Volume 13 Chapter 422 Kohina Yukari, The Greatest Man in the World
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
May 5th, Children’s Day…
On this day, which marked the broadcast of the legendary episode of Hana-ata¹, it seemed like that guy was up to his old tricks again.
I sat huddled around a table with Ecchi, my fellow actors Reira and Mikuni, and the rest of the crew, waiting for the drama starring Aqua-kun to begin.
”So, where’d the man of the hour disappear to anyway?” I asked.
”Who knows?” came the reply.
”Who knows?” Are you kidding me, Ecchi?! You’re the president of the company and his manager nano! How do you not know where he is?! I grilled the spaced-out Ecchi, but apparently, even his primary managers, Ecchi and Kotono-san, were left in the dark on this one.
”Well, Manager Nakano-san is the one handling this project, so I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Ecchi said.
”Hmph,” I muttered, giving that guy a look of pure exasperation. Whenever that guy bypasses responsible managers like Ecchi or Kotono-san to team up with a “hard-sell” shark like Nakano-san, things are bound to get messy. He’s definitely going to pull something. It’s a mathematical certainty.
”Now, now, it’s fine, isn’t it? More importantly, look! It’s starting!” Mikuni-san chirped, her eyes glued to the screen with pure excitement.
(Honestly, this girl… as long as he’s on screen, she’s happy. She’s just as much of a klutz as Aqua-kun is!)
”Ah, it’s on!” Kanon-san’s voice cut through the chatter, and everyone fell silent instantly.
Fine, whatever. I don’t know what he’s trying to pull this time, but I’m going to scrutinize every single frame of his performance. I’ll be looking for the slightest slip-up. As I turned my attention to the television, I felt myself shifting into “Actor Mode” Kohina Yukari.
The screen was pitch black, filled only with the rhythmic clack-clack of leather shoes echoing down a corridor.
Judging by the reverb, it was a hallway…
(If Aqua-kun is the lead, I’m guessing a high school drama?)
When the scene finally cut, it showed Aqua-kun standing firmly in front of a blackboard. I had to admit, the production value was high. They had tuned the saturation perfectly, keeping the blacks deep and crisp.
He was clearly using top-tier equipment; even an amateur could tell this was being shot with the same quality as a blockbuster film.
’This is the transfer student, Kuzuhara Ren. Everyone, try to get along with him.’
Heh, so Tsuwabuki-san was playing the teacher. Unlike that terrible acting back in Hana-ata, it was finally at a watchable level. The homeroom teacher scribbled the name [Kuzuhara Ren] on the board and turned back to the class.
After a pause that lasted just long enough for a slow blink, the camera panned across the room. It wasn’t just a couple of extras; the cramped classroom was packed with about thirty male students.
”S-SENSEI—!” Emily-chan squealed.
Emily-chan, you’re being way too loud! Even if Hakuryuu-sensei is on screen, she’s just going to faint while standing up no matter what happens, so just leave her be!!
”Heh,” Mikuni-san whispered.
Her gaze had sharpened, shifting from a doting fan to a hungry actor.
On the screen, the drama followed Kuzuhara as he went through his lessons.
He occasionally glanced to the side, carefully observing the room.
With the sound of Tsuwabuki-san’s chalk scratching against the board and his voice droning on about the textbook as background noise, the scene cut rapidly between the other students: Mayuzumi-kun studying with a straight face, Toa-chan staring blankly out the window, Tenga-kun leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk, Yamada-kun hiding a lunch box behind a propped-up textbook, Akami-kun playing a handheld game under his desk, and Kokucho-kun passed out cold.
It was solid direction. With just those few shots, the audience could grasp the personality of every major player nano.
After the classroom scene, the camera followed Kuzuhara walking the hallways. Boys were scattered everywhere—some sitting on the floor chatting, others leaning against windows.
(I know all-boys schools used to be a thing in this country a long time ago, but was it really like this?)
The camera followed him to the cafeteria, where he slurped down a massive bowl of udon, surrounded entirely by other guys. The screen continued to present this abnormal, male-dominated reality.
