A few weeks had passed since the members of Ultra Rare split up, and each idol was given a special role to promote different products. Suiko was representing a beauty cosmetics line, Rekka focused on cuisine, and Kourin took on a sports brand.

At Kyoto's famous Samurai Kenbu Theatre, a large crowd had gathered, eagerly anticipating the performance. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the sounds of a shamisen and hyoushigi filled the air, setting a rhythmic tone.

As the curtains parted, a single spotlight illuminated Kourin, who wore a striking yellow and blue kimono. The outfit featured an open left shoulder, revealing a dragon tattoo that spiraled down her arm. Her blonde hair was elegantly styled in a bun, secured by a golden-red kushibi, and her face bore artistic cuts resembling scars. In her hand, she held a sheathed white katana wrapped in golden threads.

Kourin settled into a seiza position, resting the katana at her left side, her eyes closed as she absorbed the music. After a moment of silence, the beat of a drum resonated, prompting her to slowly open her eyes, revealing fierce determination.

"Today, I stand before you as a woman who has taken up arms in the land of the rising sun," Kourin began, her voice steady yet humble as she held her sheathed katana forward. "In a world where tradition and expectation often dictate our roles, I have chosen to defy those limitations and embrace the warrior spirit within me."

She gripped the weapon's handle with her right hand and gradually pulled it upward, the metal sliding smoothly against the scabbard. "Throughout history, countless tales have been woven about brave samurai and their unwavering loyalty to their lords. Their stories have inspired generations, igniting a flame of courage and honor in many hearts. But let it be known that women, too, possess fierce determination, a burning desire for justice, and a spirit that cannot be contained."

As she drew the katana fully from its sheath, the blade gleamed sharply, first held to the side and then aimed forward. "Deep within me, I have felt the call of the sword, the echo of an ancient heritage." Two stagehands, dressed as Kuroko servants, placed a Tameshigiri a few feet behind her. "Know this: the fury of any force cannot compare to the fury of a woman who has taken up arms."

Kourin stood and spun in a full circle before kneeling, gradually sheathing her katana back into its scabbard. "We fight against the expectations that confine us, against limitations imposed by a society that often underestimates our abilities. With each strike of my blade, I shatter those misconceptions, proving that the power within us knows no bounds." With a firm click, she completed the sheathing, and the Tameshigiri suddenly sliced in half, the top piece falling to the floor. "Let it be known that the power of a woman wielding a sword is not to be underestimated. We possess the agility and grace of a dancer, the resilience and strength of a warrior, and the wisdom and compassion of a leader. We are not merely shadows in the background but luminous stars, illuminating the path for future generations."

Turning to face the audience, who had remained silent in awe, she continued, "Together, let us forge a future where women's voices are heard, where our presence is celebrated, and where the clashing of swords signifies not only a battle fought, but a battle won against prejudice and inequality."

With that, she knelt once more and bowed her head. "So, I implore you to join me in this grand performance of life. Embrace your inner warrior, and together, let us script a tale of empowerment, where the samurai spirit knows no boundaries, and the echoes of our triumphs resonate through the ages." She stood straight and performed a full, polite bow. "Thank you."

The crowd erupted into applause, and Kourin straightened, beaming as she waved to fans calling out her name.

"And that concludes our special Kenbu performance from Tatsunagi Kourin! Give it up for our great warrior of beauty and music!" A host stepped onto the stage as Kuroko servants cleared the Tameshigiri and escorted Kourin offstage. "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our 10th anniversary performance…"

As the host concluded the event, Kourin made her way backstage, where staff members continued their busy work.

"Thank you very much for your performance, Miss Kourin! You were fantastic!" one staff member exclaimed.

"That was so thrilling! It felt like you were truly a samurai!" another added as the team applauded Kourin, who graciously accepted their compliments.

Kourin headed to her prep room, where a few makeup artists awaited to help clean her up and prepare her for the next scheduled event. "Can someone tell me the time for our next scheduled event?" she asked, raising her left arm for the makeup artist to remove the tattoo, which was actually just a removable water sticker. "Considering the distance from Kyoto to Tokyo is quite far, and…"

"Um… your manager is the one scheduling that, Miss Kourin," one of the makeup artists replied. Kourin sighed wearily.

"Of course…" she said, facepalming when she heard a commotion outside her prep room. "And on cue."

The makeup artists exchanged curious glances at the door, wondering about the noise.

