Valentine's Day is an important occasion for both boys and girls.

  Of course, at its core, it's a ercial holiday, a way for busio sell chocotes and sweets. But if it was just about selling dy, not many people would buy it. The best way to market it was to tie chocote to retionships, making it a day for people to express their feelings through gifts.

  That m, as Ren stepped out of his apartment, he immediately ran into his -door neighbor, Yoko Okino.

  "Ta-da! Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a chocote from your dear neighbor."

  She handed him a ly ed regur box of chocotes.

  "Miss Celebrity, don't you have any variety shows or events to attend today?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Yoko gave a carefree ugh. "Hehe~ Thanks to what happened before, my agene to take a break for a while. If my nejury gets caught on camera, the media will go wild, and the pany won't be able to cover it up. So, I get a little vacation."

  Her cheerful attitude made Ren wonder if something was off.

  "You seem a little… too rexed."

  "Are you saying I look crazy?"

  "A little bit."

  Yoko chuckled but then instinctively touched her neck, where faint bruises still lingered. Her expression dimmed for a moment.

  "I made my choice when I became aertainer," she said softly. "I know my talents, and I love my fans. That's why I want to keep moving forward in this industry."

  Ren respected that.

  Choosing a path and stig to it, enduring hardships for the sake of one's dreams, it was something he could admire.

  "Keep w hard," he enced. "Even if sdals and rumors surround you, as long as you know where you're headed, you won't let yourself or your fans down."

  A genuine smile returo Yoko's face. "Thanks… but isn't it my job to be the one cheering you up?" She sighed. "Why do you sound like some wise old mentor?"

  Ren simply smirked but didn't say anything. Given his actual experiences, ing up with words of encement wasly difficult.

  "Also, you seem more rexed tely," Yoko observed.

  "I'm not much of a talker," he replied.

  "Could've fooled me," she shot back. "You just gave a whole motivational speech without a hitch."

  Before he could respond, Yoko suddenly leaned in.

  "Hold still."

  Standing ooes, she reached out and removed his gsses.

  With his face fully visible, she studied him carefully before nodding in satisfa.

  "Hmm~ If you debuted as an actor now, you'd be an instahrob." She pyfully pced his gsses ba. "But I wouldn't reend stepping into this messy industry."

  Ren had no objes. He had never inteo pursue fame in the first pce.

  "If someone like me could bee a top star, that would meaertai industry has seriously low standards."

  Yoko crossed her arms proudly. "Well, I'm different. I've got real talent in singing, ag, and dang."

  "Now that I'm famous, my agency doesn't give me a hard time, and I'm making plenty of money."

  That was true.

  Ren didn't follow the idol se, but anyone who reached her level of fame must have worked hard to get there.

  She must have had her own ways of surviving in the industry.

  Looking at the chocotes in his hand, Ren suddenly spoke.

  "If you ever run into problems iure, feel free to talk to me. Maybe I help."

  "Ah—there it is again!" Yoko whined. "You're way too mature for a high schooler! This is supposed to be my line!"

  She sighed dramatically and hung her head. "How did I end up getting forted instead of the other way around?"

  Ren chuckled.

  Truthfully, he had quite a few methods at his disposal now. He just wasn't the type to use them for his own gain.

  But if Yoko ever found herself in trouble, he could at least iigate who was trying t her down.

  "Anyway, I won't keep you. You should get to school," Yoko said, stepping aside. Then, as if remembering something, she pulled a card from her pocket.

  "ht. This is a thank-you gift for savi time. It's not like I have to repay you, but… I probably won't be able to use this anymore."

  Ren took the card without hesitation.

  It was an invitation ticket, a two-day, one-night stay at a hot spring inn on a secluded isnd.

  Unfortunately, it was a single-pass ticket.

  Seems like this was inally meant for Yoko herself.

  "Thanks."

  "No problem," Yoko replied with a grin.

  She had actually been looking forward to this trip. It was supposed to be a quiet getaway. But with everything that had happenedz being attacked, the injuries on her neck, going on vacation was out of the question.

  "Since I 't go to a hot sprireat, I might as well enjoy a vacation at home," she mused. "I've been overworked anyway."

  "You'll be staying in, then?" Ren asked.

  "Yep. Gotta avoid going out for now. 't let the media catch sight of these bruises."

  Ren nodded. "Alright. I'll be heading to school then."

  "Take care!" Yoko waved as she watched him leave.

  Once baside her apartment, she double-checked the newly installed high-security door. This time, no one would be breaking in.

  Meanwhile, on his way to scho the invitation ticket in his hand.

  "Maybe… this could be our first official club activity."