After school, Kuzuhara returned to what looked like a studio apartment to eat a convenience store dinner alone. The most striking part was that ten minutes had passed, and the protagonist hadn’t uttered a single word.
The next morning, Kuzuhara arrived early at the faculty office. ‘You want to start a club?’ asked Tsuwabuki-san, playing the role of the teacher Tsurugi Gaku. He looked genuinely taken aback. Just what kind of club does Kuzuhara intend to make? Tsurugi looked down at the application in his hands.
’An Idol Club?!’ Tsurugi shouted, his chair clattering loudly as he stood up.
(Tsuwabuki-san is actually quite good at this kind of physical comedy. Before Aqua-kun came along, he was always typecast as the pretty-boy lead, but this role suits him much better.)
’Kuzuhara… just what on earth is this club even supposed to do?’ Tsurugi asked. Kuzuhara simply responded with a smile. It seemed he still had no lines. Once he secured permission, the scene shifted to Kuzuhara approaching Minato Kanae, played by Mayuzumi-kun.
’An Idol Club? Me…?’ Minato looked startled for a fraction of a second before spotting Shikishima—played by Tenga-kun—watching them from the back of the room. Minato quickly looked away. ‘I refuse. Go ask someone else.’
As Minato walked away, Kuzuhara noticed Shikishima’s gaze and seemed to realize the situation.
(This guy… he’s really pulling this off without a single line. He’s forcing the audience to fill in the blanks using nothing but his eyes and the subtle movements of his mouth.)
I felt a strange mix of emotions—pride in Shirogane Aqua’s growth as an actor, and a burning spark of professional rivalry.
’What? Me?! No way, no way, no way!’ The student played by Yamada-kun panicked the moment Kuzuhara approached him, slamming his lunch box shut and bolting.
Kuzuhara tried his luck with the male students played by Kujaku-kun and Akami-kun, but they both ignored him, one pretending to sleep and the other staying glued to his game.
It made sense. That’s how people would actually react. (That guy in the real world was just incredibly lucky.) Kuzuhara made his rounds through the entire class, but everyone turned him down. Shikishima, played by Tenga-kun, was the most aggressive about it.
’A club? Are you… messing with me?’ Shikishima didn’t even bother asking what kind of club it was. He snatched the application from Kuzuhara’s hand, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash.
’Listen, transfer student. I’m the king of this classroom. You just got here, so don’t go trying to change things.’
Shikishima stood up and swaggered out of the room with his group of lackeys in tow. The rest of the students watched them leave with bated breath.
(I see. Shikishima runs this place.)
Kuzuhara walked over to the trash can, fished out the crumpled paper, and carefully smoothed out the wrinkles. He folded it neatly and slipped it into the bag Shikishima had left behind. Yamada-kun end up choking on his food and coughing.
Heh. This kid has some serious guts.
(I like his thick skin. He reminds me of a certain Shirogane Aqua-kun.)
’Sigh… this isn’t going well.’
I jumped in my seat.
(Hey! Don’t just start talking out of nowhere! I needed to mentally prepare for that!!)
Kuzuhara was lying across a few desks in an empty classroom, staring at the ceiling while sucking on a lollipop. He sat up and looked out the window, his eyes narrowing. ‘Minato and… Shikishima?’
The scene shifted to the schoolyard, where Shikishima’s group was leading Minato and his friends away. There was a sharp creak of a chain-link fence, and the camera showed Minato being shoved hard into the metal by Shikishima.
’Hey. Hand over today’s cut, fast.’ Minato reluctantly pulled a wallet from his blazer. Shikishima snatched it, emptied the cash, and started handing the bills out to his followers like it was nothing.
Hah?! Are you serious?! Can I go punch this guy? I don’t care if it’s just acting; I absolutely loathe bullies!! Minato picked up his empty wallet and glared at Shikishima with silent fury.
’What’s with that look?’ Shikishima sneered, grabbing Minato by the tie and pulling him upward. That was when Kuzuhara arrived.
