Masumi Hayami is the vice president of Daito Art, a major entertainment corporation. He was originally the son of a female servant in the household of Eisuke Hayami, who was sterile and adopted Masumi as his heir. From a young age, Eisuke raised Masumi without affection, immersing him in the cold and calculating world of business. This upbringing forged Masumi into a person who appears cold, heartless, and treats performers as commodities. He is described as elegant, ambitious, sly, and a workaholic, with a reputation for lacking genuine warmth.

His central motivation in the story is initially business-oriented: he aggressively pursues the performance rights to the legendary play "The Crimson Goddess," which is held by the former actress Chigusa Tsukikage. His efforts to obtain these rights lead to Tsukikage's acting school being disbanded, an act that causes Maya Kitajima, the young actress under Tsukikage's wing, to despise him. However, Masumi's true turning point occurs when he first sees Maya perform. Her raw talent and passion deeply affect him, and he begins to secretly support her. He becomes her anonymous admirer, known as the Purple Rose Person, sending her bouquets of purple roses and subtle encouragement. In public, he maintains a cold, antagonistic demeanor toward Maya, teasing her and calling her "Chibi-chan," because he believes she would reject him if she knew the truth.

His role in the story is that of a powerful yet conflicted figure who wields significant influence over Maya's career. He is both an obstacle, due to his business maneuvers against Tsukikage, and a hidden benefactor who quietly nurtures her growth. He often provides opportunities for Maya, such as allowing her to attend a lesson at an acting school or protecting her from physical harm, like shielding her from a falling column. His dual identity as a ruthless executive and a devoted secret admirer drives much of the emotional tension surrounding Maya.

Key relationships define his character. With Maya Kitajima, he experiences a profound transformation from professional rivalry and hidden admiration to deep, unrequited love. He struggles with guilt, believing Maya blames him for her mother's death and for Tsukikage's downfall, which prevents him from revealing his identity. With his adoptive father Eisuke, he has a strained, loveless relationship that compels him to seek approval and power. He also interacts with the director Hajime Onodera, who works under him and carries out the schemes against Tsukikage. Masumi's relationship with Tsukikage is adversarial due to the rights dispute, but he respects her talent.

Over the course of the series, Masumi undergoes significant development. He starts as a seemingly heartless businessman who views art as a commodity but gradually sheds his cold exterior as his feelings for Maya deepen. He becomes increasingly torn between his duty to the company and his personal desires, ultimately deciding to abandon the Hayami name and leave the family to be with Maya. His journey shows a man learning to trust his emotions and to act for love rather than ambition.

Notable abilities include his sharp business acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to read people, which make him a formidable negotiator and leader. He is also physically capable and once demonstrated his strength by crushing a glass in his hand. His most distinctive trait is his secret gift of purple roses, which becomes a symbol of his quiet devotion. Masumi Hayami is a character defined by his internal conflict between the cold mask he wears in public and the passionate, caring heart he hides.