Akane Kurokawa/Relationships

Aqua Hoshino
Initially, they develop a pseudo-relationship after being involved in a reality show and showing an actual kiss scene in its final episode. They have been seen together on various dating sites and posted many pictures online to appease their fans. After Aqua saved her on the bridge and spearheaded the entire PV video, which saved and improved her reputation, she began fostering romantic feelings for him.

Their relationship develops further upon Akane's suspicion that Ai and Aqua are, in fact, mother and son. Wishing to support and stay by Aqua's side, they've become something more than just a "business couple". Akane was even willing to put herself at risk by helping Aqua achieve his goal of 'killing someone'. Similarly, Aqua promises to fulfill his duty as her 'boyfriend' by protecting her and helping her achieve her goals. He was willing to show her his past videos, which he adamantly kept hidden from others while she cooked and stayed by his side after he collapsed from PTSD.

Regarding Akane's future, Aqua was planning to break up their fabricated relationship as he couldn’t stomach the idea of using her for his selfish desires. Sensing his change of demeanor, Akane realized his intent before he spoke and shared how she knew all along that Aqua had ulterior motives for their relationship. She was grateful that he saved her from her attempted suicide, understanding that it was out of kindness and not of deception. He even went as far as to save her reputation, even though it brought no benefits to him. Combining all these factors further amplified her feelings toward him.

She embraces his back on the bridge where he saved her. She shares how she doesn’t mind kissing or having intercourse with him. Aqua voices how he never felt any romantic feelings for her and asks if she genuinely harbors feelings for him. She answered, 'of course' but gave an irresolute explanation as she couldn’t completely understand and verbalize her complicated feelings since Aqua is her first boyfriend. Furthermore, she reasons that their relationship is unique as they skip the basics and adapt as they go on. However, the two things she's unwavering about are her wish to be his strength and to share his burdens.

She shares how she isn’t against breaking up if he desires it and how she thought he needed someone to share his burdens with. Thus, Aqua explains his reasoning for finding out his father was already deceased and that he was free of his quest for vengeance. After listening to him, she excuses herself as she feels unwell. On the way home, Akane pieces his story together and finds a loophole that Aqua was unaware of. She was in a dilemma. He might throw himself back into his revenge with no concern for his health if she told him. She knew Aqua well enough and of his desire for a simple answer to his quest so he could move on. With these conflicting feelings, Akane continues pondering about the best way forward.

In chapter 78, Aqua apologizes to Akane for forcing her to witness a grotesque scene. Akane refutes that it was not his fault though he remains adamant, apologizing once again. Akane emphasized that the fault lies with the murderer and that Aqua shouldn't shoulder a burden that was not his. Aqua reveals that he planned to use Akane to find that corpse as he believed in her.

He thanked her for finding it, but his guilt was apparent. He lambasts himself for always using her like with his father and now to find the corpse, as he apologizes again. Akane kneeled to see his downcast face and reiterated that she knew all along. He is kind and tries to shoulder everyone's burden. She genuinely wants to be with him but doesn't want to hold him back, thinking it is best if they separate. Tears began to drip uncontrollably down her face as she tried to hide it from Aqua.

She didn't want him to see her like that, nor have their farewell be so poignant. She at least wanted them to end off on a light note. She scolds herself for always crying as Aqua finally stands up. He recalls all she did for him, all the good and fun times and the dark and sad times. He began wiping her tears as he stated that he wanted to have a real relationship with her this time, declaring his new wish was now to keep her safe. He then gave her their second kiss, free from ulterior motives, unlike the first time, this time not to use her.

In chapter 80, Akane still visualizes their second kiss and wonders whether they are officially dating as a man and a woman. When Kana joins her in the hot spring and expresses how Akane shouldn’t play along with a dating show romance anymore now that she’s becoming more famous, Akane rejects it and says it is no longer a dating show anymore before leaving.

In the next chapter, it was shown that Aqua and Akane had been officially dating for half a year while unofficially dating for more than a year. In the time skip, the couple would not see each other often despite wishing to due to their respective jobs. The couple frequently calls to update one another on their ongoings while also planning dates. She would invite him many times to her most important ceremonies. During their alone time, Aqua would playfully bite Akane's food as she frantically says it's hers or pat her while saying she has worked hard. These small exchanges made them love each other more and more.

In their earlier month as a real couple, Akane knew Aqua had a 'philandering cad-like' aura around him. Thus, she watched him and had to rein him in whenever he went overboard. Aqua knew she wasn’t one to be trifled with and would never accept cheating. Thus, over time, Aqua became more authentic, loyal, and truthful toward her, which she greatly appreciated. Whenever it rains, he would invariably travel to her studio and escort her back using one umbrella. Aqua would always answer her texts and convey his interest through well-developed replies. When Akane complains about how she’s sick of work, he pats her and reassures her with comforting words. Like a concerned boyfriend, he would tell her to bathe and sleep early before work.

Months afterward, Aqua realized that his mom's murderer may still be alive; Akane was among the first to notice his subtle change. She began researching and committing most of her time to identifying the killer, successfully discovering his age, name, and affiliation. She knew that Aqua would take matters into his own hands, wanting to murder the killer directly, and so she resolved never to let them meet, wanting to bring the killer to justice herself. She promises never to allow the person who messed with Aqua's life to get away with it. She spent countless hours gathering information, talking to old acquaintances, and successfully pieced together the address with the aid of Aqua's old director and mentor.

In chapter 97, Aqua calls her amid her investigation, noticing from her voice that she’s tired and has become suspicious that she’s doing something in the background without informing him. Akane excuses herself by saying that she’s on a diet, to which Aqua says she is skinny enough and that he'll like her no matter what she looks like when she fears becoming fat, causing her to blush. She was grateful to Aqua and was extremely happy nowadays that they could go out together openly. Aqua, in turn, became emotional, saying she had saved him ever since they met, that someone beautiful like her acknowledged and willingly got close to him. He loves how she would tell her when things are wrong and that he doesn’t want to let go of these days when she’s by his side.

