Worry ~A Step Forward~

Worry ~A Step Forward~ is the fifty-fifth chapter of the To Love-Ru Darkness manga series.

Summary
Starting from previous chapter, during the dinner at Yuki's house, Lala tells her sisters and Mikan what happened at Haruna's house, where she pretended to be Haruna with her parents while the real Haruna and Rito were shrunken down. In the end, they had a nice chat and Haruna's parents leave without finding out the truth and later, Rito and Haruna are returned to normal size. Lala tells Rito that all went well and agree, but Momo notes that he's weird. Nana asks Lala to use again Peke as a suit to increase her size, but Peke explains it consumes energy and can't be maintained all day.

Later, while Mikan is taking a bath with Celine, Rito is in his room and thinks about his kiss with Haruna. Rito is happy to have finally kissed the girl that he liked since middle school, but he thinks it was just accidental, and both Lala and Run wanted a kiss too. Rito wonders if the kiss was a good thing and what Haruna thinks about it worrying that the girl could hate him.

Suddenly, Momo appears, wearing just panties and an open shirt, and asks Rito if anything troubles him. Rito is surprised to see her, and Momo explains he lets his guard down. Momo then tells that Rito's mind is not here and asks if something happened at Haruna's house. Rito lies that nothing happened, but Momo doesn't believe him and starts to push her naked boobs on his face. Momo tells Rito not to worry and, with Mikan busy in the bath, she can take good care of him (thinking she's different now compared to when she drew back). Flustered, Rito then gives up and tells her about the kiss. Meanwhile, at her home, Haruna is very excited about the kiss with Rito and wonders if she should have told Lala what Rito thinks.

The next day, at 1-B class of Sainan High, Nana tells Mea that in her Cyber Safari, there are many babies born from Kyuu-Octopus. Mea would like to see them and remember the baby boar born recently. However, Mea discovers that Nana doesn't know where babies come from (because she skipped all tutoring at the royal place and never did research). So, Mea explains to Nana how it works, leaving Nana shocked, and teasing her that she could practice with Rito. Meanwhile, Momo is still stunned after learning about the kiss. Momo thinks that she should welcome this development for the sake of the Harem Plan, but (thinking of when she avoided kissing Rito in his sleep) she still feels like a loser.

In 1-A class, Saruyama is telling his classmates about a dream where he kissed 1000 women. Hearing about kissing, Rito notes Haruna, and they both blush. Rito then uses an excuse to go out and Haruna mistakes thinking that he hates her. In the hallways, Run glomps Rito and starts to talk about some events, but she is stopped by Yui who tells her that she's clinging too much on Rito. Run then asks Yui why she always shows up and accuses her to be jealous, while Yui says it's just for the sake of morals. Momo comes and sees the girls (the most fixated on themselves in the harem) arguing. Momo then tells them to calm down, so their beauty will not be wasted and asks Rito if she's right. Run is happy to be called a beauty, and Yui blushes, faking disinterest. Momo then takes Rito away with an excuse and resolves that its role is to take everyone's relationships into account and advance the Harem Plan.

Meanwhile, Haruna is confused and would to talk with Lala when Oshizu appears. Haruna then takes her to the roof and tells her about the kiss. Oshizu is shocked and congratulates Haruna even if it was an accident. However, Haruna now doesn't know how to face Rito, and it seems like he's avoiding her. Both Oshizu and Momo, at the same time, tell Haruna and Rito to confess their feelings because it's the perfect chance.

Rito and Haruna then meet in the courtyard. Both are very embarrassed at the idea to confess finally. Rito thinks that his feelings for the other girls are still confused and there are Lala and Momo's plans to consider too, but the truth is that he loves Haruna since middle school. The two are always more flustered, and they start to talk. But, before Rito confesses, Haruna suddenly asks him sorry for the incident leaving Rito stunned. Rito then tells her to don't worry and they start to laugh nervously. Haruna thinks of herself like a coward, but at least she's happy that Rito isn't mad.

Watching the scene, Oshizu cries for the chance blown when suddenly, Nana and Mea are grabbed (and stripped) from the tentacles of Kyuu-octopus babies that are not listening to Nana. Oshizu, Haruna, and Rito then get grabbed too. Momo observes commenting on how it turned out in the end wondering to leave and asking herself why she feels relieved. But she gets caught by the octopus too.

Trivia

 * This is the first time in To LOVE-Ru Darkness that Rito tries to confess Haruna (and vice versa). The last failed attempt happened in the last chapter of the first series.
 * Momo recalls events from chapter 12 and 17 where both times she stooped herself to go further with Rito.

Anime
This chapter is adapted in the third OVA (9 in the original order) of To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd. It's the last story from the main series to get an animated version.