Good Morning, Sleeping Lion

Remi Watanuki carries a heavy childhood burden: her father abandoned her, leaving her unable to cry. This coping mechanism—laughter instead of tears—limits her acting range and shapes her career. She later learns that her father Tsukasa died in an unnamed war, and Kujo was entrusted with his bracelet to help her dream.

Kujo uses a calculated move to secure Remi an invitation to the audition for the director's upcoming film. The maneuver puts pressure on the production and sets a precarious path for Remi's breakthrough. Despite her condition, Remi manages to pass the early stages of the audition.

Remi is harassed by thugs one day, and Kujo intervenes by masking his identity with a Kamen Rider costume to protect her. A young man named Ryosuke arrives and helps them escape. The incident exposes the dangerous underworld surrounding her rising career.

Ryosuke is revealed as Heart, the leader of the Grim Reapers, a thrill-seeking gang. He takes Remi to their hideout to introduce his brother Spade Naoto, a fan banned for stalking, and Remi is restrained there. This marks the turning point where her safety is compromised.

The day before the final audition, Remi argues with Kujo in front of the event hall, venting her frustrations about her condition. Ryosuke appears, claiming he simply wanted to watch her show and persuades Remi to go somewhere with him. The tension sets the stage for the dangerous plans that follow.

Kujo learns Ryosuke's true identity from Charlie and storms the office of a rival yakuza group at war with the Grim Reapers to locate their hideout. Cornered by the yakuza's strongest fighter, Kujo unleashes dormant combat power and defeats them to obtain the hideout location. He then prepares to strike.

Kujo assaults the Grim Reapers' hideout and incapacitates Spade, deciding they won't have time to reach the audition. He rigs a remote audition setup so Remi can perform on schedule. Remi then proceeds with the audition while Kujo holds off Heart and the other leaders.

During the audition, Spade revives and attempts to stab Kujo, but Kujo sacrifices himself to give Remi a chance to push through. He defeats Spade, and Remi's performance begins to unlock the tears she had long suppressed. Remi completes the audition while Kujo continues to fight Heart and the other leaders.

Kujo presents Tsukasa's bracelet to Remi, whose image of a sleeping lion becomes a symbol of her awakening from the curse. The moment marks her emotional breakthrough, allowing her to cry on cue. The bracelet ties the ordeal to a tangible memento.

Kujo defeats Heart but collapses from his injuries, signaling the end of his direct involvement in Remi's future. Remi, freed from her curse, finishes the audition with the emotional release the plan sought to unlock. The battle later underscores the costs of her breakthrough.

In the epilogue, Remi does not land the main role but catches the director's interest, receiving a prominent supporting role instead. Kujo survives his injuries and quits his job as her manager, choosing a quieter life. He watches Remi on television in a pub alongside Charlie.

Remi's career advances with the new role, and the bond between Remi and Kujo settles into mutual respect rather than a professional dependence. Kujo steps back from management and supports her growth from a distance. The ending emphasizes resilience, with Remi continuing to act and Kujo keeping vigil from the pub.