Kana's Death and Aftermath

Lore & Background

Kana Arima was more than a professional manager to Ai Hoshino; she was the anchor keeping the star grounded amidst the chaos of fame. Their bond was forged through years of shared struggles, making Kana the sole guardian of Ai's deepest secrets, including her relationship with Gorou Amemiya and the resulting pregnancy. The tragedy unfolds when a deranged stalker fan targets Ai outside her residence or workplace. In the ensuing confrontation, Kana takes a bullet meant for her idol or is caught in the crossfire while protecting her. Despite emergency medical intervention, she succumbs to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, dying alone without seeing Ai's children born.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the pavement outside the hospital entrance, reflecting the flashing blue lights of the ambulance. Kana lay still on the gurney, her breath shallow against the sterile white sheets. Ai knelt beside her, tears cutting tracks through the stage makeup she hadn't bothered to remove. There were no words left for promises kept or dreams deferred; only the cold weight of a hand slipping from another's grip. In that silence, the spotlight faded forever.

Reader's Guide

The Prologue Arc establishes Kana's role as Ai's protector before introducing the central conflict. The timeline begins with Kana discovering Ai's pregnancy and deciding to support her despite industry risks. Key events include the stalker attack where a fan breaches security to reach Ai, resulting in Kana being shot. This incident forces Ai into isolation just as she prepares for childbirth, stripping away her emotional support system. The aftermath sees Ai giving birth to Aqua and Ruby alone, burdened by grief and guilt over losing her friend. This trauma contributes significantly to Ai's declining mental health and eventual suicide on stage shortly after the twins' arrival. This arc shifts the series from a standard idol drama to a dark mystery about revenge and reincarnation, as the children inherit their mother's unresolved desires.

Did You Know?

• Kana was the only person besides Ai who knew the true identity of the twins' father before his death.
• Her death is directly linked to the obsessive behavior of fans that the series critiques throughout its run.
• Ai's final performance on stage was a direct response to the grief caused by losing Kana.
• Kana never met Aqua and Ruby, as she died before their birth.