Chapter 16

The sixteenth chapter of the manga series *Hitorijime My Hero* by Memeco Arii. It is within the fourth volume.

## Summary

Chapter 16 shows that Masahiro feels insecure about his relationship with Kousuke more so because he is so in love and happy with the man, that he feels it is making him weaker and therefore unable to keep others from stealing Kousuke away from him.

## Characters

* Megumi Setagawa
* Masahiro Setagawa
* Kousuke Ohshiba
* Miho Ohshiba
* Kensuke Ohshiba
* Natsuo Nanaoka

## Plot

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**Warning: Spoilers Ahead!**

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### Chapter 16

The beginning of chapter 16 starts with a flashback of Masahiro acknowledging his mom’s drinking problem, and how she is passed out from puking so much. Some unnamed characters state that he needs to protect his mother, but feels bad about this as a child and wonders who will protect him. The manga then switches to a tired Kousuke being woken up for breakfast, Masahiro is sleeping beside him.

Masahiro freaks out about how the two were intimate while Miho was within the home, Kousuke tries to calm down his boyfriend’s worries, and explains that he wlll eventually tell his mother. The two go to eat breakfast which happens to be eggs and bacon. Kensuke wakes up for breakfast for the sole reason of bacon. Kensuke and Kousuke proceed to help their mom with putting away dishes and such which causes Masahiro stress as he always has the desire to help.

The faux blond states that he wanted to cook breakfast all himself, and Miho explains that he shouldn’t work himself to death. Miho compliments the perfection of the eggs Masahiro made, and he explains that Kensuke said that the Ohshiba family is very specific about their eggs so he wanted to make sure they were good. Due to stating this Masahiro as a flashback of when he joined Toru’s gang because of how he could remember the gang member’s favorite foods from the convenience store. Kousuke stares at him, clearly noticing the mood change in his partner. Feeling the stare, Masahiro scrambles to distract himself by asking Kensuke what he will be doing that day. Kensuke explains he will go out with Asaya for the day.

Kensuke smoothly transitions the conversation into suggesting Masahiro study with Kousuke before he has to go to work, as to let the two have alone time together. Kousuke quickly takes up that suggestion, and takes Masahiro on a walk to the convenience store. While at the store, Masahiro smiles happily about spending time with Kousuke and the fact that the man cares for him. He proceeds to go get onions, while Kousuke watches the cart. At the onions he begins to cry over how happy Kousuke makes him, becoming slightly frustrated about crying in such a public place over something so normal. He feels his love for Kousuke is making him weaker, which weighs on him. Masahiro wonders how he can be strong enough to defend against someone trying to steal away Kousuke from him, and as he is thinking this Natsuo grabs his hand surprising him.

Kousuke wonders what is taking Masahiro so long to get an onion, and brings the cart to that section so he can be with Masahiro, hating when they are apart. Masahiro apologizes for taking so long, and explains that he aaw the guy from the bar with slicked back hair (Natsuo).The chapter ends with Natsuo stating how he believes that dogs are pitiful creatures because all they do is suck up to their masters.

### Chapter 16.5

Chapter 16.5 is a bonus Christmas story, which features Masahiro feeling sad about having to take the Christmas tree down after a nice Christmas party within the Ohshiba home. Asaya suggets that they leave the tree up until after New Years, which Kousuke finds amusing coming from Asaya. Kousuke explains he lost his charger and goes out on a walk with Masahiro to buy a new one. Masahiro explains to Kousuke on the walk that he has never put a Christmas tree up in his own home, so it felt extra special to him.

Kousuke asks if Masahiro used to believe in Santa, and Masahiro explains that he believed Santa was real in Kindergarten because of school, but during Christmas morning when his wish of having a Christmas tree didn't come true and his stocking was untouched, he asked his mom about it and she (hungover) told him that they couldn't afford something like that. Kousuke states that Masahiro doesn't need santa because he has him now, and that he is better than Santa and he will give Masahiro whatever the faux blond wants.