At Hatsuboshi Academy, an idol training school where students pursue their dreams of stardom, high schooler Kotone Fujita is desperate to escape poverty. Her goal is simple: become a top idol and earn enough money to support her struggling family. But she spends most of her time working part-time jobs, and her academic and idol performance suffers as a result. One day, she stages a small live show at the run-down shopping district where she works, hoping to draw a crowd. The performance is poorly attended, and Kotone breaks down in tears. At that moment, she is approached by Inuyasha Shizuku, a student in the academy's producer department. Shizuku sees hidden potential in Kotone and immediately offers to produce her, promising to put her on the stage at Tokyo Dome. Kotone accepts and officially enrolls in the idol department.

Under Shizuku's sharp, strategic guidance, Kotone begins to improve rapidly. She takes on any job that comes her way, including unglamorous gigs like performing as a monster in a hero show, because every yen counts. Her blunt, money-first attitude often surprises those around her, but it also fuels her relentless drive. At school, she meets classmates such as the wealthy and earnest China Kuramoto, who helps Kotone see her goals more clearly. Through daily lessons, auditions, and setbacks, Kotone gradually develops her skills and confidence.

The story's central arc revolves around Kotone's pursuit of the academy's highest honor, the title of Prima Stella, awarded through the Hatsuboshi Idol Festival (H.I.F.) competition. Shizuku, a producer who prides herself on making everything she says come true, pushes Kotone to face tough challenges, including a rematch at the shopping district live and high-stakes auditions. As Kotone grows, she also learns to trust her partner and to find value in her own honest, earnest spirit. The manga depicts a parallel journey to the original game, focusing exclusively on Kotone's path toward fame and fortune.