(Too slow! If it were the real Aqua-kun, he would have been there three minutes ago at the speed of light!!)
Kuzuhara evaded the strikes with movements that looked more like dance steps than a brawl.
”Kyaaa!” several people in the room squealed.
The fight between Aqua-kun and Shikishima was intense. Hey, Kaede! Quit shadowboxing! The wind from your punches is going to crack the TV screen!!
Even the usually loud-mouthed Kuga Reira was leaning forward, her eyes glued to this unprecedented scene of a brawl between men. The fight ended, and the drama continued.
Shikishima left the school building and stopped in front of his house—a massive, imposing mansion.
(Historically, all-boys schools were founded for the sons of the nobility² to protect their purity. It makes sense that a power player like Shikishima comes from a high-status family.)
’Dammit!’ Shikishima hissed as he got to his room, throwing his bag onto the bed in a fit of rage.
The impact of the collision sent the bag flying. The lid popped open, and the club application Kuzuhara had tucked inside slid across the floor.
Shikishima’s eyes locked onto it. He surged forward in a blind rage, reaching out to tear the paper to shreds, but he stopped. His hands shook, vibrating with a fury he was fighting to bottle up. Forcing a breath, he clawed back his composure, turned away, and sank onto the edge of the bed.
’Young Master Nagito. Your mother is calling for you.’
(Finally, a female cast member makes an entrance,) I thought. (She’s a bit high-profile for a bit part, but in a show with this many guys, I guess a lady is necessary just to keep the peace. Here, the layers of Shikishima’s life start to peel back. The “son of a noble house,” the “gilded cage,” the “pre-determined path”… honestly, it’s the same old story for men and women alike, isn’t it?)
Shikishima had been lashing out at everyone around him just to vent the frustration of a life he couldn’t control.
Meanwhile, Kuzuhara—played by Aqua—was still on the hunt. He set his sights on Watari Chiaki, played by the “cute-but-cool” idol Toa-chan, and Minato Kanae, played by Mayuzumi-kun. He cornered them on the school roof, relentless in his recruitment.
’Why?! Why does it have to be me?! Just leave me alone already!!’
Minato, usually the cool-headed one, finally snapped. During the first few scenes, Kuzuhara had been watching everyone in the classroom like a hawk. He’d singled out Minato because, in a room full of delinquents and slackers, Minato was the only one actually trying to learn.
’So, you’re just gonna settle for this?’ Kuzuhara asked. ‘Don’t tell me you don’t actually want a normal school life.’
’Urgh…! What do you… what do you know about me?!’
Minato collapsed where he stood. The “stuttering Mayuzumi” from the Heaven’s Sword days was gone; this was a powerhouse performance.
’I dreamed about it too! Just like those normal schools the girls go to! I wanted to study normally, hang out with friends, and sweat it out in a club! I just wanted a normal high school life!!’
He fell to his knees, pounding his fists against the concrete through a mess of tears. Kuzuhara stepped in close and grabbed Minato’s hands, pulling them still.
’I heard from Tsurugi-sensei. I know the truth. You tried to start a club your freshman year, didn’t you?’
(Oh, so that’s the backstory.)
Kuzuhara leaned in, his voice steady.
’Minato, if you’re gonna change, it’s now or never. Let’s do it. Together. Let’s change this school.’
’Kuzuhara… you…’
The momentum was shifting. Watari, played by Toa-chan, and Shikishima, played by Tenga-kun, were watching the whole exchange from the shadows. Back in the room, things started getting rowdy again.
”See! I told you it’d be these four!”
”It’s in the bag!”
”Hey, forget that, look at Hakuryuu-sensei—”
(Emily-chan, just put Sensei on the back burner for a second,) I grumbled. (Mary-sama, Fuji Ranko, and even the saintly Kanon-san have already given up on her. I tuned out the noise and focused entirely on the screen.)
’Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!’
Before long, the group grew to three as Watari joined in. The fledgling Idol Club³ began practicing their routine in the middle of the empty gymnasium.
