Himemiya Sakurako once soared as a child idol in the unit Hanairo Étoile, her popularity unmatched until the sudden death of her mother drove her to retire from the entertainment world. She enrolled in Elizabeth Girls' School, a sheltered academy for young ladies, where she became known as the White Lily Blossom — the perfect, untouchable model of grace. Her quiet life is disrupted when a new student, Wakana Arumi, sits beside her. Arumi is a freelance idol who immediately recognizes Sakurako as the legendary former idol. Despite Sakurako's attempts to keep her past hidden, Arumi's relentless enthusiasm and genuine passion for performing slowly rekindle something inside her.

The story begins when Sakurako attends one of Arumi's live shows. A sudden cancellation threatens to ruin the event, but Arumi pushes herself beyond her limits to cover for the missing act. Moved by Arumi's dedication, Sakurako makes a split‑second decision to step onto the stage herself. It is her first performance in years, and in that moment she rediscovers the joy of making an audience smile. She declares that she and Arumi will form a unit and aim for the top of the Idol League — the annual tournament that decides which idol earns the title of Top Idol.

The duo auditions for the production company Kurenai Productions, run by the former Top Idol Kurenai Monica. A clerical mistake by their manager, Asahina Naname, registers Sakurako, Arumi, and the company's veteran idol Shindo Marimo as a three‑person unit. Marimo, who initially resents being grouped with two newcomers, is forced to cooperate. The three face the first trial of their journey in the Idol League preliminaries, where they must contend with the overwhelming stage presence of Margaret Kyoko, a member of the legendary Four Heavenly Kings of Idols. By breaking the fourth wall and engaging the audience directly, they manage to advance, though they realize how far they still have to go.

The narrative follows several major arcs. The first pits them against the underground queen Jara Minako, a self‑styled six‑hundred‑and‑sixty‑six‑year‑old demon idol who manipulates her fans with theatrical rituals. After a tense battle, Sakurako's earnest desire to make everyone smile wins over Minako, forcing her to confront her own hidden insecurities. The second major arc deals with Marimo's traumatic past. A television job reunites her with Shiraishi Shino, a cold‑hearted former friend who once used and discarded her. Marimo nearly quits the unit, but Sakurako and Arumi convince her that she is irreplaceable. Together they defeat Shino in a cooking competition during the second round of the league.

As the tournament progresses, the unit faces increasingly powerful opponents. The Four Heavenly Kings — Margaret Kyoko (the Shining Voice), Enjo Natsuki (the explosive dancer), Minami Mimi (the global kawaii icon), and Ryudoji Ryusei (the androgynous prodigy and reigning champion) — were all former members of Hanairo Étoile alongside Sakurako. Their reappearance forces Sakurako to confront her own past and the reasons she abandoned her career. In a climactic confrontation with Ryusei, Sakurako receives a video message left by her mother, which finally allows her to let go of her guilt and perform with full emotional honesty.

The series concludes with the final match of the Idol League, where Sakurako, Arumi, and Marimo give everything they have. Though the outcome is not a simple victory, Sakurako achieves what she truly wanted: to become an idol who can bring joy to others, just as she promised herself as a child. The story ends on a hopeful note, with the three continuing their careers and the bonds between them stronger than ever.