“I am getting laid tonight, boys!”

  That was the voice of some stupid idiot who had, no doubt, secured himself a date on Valentine’s Day.

  Me, on the other hand.

  “Please, Tsukijōtei, grant me love and affection so vast that I will never have to spend another Valentine’s Day alone, without a woman, ever again!”

  I clasped my hands together in prayer at a public temple, pleading to my local kami like a man with nothing left to lose. Not even my own sense of dignity.

  “I believe you would have a higher chance on the apps, young Jō.”

  The Catholic priest who said those words went by the name of Jean-Marc. For some strange reason, he came here regularly. I always found it odd for a priest to frequent a temple, but Jean-Marc seemed to be the exception.

  He looked more like a soldier than any priest I had ever seen. Broad-shouldered, powerfully built, with an eyepatch covering his left eye, he carried himself with the quiet weight of someone who had seen far more than just sermons and confessionals.

  “You didn’t have to do me dirty like that, Jean-Marc!?” I crossed my arms. We were in public, dammit!

  “Apologies if I came across as rude, Jō. I was simply commenting on your prayer.” His voice was gentle, kind as ever, carrying no trace of mockery.

  “Fine. I accept your apology.”

  “I’m glad. Do you have any other plans for yourself this Valentine’s Day?”

  “Uhhh… keep this a secret.”

  “Of course.”

  I hesitated. Way too long. My brain scrambled for literally anything else to say, but my mouth had already betrayed me by opening.

  “…..”

  “You do not need to tell m—”

  “I’m going to an idol concert.”

  Silence.

  The air itself seemed to pause, as if even the kami nearby were processing what they had just heard.

  “…..”

  “…..”

  “I-I am not judging,” Jean-Marc said quickly, a bit too quickly. “Just s-surprised, is all. An unexpected turn of events.”

  Yeah. Unexpected was one way to put it. Humiliating was another.

  “Yeah… well.” I scratched the back of my head, suddenly very interested in anything that was not his face. “My boss is a huge fan of this international idol group. He bought the tickets for himself, but then he couldn’t make it because he got a girlfriend or something like that.”

  Of course he did. Of course.

  “So now I’m the single idiot left holding the ticket.” I sighed.

  My boss even patted me on the back and told me I needed it. Like I was some kind of lost puppy.

  The memory stung more than it should have. That pity smile. The awkward encouragement. The unspoken truth that everyone else had somewhere to be tonight.

  I swallowed and looked away. “So yeah. Idol concert. That’s my big Valentine’s plan.”

  “Uhhh, how interesting… if I may, can I ask a question?” he said, suddenly awkward.

  “Yeah.” I shrugged. I was already scraping the bottom of the barrel. There was no dignity left to lose.

  “What’s the idol group called?”

  “Huh.” That caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected that question of all things.

  “I’m just interested, is all. You see, I am quite the fan myself.”

  His cheeks tinted red. Just slightly. It was subtle, but enough to make my brain short-circuit. I had never seen Jean-Marc blush before. Not once.

  “I think it’s called… Realta Noxia,” I said casually, like I was talking about some obscure backstreet group. I tried to play it cool, even though I knew better.

  Even I knew better.

  Realta Noxia was one of the biggest idol groups in the world. Everyone knew them. My grandma probably knew them. That was why the look on his face caught me completely off guard.

  “I see…”

  The warmth drained from his expression, replaced by something far more serious. Solemn. Heavy. It was a look I had never seen on him before, and it made my stomach twist for reasons I couldn’t explain.

  “I’m guessing you’re heading into Tokyo, then?” he continued.

  “Yeah. It’s at the Tokyo Dome, so I’m heading off right after this.”

  “Hmm…”

  The sound lingered uncomfortably.

  “Everything alright?” I asked, forcing a laugh that didn’t quite land.

  “Just make sure to be careful, okay?” His eyes locked onto mine. Not gently this time. It felt less like advice and more like a warning.

  “I-I will… and you too.” The words came out awkwardly, tripping over themselves.

  He gave a small bow, excusing himself as he said he needed to take his leave. I bowed back out of reflex before heading toward the station, eager to put some distance between myself and my embarrassing prayers.

  As I walked, his serious expression lingered in my thoughts.

  But maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe he was just jealous of the ticket. After all, it was rare. Highly sought after. Anyone would react strongly to that, right?

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  …Yeah. That had to be it.

  I took the train into Tokyo and stared out the window, sinking into a fleeting melancholy. Couples filled the carriage, holding hands, whispering to each other, flirting without a care in the world. I did my best to ignore them, settling into my best impression of a nonchalant guy who definitely did not care.

  I could only hold the act for so long.

  With a quiet sigh, I pulled out my ticket and read it again.

  “Valentine’s Wish…?”

  The concert's name alone felt like another slap to the face. As if the universe itself had decided to lean in close and mock me, just to make sure the message really sank in.

  After another hour and a half of hopping between trains into Bunkyo City, I finally made it. I had never been to the Tokyo Dome before, but it was super impressive. A massive landmark, clearly a marvelous piece of architecture.

  The area was packed.

  Loads of couples walking around hand in hand. Groups of girls hyping each other up like their lives depended on it.

  Alongside a dense crowd of male admirers that had formed well before opening, every single one claiming their less-than-holy excitement was merely the result of quote-unquote “artistic appreciation.”

  I got inside and somehow survived the long line, only to find out my ticket put me in the exclusive section right up front. I won’t deny it was pretty embarrassing to be whisked past the queue and straight into the special area while thousands of fans stared at me in… envy. I think that’s the correct word.

  This section was pure luxury. Everyone around me was clearly a superfan, decked out in merch and glowing with excitement. I was only one section behind the celebrities and VIPs.