Minato wanted to perform a song that could cheer on anyone who was struggling to give their best. Kuzuhara took that sentiment and ran with it, composing a track with the soul of a high-energy cheering squad.
The trio practiced everywhere—dawn, lunch, and after school. They were impossible to miss. Students started noticing, and Shikishima was among them.
’Shikishima-san, look at them…’
’…Whatever. Just leave them be,’ said Shikishima.
He walked away with his usual cold shoulder, leaving his two lackeys scratching their heads. But the sight of those three working their hearts out was contagious.
Slowly, starting with Yamada-kun, the roster began to grow. It was the classic “delinquents-find-salvation-through-sports” trope, just with a male idol twist. It was actually pretty impressive.
”””Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!”””
The dancing, once a mess of limbs, began to sync up. They kept in the “blooper” style shots—guys accidentally punching each other or knocking heads and falling over.
Honestly, if this were any other era, the media would be having a field day; it’d be a debate in the National Diet, and the station would probably be shut down.
(As expected of Chairwoman Fuji Ranko. You’ve got to be a woman who’s ready to die for her biases to run a station this bold. As a woman, I have nothing but respect.)
’Ah…’
’Shikishima-san…’
Shikishima’s two goons started shaking when they saw him looming outside the gym. (Oh, so those kids had joined the Idol Club too.) While the others cowered, Kuzuhara stepped forward with a casual grin.
’Hey, Shikishima. What do you think? You want in?’
’Me? Hah! Don’t make me laugh!!’
The dam finally broke. Shikishima exploded, lunging at Kuzuhara with a wild swing. The other students fell into a panic. Just then, Watari spotted Vice Principal Yagi and their teacher, Tsurugi, heading for the gym.
’Everyone! The VP is coming!!’
Panicked glances were traded until Minato took charge. ‘Lock the doors! All of them!!’
They scrambled to bolt the entrances, desperate to keep the faculty out.
’What about the floor vents?!’
’Cover them with your bags! Hurry!’
While the club was busy covering their tracks, Kuzuhara and Shikishima were tearing into each other. (Wait, are they actually hitting each other? Aqua’s stunt work is top-tier, but Tenga-kun is really holding his own.)
’Hey! What’s going on in there?! Open this door immediately!’
Hearing the Vice Principal’s roar, the group coordinated a massive shout.
””””’HUP! HUP! HUP! HUP!””””’
(Nice. They’re trying to drown out the sound of the fight by pretending to practice. It won’t work, obviously.)
Yagi barked at Tsurugi to go find the spare keys. Inside, the brawl finally ended. Kuzuhara and Shikishima collapsed in the center of the gym, panting for air.
’Hah… hah… well? Feel any better after letting all that out?’
’…As if it’s that easy,’ Shikishima replied, gritting his teeth. ‘If this was all it took, I wouldn’t be…’
’Then join us. The Idol Club. Everything you’re feeling, everything you’re carrying—throw all of it into this.’
Shikishima stayed silent. A moment later, Yagi and Tsurugi burst in.
’What is the meaning of this?!’
’We just bumped into each other during practice!!’ Kuzuhara shouted, his voice ringing with such protagonist energy⁴ that Tsurugi almost lost it.
The Vice Principal looked between the two of them—both covered in bruises and scuffs. ‘Like hell you did!!’
Yagi was so livid he literally blew his lid—ripping off his wig and slamming it onto the floor.
(Okay, who wrote this?! Why would you put a gag like that in such a serious scene?! Unbelievable!)
But the real kicker was that not a single character on screen laughed. The deadpan delivery made it ten times more surreal. The scene reached its ochi⁵ in the most unexpected way.
’Now, now, Vice Principal. If the students say that’s what happened, then that’s that,’ Tsurugi said.
’Tsurugi-sensei! It’s because you’re so soft that these boys are such a handful!!’
The heat shifted from the boys to the teacher. Tsurugi just shot the students a quick wink. (Hehe, what a guy.) As Shikishima turned to leave without a word, Kuzuhara called out to his back. ‘Morning practice is at 6:00 AM. I’ll be waiting.’
