[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.
