Ryo (CV: Kakihara Tetsuya) is one of the fortte boys who’s into fashion but has a I dont gaf attitude. He models a lot for Fortte and is into fashion. He met Eiichiro when he was really young in a dancing class and was close with him ever since (like… real close).
When with him during his modeling photo shoots, Futaba constantly tries to talk with him but he doesn’t open up to her like he does Eiichi. During one of the shoots a stylist asks for Futaba’s opinion on one of the outfits for Ryo but she doesn’t give one since she doesn’t feel qualified to. This annoys Ryo afterwords and he tells her that she isn’t pro and shouldn’t choose his clothes but if she’s asked to give an opinion its only natural she should do so. He believes she only gives half effort as a manager and doesn’t see her as much of one.
One day after Ryo’s shooting, Futaba drives him home and Ryo explains a bit of his past. He grew up as a lonely rich kid who’s parents ignored him and happened to have a few roles in dramas. Because of this, he met Eiichi and his sister that way and grew up with them ever since. During the party, Futaba runs into Erina who then runs into Eiichi and Ryo. Futaba notices that Eiichi is staring a lot at Erina while Ryo is staring a lot at Eiichi. Erina then feels sick so she’s taken home while Futaba explains what she sees and just shoves it off though. Ryo continues to be down in the dumps though and Futaba figures it has to do with Eiichi and Erina.
After this, Futaba speaks with Ryo privately. She asks him again whats wrong since its her job as a manager and knows it has to do with Eiichi. Finally, Ryo decides to talk. Ever since growing up he’s never had friends so Eiichi and Erina were really the only ones he had. Eiichi is so special to him that he even named his cat after him without Eiichi noticing (his cat’s name is Hachi which means 8 but its also the 8th letter of the alphabet “H” which sounds like Eiichi in JP). He explains that the cat was a way of having him come over to spend more time with him since he doesn’t get to much often anymore. Basically, Eiichi has always only seen Erina for as long as he can remember. And because Ryo is hardcore in love with Eiichi, this makes him sad cause he’s losing someone precious to him.
Futaba promises as a manager she’ll look out for him so then Ryo then tells Futaba nows the time for change and gives her a card to a hair stylist to give her chance for a change which she does. On the day of the live, she comes back after cutting her hair. During the live, Shibuki comes unexpectedly during the live so they decide to improv a performance together which is suggested by Futaba. Thanks to this, Ryo finally acknowledges her and tells her he’s going to do his best as a sub leader so she won’t be defeated by her either as they both work towards change.
After finding out about Erina’s whole lover ordeal; Eiichi is in a slump and can’t perform or focus. When Ryo tries to talk to him and tell him to get his shit together, for the first time Eiichi snaps at him and tells him he doesn’t understand. Ryo tells him he should change himself if he wants to move forward but sad siscon Eiichi finally stops and leaves for the time being. Futaba decides to speak with Ryo as broods over the fact he can’t help Eiichi. Futaba tells him he’s wrong though and that he’s the only one who can help him since he’s an important person to him.
So after getting Fuuto back to Fortte to substitute for Eiichi, Futaba and Ryo are getting along better and discussing how to get Eiichi back to normal. So Ryo decides he’ll talk to him at his place but wants Futaba to come with him. When they do, Eiichi says things like “you don’t understand me” and Ryo is all “boy you dont understand ME” and tells him to get his shit together since EVERYONE in Fortte has been supporting and covering for his ass. So they finally convince him and he apologizes to the director for screwing things up. After this, Ryo is clearly upset with his secret (out of the closet) and lets out all his feels to Futaba who comforts him since he knows Eiichi will never love him.
So one day Futaba meets Ryo at a bar and they toast to getting Eiichi back to normal. Ryo reflects on how its good for both him and Eiichi to end their unrequited loves (lol). He thanks Futaba for what she’s done and she accidently spills her drink. Its then she realizes she’s in love with Ryo and just as she’s about to say something, a producer who recognizes Ryo greets them. After they leave, Futaba thanks Ryo and he calls them a taxi.
6 months later, Ryo and Futaba are noticeably getting along better that even Eiichi starts to notice. While doing a questionnaire, he teases them about it and Ryo gets slightly annoyed and stomps off. After that, Futaba tells Ryo about a party he was invited to by a fashion designer. Ryo says he’ll go but wants Futaba to come with him. She reluctantly agrees and next day he takes her to a clothing shop to get her an outfit to wear. On the day of the party, Futaba gets many compliments thanks to Ryo picking her outfit. She’s then greeted by some old geezer who tries to talk her into meeting him for drinks and “work” discussions (ugh gross). Thankfully, Ryo steps in and gets Futaba out of the situation and warns her not to be so careless.
