The following contains spoilers for Episode 15 of Komi Can't Communicate, "It's Just a Feeling," now streaming on Netflix.
Hitohito Tadano is an ordinary high school student with very low expectations when it comes to having a love life. Despite feeling he has few prospects as a romantic partner, he nonetheless started developing romantic feelings for his classmate and close friend, Shoko Komi, toward the end of Season 1 of Komi Can't Communicate -- a development that's continuing to unfold in Season 2. After holding himself back from acting on his feelings in the new season's first two episodes, Episode 15 finds him taking the next leap forward.
In the Episode 15 story "It's Just Roasted Sweet Potatoes," Tadano thinks back to the culture festival his class participated in during the fall. While it was a happy memory for him and Komi, at the same time, there was one aspect of the event that's been gnawing at this mind: the fact that his childhood friend, Najimi Osana, made him wear a dress for the festival. Since his class decided on a maid café for their project, all the girls and non-binary student of the class wore traditional maid uniforms in order to serve customers. Since they had a spare dress and were one maid short, Tadano was the unlucky fellow assigned to take on the role.
Reflecting on how humiliated he felt wearing the dress, Tadano completely overlooks Komi's own feelings about it -- namely that she was turned on by seeing him in the dress. Instead, he laments the fact he didn't change back into men's clothing for the afterparty. Before he beats himself up about it completely, however, he remembers one aspect of the party that made him feel bashful: the fact he asked Komi to dance with him, and she accepted. While Tadano never had trouble participating in social activities with Komi, being on the dance floor with her felt too intimate for him.
In the present, Tadano isn't sure what to make of his feelings, but starts to acknowledge that maybe he does love Komi as more than a friend, -- and is having trouble accepting that. While he does think Komi is beautiful and attractive in her own mysterious way, at the same time, he doesn't believe she would ever take romantic interest in him. Rather than entertain the possibility that she might love him that capacity (which she does), Tadano decides to ride his bike around town to take his mind off things. In a rather serendipitous moment, he has a chance encounter with Komi on the street.
Prior to their impromptu meeting, Komi had gone out to buy some roasted sweet potatoes she was craving. She initially plans on buying just one, but decides to go with five. On her way home she encounters Tadano on his bike, and it is during this moment that Tadano decides to confront his feelings, somewhat directly. He starts by inviting to walk her home, but Komi declines, indicating she doesn't need to be escorted. He then contemplates asking her to hang out with him some time, realizing that he likes spending time with her. Unfortunately, he changes his mind when he tells himself she's out of his league.
To his surprise, Komi stops Tadano from leaving and hands him a sweet potato for him to take home. He is touched by this gesture and summons the courage to ask her to "hang out" with him sometime. Though Komi doesn't read the room and realize he's actually asking her out on a date, she accepts all the same as she enjoys spending time with him as well. With that, Tadano departs with a blush on his face. While he is still not certain he did the right thing asking Komi out, at the same time, he feels as though a weight has been lifted.
Though romance isn't within Tadano's wheelhouse, the fact he took initiative in asking Komi out is a pretty strong indicator their relationship will eventually evolve into a romantic one, rather than remain platonic.