translucent figure appeared—its form woven from mist, with starlight from the galaxy glittering within.

Joshua’s eyes widened, straining to see clearly, but his vision was gently obscured as a massive figure bent down and softly pulled him into its embrace.

Nine’s voice came out stiff and awkward—like someone who had never comforted another and didn’t quite know how to begin.

"Don’t worry, Joshua. I can’t kill you. You’re my only one. I’m sorry... don’t cry."

So, in the end, do you really have only me?

Poor Joshua. A fragile soul like you should stay beside someone strong like me. Joshua, I was never wrong—choosing you was the right decision.

Joshua felt a large hand pat his back gently, while another rested on his head, pressing him closer into the man’s chest.

He closed his eyes tightly, clinging to Nine as if grasping the last thread of life itself—as if holding his entire world in his arms.

Nine could sense Joshua’s unease and softly stroked his hair.

Joshua let him, eyes shut, lips sealed.

So you can’t kill me, huh, Nine? I hope that’s the truth, not just words meant to comfort me.

But that’s fine too, Nine.

Before you can do anything, I’ll be the one to deal with you first. So go ahead—keep trusting me.

I want to live. I want to survive. Someone like you, who threatens my life and my freedom... deserves to disappear.

Every word Joshua spoke now was accurate.

Only his tears were false.

Joshua had died in the explosion that buried the laboratory.

Joshua had caused the explosion that buried the laboratory—

and himself along with it.