Akira Dōjima, a koto player of poised reserve, carries herself with quiet formality, her chin-length brown hair and muted attire mirroring an unreadable exterior. A faint, unchanging smile and distant gaze cloak years of emotional detachment forged through hardship. In youth, she idolized her brother Keishi’s musical brilliance, their bond tightening after their parents’ sudden death. When Keishi abandoned koto, she shouldered his directive to master *Mizu no Hentai* and lead the Tsubaki School, channeling grief into competition. Her national triumph, achieved through Satowa Hozuki’s disqualification over an “inappropriate” emotional performance, drew whispers of undeserved pity rather than acclaim. Resentment festered as Satowa’s excommunication from the Hōzuki School elevated Akira to heir—a hollow victory marred by envy of Satowa’s effortless genius against her own laborious discipline. Tasked with mentoring Tokise High’s koto club, Akira clashed with their unpolished passion, her cynicism masking deep-seated insecurity. Memories of a childhood unburdened by rivalry resurfaced, contrasting her joyless pursuit of perfection. The club’s unwavering unity and grit slowly chipped at her defenses, nudging her to confront the bitterness that shackled her artistry. Though estranged from Keishi, she grudgingly acknowledged his role in her relentless drive. A raw confrontation with Satowa revealed shared battles against expectation and identity, sparking reluctant respect. Guiding Tokise to Nationals, she traded rivalry for mentorship, discovering purpose beyond accolades—her music finally echoing vulnerability over rigid technique. Behind her stoicism lie quirks: a distaste for instant meals, cravings for homely stews, and a half-earned driver’s license. Years of stifled emotions once stole her laughter, a void filled only as Tokise’s camaraderie rekindled her capacity to connect, bridging isolation with belonging.