CHAPTER 72: A STRANGE INCIDENT

After a stormy yet peaceful break, the long-awaited moment had finally arrived—the announcement of Shining Path’s rankings!

This was the moment that would decide who would have to leave, and who would move on to the final round—standing on stage to embrace the most glorious moment of all, when their name was called as part of the debut lineup!

It wasn’t just a testament to their talent, but also proof of the power of their fandom—the ones who had supported them all along!

[Finally, it’s time! Straight to the finals—I’m so nervous right now!]

[As a Leonard fan, I no longer know what "nervous" means.]

[You’ll be nervous soon enough. I want Leonard to be the center, so I’ll start panicking once they announce the debut lineup.]

[No need to be nervous. Joshua’s already been overtaken anyway.]

[Seriously, some people can’t leave our Joshua alone. Looking for a fight, huh?]

[It’s happening—it’s happening, fight time!]

[I feel like Joshua’s fans will double down on protecting him even more after this round.]

[Whose bias isn’t their precious baby? Trash-talk someone’s fave, and don’t expect yours to be safe either!]

[Fight harder! Yo yo!]

The comments were flooded with shouting and chaos—peace was the last thing present.

Just then, the stage lights burst to life, and the cheerful voice of the MC rang out as usual:

"Dear National Producers, the time has finally come! It’s time to announce the results of the third stage! Which trainees will make it to the final round? Let’s find out together!"

[I swear, I’m traumatized by this MC’s voice. Every time he talks, my idol gets eliminated huhuhuh.]

[Then pick a more popular bias next time. Like Leonard, for example—no risk of elimination there.]

[Ha ha ha.]

[Look, where’s my bae Joshua?]

[Aw, he’s still as soft as ever. But why does Luther keep teasing him like that?]

[I’ve seen fan cuts and show clips—Joshua’s basically everyone’s favorite target, ha ha ha.]

[Honestly, everyone who passes by wants to pinch his cheeks or pat his head. It’s hilarious—and he’s even scared of going bald, I’m dying.]

[Wait, does getting your head patted cause baldness, though?]

[Either way, hands off the scalp.]

Meanwhile, Joshua himself couldn’t understand why the show had arranged for him to sit close to Luther.

Luther wasn’t sitting still in his seat either—half of his body was practically leaning out, closing the distance between them as if he desperately wanted to squeeze onto the same chair with Joshua.

"Why so quiet? Did your personality change today? Or is it because we’re live?" Luther teased, lightly pinching Joshua’s cheek with a grin.

Joshua ignored him. After all, he was already used to being teased like this. Habit—truly a terrifying thing.

"I just want some peace," he replied flatly.

"Peace, huh? Ha ha ha." Luther chuckled, rubbing Joshua’s face before saying, "Alright, alright, I’ll stop messing with you."

Then he paused, glancing at Joshua again. "Seriously, though, are you tired?"

Today, Joshua looked a little off. Usually, even when he was quiet and cool-looking, he still had an edge of alertness—but today was different. Luther could tell.

Joshua shook his head... then nodded, his expression blank and dazed, as if he wasn’t fully there.

[What’s going on with you, Joshua? Every part of your body is functioning normally!]

Nine’s voice suddenly echoed, frustrated. He could feel Joshua’s body slipping out of his control.

Joshua rested his chin in his hand, silent.

Nine, you’ll find out soon enough. After all, I prepared this for you...

He could hear Nine muttering restlessly inside his mind, as if the man genuinely cared about him.

But so what? Joshua didn’t believe for a second that Nine meant no harm to him.

"Top 3—Joshua!"

The MC’s booming voice cut through the noise. Joshua rose slowly and went to the elevated seat prepared for him.

[He’s gotten thinner again... my poor baby Joshua.]

[People who spread false rumors shouldn’t exist!]

[You’ve got this, Joshua! Keep going!]

[But honestly, what’s up with Joshua’s and Henry’s fans lately? It’s like they coordinated this round or something. I know they’re close, but the fans are going wild...]

[No one knows what’s happening—it just happened! Honey is honest, that’s all I’m saying!]

[So, when’s Joshua going to Henry’s for breakfast again?]

[Aaaaa, they had breakfast together—they definitely cuddled after that!]

[This is not the place for your delulu fantasies, ladies!]

At that moment, Joshua met Henry’s gaze. Henry nodded slightly and shifted to the side to make room.

Joshua glanced at the MC, then asked, "Do I really have to sit like this?"

Last time, Luther had physically dragged him into the seat, and honestly, Joshua didn’t like cramped or crowded spaces at all.

Henry lowered his eyes. Out of sight from the cameras, his hands clenched tightly.

Just as the MC was about to speak again, Henry suddenly said, "You can sit on my lap."

Joshua’s mouth fell open as he stared at Henry, his round eyes blinking rapidly—his expression clearly saying, We’re live right now, what are you thinking?!

The MC raised his voice with exaggerated cheer, "That’s right! Since our Joshua is so adorable, he should sit on Henry’s lap!"

...What did those two things even have to do with each other, MC?!

[It’s out! It’s finally out, hahaha!]

[Henry’s ears are turning red! I’m not seeing things, right?!]

[He always looks like that when he’s embarrassed, but his face still stays completely blank—how does he do that?]

[I’m dying, this is too funny!]

[So the MC just confirmed Honey is honest! Even the whole show ships them! I knew it—they’ve already had breakfast at each other’s houses!]

Joshua couldn’t help but laugh a little when Henry’s ears burned so red they looked ready to drip blood.

Smiling brightly, he said naturally, "Am I allowed to? I want to sit on Henry’s lap, but I’m afraid he might get mad." Then he turned to Henry. "You said I could, right?"

And before anyone could react, he slid straight into Henry’s lap, his legs dangling slightly off the floor, swinging casually.

With how naturally he acted, at least people would think they were close friends. If he got awkward and flustered instead, there’d be 7,749 "brotherly fallout" posts—or 7,749 CP shipping threads—by morning.

Joshua thought he’d handled it perfectly. What he didn’t know was how fans treated their OTPs:

If the OTP doesn’t look at each other—Oh my god, they’re just shy!

If the OTP does look at each other—That tender gaze! They should get married right now!

If the OTP so much as brushes hands—AAAAAH they’re having kids!!!

And with Joshua now sitting on Henry’s lap, the Honey-con fans unanimously agreed that tomorrow, they’d be attending the "Honey wedding."

[Today’s footage is more than enough. As a proud Honey-con, I sincerely thank the two grooms, Joshua and Henry. Thank you. Thank you so much.]

[Joshua’s ranking dropped! Sisters, rally up for the final round!!]

[I let myself get distracted by all this side content—but damn it, Joshua, Mom’s putting all her love into the finals for you!!]

Henry could only feel Joshua’s body pressing close; Joshua was sitting in that spot.

Suddenly, Joshua opened his eyes wide, looking at Henry in astonishment. The panic, disbelief, surprise, and apology all mixed on his small face. He almost wanted to jump up immediately!

But would a normal person react this way to being sat on? The last time Luther pulled him onto his lap, Luther didn’t respond like this...

Joshua was getting anxious; there were so many people here. If they were discovered...

"Are you, are you okay?" Joshua whispered, looking at Henry worriedly.

Henry looked into Joshua’s clear eyes and suddenly said sternly, "Don’t move."

Joshua flinched, sitting frozen like a statue. He could feel that hot thing... that thing was practically pitched into a tent, poking his buttock.

Joshua... Joshua really wanted to go home!