Shikishima didn’t answer.
The next morning, practice had just started when Shikishima walked through the doors. ‘You’re late, Shikishima. That’s a tardy,’ said Kuzuhara.
Shikishima ignored him. He walked to the center of the floor, dropped to his knees, and pressed his forehead to the ground. One by one, he called out names, apologizing to every student he had ever laid a hand on.
’Minato…’
He pulled out a brown envelope and handed it over. ‘This is the money I shook you down for. It’s clean, I promise. Take it.’ He looked around at the circle of faces. ‘I won’t get in your way anymore. I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I just came here today to let you all hit me. I won’t fight back. And don’t worry—I’m not going to snitch or use it as leverage later. I know I don’t have your trust, but I mean it.’
The club members shared a look. Shikishima braced himself, waiting for the first blow, but no one moved.
’Shikishima…’
Minato stepped forward. He wound up a massive punch, his fist whistling through the air right toward Shikishima’s face—but he stopped an inch short. ‘I’m not like you. I don’t hit people just because I’m mad.’
’Yeah… you’re right. You’re a good person. Not like me,’ Shikishima whispered.
Kuzuhara walked over and gently pushed Minato’s fist down. ‘You did good, Kanae.’ Then, with a bright, cheerful smile, Kuzuhara let fly with a wicked uppercut straight to Shikishima’s jaw.
(Wait, WHAT?! Usually, this is where they have a heart-to-heart and hug it out!)
The entire Idol Club stood frozen, jaws dropping as they watched Shikishima get launched into the air. He did a clean arc through the gym before slamming onto the hardwood floor, flat on his back.
’I did the math after I got home yesterday. You landed one more hit than I did, didn’t you? So, with this, we’re even. Everyone else cool with that?’
When the others saw the look on Kuzuhara’s face, they all looked at each other and doubled over laughing.
(I get it now…)
Kuzuhara knew damn well that nobody in this room could actually bring themselves to deck Shikishima. He realized Shikishima wanted to be hit—no, he was desperate for some kind of penance. Kuzuhara just decided to grant him that wish. If this were a group of girls, it probably would’ve ended with a slap at most, but I guess this is just how guys handle things.
’Thank you,’ Shikishima said. He pulled himself up and slowly prepared to leave the Gymnasium.
Watching his retreating back, Minato called out to him. ‘Hey! Morning practice isn’t over yet. You really think you’re just gonna bail on us?’
Shikishima’s shoulders hitched. ‘…Yeah. I’m coming,’ said Shikishima.
His voice was thin and shaky, but the group welcomed him back into the fold nonetheless. There might still be some guys who haven’t fully processed everything yet, but everyone seemed to have reached the same conclusion: they were ready to accept him. Kuzuhara gave Minato a silent pat on the back. No words were needed. It was a clear message: You’re a class act.
”Wait, doing this scene with the dynamic between Aqua and Mayuzumi-kun? Is that even allowed? It’s too much!”
”RIP to the bulletin boards. The stans are literally deceased right now…”
”I am ascending! Nam-myoho-ren-ge-kyo!”
The Vice Principal, Yagi, called out to the Idol Club as they continued their relentless practice. He told them about a nearby girls’ high school baseball team that had just clinched a spot in the National Tournament.
’The thing is, they don’t have a cheering squad. If you boys are up for it, how would you like to represent them as an ‘Idol Club Cheering Section’⁶?’
Kuzuhara and the rest of the club jumped at the offer, pouring even more heart into their rehearsals. During the days of further practice, the focus shifted to individual growth between practice scenes.
Then, finally, the day of the big game arrived. The screen cut to black. When the picture returned, it showed the members of the Idol Club already entrenched in the Alps stands⁷.
”Wait, what?” (What is this footage…? The quality is different than before.) It took a few seconds for my brain to catch up.
”””It’s a live broadcast!?”””
