On Produce 101 Japan , Ruki and Meguri were often in direct competition for the same "concept evaluation" slots. They rarely interacted on camera, but eagle-eyed fans noticed them standing stiffly next to each other in group photos—not hostile, but hyper-aware.

On the show, Meguri and Junki shared a dormitory and several performance teams. Their interactions were subtle: a comforting pat on the back after Junki’s vocal practice, Meguri’s small smile when Junki led a group discussion. Fans latched onto these crumbs, weaving them into a grand romance.

During Produce 101 Japan , Syoya was known for his bright smile and occasional clumsiness. Meguri was consistently seen helping younger or more anxious trainees. In one behind-the-scenes clip, Meguri is fixing Syoya’s jacket collar—a gesture that launched a thousand fanfics.

This archetype colors every romantic pairing he is placed in. A Meguri romantic storyline is rarely about grand, conquering gestures. It is about the shared glance across a crowded rehearsal room, the clasped hands during elimination night, the whispered "You did well" that carries the weight of a thousand unsaid confessions. Within the Produce 101 Japan and broader trainee fandom, three romantic pairings dominate the narrative landscape. Each explores a different flavor of love and conflict. 1. Meguri x Junki Kono (MeguriJun): The Forbidden Trainee Romance The most popular and emotionally fraught of Meguri’s romantic storylines is undoubtedly with Junki Kono , who went on to debut in JO1. In fanon (fan-created canon), the Meguri x Junki arc is a star-crossed lovers narrative set against the brutal machinery of the survival show.