A Hunch, Hidden by Fragrant Smoke

* Overview
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***A Hunch, Hidden By Fragrant Smoke*** is the fourth episode in *Hitorijime My Hero*.

## Characters

* Ayaka Houjou
* Kousuke Ohshiba
* Masahiro Setagawa
* Natsuo
* Tsunehito Houjou
* Kensuke Ohshiba
* Asaya Hasekura
* Tsuyoshi Yamabe
* Jirou Yoshida
* Megumi Setagawa
* Mitsuru Fukushige

## Synopsis

Kousuke surprises Masahiro with stating that he knows Masahiro has feelings for him. Masahiro still unaware to even his own feelings is shocked by this and instantly denies it, a rift is formed between the two as Masahiro avoids Kousuke now. However, Kousuke eventually caves into jealously and gives into his own feeling kissing Masahiro in the school hall.

## Notes and Trivia

* Yamabe calls Asaya and Kensuke: "The Demonic Lovebirds"
* Satou gives Masahiro a fruit sandwich

## Publication History

Published on July 29, 2017, through Encourage Films and licensed by Sentai Filmworks.

Episode four starts with Ayaka and Kousuke discussing the fall out and make up between Asaya and Kensuke at Relax Bar Mary. Ayaka is worried about her little brother, but Kousuke informs her she doesn't need to worry because Asaya is bolder than she knows. Natsuo takes note of how Kousuke seems to be in a good mood as the man leaves.

After the opening, the episode continues with Masahiro cooking dinner at the Ohshiba home while Fukushige, Chairman, and Yamabe play a video game in the living room. Asaya and Kensuke are upstairs, Asaya taking care of Kensuke who is bored of lounging around upstairs and then subjected to an intense spa pampering from Asaya after accidentally making the blond jealous.

Masahiro is complimented for his master chef skills, which makes Asaya a bit jealous. Kensuke explains he invited chairman to their friend gatherings because he was following Masahiro around. Fukushige jokes that Masahiro was brought into the Ohshiba home after being lured in by Kensuke. Asaya becomes jealous again over Masahiro and Kensuke's friendship, and Kensuke scolds him for bullying Masahiro.

Kousuke asks Masahiro after wishing dishes about how hard a math question is, and Masahiro finds Kousuke letting him choose the problems a bit weird since he is in his class after all. Kousuke asks Masahiro to buy cigarettes, and he leaves after being given money to do so. Kousuke quickly realizes that Masahiro is still too young to buy cigarettes and follows after him.

Kousuke tracks Masahiro down to the convenience store, and the two walk home together having a sentimental conversation about how much Masahiro has been therefore for Kensuke, and how he just has to let Asaya give him a hard time for a bit. Masahiro explains how Kensuke is special to him, and Kousuke. Masahiro thinks to himself how he didn't believe in heroes, and felt powerless until he met Kousuke and had him around is when he actually felt safe. Kousuke stops walks suddenly causing Masahiro to stop as well. Kousuke admits he let Masahiro get too attached to him, and that he cannot return the feelings Masahiro has for him. Masahiro denies being aware of what Kousuke is talking about. So Kousuke bluntly states that Masahiro carries the expression of wanting to be broken in by him, which shocks the faux-delinquent.

The episode transitions to Masahiro at Shoufuku Ramen (his workplace), being informed his last task. His boss compliments him on being such a hard worker, but he thinks to himself that he is only working extremely hard because of the shock Kousuke gave him the previous night. He wishes he had denied what Kousuke had stated, but he had been too shocked. He continually denies it in his head, while working very hard.

After work, Masahiro is very tired and tries to return home only to see his mom entering their apartment with a client. He retreats to a playground despite it being night-time and drinks a beverage there only to see the notorious panty thief run by and drop a panty which he picks up. He is tackled by a detective who accuse him of stealing the underwear. Masahiro of course denies this, and finds the detective strange. The detective asks for Masahiro's parents' contact information because he shouldn't be loitering so late at night. Masahiro
does not wish to give his parents' contact information to the detective calls Kousuke who he is friends with. Kousuke brings Masahiro back home, and on the car ride home Kousuke informs Masahiro that the detective is an old high school friend of his.

Kousuke asks how things at home have been for Masahiro, but Masahiro decides to remain silent on the matter as he is still upset about the last time the two were together. He wishes for Kousuke not to worry about him which upsets the man, who states he will just drive Masahiro home if everything is fine at home. With the second state of: unless he would like to return to his (Kousuke's) house. This causes Masahiro to panic, exit the car and run away back to his home.

Masahiro states that Kousuke gave him a place where he belonged, and lies awake in bed stressed about his feelings for Kousuke. He goes to school the next day and is exhausted due to his lack of sleep. Asaya mocks him, already knowing that Masahiro has feelings for Kousuke because he makes it so obvious in his opinion. Kousuke walks in and scolds Kensuke for falling asleep in class, and a panicked Masahiro evades Kousuke by going to get food. However, he is late for lunch, and is forced to go without food for the rest of the school day. He runs into a group of girl students, one of them (Satou) giving him her own food which Kousuke sees and becomes jealous over.

Masahiro tries to run away but Kensuke catches him by his collar. Masahiro becomes frustrated with Kousuke teasing him about being in love with him, which causes the older Ohshiba to scold him for putting a front up. Masahiro states for Kousuke to leave him alone if he can't return the feelings, and Kousuke kisses him in reply to his outburst.

After the kiss, Kousuke says for Masahiro to hurry up and find girlfriend.