Chitose looks great like this, and the strip is kinda touching — but am I the only one being driven crazy by her... backstory? Setting?

I mean, she's a rich girl with a vague terminal illness! Unless she's a vampire! Unless she's making either or both of those up to get attention. But her idol motivation — to have _Chiyo_ have some interest, something to live for besides her, seems genuine, and she seems to get plenty of attention without making up stories.

She drops hints that she's dying, or that she's already dead, and I realize that Idolmaster never clarifies these things, but it's maybe all a bit _too_ open.

Have there been canonical interactions between her and Koume? She'd be able to spot the undead.

Sincere said:

Chitose looks great like this, and the strip is kinda touching — but am I the only one being driven crazy by her... backstory? Setting?

OH MY GOD YES!...or NO! You're not the only one! Chitose and Chiyo's backstory is so beautiful! It blows every other idol's backstory completely out of the water! Chiyo is a freaking orphan! Hotaru has it pretty bad but at least her family isn't dead! The only person in the entire world that Chiyo cares about, the person she lives for and would die for, is freaking DYING! When Chitose dies, Chiyo could very likely commit suicide. Despite literally being on death's bed, Chitose's only concern is for Chiyo's well being. She will literally spend the last of her time on earth idol-ing for Chiyo's sake. Both of them would take a bullet for the other and such devotion is unparalleled.

Their personalities perfectly compliment each other too! Cold, stoic Chiyo, whose emotions have been hardened from years of heartache, dutifully dotes on her mistress because that is the only way she can see to repay her for her kindness... and playful, flirtatious Chitose, who knows she will never get the chance to grow old with someone and so takes every opportunity to drag Chiyo out of her comfort zone and encourage her to live the life Chitose won't get to. They are like Yin and and Yang; perfect harmony for the short time they are together.