After that, Futaba and Ryo drink together at a restaurant to unwind. Ryo basically admits he invited Futaba not as a manager since he wanted her to have a good time (because of the workaholic she is). Unfortunately, its interrupted by Matsunaga who is interested in seeing Ryo and Futaba together as a nice scoop. Futaba tells him she’s his manager so it’s not weird for them to have dinner. As usual, Ryo has an uneasy expression every time she says “manager”. After he leaves, Ryo invites Futaba for drinks at his place where they won’t be disturbed. Ryo apparently makes alcoholic drinks as a secret hobby so he makes some for the two of them. Futaba plays with Hachi, Ryo’s cat, who’s taken a liking to her. Ryo tells her he probably just gets along with girls and she’s the only one his cat has ever met (since he’s only ever had Eiichi over lmao).
He tells her she’s special but she interrupts before he can continue and spills wine on herself. Ryo helps her clean it up but suggests she take a shower and says he’ll get her some clothes. He lets her use his own shirt and blushes after seeing her. He takes a shower as well and when he gets out he kisses her on the couch. He tells her he wouldnt have let her come over if she wasnt special. It gets (kinda??) sensual and he touches her and I guess Futaba gets turned on and he tells her he knows she likes it otherwise she’d refuse it but nope she want him bad. He begs her not to rejet him since he can’t have that happen again and Futaba accepts it and can’t turn back now. When she wakes up, she leaves knowing what she’s done can’t be undone.
Following that, Matsunaga has a scandal that he’s willing to use to get Futaba and leave Fortte. After this, Futaba gets a call from Ryo hearing what happened. He tells her not to do anything rash and that there’s no need for her to leave fortte. Futaba is reluctant though and suddenly he appears in front of her during the call. He drags her along to meet with Matsunaga and settle this. Ryo tells Matsunaga that he can go ahead and publish the photos but he believes in his fans and believes Fortte can pick themselves back up if need be. Matsunaga is surprised but tells him he won’t publish them but expects good things from Ryo.
After they leave, Futaba is shocked it all went down so smoothly. Ryo tells her it probably wouldn’t be bad if they were published though and Futaba is all”lol what??” but then he asks if she loves him and she says she does. So he kisses her so hard his hat falls off lmao. Futaba is all “but Im a manager!!” but he doesn’t care about scandals and remembers what she said when he told her his feelings about Eiichi that it isnt strange. So now they’re in love its the same thing lmao. He doesnt want to fuck this one up too and so he embraces her.
So after that Ryo and Futaba go back to work like normal but are still keeping their relationship under wraps for the most part. Futaba continues to go to Ryo’s shootings and improves in helping with style. Ryo still gets jelly when editors try to flirt with her though (guving her their number through business cards) but Futaba knows better not to accept them. One day, an opportunity for a wedding shooting comes up so Ryo decides to take it. But the female model couldn’t make it so Ryo suggests Futaba to take her place. Her face is obscured but Ryo basically proposes to her and makes her cry in secret; making for a believable wedding cover.
In the 2nd end, Futaba visits Ryo at his place a few times and one day he suggests watching some movies. When they do, Futaba realizes she wants to do more than just watch movies so she gets on top of Ryo and dominates him a bit lmao. Meanwhile, Ryo asks for a strip show and I’m pretty sure they bang that night as well. So Ryo and Futaba continue to hang out at the bar they often visit together and afterwords, Ryo suggests going to Futaba’s place instead. When they do, Ryo tells Futaba how much she want her and she’s all “I love you too and I love Ryo who wants me” mmmph so they finally bang AGAIN (which would be the 3rd time I think). Futaba wakes up to a naked Ryo and they both get ready to go to work together hoping they someday can get a “castle” (house) of their own.
In the bad end, Eiichi grows clearly suspicious of Ryo and Futaba’s relationship so he asks to tag along with him and Ryo when they hang out. Ryo decides he wants to tell Eiichi about their relationship so he invites him over to his place while Futaba is there. BUT… Apparently Eiichi wanted Futaba too. Ryo just wants Eiichi to be happy so they go super yandere and basically have a 3P END??? WHAT THE FUCK WAS THIS END???
Thoughts: I would’ve taken this guy more seriously if he didn’t have a crush on Eiichi like holy fuck this guy is suuuper gay for Eiichi. All he ever talked about Eiichi it was always Eiichi WHY DONT YOU JUST CONFESS YOUR FEELS THEN? (and get rejected like Futaba did lmao) Its like Futaba was the rebound since Eiichi was too horny for his sister. I’ll admit he was cute in his own way I guess but it seemed almost forced. Its like, he had so much affection towards Eiichi that his love for Futaba didn’t seem genuine. Also his bad end was fucked like the rest but it was probably what he wanted all along so he can finally have sex with Eiichi via Futaba (lmao).
Otome Adventures 