@Vankomycin: pretty sure he's a rival to ayaka haha. He likes hiroko and says in the next panel that he's gonna go all out too.
irl I would say ayaka's actions are largely inappropriate bc it forces hiroko with a response to her, which could put her in a situation where she would out herself. but for the premise of this story and the development of hiroko, I think it's a good thing.
I would be turned off if someone gave me a public confession at work, no matter the gender, but that's personally me.
good luck, ayaka!!! keep fighting the good fight and get hiroko!!!