"Hey! Watch where you're looking!" shouted a voice. "I-I'm sorry!"

"Move, will you!?" came another voice. "I'm so sorry!"

The ruckus continued as Aichi, Kourin's manager, stumbled into the room, papers and small water bottles scattering across the floor.

"I-I'm sorry for being late!" Aichi exclaimed, hurriedly collecting the papers. "I had to figure out which railway would help us get to Tokyo, and—"

"Just leave while I'm trying to change," Kourin interjected, snatching a paper that contained details about her next event. "And try not to barge in next time."

"R-Right!" Aichi replied, apologizing profusely as he exited the room. "I'm really sorry!"

"He's a talented manager, but he's quite clumsy, isn't he?" one makeup artist whispered.

"Yeah, he's like a child in a way," another added.

"A very clumsy child," the first agreed, as Kourin sighed again, reading the information about her next event.

'I have to work with him for a year or so?' Kourin thought, feeling a bit overwhelmed. 'Give me a break.'

flashback

A few days earlier at Tatsunagi Talent Company, the famous idol group Ultra Rare had gathered to meet their CEO, who was introducing two new managers from a different agency. Rekka was paired with Sendou Emi, while Kourin received Sendou Aichi as her manager. Unbeknownst to them, the two were siblings working at Q4 Agency and were now tasked with managing the group's solo careers.

After the introductions, Kourin, Rekka, Suiko, and their original group manager confronted Takuto in his office.

"Why do I have a guy as my manager?" Kourin exclaimed, slamming her hand on the table. "Rekka gets a girl her age, but I'm stuck with a guy!"

"We didn't have a choice," Takuto replied, holding up his hands defensively. "Your previous manager was assigned to another idol from a different company, so we had to go with Sendou Aichi for you instead."

"Isn't it against company policy for idols to have managers of the opposite gender?" Suiko chimed in, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Even if it's temporary, this could lead to complications."

"Yeah, I heard of a talent agency that had serious issues after a manager got too close with an idol," Rekka added.

"Well, after discussions with Q4, our council decided to allow some leniency in this case," Takuto explained, smiling as he raised a finger for emphasis. "We have to make sure to prevent any future problems. If we don't ease the concerns, it could affect many potential managers."

"Even so…" Kourin looked visibly perplexed by the idea of having a male manager.

"Why not give him a chance for a few months?" Suiko suggested. "If you still feel uncomfortable, I'll switch with you."

"Huh?" Kourin raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Well, I'm okay with a guy as a manager, but you're not," Suiko explained, placing a hand on her chest and smiling. She glanced at Aichi, then turned back to Kourin. "And he's kind of cute and interesting too. What do you think?"

Kourin pondered for a moment, then closed her eyes and shrugged. "Fine by me."

"I guess we have a deal then," Takuto chuckled, relieved.

flashback

Back in the present, Kourin was lying on the bottom bunk of a tour bus as it cruised along the road to Kyoto. She let out a long, slightly loud sigh, having just wrapped up a promotional event for her solo career and now preparing for the next one.

"I should've accepted Suiko's offer sooner," Kourin thought aloud, reaching for her purse on the side and pulling out her phone. She activated the device and began scrolling through the latest news about her career and that of her fellow group members. "I'm doing fine, but that kid is such a klutz." Most of the comments she read about their separate careers were positive. "Just a few more months until I can switch back to my old manager."

As Kourin checked the news, a new email from Aichi popped up with details about her next event.

"Hah~. On time as always," she murmured, opening the email to find her schedule for Tokyo. The timeline laid out was impressive, perfectly balancing her growing career with her mental and physical well-being. "Even if he's clumsy and timid, he sure knows how to plan."

After reviewing her schedule for a few minutes, Kourin noticed it was already getting late.

"I'll pick this up tomorrow," she decided, plugging in her phone to recharge with her power bank before setting everything aside to catch some sleep.

As time passed, Kourin drifted off, the bus continuing its journey along the winding roads toward Tokyo.

Three days later, in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, April had arrived, bringing with it the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossoms. The park was alive with people gathering to admire the delicate blooms.

Kourin, dressed in a white and yellow tracksuit, jogged along the riverside. Out of breath, she stopped and turned to the side, a smile spreading across her face as she took in the natural beauty around her.

"The time of beauty is upon us," she said, shielding her eyes from the sun's warm rays. As she turned, her long, wavy blonde hair flowed gently in the breeze. "Come and join me for the Night Fire at Yoyogi Park." Just then, cherry blossom petals danced around her, creating a magical scene. "I'll be waiting for you."

