My Idol System: An Idol, But Also A Savior 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?

Ti 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 ans?"

Nine was confused. [What do you an?]

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 beco an idol.

[Hey, if you’re gonna say sothing, then say it all! Are you trying to act mysterious or sothing? 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 sa ti, another pop-up appeared before Joshua.

[Mission: Collect 50,000 Fa Points!

Ti limit: 20 days

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

Punishnt for failure: Be buried together with this world

Mission Progress: 0/50,000]

The mont the mission activated, the number "0" began ticking upward, indicating that Joshua’s fa 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 fa points looks like a lot, but it’s not that bad.]

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

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

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

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

He had only cald down a bit, yet sohow, 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 ti you learned the benefits of having 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."

Sotis, 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 comnted dryly: [Fascinating conversational technique.]

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

Whether Luther ca 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, soone 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 handso face, yet he always seed determined to act like so 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 ca 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 ti, 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 montarily, then blurted out, "Luther’s really going too far!"

Joshua nodded. "Exactly."

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

Justin rembered 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: " too!"

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

"Still young," Luther comnted, 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 astonishnt, exaggerating the expression.

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

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

Nine: [Ha ha ha, ha ha ha]

Joshua: "..."