Aoharu-sou e Youkoso 15 *SPOILERS*

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Tsubaki-senpai VS Hinata

Picking up from the previous chapter, an infatuated-looking Tsubaki asks Sora if the girl earlier was called Yamabuki. Sora looks bewildered and turns to ask Hinata what Yamabuki's first name is, to which Hinata answers that it's Shizuku.

Tsubaki shyly remarks to himself that Shizuku is a lovely name. He then asks Hinata if Hinata and Yamabuki (he immediately refers to her as Shizuku) are dating, because he saw them flirting in the dark earlier.

Hinata gets flustered and answers that they aren't, and Tsubaki goes, "I see. Thank goodness...", which surprises Hinata. Tsubaki informs Sora that he will participate in the Halloween party tomorrow. Sora asks if Tsubaki will be all right, but Tsubaki says that ever since he entered college, he hasn't been able to avoid girls, so he's already well-practiced.

Tsubaki then informs that he will be taking a bath to think about his strategy for tomorrow. Hinata thinks, 'Strategy?!' and asks Tsubaki what he means. Tsubaki answers, "A strategy to make Shizuku like me!!"

Tsubaki leaves the room, leaving Hinata flabbergasted. Hamayuu and Sena who are watching from aside remark that things have gotten interesting. Sora says that Tsubaki is such an innocent and easy guy. He winks at Hinata and says that he's gotten a rival. Hinata panics.

Rikuto's Advice

The next day, while putting up decorations together, Rikuto tells Hinata not to worry because he's far ahead of any rivals. Hinata says that he feels uneasy because Tsubaki is scary.

However, Rikuto says that even if Tsubaki likes Yamabuki, if she didn't like him back, it wouldn't matter. This resonates with Hinata and gives him renewed confidence! He decides that if he manages to get her alone and have a good atmosphere again, he will confess to her.

The Rival Attacks

Yamabuki arrives at the boarding house. Hinata rushes to the door to greet her, but realizes that Tsubaki was one step ahead. Tsubaki is wearing his Halloween party costume - he's dressed as a cloaked general. He opens the door for Yamabuki and says to her, "You did well coming, Shizuku.", which shocks and frightens Yamabuki (she wonders to herself if he's doing a bag inspection when he asks her what groceries she brought).

Tsubaki says that he will carry the bag of groceries for her, which makes Yamabuki confused at his kindness.

Hinata goes ahead to greet and talk to Yamabuki. He's about to tell her that everyone is wearing costumes today and hers is on the third floor, but Tsubaki interrupts them by calling out to Yamabuki, asking if the groceries need to be refrigerated.

Hinata then spots a bag of groceries left behind on the floor and is about to help pick it up for Yamabuki, but Tsubaki is one step ahead again and takes it before Hinata can do anything. Tsubaki looks at Hinata threateningly and Hinata has to back away out of fear and pressure.

Hinata Re-strategizes

Sena (he's dressed as a Chinese zombie) comes to call for Hinata, telling him that it's his turn to change into his Halloween costume. Hinata thinks to himself that Tsubaki looked menacing because of his outfit, so he decides to change into something good too. Seiya is helping the guys do their hair and makeup.

Tsubaki and Yamabuki

In the kitchen, Tsubaki watches intently as Yamabuki prepares the food. He asks her if she made all of the food and she timidly answers yes, she has been helping with the preparation recently.

Tsubaki looks threatening and fierce as he processes the information, but answers, "......That's ...something to look forward to." as he turns away to hide his shyness. This behavior confuses Yamabuki. She freaks out and wonders to herself if Tsubaki is testing her (she imagines Tsubaki in his general uniform, holding a whip and going sadistically, "Let's see if you can make something that satisfies my tastebuds. Kukuku...").

Yamabuki's Determination

Yamabuki panics and wonders what she'll do if it's a test - if the food she makes is not to Tsubaki's liking, she will not get acknowledged by him, and it'll be the end of her.

Furthermore, she receives updates from her brother, who dislocated his shoulder because he fell down, so he's going to the hospital. However, he tells her that he's fine and to apologize to the others at the boarding house on his behalf.

Looking at all of the food that needs to be prepared, Yamabuki wonders if she has to do it all by herself. She remembers that Hinata would usually help her. However, she also thinks to herself that this is an opportunity for her to prove herself to Tsubaki, so she decides to do her best and prepare it all alone. She thinks of Hinata while she pumps herself up.

Hinata's Motivation

Hinata changes into a simple white shirt. He doesn't understand why his costume is so simple and asks Seiya, who's helping Hamayuu put on make up to look like a wolf, why.

Seiya answers that Hinata's cosplay character is to be a pumpkin, which shocks Hinata, because he wanted to look cool like Tsubaki and Rikuto (who is dressed as dracula). Seiya explains that Hinata has a role to fulfill, so Hamayuu created a scenario for him.

Hamayuu further explains that he earlier mentioned to Hinata (in the previous chapter) that he would help Hinata set up the stage for him to confess to Yamabuki, so he came up with a whole story.

Hamayuu's Story (for Hinata and Yamabuki)

A long time ago, there was a pumpkin who longed to be a human. A witch took pity on the pumpkin and turned the pumpkin into a human just for one day. They spent the day together during Halloween and had a good time.

