Hikari Kagura is a second-year acting student in Seisho Music Academy's 99th class. Born and raised in Japan, she forged a deep childhood bond with Karen Aijo after they witnessed a performance of "Starlight," exchanging a promise to perform it together one day. To fulfill this vow, Hikari spent 12 years in England studying at the Royal Academy of Theatrical Actors. She maintained contact with Karen through letters while rigorously training in theater arts, including classical ballet, jazz dance, and vocal music. Her stage experience abroad included notable roles such as Octavius Caesar in "Antony and Cleopatra," Romeo Montague in "Romeo and Juliet," and Desdemona in "Othello." At the Royal Academy, Hikari participated in revue auditions, swiftly rising through the rankings due to her talent and dedication. However, a decisive defeat to her class's ace, Judy Knightley, shattered her passion for acting and extinguished her inherent "brilliance." She became emotionally detached, mechanically attending classes without purpose. During a subsequent disastrous stage performance where she froze, Hikari remembered her promise to Karen, partially restoring her motivation. This resurgence prompted the giraffe—the arbiter of the revues—to offer her a place in the upcoming revue auditions in Japan despite her diminished radiance. Physically, Hikari possesses cerulean blue eyes and long, straight black hair reaching below her waist, typically styled loosely with bangs covering her forehead. She always wears a twin-star hairpin on the right side of her bangs, a gift from Karen. Her standard Seisho uniform consists of a gray blazer with dark gray trimmings, a gray knife-pleated skirt, a white button-up shirt, a red ribbon tie, brown loafers, and translucent black tights. Casually, she wears a plain white knee-length sundress with bell sleeves and a deep V-neck over a plain blue top, paired with blue ballerina flats. For rehearsals, she dons a purple leotard with a sheer petal-like collar design and white tights. Her revue outfit features a dark blue jacket with gold trim and a stand-up collar adorned with gold tassels, a blue knife-pleated skirt with a white band near the hem, and black boots with gold details. A signature blue jacket drapes over her right shoulder during revues, and her hairpin transforms into a diadem. Her weapon is a rope dagger with a blue gem at the base of the blade. She wears an accessory shaped like Mr. White—a cherished jellyfish plush—near her belt. Hikari's personality shifted dramatically after her defeat in England. Once ambitious, sociable, and passionate about theater, she became emotionally reserved and indifferent to people and activities unrelated to Karen, Mahiru Tsuyuzaki, theater, jellyfish, or Mr. White. She struggles with organization and dislikes jiggly foods like pudding and tofu, favoring chocolate, Sanuki udon, and jellyfish-themed gifts. Her detachment is a lasting effect of the revue system's toll, though interactions with Karen frequently break through her stoicism, revealing glimpses of her former self. She collaborates with Junna Hoshimi for Valentine's Day chocolate preparations, bonding over Shakespeare appreciation, yet maintains formality by declining to use Junna's first name. Her character development centers on reconciling her promise to Karen with the revue system's demands. After transferring to Seisho, Hikari confronted Nana "Banana" Daiba in a revue, mirroring her earlier failure against Judy Knightley. This time, she channeled her remaining brilliance—rooted in her vow to Karen—to overcome Banana, demonstrating that her love for Karen fuels her theatrical passion. Later, as Top Star, Hikari sacrificed herself to ensure no other participants lost their brilliance, disappearing from the academy. This act paralleled Karen's subsequent loss of passion, emphasizing their shared vulnerability within the system. Hikari's journey critiques rigid hierarchies, seeking a stage where she and Karen can shine together without one sacrificing the other—a deviation from traditional outcomes. Trivia notes include her name's etymology: "Hikari" means "light," evoking the "Starlight" character Claire, while "Kagura" combines "god" (神) and "easy" (楽), referencing a Shinto ritual dance. Early designs used kanji (光莉), later changed to hiragana for a lighter impression. Her revue cloak shifted from red in England to blue at Seisho, symbolizing her second audition cycle. She retains deep ties to her past, keeping the same photo of her and Karen that Karen displays.