The entire stage lit up brilliantly right after Blue Star’s performance ended. The dazzling spotlights focused entirely on the centre, illuminating it so brightly that it beca the grand stage of glory for the night!
The MC stood in the middle of the stage, while all the groups now gathered to one side, their faces solemn.
So looked anxious, others expressionless; so were clearly nervous, while others still managed to keep a smile on their faces.
The audience below had quieted down considerably.
Then, the MC’s voice rang out:
"The mont has co. The ten-minute voting period has officially ended! National Producers, have you successfully voted for the mber you want to debut?"
Cheers erupted from the audience, while the live-stream chat scrolled so fast it was almost unreadable.
[I’ve poured all my money into Shining Path—my baby has to debut!]
[Who hasn’t spent all their money at this point?!]
[Sorry, I only had one free vote, but please, my baby, debut! I’m counting on the rich fans to carry us!]
[Oh my god, everyone looks so bright and beautiful—why can’t all four groups debut together?!]
[The girl above is too clever, and I like her thinking.]
[Please, heavens, let my baby be center!]
[The fandom power has already been decided—if the center isn’t Leonard, it’ll be Joshua.]
[Hurry up already, show! Announce it now!]
The MC didn’t make them wait long. Holding a folded sheet of paper with a mysterious smile, he said,
"Now then, here is our Top Ten list!"
"Top 10, Lucian!..."
Joshua could feel Justin gripping his hand tightly as each na was called.
Joshua’s pinky gently tapped Justin’s hand in reassurance, but Justin only held on tighter, as if he didn’t want ever to let go.
"Top 6, Justin!"
The MC’s voice echoed through the stage, hitting Justin like an arrow straight to the heart. His eyes widened as he looked at Joshua, but he quickly composed himself and stepped forward to take his seat among the finalists.
The MC continued announcing nas, and with each one called, waves of nervous tension rippled through the crowd and contestants alike.
"And now, the trainees who will debut under the na... ShineOn!"
"They are the radiant light—shining now, and forever shining! And they are..."
"Hers!"
The first na was announced—a top-ranking A-class trainee with outstanding performance. The crowd imdiately erupted into loud cheers.
This ti, it was Joshua’s turn to instinctively grab the hand of the person next to him—Luther.
Luther squeezed his hand back.
At that mont, Joshua felt his other hand being taken too. He turned his head slightly and saw Leonard staring straight ahead, not even glancing at him.
Then, the next na was called: "Henry!"
Joshua could feel his heart pounding so hard that it seed to shake his eardrums.
The fans wanted him to be center. They believed in it so deeply that even the system had given him a mission about it.
Maybe, Joshua thought, that belief had turned into their obsession.
But right now, for so reason, his mind felt unusually calm.
He had already done his best. His fans had also done their best. He believed in them, but he wouldn’t be sad even if he didn’t make it. From the very beginning, all he wanted was recognition and a debut. He just hoped his fans wouldn’t feel sad either.
Don’t be sad about this... don’t be sorry about this...
"Luther!"
Thunderous applause erupted across the venue.
Luther raised his hand, smiling, saying, "Looks like Joshua doesn’t really want to let go."
Everyone could see Joshua still holding onto his hand—and despite his teasing words, Luther was also holding Joshua’s hand just as tightly.
The crowd scread again, fans going absolutely wild.
Joshua’s face flushed red as he quickly pulled his hand back, but Luther didn’t let go. This ti, Joshua looked at him in confusion.
Luther smiled softly. "I’d rather go with you. So I’ll wait."
Joshua could hear the fans screaming in excitent. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
[They’re flirting, right? They’re definitely flirting!!]
[Oh my god, Joshua’s ears are turning red—he’s so cute I can’t take it!]
[Every ti he looks like that, he makes feel like he’s about to cry—and I’ll admit, I kinda wanna bully him until he does!]
[You’re cruel!]
[Okay, sorry lol]
[Look at Leonard’s face, hahaha!]
[A love triangle: you, him, and the other guy, hahaha!]
And finally, the mont arrived—the announcent of the Top 2.
This would also determine who held the No.1 spot and the position of center.
Joshua couldn’t help glancing at Leonard, only to find Leonard already looking down at him.
He curved his lips into a faint smile. Every ti he smiled silently, he looked like a fox—clever, mischievous, and teasing. It made Joshua wonder if that impatient, uncontrollable side Leonard showed him before had just been an illusion.
Right after that, Joshua saw a flicker of surprise cross Leonard’s face. Then Leonard parted his lips slightly and said in a low voice, "Congratulations, Joshua."
Congratulations? For what?
At that exact mont, the fans’ cheers erupted like thunder. Joshua suddenly found himself swept into Luther’s arms, the man jumping excitedly as he shouted, "Joshua, you’re amazing! We have to celebrate!"
Joshua’s mind felt so hazy that even the sounds around him seed to blur together.
But everyone was congratulating him. Luther was even more thrilled than Joshua himself, as if he were the one who had just won the top spot.
On the other side, Justin had already stood up, clapping enthusiastically.
"Joshuaaa! You did it, Joshua! You really did it!" Nine shouted, his voice trembling with emotion.
Henry watched Joshua quietly, calm as ever—just as he always had been, and perhaps always would be.
Leonard’s hand gently wiped away the tears on Joshua’s face. He had thought he’d feel terrible if he wasn’t ranked first—but in that mont, even that couldn’t compare to seeing Joshua shed a tear.
Joshua blinked up at him, dazed, then quickly covered his face and mumbled, "I’m not crying."
"I’m not crying... hic..."
"Yeah, you’re not crying!" Luther laughed, hugging Joshua tightly and patting his back.
Then the MC raised his voice again:
"And now, I’d like to announce the final lineup and our trainees’ paths officially!"
During the earlier investor round, each trainee had chosen a direction for their future.
Among them, Hers had chosen to sign with the Atius Corporation, which ant he would not debut as part of ShineOn.
"Atius has always been my goal," Hers said calmly. "So when I received their offer, I didn’t hesitate to accept it."
He turned toward the group that would have been his teammates and said with a sincere nod, "Even if we won’t debut together, I wish you all the best. May your debut shine brightly."
The audience burst into applause and cheers.
Justin stood frozen for a mont, then Henry gave him a firm pat on the back. Snapping out of it, Justin looked up—and t Joshua’s eyes. Joshua smiled at him, his eyes sparkling like stars, more beautiful than anything Justin could ever dream of.
Biting his lip, Justin hurriedly wiped his tears, then ran forward and threw his arms around Joshua. "I get to debut with you, Joshua!"
Seeing that, Luther quickly joined in the hug, and soon the others piled in too—forming a chaotic, laughing bundle of joy.
[Didn’t expect Henry to squeeze into a group hug like that hahaha]
[They’re so precious!]
[ShineOn, keep shining—reach the very top!]
[Justin really loves Joshua, I’m so glad they’re in the sa group!]
[Fighting!!]
[My babies, don’t cry!]
The MC couldn’t help but laugh. "It seems ShineOn will be a group full of love and emotion! National Producers, please continue to support them—and look forward to ShineOn’s debut this winter! Their glory belongs to you!"
VOLU 1: SHINING PATH – END
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