Reira, Mikuni, and I all shouted at once. My whole body felt like it was buzzing with electricity. Aqua slowly climbed the stairs of the stands, merging into the crowd.
’In a body parched bone-dry and hollow, something is starting to smolder.’
I was transfixed. (…This guy. He actually pulled it off.) Words like “impossible” or “no way” simply don’t exist for him.
For the sake of his goal, he doesn’t look for a side door; he just charges ahead and punches a hole through the front. He’s a blunt, honest man who is currently shattering every rule of the world with a direct hit.
”””””Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-oh! ”””””
The boys on screen began to sway. That tiny ripple started to grow. It was exactly like watching a massive meteorite—the charismatic Shirogane Aqua, leader of BERYL, the man who commands the airwaves with shouts that spark hope.
His presence is a force of nature: sharp eyes, sleek hair, and an unshakable stance. He is a man who blends the wisdom of a past life with the raw power of the present, a stone thrown into the world, making everything undulate.
‘Emotions are swirling inside me like I’ve been caught in a storm.’
The song was beautiful—a melodic rhythm infused with a rapper’s flow. I found myself laughing, though no sound came out.
”””””Hyah! Hyah, hyah, hyah, hyah! ”””””
A one-take, live-to-air performance. In a high-pressure vacuum where a single mistake would be fatal, these boys were sweating through their dance and chants, their faces masks of pure intensity. I only know one person in the entire world crazy enough to even dream this up. (You really are the greatest.)
‘I can’t see a thing in front of me, but maybe that’s just fine.’
I wonder how many people in this business have been waiting for this exact second. A drama with a nearly all-male cast—created by men, for men. Only two years ago, nobody would have believed a day like this was possible.
”””””Hyah! Hyah, hyah, hyah, hyah! ”””””
The heat coming off the screen was staggering. It felt like I was going to get burned. His passion is infectious; it’s like a fever. I think we’ve all caught the Shirogane Aqua virus⁸. Our brains are fried, and we’ve all gone a little mad together.
‘Even if you’re bruised and broken, don’t you dare stop walking.’
I pressed my hand against my racing heart. (What is wrong with me? This isn’t like me at all.)
‘Stand up. The path is wherever you decide to go.’
It didn’t matter what the labels were—mentor, mother, sister, lover. In that moment, I felt like I wanted to give this man everything I am. I squeezed my fists tight against my chest.
‘Run faster than the darkness trying to swallow you whole.’
For the first time in my life—as just a single woman—I’ve actually fallen for a man. In this entire world, you are the only one who can make me burn like this.
‘Everything you need is on the road you’ve already walked.’
Go as far as you can. That’s right. You don’t ever need to look back. Surpass even me. Take us—no, take me—to a horizon no one has ever seen.
”””””Hyah! Hyah, hyah, hyah, hyah! ”””””
The dance was as violent as a storm-tossed sea. I sat there, staring fixedly at the center of it all. At Aqua.
(Ah, man… why did I have to fall for a guy like him?)
Kohina Yukari, you have the absolute worst taste in men! If he were at least older than me, I might have been able to act a little more honest and pampered, but no, you had to go and be born after me! You big dummy! You total idiot! But I guess that’s just how it goes. (Because that’s what falling in love is… right, Sensei?)
”HAKURYUU-SENSEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”
Emily-chan threw her arms around the shock-frozen body of Hakuryuu-sensei. I sank back into the sofa, watching the end credits roll, savoring the chaotic afterglow of what that man had just unleashed upon the world.
