Hibiki Soma

Although most wouldn't guess it from his personality now Hibiki grew up in a not-so-great household for awhile. His parents often argued when he was a kid and it wasn't until he was about six that they finally got divorced. During this time he was sent to live with an aunt and uncle who rarely gave him the time of day, but thankfully after the divorce things improved greatly with his parents. Despite the mess, his parents even became more friendly with each other over time. Hibiki is on good terms with both his parents now, but his father is often busy so he admits to being closer with his mom. However its also because of this that Hibiki struggles to open himself up to his parents. He prefers to act as though things are alright to avoid burdening them with his own troubles.

In school Hibiki was never considered to be popular or unpopular. He was, by all acounts, very average. While he had people he considered friends he couldn't recall being all that close with them. Often they had other friends and groups as their "preference" to hang out with, and he often felt as if he was second-best in a lot of friendships (if not a lower priority). Once, when he brought up this fact, one of his friends suggested it might be because Hibiki didn't seem to have any passions or interests to draw people in. This shocked him, but it also got Hibiki wondering what exactly it was he was passionate about... and what his future goals really were.

In high school Hibiki would try his best to branch out and try new things. It was also at this time that a new kid transfered to their school. He noticed there was a lot of buzz about the news, which was strange as it was just a new student, and people often gossiped about it. However when the student actually arrived people seemed hesitant to approach him. It was Hibiki who gathered the courage to first talk to him. It wouldn't be until later he found out his action had shocked everyone because this wasn't just an ordinary student; he was part of a highly regarded idol group. One that was on its way to becoming legendary.

Hibiki didn't care about that, though, and simply wanted to make friends with the new kid. Being as earnest as he was (and clearly not being in it to gain something) the two of them became fast and very close friends. Hibiki was often the subject of jealousy for many of the other students, but it didn't bother him much. Thanks to his friend Hibiki would also develop a passion for singing and dancing; but most importantly he wanted to help his friend achieve his goals. If only it had been that simple.

His friends group was at the peak of their popularity, so close to achieving legendary status and world-wide renown, when a fracture appeared. Hibiki never learned what actually happened but in an instant the group was divided by an argument and broke up suddenly. All the members went their separate ways, most of them disappearing completely, and his friend was devistated. Hibiki had never felt so helpless when it came to helping his friend... no matter what he did it just didn't seem to work in cheering him up. In the end his friend fell seriously ill from the stress and heartbreak of the situation, and despite Hibiki doing everything he could, his friend passed away not long after.

Hibiki felt lost for a long time after that. He knew being an idol was important to his friend, but how could something be so important that losing it meant losing absolutely everything? What exactly was it that his friend wanted to achieve so badly? He couldn't understand, not as things were. It was only after heavy thinking and a lengthy grieving period that Hibiki decided he wanted to understand. He wanted to know what it was his friend gave everything for. So he opted to try and become an idol himself just to understand... and, if he did, to achieve the dream his friend so desperately wanted.