CHAPTER 76: A CONFESSION

[I didn’t expect you to turn him down so decisively. As expected, I’m still better than he is, right?] Nine hummed inside Joshua’s mind, sounding unusually pleased.

Joshua couldn’t quite follow his train of thought. "I just stuck with my original decision. I said from the start that I’d debut with Shining Path. Of course, I wouldn’t change that just because of an invitation."

Nine looked at Joshua’s calm expression and suddenly sensed something familiar—just like when Joshua said he wouldn’t talk to him for a day, no matter what he said, Joshua refused to utter a word.

[You actually have a firm will, don’t you?] Nine remarked.

Joshua blinked, slightly surprised. "Really? I didn’t know that. No one’s ever said that about me before."

[Then what have they said about you?]

Joshua lowered his gaze, murmuring, "I wish I could remember."

Just then, a noise came up ahead—several trainees seemed to be gathering and chatting.

Joshua didn’t pay much attention initially, but couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

"That guy, Justin, yeah, seriously—his rank’s lower than mine, yet somehow he ended up in that monster-level group. Damn it, pisses me off!"

"If he weren’t close to Joshua, who’d ever accept him? What an idiot."

"You guys didn’t notice how he’s always tagging along behind Joshua, sucking up to him? It’s hilarious."

"Remember that exposé post last time? Maybe those two really have something going on, haha."

"Joshua, interested in Justin? Please. Did you see his shoes? Hahaha—what a broke loser. Spends all his money taking care of his ex-boyfriend..."

"Where do you people get the confidence to stand here and talk trash?"

Joshua’s cold voice cut through the air like ice. The group of trainees froze in shock and turned around, utterly unprepared for his sudden appearance—he hadn’t even made a sound walking up.

All the other trainees were still inside the building. How did Joshua get here so fast?!

One person, however, didn’t dare turn around.

Joshua’s gaze swept over them, and he frowned. "Will?"

At that, the man finally turned around. He was wearing earrings again, and even a lip ring. His expression was blank, his fingers still painted with the nail polish Joshua had applied for him. Somehow, he’d managed to keep it intact all this time.

Will looked at Joshua, face as serious as ever. "Hey, Joshua. What a coincidence, huh?"

The surprise on Joshua’s face was unmistakable, though it quickly disappeared. He ignored Will and instead swept his gaze across everyone present, speaking slowly, "Justin made it this far because of his talent and his fans—not because of any of you. Don’t act so condescending when your true nature is just jealousy. I won’t spread what happened today, but you’d better ensure I never see this again."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Joshua!" Will suddenly shouted from behind. Joshua frowned but didn’t slow his steps.

"You’re speaking up for that broke loser? What’s your relationship with him?!" Will grabbed Joshua’s wrist hard enough that he couldn’t pull away.

Joshua frowned at him. "Let go."

Will pressed his lips together. Joshua repeated, more firmly, "Let. Go."

Startled, Will finally released him.

Joshua didn’t even glance back—he strode off, lifting a hand to rub his wrist where Will had gripped it. A red mark had already appeared there.

[If that leaves a mark, I’ll kill that cowardly bastard!] Nine roared furiously.

"Don’t go killing people over something like this," Joshua said flatly.

By now, he’d stepped outside—the last door leading out of the recording studio.

"Yo, Shua! Finally! You were in there so long I thought you’d run off with some investor!"

As soon as Joshua appeared, Luther came bouncing over.

Joshua gave him a look. "What’s with ’Shua’? Don’t call me that."

"Shua, Shua, Shua..."

Luther leaned in so close their faces were nearly touching. Joshua raised a hand to create a barrier between them.

"It’s not like I was waiting for you or anything. The group’s here, so I’m here too."

Leonard approached with his hands in his pockets, chin tilted arrogantly.

"I didn’t ask you," Joshua replied evenly.

Before Leonard could react, Luther blurted out in astonishment, "Did Joshua just swallow a bomb or something?"

Joshua ignored him and walked forward—straight to where Justin was sitting.

Justin was sitting on a stone bench when Joshua’s eyes instinctively swept over him. They were all wearing the same trainee uniforms, so there wasn’t much to see—besides, with their builds, even the ugliest uniform would look good on them.

Except for the shoes. They did look a bit worn, but still perfectly fine—clean, intact. What was there to mock?

Joshua frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Let’s go."

Justin immediately stood up, looking a little uneasy.

Joshua turned toward Luther, puzzled. "Luther, aren’t you coming?"

"Ah, coming, coming!" Luther replied, hurrying over.

Henry, as usual, had already been standing beside Joshua from the moment he appeared, while Leonard lingered behind, isolated from the rest as if he didn’t belong.

"Hey, Joshua! Why didn’t you call me to come along?!" Leonard suddenly shouted, rushing forward.

Joshua looked at him, confused. "I thought you had something else to do. Besides, you don’t even like us, do you?"

Leonard pressed his lips together, his words catching in his throat. Then, all at once, he burst out loudly, "I... I like you!"

The words echoed, as if the very act of shouting them gave him courage.

The group fell into a strange silence.

Justin stared at him, mouth agape, completely blindsided by the confession. Henry’s brow furrowed, but his expression didn’t change—he was always frowning anyway.

Joshua, on the other hand, looked genuinely puzzled. Like someone who couldn’t quite understand why that needed to be shouted.

Luther waved his hands dramatically, pushing Leonard aside. "Ha ha ha! You like Joshua? Too bad—only I can be Joshua’s best friend!"

He slung an arm around Joshua’s shoulders, grinning. "We’re super best friends!"

This time, it was Justin who looked utterly bewildered. Leonard had just made himself clear, hadn’t he? Was he really the only one interpreting this differently? He began to doubt his own understanding of things.

His gaze drifted toward Joshua, who allowed Luther’s arm to rest around him without any visible reaction, seemingly unaware of the real meaning behind Leonard’s words.

Seeing Joshua so indifferent made Leonard both angry and embarrassed. His face flushed red, blood rushing to his head. Without thinking, he lunged forward, grabbed Joshua by the collar, and yanked him close.

"I said—I love you!"

Then his lips crashed against Joshua’s—hard and ungraceful. Leonard’s teeth scraped across Joshua’s lips, breaking the skin and drawing blood.