When it was time for the pumpkin to go back being a pumpkin, he told the witch with a smiling face, "I wanted to become a human because I love you."

The magic wore off and the pumpkin returned to being a pumpkin, but instead of carrying a sad expression like before, it now has a happy smile.

Hinata's Reaction

Hamayuu explains that Yamabuki is to be the witch and they can perform it as a skit for entertainment. Hinata says that the story is heartbreaking.

Hinata has doubts about the skit at first, but he realizes that if they do it as a skit, he won't be interrupted by Tsubaki, and he can also deliver the lines genuinely as if it were a real confession to Yamabuki. He becomes super motivated and says that he will do it, enthusiastically putting on the pumpkin head. Hamayuu cheers him on.

However, Hinata realizes that he doesn't look cool at all (with the pumpkin head) and doesn't want to confess while wearing that. He tries to ask Rikuto for his opinion, but realizes that Rikuto is missing.

What Rikuto is up to

Rikuto (dressed as dracula) is talking with Kanon, who's dressed as a nun. Kanon tries to play the role of a creepy nun, but Rikuto finds her cute and says that she's cute. This triggers Kanon and she threateningly asks him what he said. Rikuto quickly corrects himself, saying that he meant her fingernails (which are manicured as part of her outfit).

Kanon remarks that Rikuto looks good as dracula and will be popular with girls - many of them will give their blood to him. With that, Rikuto takes the opportunity to follow up by going up close to Kanon and asking her if she will give him her blood.

However, Rikuto's moment is disrupted by Sora (dressed as grim reaper), who asks Rikuto if he'd like to go to hell. Sora tells Rikuto not to get carried away, but Rikuto says that he's been into skits and acting lately due to his seniors' influence. Sora and Rikuto seem to begin to bicker, but they are interrupted by Kanon, who brings them both a drink.

The Others

Suikazura and Sena are sitting in the living room watching Rikuto, Sora and Kanon. Suikazura (dressed as a fallen angel) thinks to herself that the sight of a nun keeping a dracula and grim reaper in place is interesting. Meanwhile, Sena is simply thinking about eating pumpkin pudding.

Akari (dressed prettily as Alice in Wonderland) gushes at how adorable Mei is (she's dressed as little Red Riding Hood). Mei has a sour look on her face while she complains about how she didn't hear about them needing to cosplay, furthermore having her dress as little Red Riding Hood. However, Akari cheerfully explains that as Hamayuu is dressed as a wolf, Mei and him would be a set. Mei blushes and says that it can't be helped.

Just then, Hamayuu bursts into the living room and notices Mei. He's surprised to see her, and Mei quickly explains that Seiya invited her to join.

No Help!

Hinata wanders into the living room and sees the others dressed up and chatting among themselves. He wonders if Yamabuki has already changed into her witch costume.

Yamabuki is still in the kitchen and talking with Rikuto, Seiya and Akari, who are surprised to find out from her that her brother is not coming (because he's not feeling well). Akari says that it must be hard for Yamabuki to be handling all the food prep by herself and offers a helping hand.

Overhearing the conversation, Hinata rushes to the kitchen to offer his help too. However, Yamabuki declines their help and says that as this is her job, she will complete it by herself. She thinks to herself that she needs to get Tsubaki to acknowledge her.

Hinata stares after Yamabuki, looking somewhat dejected. He thinks to himself that Yamabuki has somehow returned to what she was like when they just met.

What To Do?

After a short while, Hinata sadly sips some juice in the living room, wondering what's gotten into Yamabuki. Sena asks him what he's dressed up as and Hinata answers that he's a pumpkin man. Sena remarks that he thought Hinata was supposed to be a ghost. (I guess it's because Hinata looks dispirited.)

Suikazura asks Hinata if Yamabuki is still preparing food and he says yes. Suikazura sympathetically remarks that he can't enjoy himself at all like this. Hinata sadly agrees. However, he decides to go to the kitchen to check on Yamabuki once again.

Yamabuki and Tsubaki

When Hinata enters the kitchen, he sees Tsubaki talking to Yamabuki.

Tsubaki asks Yamabuki on how is the progress of the food preparation and she answers that the stew she made is done, so she'll be bringing it out. Hinata frustratedly thinks to himself that Tsubaki is here again and getting in the way.

Yamabuki offers for Tsubaki to taste some of the stew (to get his acknowledgement). When Tsubaki tastes it and says that it's delicious, Yamabuki smiles happily. It looks to Hinata that there's a good atmosphere between Yamabuki and Tsubaki. Hinata also thinks to himself that while Yamabuki stopped him from entering the kitchen, she let Tsubaki in.

Meanwhile, Yamabuki says that she will start serving out the stew, but Tsubaki asks her to wait.

Tsubaki says to Yamabuki, "Shizuku--... My heart is beating quickly right now. Surely this must be love. That's why, Shizuku, you should fall in love with me too--..."

Yamabuki is confused and surprised. Tsubaki moves in to hug her, and she gets flustered.

However, Hinata bursts in and pulls Yamabuki away from Tsubaki, going, "No!!"

Hinata says to Tsubaki, "Yamabuki-san is with me!!"