[Oshi No Ko] Season 3 Episode 8: Plan

Ruby confronts Aqua in a fury, demanding, "How could you?!" Her star-shaped eyes, usually bright, are distorted by anger and tears as she questions how he could betray Ai's carefully constructed lie. Aqua remains stoic, stating, "It was necessary." Ruby screams, "You uncovered her grave, you hurt her name!" He even suggests Ai would have "laughed, 'Oh, it finally came out, huh?'", a statement that only fuels Ruby's pain. She declares, "I won't consider you family anymore."

After Ruby's departure, Kana faces Aqua, quietly stating, "I considered us family too, you know." Aqua responds with a grim logic, telling her, "If you're the agency president, make use of this situation." Kana walks away, a single tear falling, carrying the weight of his actions but seemingly understanding the sacrifice he made.

Kana, walking alone, scrolls through news articles, realizing that Aqua's move saved her career and B-Komachi. The public narrative shifted from scandal to a heartwarming tale of children honoring their mother's dream. Comments on social media, initially critical, turn overwhelmingly supportive, transforming the controversy into a positive for the group. Ruby, at a press conference, eloquently articulates her dream to achieve what Ai could not, solidifying their newfound public favor.

As Ruby and B-Komachi ride a wave of public adoration, Aqua walks through crowds, his face hidden behind a mask. He acknowledges a young fan's support with a silent nod, a rare glimpse of vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior. Despite the acclaim his actions brought to others, Aqua remains detached, a shadow in the spotlight, his true motivations still hidden from all but himself.

Kana and Aqua share a quiet moment, Kana noting how much he's changed, remembering his brighter past. She then confides her intention to retire from being an idol, acknowledging it's not her true calling. "I want to be an actress," she declares, extending a hand to him. "If you're going to push me, now's the time." Aqua allows a rare, genuine smile, agreeing, "Words of wisdom," confirming an unexpected bond.

Aqua confronts Ryosuke, the man who murdered Ai. Ryosuke, enraged by Aqua's earlier actions, accuses him, "You unearthed your mother's grave, sullied her name!" But Aqua silences him with a chilling revelation: he knows the true killer's name. Aqua outlines his long-simmering, meticulously planned revenge, no longer a childish tantrum but a fully realized design. He requests Ryosuke's help to "corner that man," his star-shaped eyes burning with an intense, unyielding resolve.

The scene shifts to Gotanda's studio, where a whiteboard displays a project title, "Project Plan: 15-Year Lie (仮)." Gotanda, now older and wearier, reflects on Ai's children, noting their resilience. He seems to be working on this project, muttering that it might be time to fulfill a promise, hinting at a deeper connection to Ai's past.

A flashback reveals Ai's playful yet profound relationship with Gotanda. She teases him for his protective nature towards a young Aqua and admires his dedication to capturing "true emotions" in his filmmaking. Ai, with her signature charm, insists Gotanda direct a documentary about B-Komachi, pleading, "Won't you?" Despite her public persona, she asks him, "But are you really okay with this?" and ultimately promises, "I won't lie. Please film the real me," her star eyes burning with vulnerable honesty.

Back in the present, Aqua and Gotanda present the film project, "Project Plan: 15-Year Lie," to Ichigo Saitou. Aqua clarifies it's a real-life incident film about an idol's murder. Ichigo recognizes the subject immediately: Ai. Aqua then reveals the script is co-written by Gotanda and "none other than Ai's son, myself." His eyes glow with chilling determination, confirming his complete immersion in this dark endeavor.

In a stark, disturbing sequence, Aqua encounters a bloodied Yura Katayose, lying broken on a rocky incline. Her last whisper, "A murderer...", pierces him. He is overwhelmed by despair, covering his face as he laments, "I've taken another life." He screams Ai's name to the heavens in a sunlit forest, a raw display of anguish, haunted by the path he has chosen and its devastating consequences.