[Oshi No Ko] Season 3 Episode 4: Blind

Ruby Hoshino stands under a bruised, purple sky, confessing her calculated role in a media scandal. She orchestrated events, used Aqua Hoshino's own cynical methods, her eyes glowing with a newfound, unsettling intensity. She reveals her meticulous research into figures like Meiya, understanding their weaknesses to exploit for her advancement. This isn't just ambition; it is a cold, strategic grasp of power, learned at the industry's harsh knee.

Ruby dismisses Director Yamano's apologies, demanding future roles as repayment for her calculated intervention. She justifies her actions to a silent Aqua, arguing everyone benefited and

From the Mahjong parlor where Director Gotanda observes her magazine covers to the school hallways where her classmates whisper with envy, Ruby's fame explodes. A documentary details her rapid ascent, securing the Newcomer Award and pushing B-Komachi's online presence to new heights. She handles interviews with skill, her charisma drawing comparisons to Ai Hoshino, her mother, solidifying her public image as the 'star of the Reiwa era.' This rise is not accidental; it is the fruit of her deliberate, cold strategy.

Kana Arima and Mem-cho watch Ruby's documentary, the former's expression unreadable. Mem-cho admits the group's success now hinges entirely on Ruby's individual popularity. Her own established social media presence is eclipsed. The scene highlights the brutal hierarchy of fame, where one's rise can cast a long shadow over others, even friends.

At Strawberry Productions, Miyako Saito drowns in paperwork, struggling to manage Ruby's frantic schedule. The clutter and harsh lighting of her office reflect the stress of Ruby's burgeoning career. Aqua watches from a distance, noting Ruby's new influence over others, including her dedicated manager, Shun Yoshizumi. Miyako voices her unease, sensing a calculated manipulation, a hidden hand guiding Ruby's 'luck.'

Aqua tracks down Ichigo Saitou, the former president of Strawberry Productions, at a desolate fishing pond. The cold, dark atmosphere mirrors the weight of their conversation. Aqua confronts Ichigo, accusing him of aiding Ruby's rise. Ichigo breaks his silence, admitting his involvement, driven by immense guilt over abandoning Miyako and the business after Ai's murder. He explains his decision to isolate himself, not wanting to entangle Miyako in his own dark quest.

Ichigo's voice hardens as he reveals his true purpose: hunting the mastermind behind Ai's death. He declares his intent to murder the person responsible, chilling Aqua. Then, Ichigo systematically dismantles Aqua's long-held belief that his father, Seijuro Uehara, was the killer. Seijuro died years before Ai's murder, rendering Aqua's theory impossible. Aqua's face contorts, his sense of purpose evaporating as the true killer remains an unknown, elusive phantom.

Kana Arima watches from a taxi on a rainy night, spotting a solitary figure on a park bench. It is Aqua, lost in a terrifying mental breakdown. He hallucinates his past self, Gorou, and the gruesome scene of Ai's death, blood staining the ground around him. Gorou's spectral voice tells him he has no right to happiness. Kana approaches, her anger turning to concern as she sees the hollow, empty look in his eyes, a profound distress that silences her.

In his dark room, Aqua receives a phone call from Akane Kurokawa, who speaks excitedly about the Japan Film Awards. Her cheerful words are met with Aqua's detached, hollow responses. Akane immediately perceives his distress, hiding her concern with grace. She offers unwavering support, demonstrating her deep emotional intelligence and care for him, even as he withdraws.

Akane stands on a grand stage, accepting her Rookie Actor Award, the theater filled with applause. In the audience, Director Taiki Himekawa weeps with pride, a moment of triumph for Akane. At the after-party, Himekawa praises her rare acting ability, noting her eyes make lies feel like truth. He mentions another actor from Lala Lai with the same 'ultimate gift,' a cryptic comment that sparks Akane's curiosity and sets her on a new, dangerous path.

Late at night, Akane is consumed by research, her laptop screen illuminating her determined face. She pores over the archives of the Lala Lai theater group, searching for the actor Himekawa mentioned. Her eyes widen in shock as she spots a young man strikingly similar to Aqua. She identifies him as Hikaru Kamiki, the sender of the white roses, the same flowers held by Ai's stalker. The chilling realization dawns: Hikaru Kamiki is Aqua's biological father, only fifteen when Ai became pregnant, a revelation that redefines the tragedy.

The episode concludes with a stylized montage, set to a melancholic serenade, showcasing key moments and the faces of Aqua, Ruby, and Akane. The visuals transition to a final, dramatic close-up of Aqua's hollow eyes. The screen fades to black as the credits roll, leaving a lingering note of dark revelation and unresolved grief. The cycle of pain continues, its grip tightening on all involved.