—
Summary:
Kohina and her peers gather to watch Shirogane Aqua’s experimental school drama set in a gender-reversed world. The protagonist, Kuzuhara Ren, attempts to recruit students for an Idol Club despite intense bullying and classroom hierarchies. Tensions rise as the narrative shifts to a physical confrontation between the school’s ‘king’ and the silent protagonist
Kuzuhara successfully recruits Minato and Watari into the newly formed Idol Club through high-stakes emotional confrontation. The group begins rigorous practice, attracting the attention of the school’s delinquents and the hostile Vice Principal Yagi. Shikishima attempts to reconcile with the club through a public dogeza, only to be met with an unexpected physical strike from Kuzuhara
The Idol Club reconciles after internal conflict and accepts a high-stakes offer to cheer for a girls’ baseball team. Their training culminates in a shocking live broadcast that breaks industry norms. Shirogane Aqua’s performance captivates the audience and triggers a romantic awakening in Yukari
—
Trivia:
- The ‘Hana-ata’ show was mentioned as a legendary precedent for this broadcast
- Tsuwabuki-san’s shift from pretty-boy to comedy is noted as a career evolution
- The setting implies a world where male purity is culturally protected by elite institutions
- The meta-commentary suggests the narrator is female and is watching the events as a high-stakes television drama.
- Chairwoman Fuji Ranko’s obsession with her ‘biases’ (idols) is what allows the controversial broadcast to stay on air.
- The physical comedy of the Vice Principal’s wig is a deliberate tonal shift designed by the ‘author’ of the drama within the story.
- The specific baseball tournament is the National Tournament, likely a reference to the high school ‘Koshien’.
- The song motif is explicitly based on ‘STORM’ by GENER8ION & Yung Lean.
- The narrator, Yukari, is older than Aqua, which causes her internal conflict
—
Character Insight:
Kohina shows a shift from skeptical observer to a rival who is genuinely impressed by Aqua’s silent acting, though she hides this behind annoyance.
Kuzuhara shifts from a passive observer to a violent, decisive leader, proving he will use unconventional methods (like punching an ally during an apology) to seal a bond.
Kohina Yukari shifts from a detached, professional observer to a woman experiencing her first genuine romantic attraction, leading to self-deprecating humor regarding her taste in men.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Mikuni – An acting colleague of Kohina who is an enthusiastic supporter of Aqua, often described as having a ‘motherly’ or doting expression when watching him perform.
• Ecchi – A manager and company president who often appears dazed or spaced-out. He provides logistical support for idol activities but is frequently grilled by Kohina for his perceived lack of focus.
• Reira – An actress and colleague of Kohina who is known for being loud and energetic. She is easily absorbed in dramatic scenes, especially those involving physical conflict.
• Aqua – TIMEOUT: No response (20.0s) – Unknown error
• Kotono – A mature figure who provided the nightgowns for the group.
• Kanon – Kanon‑sama, an idol‑group member and chapter narrator, is Aqua’s cool‑jealous domestic partner and celebrated Internet Master/fashion icon. She warmly accepts Aqua’s hand‑knitted socks, shows a tender side, is close to Emily, and recently became a mother. She watches the turmoil with Aqua and Kukuri, mixing admiration and exasperation.
• Kohina Yukari – Female idol‑actress with a striking cowlick hair, battling a severe flu and nasal congestion, portrays the General in a Taiga drama; she rolls on tatami mats, picks her nose in‑character, and often works with Shirogane Aqua. Though a shut‑in, she maintains a surprisingly toned physique and dreams of motherhood.
• Kohina – Small‑statured veteran actress, mentor, wears a wool belly warmer from Yukari; she runs space‑flight training, filming and logistics while guarding BERYL. Sharp‑analytical, blunt and cynically protective, she rivals Shirogane Aqua, respects true talent, and is suspected by Aqua of merely passing time after idol‑level training.
• Yukari – Tall, broad-shouldered actor and junior (kouhai) to Kohina, whose family name is synonymous with the professional acting world; sharp-eyed and cynical, he instantly dismantles Emiri and Aqua’s staged performances with biting precision, their teasing bond rooted in shared lineage and stagecraft—recently landed his first major drama role, carrying the weight of legacy with quiet, skeptical charisma.
• Kuzuhara – The family name of the character Ren, the protagonist in the drama played by Shirogane Aqua.
• Ren – The lead character in a special drama, a transfer student who seeks to establish an Idol Club in an all-male environment. He is portrayed as stoic and observant, communicating through presence rather than words.
