At 14, she joined the rising junior idol group Starling , known for its mix of pop and traditional music. Her breakout moment came during an acoustics festival when she performed Shimajirashii on a rainy evening, her voice blending with the pitter-patter of the storm. The performance went viral. But fame came with a cost. While her peers celebrated Riko’s talent, whispers began that she was "too serious," "too emotional." Critics said her eyes held a secret—a storm others couldn’t see. Then there was Akari Hoshino, Starling’s bright-eyed lead dancer and Riko’s closest rival. Akari, with her infectious smile and perfect pirouettes, embodied the "cute and cheerful" ideal of junior idol culture. The two were paired for a duet, but backstage, tensions flared. "You sing like you’re mourning," Akari once teased during rehearsal. "And you dance like you’re hiding," Riko shot back.