CHAPTER 121: NOT BELIEVING IN LOVE - [100PS BONUS CHAPTER]

The evening glow deepened, and as the city lights began to flicker to life, the long corridor filled with the sound of light footsteps—clearer than ever.

Then... the sound stopped.

The person sitting at the doorstep, hugging his knees, seemed startled and looked up.

Nine saw Joshua bending down to look at him. The boy was holding three bouquets of Tweedia flowers and a box of toys that seemed rather childish. One glance was enough to tell he’d had a good day.

A sudden wave of grievance welled up in Nine’s chest. His mouse-like face, already scrunched up, now looked even more pitiful and ugly as it twisted further.

Just then, a cool sensation touched his cheek, making Nine freeze slightly. Joshua was leaning closer, his gaze filled with concern as he reached out to gently touch the wound on Nine’s face.

Joshua frowned slightly and asked, "What happened to you? And why are you sitting in front of my door like this?"

Nine stared blankly at Joshua—at his beautiful face, his clear eyes, and his soft lips that spoke in such a gentle, melodic voice.

Almost instantly, Nine raised both hands and clutched Joshua’s hand tightly, tears spilling out in less than a second.

"You blacklisted me, Joshua! No matter what I did, I couldn’t reach you—hic."

Joshua looked at the crying Nine, saying nothing.

Nine gripped his hand tightly, as if afraid Joshua might pull away at any moment.

"Are you mad at me, Joshua? I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, okay? Please, care about me again."

Joshua noticed that Nine was wearing a long-sleeved shirt today—unusual, given his typically messy sense of fashion.

Nine’s eyes flickered, and suddenly he clutched his chest and let out a small cry, looking as if he might collapse and die right there. He could have been acting, but Joshua still paused, worry flickering in his eyes. "Hey, are you alright?"

Nine held his chest, panting, tears still streaming down his face, yet a weary, restrained smile tugged at his lips. "I... I’m fine, Joshua." He hesitated, then added in a trembling voice, "Just... just take me off the blacklist, and I’ll leave right away. I won’t bother you again, Joshua."

It was humiliation taken to its limit.

Nine pressed his face into Joshua’s palm, both hands clutching at Joshua’s arm as if holding onto a lifeline.

"Get up. Come inside."

Joshua’s voice sounded—not like a cruel sentence, but something gentler.

Nine lifted his head in surprise, a dazed look in his eyes as he stared at Joshua.

Joshua didn’t pay any attention to Nine’s messy, tear-streaked face and gently pushed him aside: "Move, if you sit here, I can’t open the door."

As he spoke, Joshua handed over the items in his arms to Nine.

Nine hugged the flowers and the model kit box, pretending to ask casually, "Why did you suddenly buy so many flowers?"

"They were gifts."

Joshua unlocked the door, slipped on his slippers, and replied casually.

Hearing that, Nine immediately frowned. "You’re not allowed to be dating, you know. Your career hasn’t even started properly!"

He returned to his usual impatient and domineering attitude, as if the crying person from moments ago had never existed.

Joshua didn’t mind much and said, "Luther and the others gave them to me. They just know I like Tweedia. Not every flower represents love, Nine."

He took the flowers from Nine, pulled out a small bloom, and tucked it into Nine’s hair. He patted Nine’s head lightly before carrying the rest of the flowers to a vase.

Nine stood there in confusion, mouth slightly open, instinctively raising a hand to pull the flower from his ear.

The beautiful Tweedia flowers, like tiny blue stars, swayed with his movements.

Damn it, if these weren’t bought by that bunch of idiots, that’d be even better!

Nine thought grumpily, while his other hand gently caressed the petals, reluctant to let go, enjoying the touch.

After arranging the flowers, Joshua went to take a shower. Having jumped around all day outside, his whole body now felt uncomfortable.

Nine sat quietly on the sofa, obediently admiring the flowers in his hand, while mentally running through ways to preserve them as dried flowers.

Time passed, though he wasn’t sure how long. Nine seemed to snap out of his daydreams and suddenly lifted his head. At the exact moment, the bedroom door opened.

Joshua walked out, one hand running a towel through his hair, wearing a one-piece pajama that reached his calves, tied at the waist with a bow.

It looked a bit loose—that was Nine’s first thought.

At that moment, Joshua started walking toward him. His figure seemed to grow larger and larger in Nine’s eyes, wet from the shower, his skin flushed from the steam.

Nine instinctively swallowed hard, only to see Joshua reaching a hand toward him.

Before Joshua could say anything, Nine hurriedly placed his own hand over it.

Joshua paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Give me that model kit box."

Nine frowned. "Why didn’t you say that earlier? Why’d you suddenly reach out like that?!"

Grumbling, he shoved the model kit into Joshua’s hands.

Joshua smiled lightly at him. "That’s just your overactive imagination. Alright, now that you’re done crying, you should go home. I’ve taken you off the blacklist—just don’t pull a stunt like this again."

Nine froze for a moment, his gaze darkening, almost menacing. He lifted his head, stubbornly staring at Joshua. "Is that all you have to say to me?"

Joshua tilted his head, his expression serious. "What do you want me to say?"

"I... I did all that, and you don’t feel anything?" Nine asked hesitantly, but his eyes were steady, fixed on Joshua.

"I already told you—don’t do that again," Joshua replied, frowning slightly.

Nine stared at him, and realization began to dawn.

"Joshua, you don’t even see me as a person!" Nine shouted, suddenly standing up.

Joshua seemed startled by the outburst. He pressed his lips together and looked at Nine. "And are you one? Nine."

Nine fell silent.

"You should be grateful you’re not human," Joshua said slowly. "If any ordinary person ever did something like that to me, I’d make sure to never see them again."

Nine could only stare at him blankly.

Then, Joshua suddenly smiled. He set the box in his hands aside, stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around Nine.

Nine felt himself being pulled into a soft embrace, surrounded by a faint, sweet scent.

"You’ll always be the exception. Isn’t that what you wanted, Nine? I’ve always been within your reach—I’ll do everything right. This is what you wanted, isn’t it, Nine?"

Nine opened his mouth, gasping, wanting to say something—but no words came out.

"The reason I hold you, forgive you, show you kindness, obey you—it’s because you’re a system, Nine. Because we’re partners. Don’t cross that line and start asking for more. You’re not meant to be human."

Nine went rigid, feeling as though his heart had just been carved open, blood pouring from the wound.

"You... you really don’t like me at all, Joshua?" Nine murmured.

Joshua had already let him go. He placed both hands on Nine’s face and smiled softly. "You don’t even know what love is, Nine. You don’t love me. Desire doesn’t equal love. Don’t act so deep that you start believing your own lie."

No... I wasn’t acting, Joshua. You’re the one without a heart—you’re the one who’s truly incapable of feeling anything!