Chapter 23

Scene 23 is the second chapter included in Volume 5 of Urakata!!

Summary
Discouraged by Ryuuji's perceived rejection, Ruka decides to plunge herself in her work in order to distract herself. As Ruka is helping prepare for the Shichikoku Halloween event, she hurts her wrist and Ryuuji and the Art Squad come to her rescue. Meanwhile, a mysterious stalker is secretly taking pictures of Ruka.

Plot
Ruka is experiencing a streak of bad luck and secretly blames Ryuuji for being the cause ever since he told her that he "wasn't interested." Ruka despairs over the fact that although Ryuuji has so many interests (as the man with 108 hobbies), he's not interested in her. She subsequently feels confused by the way Ryuuji still treats her kindly and wonders what he really thinks of her since he's always like that.

In order to distract herself from her feelings, she decides to take on any and all projects asked of her. This includes the Shichikoku Halloween event that is taking place. Ruka is immediately busy with sketching ideas and advising her schoolmates on DIY tips for costumes. Meanwhile, Ruka is being secretly photographed. The Art Squad members all notice that Ruka is pushing herself too hard with the projects and Ryuuji confronts her about it, commenting that some of her ideas are too complex for amateurs and that they only need the costumes for a day anyway. Though Ruka is determined to handle both the Halloween project and her Art Squad work by herself, Ryuuji does not think so because he's not interested in seeing Ruka cry, but he decides to leave Ruka alone.

Ruka's radiant charm and genuine love for costume designing and Halloween inspire other students to help her out. Meanwhile, Ranmaru's admiration for Ruka increases and he aspires to be someone who can stand by her side as he sees her working hard.

On the way home, Ruka suffers a fall and hurts her wrist after being surprised by a camera flash from her stalker. The next morning, her younger brother, Yota, continues to treat her coldly. Her injured wrist naturally hinders her work and she worries if the costumes will be able to be completed. Without her noticing, Ryuuji and the Art Squad bring supplies to help out Ruka, even though he initially said that she would be on her own in her endeavours. He repeats that he is not interested in seeing Ruka cry. Together, Ruka and the Art Squad work to complete the costumes and rally the other students to help out as well. The ominous presence of Ruka's stalker continues to loom.

Characters

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