The finals were proceeding in an orderly manner.
Shami sat in the front row, constantly monitoring the popularity change.
As of now, the popularity of the 11 contestants was at a fairly balanced level, with no clear gaps.
Although voting had started, the audience was in no hurry to cast their sole vote.
Soon, after several rounds of team performances, judges began critiquing different contestants.
At this point, Shami realized that the popularity vote was divided into two aspects: one was the audience’s vote, and the other was the judges’ vote.
Theo had a special status; as an invited judge, the contestant he voted for could win the Best Newcomer Award.
Undoubtedly, Theo’s vote would bring considerable exposure, greatly affecting the voting direction of the audience inside and outside the stadium.
"In that case, Theo can’t vote recklessly..."
Shami murmured to himself, sensing something amiss.
"Hmm? Aren’t there supposed to be 12 contestants? I haven’t seen Bone Frame at all since the beginning, and its popularity value is still 0."
Shami searched the stage for any trace of Bone Frame with confusion.
At this moment, he saw Rooney, with his beard bristling in anger, emerging from backstage.
"Rooney, where’s the human model you promoted?"
Shami asked curiously.
"Don’t even mention it! The organizers refused to let the human model participate in the rehearsal, citing ’inability to move autonomously.’ The human model barely made it through many challenges, only to lose the chance to perform at the finals! It’s a conspiracy! We need a rematch!"
Rooney gritted his teeth in anger, unable to shout, resorting to a muted growl.
Shami offered a conciliatory smile.
No, Bone Frame making it this far is already a major conspiracy.
"But there’s still a ray of hope. Edogawa, see that cross at the top of the stage?"
Rooney sat beside Shami, raising a hand to point at the center top of the stage.
Following Rooney’s gaze, Shami noticed a skeleton nailed to a cross.
"Wait! Isn’t that Bone Frame?! I thought it was just stage decor!"
"That’s right, because of my presence, the organizers didn’t dare blatantly revoke the entry of the human model and finally gave it a chance to make an appearance."
"Whether it appears or not, the impact seems negligible..."
Rooney looked at Shami sincerely and pulled out two Voting Crystals.
"Edogawa, let’s team up! Cast votes for the hidden 12th contestant, allow it to become a true idol, thus shattering the organizers’ ugly racial discrimination!"
"Rooney, you have to be responsible for saying such things! The organizers clearly aren’t racially discriminating!"
Shami immediately distanced himself.
"Moreover, the audience hasn’t noticed that the human model contestant is missing; they’ve completely forgotten about it." Discover more novels at ⓝovelFire.net
Shami couldn’t possibly cast his vote for the hopeless Bone Frame; it’s already sidelined in an odd location.
But Rooney seemed to ignore Shami’s remark and dashed outside alone.
"Next, let’s take a short break. We’ll have even more exciting performances after the finals resume!"
Soon, the host’s voice was heard.
In the judges’ seating, Theo stood and slowly walked backstage.
The two met again in the men’s restroom.
"Theo, I heard your vote could greatly influence the finals’ outcome."
Shami hung a "Under Maintenance" sign on the door, sensed the restroom, confirmed they were alone, and then spoke to Theo.
Theo, urinating at the urinal, slowly lifted his head.
"Yes, who would’ve thought I could decide someone’s fate."
Just as Shami was about to say something, Theo turned his head.
"But don’t worry, I’ve already decided who I’m voting for."
Shami was a bit surprised, the finals were only halfway, and Theo already found a suitable choice based on his preferences?
Theo looked around and whispered.
"I’m planning to vote for number 9, that girl with the gray hair."
Shami remembered the gray-haired girl, she had consistently ranked middle in the popularity standings.
"But number 9 looks perfectly normal!"
Shami was utterly perplexed.
Theo beckoned Shami to come closer.
"Mainly, if I vote for her, I won’t have to sleep in the old school building anymore.
Didn’t I tell you before? After coming to Saint Karno City, I was the only person left in the convoy. Although successfully connecting with the school, I was penniless, nowhere to settle down. To maintain my status, I couldn’t reveal my true situation, and had to secretly camp in the school’s abandoned old building."
"So you’re the main character behind one of the seven mysterious campus events, ’Aliens secretly building a base in the old school building’!"
Unexpectedly, Shami uncovered the truth, successfully solving two of the campus’s seven mysteries.
"Indeed, quite a few students liked going to the old school building. To avoid being discovered, I had to hide in there from time to time."
Theo explained, getting back to the main topic.