  “My boss sure is a fan, huh.”

  Thanks, boss. While I’d never really been into idols, I couldn’t deny this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The atmosphere was immaculate. People were already cheering and screaming before the concert had even begun, like we were about to witness gladiatorial games instead of a pop performance.

  Honestly, it was kind of terrifying, and yet exhilarating at the same time. I could only imagine what it must be like to stand on that stage, performing in front of tens of thousands of mega fans, basking in their adoration, praise and worship.

  I suppose that’s why they’re called idols, after all.

  “WHO’S READY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHTTIME!!!????” the announcer shouted.

  The entire audience roared in Response, much to the dismay of my eardrums.

  I should have bought earplugs.

  “COME ON! LOUDER!!!”

  Please no.

  They screamed their hearts out.

  “I love you, Tali!”

  “Bea’s best girl!"

  “Jia’s such a vibe!”

  The crowd shrieked in unison. Utter mayhem erupted as the sound of boots struck the stage floor, perfectly in sync.

  And while I had never been a fan of idols. Like, literally ever.

  For the first time in my life.

  I was truly blown away.

  “Hello, To-k-yo!” they said in unison. “We’ve missed you guys so much!”

  “We’ve missed you too!!!!” some diehard fan screamed across the stadium. Their voice box was absolutely not surviving the night, let alone the next few weeks.

  “It’s time for us to give you guys a truly special performance. Are you ready?”

  “YESSS!!!!”

  “Well then, let’s get started! What’s our name?”

  “REALTA NOXIA!!!”

  “I don’t think we heard that properly. Can you please do that one more time for us?”

  “REALTA NOXIA!!!”

  And in the very next instant, I became an idol fan.

  It was not just their singing that blew me away. No, it was their entire aura. Their sheer presence felt unrivalled, mystical, almost otherworldly to me. The way they moved and sang in perfect sync and harmony. The way they spoke to one another through nothing but movement, all while keeping their eyes on the audience, as if they were focused on me and me alone.

  I knew it was a fa?ade, but it was so captivating that I could not help but smile. And blush.

  Realta Noxia were known for their punk aesthetic. Black gothic outfits, leather everywhere, a style that was unmistakably theirs.

  Yet it never felt intimidating or too niche. If anything, it felt inviting. Almost like the vibe of Linkin Park, but with more upbeat lyrics, layered with hints of metal and rock pulsing beneath the pop-based surface.

  The group had three main members, and I genuinely, for the life of me, could not decide who I liked most.

  At the front stood their centerpiece and leader, Talia.

  She was exceptionally beautiful, as were the rest of them, but there was something undeniable about her. Porcelain skin, ice blue, almost silver hair, and eyes to match. Her figure was graceful and elegant, yet her presence was bold, commanding, as if she outright refused to be ignored. Her voice carried an edge that both opened and closed every song, setting the tone and sealing it in place.

  To her left was the group’s main rapper and lyricist, Jia.

  She was a little more lithe than Talia, but no less striking. Her charm was different. Less forceful, more relaxed. Confident in a way that never needed to prove itself. Her long red hair swayed with the rhythm as she moved in perfect time with the others, matching their pace effortlessly. Her dark brown, almond-shaped eyes carried a natural, earthy warmth, the kind that made men fall in love with their best friend without even realizing it.

  And to the right was, without question, the best performer. Bea.

  Her energy was completely unmatched, even compared to her teammates. She was more shapely, her movements full of flow and life. There was a foreign, magnetic appeal to her, impossible to ignore. Light brown, almost like tanned skin, short blonde hair, and a presence that radiated warmth.

  Her spirit was cheerful and jovial, brighter than even the most relentlessly positive idols. Whenever her amber eyes met yours, it felt like stepping out of the physical world and into some kind of magical trance.

  She was the group’s main dancer and wildcard, slipping in Portuguese lyrics that added even more unique and wild flair to their songs.

  The three of them danced in unison, singing tracks I had heard countless times on the grocery store radio where I worked. Yet hearing them live, straight from their mouths, everything felt completely new. Their authenticity elevated every song, turning hit after hit into something unforgettable.

  I finally understood why so many people loved them.

  It was like they were made to be adored.

  “Thank you, everyone!” Talia shouted as the concert drew to a close.

  “We had the best time ever with you guys!” Bea added, smiling from ear to ear.

  “But we have one more question for all of you…” Jia said.

  A question?

  “To everyone here with their partners tonight, we hope you enjoyed the show and made it a night to remember!”

  That definitely did not include me.

  “WE DID!”

  “But…”

  “…..”

  “To all the single people in the audience… and to those yet to have known love.”

  Yeah. That was absolutely meant for me.

  “We want you to make a wish.”

  Huh?

  “A wish that we pray will come true for you, before your next Valentine’s Day.”

  A wish, huh…?

  I guess it wouldn't hurt to dream.

  “What do you wish for?”

  I already knew the answer.

  “We’re going to give you three seconds. Are you ready?”

  “YESSS!!!” the crowd roared.

  “Three.”

  I could not believe I was actually about to shout this.

  “Two.”

  But it was the truth. The thing I wanted more than anything.

  “One.”

  “I want to get to know all of you. Who you truly are!”

  The words burst out of me, loud and unfiltered. I knew I looked ridiculous. People turned to stare. But for once, I didn't care.

  And for just a moment, a single fleeting second, I thought I caught Talia’s eyes. Surprise flickered across her expression before she quickly composed herself and looked back out over the crowd.

  “May your greatest wishes come true!”

  The curtains closed, the lights dimmed, and the concert ended for everyone else.

  But not for me. Because what I didn't know was that this was only the beginning.

  The genesis of my tale as a vampire, the beginning of my career in showbiz and the start of my journey with the love of my life.