September 12th, 2013 
AstroNerdBoy ハヤテのごとく！/Hayate no Gotoku Chapter 420
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Hayate has clearance to leave Nagi’s service for a time, so he informs Kurosu that he’s ready. Since Hina has decided to go along as well, Hayate is forced to ride in the trunk in the front of the Lamborghini since it only has two seats.
Nagi is feeling a little down, wondering if she should have asked about Hayate’s reason for wanting to make Ruka happy, but she figures that would have resulted in the worst possible outcome. So, Nagi decides to work on her manga since she has to win to get Hayate back. While she had a 30 page storyboard, she had no manuscript pages completed and nine days until the competition. Worry starts to set in as she knows she has to get this done as storm clouds gather in the sky.
Meanwhile, Ruka is in a meeting with Atsumari to go over the Las Vegas itinerary, but when she notices Ruka is not paying attention, she questions whether Ruka will continue as an idol or not. Ruka asks for permission to take care of something, then heads to Yukari-chan House to see Nagi.
While the storm rages outside, Chiharu sits with Nagi and is impressed with Nagi’s determination to see this through despite being sore from walking and being very behind. As such, Chiharu volunteers to help with the finishing touches on the manga. The power goes out, causing Nagi to instinctively call for Hayate. But she sadly remembers he’s not there, so Chiharu goes to check the circuit breaker.
Nagi goes out and stands on the engawa (porch) when Ruka shows up with her umbrella. Ruka explains that she needs Hayate because they have the same pain of having been abandoned by parents and burdened with massive debt. She vows to take Hayate if she wins the competition. Nagi says she won’t allow it, even if he loves Ruka, because Hayate is her butler. Ruka counters by saying she’ll end his life as a butler by winning the competition.
Thoughts/Review:
“Lamborghinis have the trunk in the front!” *LOL* The double feature gag, with the first one being the setup and the second one knocking it out of the park. My hat is off to you, Hata-sensei. I’m still laughing at that one.
Beyond that gag, there were no jokes, but to be honest, I’m very fine with that. The plot needs to be pushed forward, and the one gag here could be afforded since Hata-sensei needs to move Kurosu, Hayate, and Hina out of the way for now.
Which reminds me, where are the other housemates and the idiot trio? Not that this is important, mind you, but knowing Hata-sensei, he’ll pause things to bring them back into the mix.
I think I’ve hinted at this before, but I’m going to make an early call and make some predictions. First, I think that Nagi will actually create a good manga, as seen in CTMEOY. Second, I think that she’ll lose to Ruka in the competition. However, I think that thirdly, whatever Hayate’s mission is right now, it will mean Ruka giving up on Hayate.
Since there’s nothing more to say about Hayate’s mission until we see more, I’m moving to Nagi. I like that Chiharu is helping her on the finished product since Nagi will need it. Maybe Kayura will be able to play an assistant role as well to speed production along.
I also like how Nagi is maturing as a character. She didn’t do her normal ranting and raving when she saw Hayate and Ruka together in an obvious romantic setting. She gave Hayate permission to go with Kurosu to help Ruka become happy. She’s saddened at the thought of possibly losing Hayate, but determined to not let that happen. So, she is “doing the needful,” as they say in India.
As for Ruka, she’s already decided to continue as an idol, so I suppose Hayate is the icing on the cake from her perspective. Of course, since she’s an idol, she no doubt has a no dating policy in her contract, so I don’t know how that would work for her. I keep thinking of White Album. *lol*
Regardless, I’m looking forward to this particular plot thread being wound down, though knowing Hata-sensei, that won’t happen this year. *lol*
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Strangely, I didn’t catch this update on twitter… anyway, I concur with your prediction that Nagi will lose to Ruka in the competition — though I’m hoping the conclusion will be Ruka accepting a moral defeat to Nagi despite her actual win.
I don’t think Ruka has to worry that much about any “no dating policy” if she wins since she’s decided to skip that part and just marry Hayate right away. (loophole?)
As for the next chapter, I think we’re gonna see Nagi and Ruka reluctantly helping each other finish their respective manga despite the intensity of the scenes in this one since they both need to work overtime.
>… though I’m hoping the conclusion will be Ruka accepting a moral defeat to Nagi despite her actual win.
And I can certainly see that happening should Ruka win.
>I don’t think Ruka has to worry that much about any “no dating policy” if she wins since she’s decided to skip that part and just marry Hayate right away. (loophole?)
One of the reasons there is a no dating policy is to feed this illusion that the idol is pure. As such, the otaku into idols (and dirty old men alike) can imagine that said idols are not only virgins, but haven’t even kissed anyone yet. If it were known that Ruka was married, a lot of her fans would be devastated. ^_^;
>As for the next chapter, I think we’re gonna see Nagi and Ruka reluctantly helping each other finish their respective manga despite the intensity of the scenes in this one since they both need to work overtime.
That would be an interesting twist. I haven’t sensed that happening personally, but knowing Hata-sensei, it could happen.
Does Nagi think Hayate loves Ruka?
I’m sure she’s always worried.
Well, If we take into account the last two anime series, maybe that mission will involve something with that stones that give bad luck and the right to fight for grandpa’s money (king’s stones?). I’m thinking that because when the “Black Cammelia” incident happened, Nagi was back on the Sanzenin mansion and going back and forth to play on her mother’s mansion. All of that while Ruka was preparing her concert in Las Vegas.
If I remember correctly, there is a joke about that on the manga talking about the anime spoiling the development of the competition (as Hayate was with Nagi). But knowing Hata-sensei, there will be a twist with the same result, as you are predicting.
The last anime series (Cuties is non-canon save for maybe the last two episode. That was the one where Nagi was going back and forth, and that was because that anime series was adapting manga stories and needed to accommodate that. CTMEOY is pretty much canon is where the kuro-tsubaki was explored (though the manga did name-drop it well before the anime came out).
You are right that the manga did joke about the anime spoiling things, and I have been expecting some kind of twist. So far, he’s keeping things off balance, but keeping things on target. Should be a fun ride though. ^_^
I don’t think Ruka will be the winner because hata-sensei wouldn’t let Nagi lost 2 times in combo set. Nagi is main character who has fortune beside her but Ruka hasn’t. Hata-sensei tried to point to Nagi that right now she can’t do it in time and is in disadvantage position. This point is very clear, too clear. He tried to make us believe that there’s high possibilities that Nagi will lose but I don’t think so. He will turn table like thunder.
Ruka will lose and here comes Yozora will show up with King jewel stuffs again.
>Ruka will lose and here comes Yozora will show up with King jewel stuffs again.
Well, you have an interesting prediction. We’ll see what happens. ^_^
I agree with you, AstroNerdBoy. and a certain butler will go save her from Yozora (and her boss).