Chapter 22

Scene 22 is the first chapter included in Volume 5 of Urakata!!

Summary
A big supporter of the idol group, Spicies, asks the Art Squad to help her make cheer fans. Soh comes to visit and help as she worries about if her feelings can reach Izumi. Ruka hears that Ryuuji is "not interested."

Plot
The Art Squad is initially apprehensive when third year Marketing student, Fuan Nekyo asks the Squad to make her fans decorated to cheer on the idol group, Spicies. They are swamped with work from the Sci-Fi and Special Effects clubs but due to Ruka and Maasa's love for the group, they end up taking the job. After hearing an explanation about the fans from Fuan, Ryuuji tries his hand at making one. But it is harshly criticized by Fuan for breaking several regulations and Ryuuji and Ranmaru end up being scolded by Fuan and other Art Squad members.

Soh comes by to visit on her way home from school and becomes interested as she is a big fan of the Spicies as well (although closeted at school). The members briefly discuss the cookies that Soh gave Izumi in Chapter 21. Soh secretly worries that everyone will find out that Soh likes Izumi since she gave him specially flavoured cookies but he turns out to be too air-headed to catch on. Soh is then invited by the Art Squad members to participate in making cheer fans and they are able to make pretty and creative fans for Spicies.

As they are taking a break, Izumi brings out a package of snacks that was given to him by some girls. After distributing to everyone present, Izumi is not left with any more for himself. Both Ranmaru and Soh notice this and Soh offers her snack to Izumi. He initially refuses, failing to see why Soh is insisting why he has one. When Soh thinks about how Izumi is so unreachable yet always so selfless, she begins to cry and Izumi accepts the snack. Seeing this, Ryuuji questions Fuan on the reason why she tries so hard to make cheer fans when there is a high likelihood that they would not be noticed anyway. Fuan responds that although fans may not receive special attention for their actions, they still want to convey their feelings and to let them know that people are cheering for them. This notion is expressed as a parallel for Soh and Ranmaru trying to get the attention of the unreachable Izumi.

As the Squad is cleaning up, Ruka asks Ryuuji if his inquiry was the result of him noticing that Soh has feelings for Izumi. He responds that yes, he wanted to see how Soh would drag Izumi down from his unreachable spot. Ruka says that she knows how Soh feels. After Ryuuji teases Ruka a bit about liking someone, he vaguely comments that he's not interested, leaving a big impact on Ruka.

Characters

 * Soh Kobora
 * Izumi Samura
 * Ranmaru Kurisu
 * Maasa Rokubu
 * Tomu Tenba
 * Ryuuji Gouda
 * Ruka Enjoji