"CUT!" a voice rang out, followed by a sharp clack of wood.

Kourin sighed, and in an instant, she was surrounded by makeup artists and crew members offering drinks and towels. She was shooting a commercial, and a camera crew was busy checking their equipment while the director reviewed the footage.

"That's it! Perfect!" the director exclaimed, clapping his hands enthusiastically. He stood up and approached Kourin. "Thank you so much, Miss Kourin. We captured every detail beautifully! You were amazing!"

"You're welcome, Director," Kourin replied with a bright smile. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"No, no! We've got everything we need from the first take. You're free for now! Enjoy your time here!" he said, beaming.

"Thank you!" Kourin responded, relieved to have some downtime.

Suddenly, the air filled with shouts: "KOURIN-SAN!" A throng of fans and reporters surged forward, held back only by a line of security guards. "Please, can I get an autograph?" "Just one photo!" "Can you comment on your solo career?" "Is it true that Ultra Rare is disbanding for good?"

"Looks like the vultures are at it again," the director sighed, shaking his head. He turned to Kourin. "Don't worry; we'll make sure they don't bother you. Just focus on your break."

"Please do," Kourin said with a nod. She enjoyed her idol life, but the frenzied attention from fans and reporters could be overwhelming. "I'm going to change in my bus."

"Of course," the director replied, signaling the security team to manage the crowd.

As Kourin walked toward her parked tour bus, she was flanked by two security guards ensuring her safe passage. She checked her phone, glancing up to see Aichi approaching, looking frazzled as he juggled papers, a water bottle, and towels while talking on his cell phone.

"Y-yes! We'll arrive for the Hokkaido event in three weeks! Yes! Thank you!" Aichi said into the phone, clearly overwhelmed.

"Are you still on the phone with the Hokkaido event managers?" Kourin asked, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation.

"Y-yes! They've confirmed their support, and they just wanted to inform you that your booking at Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga has been upgraded!" Aichi replied hurriedly, glancing nervously at her as the caller continued to speak his name repeatedly.

Kourin sighed and placed a hand to her forehead. "If there's nothing else on the agenda, I'll be resting in my trailer. The director said there's no need for a second shoot, so let's keep my schedule clear, okay?"

"Y-yes! At once!" Aichi replied, turning to leave but tripping over his own feet. Papers, towels, and bottles went flying, landing all around him. "O-ow…"

"Please help him," Kourin said with a resigned sigh, watching as the security guards rushed to assist Aichi. Shaking her head, she leaned down to retrieve a water bottle from the ground before heading into her tour bus.

Inside, Kourin began to change out of her tracksuit, preparing for a quick shower when her phone rang. It was Suiko.

"What does she want?" Kourin muttered, answering the call. "What is it, Suiko?"

"Wow, is that your response to my calls?" Suiko teased, her voice cheerful. "I figured you'd be more stressed out."

"I am, a bit," Kourin admitted, twisting the cap off her water bottle and taking a sip. "My new manager is incredibly clumsy and panicky."

"Sounds like one of his quirks," Suiko replied. "But I heard he's dependable from our manager."

"I know, I've seen that side of him," Kourin said, shaking her head as she took another sip. 'But that side only shows when he's organizing schedules', she thought with a sigh. "I should've taken you up on that manager swap when you suggested it."

"Well, you did agree to keep him for a few months," Suiko said, glancing at her assistant as they prepared for a live segment. "Besides, I don't think you've seen all of his dependable side yet."

"Why do you say that?" Kourin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, before he was assigned as your manager, he did thorough research and planning," Suiko explained, giggling. "He even contacted Takuto and our group manager about your preferences—everything from how you like things done to your favorite brand of water. He learns everything to make sure that you don't look stressed all the time."

"Since when do I look stressed?" Kourin replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Maybe right now?" Suiko teased, putting on a wristwatch provided by her manager. "But seriously, it sounds like he's working hard to keep you happy."

Kourin hung up, her mind racing. "What do you mean he's working hard when he keeps messing up?" She glanced at her water bottle and suddenly realized it was her favorite brand—something only Suiko, Rekka, and her old group manager knew about. 'So he did ask them about me?'

Kourin fell silent, contemplating her water bottle. With a resigned sigh, she placed it down and headed to the back of the bus for a quick shower.

That's a wrap!

bye bye