Chapter 77: The Female Artist Neighbor

Girls tend to pay a lot of attention to managing their body shape and weight.

However, in Ren's opinion, Ran's situation wasn't really a problem.

Even though her weight had increased due to higher muscle density, her body had only filled out slightly from its original state.

She simply looked softer—more mature.

To Ren, this wasn't a bad thing.

In fact, he actually preferred a more fleshy figure on a woman.

So in his eyes, Ran wasn't fat at all.

She just looked… healthier.

---

Just as Ren was about to enter his apartment, a sudden voice called out to him.

"Sir!"

He turned his head and saw his next-door neighbor, the one who had been attacked last night.

Now that he got a proper look at her, he realized…

She was actually quite stunning.

"Sir, about last night…"

"Thank you for helping me."

"You're welcome."

Ren shook his head slightly.

Honestly, he felt like he had meddled a bit too much.

"What happened to that guy?"

"He was arrested by the police."

"Has he been charged?"

"Yes. Breaking and entering, attempted murder, and stalking."

Ren nodded.

Then he probably wasn't getting out anytime soon.

With attempted murder alone, the man would serve at least three years.

The trespassing and stalking charges would only add more time to his sentence.

Ren's gaze shifted slightly.

The woman was wearing a scarf around her neck.

Thinking back to the strangulation marks he had seen last night, it made sense.

"Your neck… is it okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

The woman subconsciously touched her throat, her expression a little complicated.

"My voice is still a bit damaged."

"But compared to being strangled to death, this is nothing serious."

"The only issue is that I'll have to pause my work as an artist for a while."

"…You're an artist?"

Ren looked at her, a bit surprised.

He had already noticed that she was beautiful, but he hadn't expected her to be a celebrity.

Now it was her turn to be surprised.

At this point in time, she was quite famous.

Yet, this boy in front of her had no idea who she was?

She smiled faintly.

"Well, I suppose I should properly introduce myself."

"My name is Yoko Okino."

"I'm a professional idol and actress."

Yoko Okino.

Ren's eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition.

He had never connected the woman standing in front of him with that Yoko Okino.

"You've heard of me?"

She tilted her head, intrigued.

Ren quickly masked his surprise and nodded slightly.

"I know of you."

"You're one of the most popular idol actresses right now."

"It's just that… I have school and part-time work, so I don't really keep up with idol dramas."

Yoko Okino suddenly remembered.

This boy in front of her was still a high school student.

Studying was his main focus.

And he even had a part-time job.

She had also started working while still in high school.

That was how she got into the entertainment industry.

But one thing confused Ren.

"…Why would a top idol live in a place like this?"

Ren's question caught Yoko off guard.

"…What do you mean?"

She blinked.

"This is a high-end apartment complex, sure."

"But did your manager not tell you?"

"This place has a history of multiple murder cases."

"…Huh?"

This was the first she had heard of it.

"The apartment I'm staying in had a murder before."

"Three, actually."

"…Three?!"

Yoko gulped.

The idea of living in a place where people had been murdered sent a chill down her spine.

"You knew this, and you still live here?"

Ren shrugged.

"It's cheap."

"…How cheap are we talking?"

"The rent is only 10,000 yen per month."

"And utilities are completely free."

"…That's ridiculous."

Yoko was stunned.

10,000 yen a month?

And free water and electricity?

That was insanely cheap, especially for a luxury apartment.

But still, knowing that murders had happened there…

It was way too creepy for most people.

"But still… is it really safe to stay here?"

She hesitated.

Ren glanced at her.

"…Ms. Okino, what about you?"

Yoko looked at him, confused.

"Your home was broken into, and you were almost killed by a stalker."

"You're not planning to move?"

For a brief moment, fear flickered in Yoko's eyes.

Of course, she was terrified.

Who wouldn't be?

But she shook her head helplessly.

"…No."

"I can't move."

"I don't mean to sound arrogant, but… I'm quite well-known."

"That comes with a lot of problems."

"…Fanatical fans?"

Ren guessed.

Yoko nodded with a small sigh.

"I love that people support me."

"But some fans are just… too much."

The word "impatient" didn't even begin to describe them.

Some die-hard fans were truly unhinged.

They would track down idols.

They would stalk their homes.

They would do anything to get closer to them.

The security here was trustworthy.

Even though she had let her guard down yesterday, it was still safer than most places.

So for now, she wasn't planning to move out.

Ren understood.

This was simply the reality of being a public figure.

No matter how dangerous some fans could be, they were still a core part of a celebrity's career.

"Fanatical fans are… troublesome."

Ren sighed.

Yoko chuckled softly.

"Yes."

"Fans can bring a lot of benefits to an artist."

"But sometimes… you have to deal with the downsides too."

She smiled as she looked at Ren.

"You live here alone?"

"Yes."

"…Aren't you afraid?"

"I'm more afraid of being broke."

Yoko Okino paused slightly.

Then, she laughed.

She was starting to get a sense of what kind of person he was.

She held out her hand.

"Well then… let's get along, Mr. Neighbor."

Ren glanced at her for a second, then shook her hand.

"Likewise, Miss Female Artist."

Okino Yoko (Img)

***

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