He was insecure and wanted Akane to tell him what to do. He laid his entire vulnerability bare to her and asked if he should live happily with her now after forgetting the past, despite knowing the reality of his mother's death. Anxiously waiting for her reply, Akane's following sentence shocks him. She defines their relationship as two independent people who got close to one another through challenging times. He is not her property, and neither is she his.

Unlike other toxic relationships, which are based solely on dependencies on one party, theirs is cultivated from genuine trust and love, which she finds extremely meaningful. She tells him that this important choice is for himself, not something he can easily ask even his girlfriend for the correct answer. However, she prefaces by saying that no matter his choice, she will always be with him, never letting him be alone, even if he tries to. She reiterates how she will carry his burden with him, making him thank her with a face about to break down.

After ending the call, she knows how Ai's death still haunts him. She knows that one day he will indeed be free and that she will never let anyone get in his way of freedom and happiness. That was her role as his girlfriend, believing that this future was soon. Once everything is settled, they can finally go to their favorite places again, eat delicious food, and go on another trip with just the two. Suddenly, a man appears, and she is pushed down into falling down a flight of steps.

In the next chapter, Aqua appears and successfully saves Akane in the nick of time while looking distraught and sweating profusely. The passerby quickly apologized for knocking on her and ran off. Akane calls Aqua her hero, as he's always there when she’s in danger. She voices how she thought she was deliberately pushed, causing Aqua to note her phrase. He then begs her not to do anything dangerous for his sake. Akane also notices his phrase, sensing something amiss as if Aqua knew her location without her telling him. He praises her acuteness as she rips her keychain, finding a tracker. She reprimands him for planting it without her permission and asks when he did it, finding out it was just after their show ended.

He had put it on her initially, in case she ever came into contact with the 'culprit', but hadn’t removed it after they became official. Akane was heartbroken as she failed to gain his complete trust and establish an equal relationship. If he had told her beforehand, she would have consented and willingly carried a hundred of it if necessary. However, she was angry that he did not see her as a person, but as a pet or property, choosing to use instead of trust her. He reasons that she would have taken all needed precautions against him if he did so and would have confronted the culprit alone instead of with him. He saw the knife she was carrying in the flowers as she reasoned that it was for protection since they had to meet a former murderer.

Listening to her attentively, Aqua tells her not to be involved in this case any longer. He promises to remove the tracker on her and to respect her privacy from now onwards. She began crying as she said she would go to hell with him if he asked her to. He tells her that he has no intention of dragging her down into such a place with him as he'll proceed alone, releasing her from having anything to do with this situation. Akane picks out Aqua's change when he initially wanted to use her when they unofficially dated, but now he’s being kind to her. She tells him he's taking the wrong turn as he left first. Above all else, Akane was angry and disappointed in herself for being unable to save Aqua, her only selfish wish, as she continued weeping. Aqua reflects on Akane's actions and thanks her for all she did. However, those happy days have to be discontinued as he sets his sights on Hikaru Kamiki. Now, he is free from worrying about dirtying Akane's hands or ever putting her in danger again.

Yuki Sumi
Akane and Yuki were initially at odds during their early episodes in LoveNow, Yuki being competitive in stealing the show. However, after a misunderstanding and Akane nearly committing suicide, they worked together and became good friends, often joking and pushing Akane to do more with her relationship with Aqua. Akane didn’t realize how much she mattered to her perceived rival, but after Yuki tearfully reprimanded her for her silly actions, she now greatly treasures her as a close friend. Their fans supported them after seeing a picture of them hugging and rekindling their friendship. Akane is the first to be aware of Yuki's first relationship with another boy and actively supports her after realizing their positive chemistry.

Kana Arima
Ever since witnessing her first kiss with Aqua, Kana sees Akane as a rival. She holds this grudge to the point where she berates Aqua and calls him a "philandering cad.", despite the two's relationship being purely professional. Aqua has agreed to give his full support to Akane to defeat Kana. Kana greatly envies Akane for her role as Aqua's girlfriend, who takes care of him after he collapses and stays by his side. On the other hand, Akane was a childhood fan of Kana and even tried to replicate her idol; however, after meeting her in real life, things were not as flowery as they seemed. For their first meeting when they were still kids, Akane was extremely excited and nervous to meet her.

Upon being perceived as Kana by a manager, she was shocked to find out that the audition was just for public image and that Kana was already chosen beforehand. Choosing not to believe that her idol resorted to such underhanded tactics to win, she was further stupefied when Kana readily admitted and supported it since she received more work. Kana then called her an 'ignorant brat' and taught her the truth behind 'match fixing'. Kana then threw Akane's hat on the floor and told her to stop imitating her before saying she hated people like her the most. Although Akane was affected by her words, she diligently studied and bought numerous books just to understand Kana's feelings.

Years later, she now understands that Kana did so to find acceptance and acknowledgment from others. Akane knew that Kana was putting on an act and was not the person she once adored. Instead of shining brightly and inspiring others, she now chooses to degrade herself to the standards of others to find acceptance. She declares that, at present, she resents the current 'Kana-chan' and will prove, using her performance, what Kana could have been, a person whose performance could capture everything.

Despite finding out that Kana went with Aqua on a date, she did not hold it against them, despite Kana's constant boast about the incident. Akane didn’t want to control Aqua's movements nor ignite flames with Kana. Instead, she cautioned Aqua to be more careful about where they go as it might leave a negative image of Kana's future prospects as an idol. This shows that Akane still cares about Kana despite her petty attempts to make her jealous.