Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

The slanderous article itself was actually deleted by this point—Jane arranged it even without Tristan's prompting, which showed that her empty head had at least half a brain.

However, nothing truly disappears from the Internet, and someone saved the screenshots and text of part of the article and now posted them, prompting even more discussion and speculation in the fan community.

None of it was even really negative. Tristan just scowled at the discussion thread for a bit and left it be.

He hoped Nel calmed down enough to do the same. When the other artist didn't mention anything about it later, Tristan thought he was fine.

At least, until the middle of their next lunch together. Nel tried very hard to hide his dejection, but Tristan didn't have 923 points in observation skill for nothing. Even Nel's clothing, which was just as flashy as it had been since signing a contract with GTG, couldn't distract Tristan from the lack of spark in Nel's eyes.

And yet, Nel stubbornly pretended that everything was fine. For someone like him, who wore his heart on his sleeve, this was unusual.

Tristan respected that, though. Not that he needed to ask Nel to know. He could put two and two together.

From the occasional guilty flash or flinch in Nel's eyes and posture when their fans and their talks were mentioned, Tristan guessed that Nel just didn't want to bother him with his problems. That being the damned article.

However, Nel clearly tried to put it behind him as everybody told him to, and eventually, he would succeed. It seemed like Tristan could just do the same and lay the matter to rest.

Tristan tapped his fingers on the table.

He couldn't imagine how he'd feel if someone dug up the pictures of his face before the Second Identity System. The thought alone made him shudder internally.

For Nel, this was clearly something similar, and Tristan sympathized with him.

Now the blonde was trying to pull through on his own—just like Tristan had to. But even Tristan had something akin to friends… which turned out to be shitty and backstabbing eventually, but Tristan had good moments with them.

Hell. Even Evelyn raised Tristan's self-esteem at the time a little. Her "advances" were unwanted and just a way to make Mark jealous, but no other girl tried to flirt with Tristan after seeing his face. And sometimes, Tristan had almost believed that Evelyn might kind of genuinely a tiny bit like him.

Nel also had a friend, and Tristan won't be a backstabbing bitch to him.

"It's been a long while since I went clubbing. Damn, I can't even remember how long exactly." Before the scars, certainly, even if he was too young for the full, alcohol-fueled experience. "You have a free evening tomorrow, right, Nel?"

"Clubbing?"

Tristan nodded.

"A distraction for both of us. And we still didn't celebrate our recent success properly—we really should!"

Nel looked startled.

"I never actually went clubbing before. My town barely had any clubs to speak of…"

"Then it's decided. And," Tristan reached out and pulled Nel's beanie over his eyes, "dress properly for the occasion. If you aren't sparkling harder than a Twilight vampire in sunlight, you aren't even trying."

***

Next day.

Nelson tried.

When Tristan stopped near his apartment building to pick him up, he saw that Nel was dressed with plenty of shine, although without glitter.

He found himself a jacket, a left half of which was red, and the right half was white. Both halves were covered in shiny metal studs. Below was a pair of white leather pants covered in matching studs. Nel's black undershirt and shoes finished the look.

Tristan gave him a thumbs up. He was dressed more black-and-white, but added shine with extra rings, bracelets and ring chains.

The club Tristan invited them both to was a mid-grade place with regular live performances from small rock bands. From what Tristan's criminal contacts knew, the club wasn't associated with any above average criminal activity, and the reviews were good.

As soon as the pair stepped in, they were hit by a wave of electronic music, the beat of which immediately made Tristan's feet itchy. Plenty of people were around: some drinking, some dancing on the dance floor.

Nel looked a bit overwhelmed. Tristan grabbed his arm.

"Let's grab some drinks and go dance!" he shouted.

As soon as the couple sat at the bar and ordered their drinks, they attracted attention from the other patrons, especially women. Tristan and Nel were both young, attractive people and moved with the charisma of professional performers.

Even Nelson, who was timid at first, relaxed visibly after his first fruity girl drink with more alcohol content than a shot of vodka.

Tristan drank much less, preferring to be alert. However, he also relaxed more, smiling and enjoying the attention they both inadvertently attracted.
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When the drinks were gone, Tristan stood up and pulled Nel after him again. Tristan had to shout over the music to be heard.

"Now to dance while the legs still carry us. Come on! I know you got the moves!"

"I never actually learned how to dance!" Nel protested, still following Tristan. "Not like you, or on stage—"

"That's not about lessons! I never took them either! Though, ha-ha, I'm just special. Now, come on!"

Tristan took a free spot in the crowd and began improvising the dance moves in the rhythm of the music, which was permeating the air. The words were unimportant, only the beat mattered, and it was the beat of life. At that moment, dancing and enjoying it was the only thing Tristan focused on.

With more than a thousand points in dancing skill, Tristan was moving better than a professional dancer would in his place. He looked like someone straight out of a music video, which was sped up slightly to look more incredible than an already incredible reality.

Nel didn't join Tristan. He was stunned by the awe-striking display!

And near them, more and more people noticed Tristan's moves and were forced to just stop and watch, too!