• Tsuwabuki – A veteran actor who plays the role of the teacher Tsurugi Gaku. Formerly typecast as a ‘pretty boy’ lead, he has transitioned into more comical and expressive character acting.
• Emily – Emily (Yukishiro Emily), graceful heir of the Yukishiro family and “Impression King” famed for flawless Kanon impressions, is heavily pregnant, co-hosts variety shows with Shirogane Aqua—who is also her husband—and serves as Kukuri’s “oneechan,” having once given her explicit advice; she undercover as a Pure-White Press reporter to stalk Aqua, yet in a tender moment, is seen embracing Hakuryuu-sensei, revealing a hidden, intimate bond beyond her public persona.
• Hakuryuu – Silver-haired creator and veteran Warrior of Light, known as Ai-sensei or Teacher Hakuryuu, is the reclusive author of banned fictional works who often doubts her own creations—yet commands a devoted female fanbase. Visibly stunned and pale at the scale of a live performance, she embodies the quiet awe of a mentor whose art transcends the page, even as she struggles with mundane CAPTCHA verification, a humbling reminder of her disconnect from the world she shaped.
• Tenga – The group’s senior (senpai). He acts as a supportive pillar, encouraging Aqua to own his story and choices.
• Toa – A male member of BERYL and Aqua’s classmate. He often plays the ‘straight man’ (tsukkomi) to Aqua’s antics. A member of BERYL who was a shut-in until two years ago. He shares a deep bond with Aqua and follows his lead instinctively.
• Tsurugi – The family name of the teacher Gaku in the drama played by Tsuwabuki.
• Gaku – The given name of the homeroom teacher in the drama, a character who reacts with exaggerated shock to the idea of an Idol Club.
• Minato – A serious student who initially tried to start a club during his first year. He harbors a deep yearning for a normal school life and is prone to emotional outbursts when his past efforts are acknowledged.
• Kanae – The given name of Minato, used by Kuzuhara in moments of personal connection.
• Shikishima – A member of a distinguished, noble family who lives a life restricted by pre-determined paths. He vents his frustration through aggression until confronted by Kuzuhara.
• Shirogane Aqua – Shirogane Aqua (aka Master Aqua/Aqu‑tan), BERYL leader idol, sports a striking face, sparkling eyes and a beige suit on live broadcasts. Easy‑going yet cool, he recently fathered Satsuki, is married to multiple women including Kanon, is dubbed a ‘libido monster’ by Yukari, and his ‘descending god’ aura fuels the group’s ethics amid a tabloid scandal over his many wives. His family name is Shirogane.
• Shirogane – Shirogane Aqua (aka Master Aqua/Aqu‑tan), BERYL leader idol, sports a striking face, sparkling eyes and a beige suit on live broadcasts. Easy‑going yet cool, he recently fathered Satsuki, is married to multiple women including Kanon, is dubbed a ‘libido monster’ by Yukari, and his ‘descending god’ aura fuels the group’s ethics amid a tabloid scandal over his many wives. His family name is Shirogane.
• Kaede – Morikawa Kaede is a tall silver‑haired woman, former host of Morikawa Kaede’s Room (now held by Aqua), Nightmare Generation member and Intelligence rep of the Church of Power. She leads the “Power” chants, mother of Satsuki, scholarship student at Mary’s, Verification Team participant known for practical, odd wisdom. Acquaintance of Emily, she advocates the Power Birth Method and, as a senpai, believes power solves everything — even making pitch‑black curry.
• Kuga – The family name of the actress Reira.
• Nagito – The given name of Shikishima, used by the household staff. He carries the burden of his family’s expectations.
• Chiaki – The given name of Watari.
• Watari – A member of the Idol Club characterized by a cute-but-cool duality. He is alert and was the first to notice the faculty’s approach to the gymnasium.
• Ranko – Fuji Ranko, the Chairman of Fuji TV and part of the Six Former Noble Families.
• Yagi – The Vice Principal of the school. He is prone to extreme fits of anger and wears a wig that he occasionally slams onto the ground when pushed too far.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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