When I first started watching Hige no Sasouya-san, I was immediately drawn to Rimi Ushigome — the enigmatic, stylish, and seemingly untouchable idol of the group CHU². But the more I watched, the more I realized there was a lot more beneath that cool exterior. Like all of us, Rimi has her own set of weaknesses and vulnerabilities that make her not only relatable but deeply human. Here are some of the key flaws and struggles that define her character.

1. Her Need for Control Can Be a Double-Edged Sword

Rimi thrives on being in charge. She’s the de facto leader of CHU², and she runs the group with a quiet but firm hand. It’s easy to admire her poise and confidence, but this need for control can sometimes backfire. When things don’t go according to plan — whether it’s a scheduling mishap or a sudden change in their performance setup — Rimi can become visibly stressed or even frustrated. She’s not someone who handles chaos well, and when the unexpected happens, she often tries to force the situation back into a shape she can manage. It’s not weakness in the traditional sense, but it does reveal how much she relies on structure and predictability to feel secure.

2. Her Emotional Guard Is Hard to Bypass

One of Rimi’s most noticeable traits is her calm, composed demeanor. She rarely shows strong emotion, and when she does, it’s usually subtle — a slight change in tone, a rare smile, or a barely perceptible blush. This emotional restraint makes her seem almost untouchable, but it also isolates her. Her bandmates, especially Hime and Kohane, are far more expressive, and while that openness allows them to bond easily with others, Rimi often keeps people at arm’s length. It’s not that she doesn’t care — she clearly does — but she struggles to be vulnerable, even with those closest to her.

3. She Has a Deep Fear of Falling Behind

Rimi is fiercely ambitious. She wants CHU² to succeed, and she wants to be the best version of herself in the process. But that ambition comes with a cost. She worries constantly about losing her edge or being replaced. This is especially clear when new idols enter the scene — her polite smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and her posture stiffens. It’s a small but telling sign that beneath her confident facade, Rimi battles with self-doubt. She fears that if she slips, even slightly, someone else will take her place, and that thought haunts her more than she lets on.

4. She Struggles with Romantic Feelings

Rimi isn’t the most expressive character when it comes to love, but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to it. In fact, her growing feelings for Sasou (the titular Hige no Sasouya-san) reveal a side of her that’s rarely seen — uncertainty. She’s used to being in control, but romantic emotions are messy and unpredictable. Watching her navigate this unfamiliar territory is both endearing and frustrating. She doesn’t quite know how to express herself, so she often falls back on her usual stoicism, which can leave her feelings misunderstood or overlooked. It’s a vulnerability that makes her more human and more relatable.

5. Her Independence Can Make Her Seem Distant

Rimi is incredibly self-reliant. She handles problems on her own, rarely asking for help even when she needs it. While this makes her a strong and capable leader, it can also make her seem cold or indifferent. Her bandmates sometimes misinterpret her silence or distance as aloofness, when in reality, she’s simply trying to protect them from unnecessary stress or drama. Unfortunately, this tendency to internalize her struggles means she doesn’t always get the support she needs — and that can be lonely.

If you want to understand Rimi more deeply, talking to her can be a rewarding experience. She might not open up easily, but with the right questions, she reveals layers of thoughtfulness and emotion that are often hidden beneath her composed surface.

Ready to get to know the real Rimi Ushigome? Chat with her on HoloDream and explore the heart behind the idol.