Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

"Click!"

Just as Ren opened his door with his suitcase in hand, the door to the neighboring apartment swung open.

A familiar figure stepped out—his neighbor, the female artist—wearing panda-themed pajamas, complete with a hood.

"You're back," Yoko greeted him with a smile.

"Is this what a female artist usually looks like?"

"So what? Even celebrities need to relax sometimes!"

Yoko pouted in dissatisfaction before stretching her arms in an exaggerated manner, as if trying to show off some nonexistent muscles.

"See? This is the benefit of loose pajamas."

"Even if I move around or stretch at home, I won't feel uncomfortable. This set is super comfy!"

Then, she pulled up her panda hood, covering her head.

"If I wear this with a mask when I go out, almost no one recognizes me."

"I've been wearing these pajamas a lot lately."

Hearing this, Ren's expression turned a bit strange.

He could already picture the scene, her walking around in full animal pajamas.

It wasn't that people weren't approaching her because they didn't recognize her.

They probably just assumed she was a weirdo and stayed away.

Still, something else caught his attention, Yoko's neck.

"The bruises have healed quite a bit."

"Of course!"

Yoko placed her hands on her hips proudly.

Her recovery hadn't been in vain.

Aside from her training, she had also used external medicine. Otherwise, her neck wouldn't have healed so quickly.

"The agency isn't just there for show."

"Now that I'm so popular, they're planning to put me in an idol drama. They've been sending me all kinds of effective medicines lately."

"Very effective medicines?"

Ren frowned, setting his suitcase down as he stepped closer.

A strong medicinal scent immediately hit him.

"Take off your hood."

"Alright."

Even though he didn't get too close, he instinctively fanned his hand in front of his nose before furrowing his brows.

"The medicinal properties are too strong, almost excessive."

"This medicine speeds up bruise recovery, but it can also cause serious side effects."

"There are a lot of these kinds of treatments in this country, but they come with risks."

"Especially when applied to the neck."

"Huh?!"

Yoko's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait, does that mean…?"

"Because the medicine is so potent, it forces the bruises to disperse quickly."

"But it also increases the risk of throat-related issues."

"And if used too much… it can even lead to cancer."

"Cancer?!"

This time, Yoko really panicked.

She instinctively reached for her neck with both hands.

She had trusted the agency's recommendation without a second thought, never imagining it could be this dangerous.

"I… I'm not already affected, am I?"

"Not yet."

Ren chuckled and shook his head.

"These issues only happen with long-term use."

"Besides, applying it to your neck makes it even riskier."

"Next time, don't blindly use whatever your agency gives you."

"Y-yeah…!"

Yoko nodded frantically, her face still pale from the shock.

She couldn't believe the agency had recommended something this harmful.

"I never thought they'd give me something like this…"

Ren could understand why.

"You're a top star right now. Your agency needs you in peak condition."

"Besides, if I remember correctly, you're the only major celebrity under that company, right?"

"Well… Miss Yuko was also really popular a few years ago."

"Yuko?"

Ren thought for a moment but couldn't recall such a name.

"Ikezawa Yuko. She's only a little older than me. Lately, she's been stuck doing idol dramas."

Even after hearing the name, Ren shook his head slightly.

"I don't really follow idol drama actresses."

"But if she was so popular, why didn't she stay at the top?"

"That's… uh…"

Yoko looked a little troubled.

Ren immediately understood, it was the usual entertainment industry story.

"She got caught in a scandal with a director?"

Yoko hesitated before giving a slight nod.

"Plastic surgery rumors?"

She blinked in surprise, then nodded again.

"Tax evasion?"

This time, Yoko stared at him in shock.

"…How do you know that?!"

"…"

Ren let out a tired sigh.

"I know too well how this industry works."

Even though he wasn't interested in celebrity gossip, these types of scandals were everywhere.

Big-name stars, industry veterans, they all had their fair share of issues.

In an era where entertainment dominated everything, how could someone not hear about these things?

The entertainment industry had always been full of shadows.

Money, fame, power—everything was tangled together.

It was called a glamorous world, but in reality, it was a giant cesspool.

"Youth is the most important thing for female celebrities."

"Every year, new young stars flood into the industry. The problem isn't finding fresh faces, it's finding someone who can actually last."

"What's rare are actresses who are talented, beautiful, and can actually win over the audience."

"Those with real skills can survive on their own."

"But those without… well, their options are limited."

Ren didn't finish his sentence.

And he didn't need to.

Yoko understood exactly what he meant.

"Be careful next time."

"Your agency probably knows the long-term risks of that medicine."

"But you've been out for too long. They must be getting desperate to push you back into the spotlight."

"That's why they gave you something with fast-acting results, even if it came with serious side effects."

"…"

Yoko fell silent.

She understood but that didn't mean she had to accept it.

Looking at her conflicted expression, Ren sighed.

"So, are you still going to continue?"

"…"

After a moment of hesitation, Yoko lifted her head.

"Of course I am!"

"My dream is to become a top-tier actress, just like Fujimine Yukiko!"

"Even if there are setbacks, I refuse to give up!"

Ren had expected this answer.

"Then next time, don't drink anything suspicious at events."

"And don't blindly trust everything your agency gives you."

"If you run into trouble, I can help with some of it."

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.