Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 50 *SPOILERS*
How far have you gone...?
On the night of 31st December, Keigo and Hananoi are in a fast food place (Hananoi is taking a break from his job at the bookshop). Keigo asks Hananoi how far he and Hotaru have progressed in their relationship. Hananoi asks him if he's run into problems with Hibiki.
Keigo explains that during Christmas, Hibiki was so happy to receive his letter that she cried, but she also said that if they could take their relationship to the next level, she'd feel more reassured as his girlfriend. Keigo is distraught because he doesn't know if he can simply make a move on her like that. Regardless, Keigo did not do anything to Hibiki that day. He laments that balancing his desires and rational side is a difficult task. Hananoi then tells Keigo that his break time is over.
While walking along the street, Keigo says that he will watch TV to spend the rest of the New Years' Eve night. Hananoi shares that he will be meeting up with Hotaru later to welcome the new year.
Hotaru and her sister
At home, Hotaru is getting ready to meet up with Hananoi. She asks her older sister (Kagari) what she should wear. Hotaru finds Kagari busy organizing her room.
Kagari asks if Hotaru is going on a date with Hananoi and Hotaru confirms so. Hotaru explains that Hananoi's grandmother lives nearby, and as Hananoi is going to his grandmother's house for the new year, he and Hotaru decided to meet up to do Hatsumode together.
Kagari reminds Hotaru not to do anything inappropriate. Hotaru jolts and says that she definitely won't.
Hotaru wants to ask her sister something, but Kagari assumes that it's something related to romance and shuts her up before she can say anything, telling Hotaru that she doesn't need to consult her on everything. Then, Kagari quickly clarifies that she means that Hotaru's clothes are all cute, so she doesn't need to ask for opinions. Kagari also adds that she can't always be there for Hotaru and begins to tell Hotaru something.
Hatsumode with Hananoi
Hananoi is waiting for Hotaru at the shrine. Hotaru comes running towards him and apologizes for being late. He asks if something happened, but Hotaru says that they should hurry as there's only 15 minutes left before the new year. They are going to pray to thank the gods for the past year, then later pray a second time (after midnight) for the new year.
After praying the first time, they get cups of hot amazake. Hotaru says that its taste is intriguing, which leads Hananoi to ask if she's never drunk it before. Hotaru explains that her older sister did let her try it before, but she felt such a strong sense of guilt that she couldn't taste it properly. Hananoi chuckles and says that she has a good relationship with her older sister. However, Hotaru looks down when she answers, "...Yeah."
Before Hananoi can ask what's wrong, it's the countdown to the new year. They wish each other happy new year, pray again, get omikuji and tie them on the ropes.
I don't wanna go home
After leaving the shrine, Hananoi checks his watch and says that they should go home. However, Hotaru tugs on his sleeve and says that she doesn't want to go home. She wants to stay with him.
Hananoi is reminded of his conversation earlier with Keigo about "going further" and starts having weird thoughts, but he shakes them off, knowing that Hotaru doesn't mean that. He asks her what's going on, then realizes that she looks like she's about to cry.
Hotaru tries to brush it off by smiling and going, "W-well, I guess it's impossible! It's fine! Um... Actually, I don't really feel like going home today, so... I'm sorry, let's pretend I didn't say anything!"
Hananoi simply tells Hotaru to come into his arms for a hug. Hotaru starts crying and apologizes, but Hananoi tells her that he also doesn't feel like parting from her yet.
Staying over
A short while later, they're at a playground and Hananoi is asking his grandmother over the phone if Hotaru can stay over with them. Hananoi relays the message to Hotaru that his grandmother has allowed it. Hotaru is surprised but Hananoi says that it's because his grandmother likes her a lot.
Hananoi also laments his young age - if he were older, he'd be able to sneak them into a hotel. Hotaru says that if they get a chance next time, they can go on a trip and stay in a hotel together.
Hananoi suddenly grabs Hotaru, covering her mouth and hiding them behind a tree. A police car was patrolling. If they had gotten caught, they would have been brought in for reprimanding. Hotaru remarks that she feels like they're doing something sinful, when her phone vibrates and she flinches.
Hotaru checks her phone and says that Kagari gave her several missed calls. She decides to inform her mother via text that she will be staying over with Hananoi. She worries that her family might get mad at Hananoi, even though she is the one being selfish. Hananoi reassures her that it's okay for her to be a little selfish at times.
Hotaru's reliance
Hotaru says that her older sister also says the same thing - Kagari had told her before that it's fine to do what she wants to do, even if it inconveniences others a little. Hananoi notes aloud that Hotaru is very fond of her older sister and Hotaru says yes.
Hotaru explains that once her younger sister (Tomo) started learning ice-skating, their mother became busy, so Kagari was the one who took care of Hotaru a lot. This resulted in Hotaru becoming reliant on her, because Kagari seemed so capable.
Hotaru starts to tear up again, saying that her older sister wasn't able to talk to her sooner because Hotaru was unreliable. Hananoi looks confused and concerned, but Hotaru continues: Kagari has received a permanent position in her job, but at the Kansai branch. Kagari has to move to Kansai by March. When Hotaru heard this news, she got mad and asked Kagari why she didn't mention it earlier. There's only 2 months left before Kagari has to move and it's too soon for Hotaru.
Hananoi asks if Hotaru had a fight with Kagari and if this was the reason she didn't want to go home. Hotaru shakes her head, saying that it's because she's afraid she will cry if she returns home and sees her sister. Hananoi gives Hotaru a reassuring hug.
Hananoi's Grandma
Hotaru and Hananoi arrive at his grandmother's house. His grandmother instantly snaps at them for returning late (plus it's cold outside). Hotaru politely thanks Hananoi's grandmother for allowing her to stay. Hananoi's grandmother sternly tells Hotaru that under normal circumstances, this is not acceptable, but she understands that Hotaru had a special reason this time. She also says that it was thanks to Hotaru that Hananoi is spending New Years' with her, so she will allow Hotaru to stay this one time.
Hananoi's grandmother shows Hotaru the living room, saying that she's prepared clothes and a blanket, so she can sleep there. Hananoi is also reminded that he is to sleep in his own room. Yawning, Hananoi's grandmother says that there is also a child in the house, so they should not stay up too late. She then goes to bed.
Hotaru asks Hananoi who the child is. He answers that it's his younger cousin, a 5 year-old boy. Hananoi's uncle's family also stays in this house. Hotaru then says that they shouldn't talk (so as not to make noise). However, Hananoi knows that they're still not sleepy, so he points to their phones.
Texting each other
The two of them talk to each other via text so as not to make noise. Hotaru thanks Hananoi for listening to her problems and confirms that she will return home in the morning.
Hananoi tells Hotaru what he thinks about Kagari's behavior: "I don't think that your sister didn't talk to you because she felt that you were unreliable. It's likely because she loves you too much, so she had to muster up her courage to tell you about it."
Hotaru is moved. She agrees with him and says that she will talk to Kagari properly once she returns home. Hananoi reassures her that he will always be around if she needs to cry. Hotaru tells him that she has come to understand what Hananoi meant about having mixed feelings when being treated like a child. Hananoi chuckles at that, which leads Hotaru to poke him playfully.
They start tickling each other, but Hotaru loses her balance and ends up getting pinned to the ground by Hananoi. They stare at each other for a moment, but shush each other, then giggle together quietly. They then continue texting each other, but after a while, Hotaru falls asleep.
Morning
Hotaru's eyes open to the morning light filtering through the curtains. Hananoi is sound asleep next to her beneath the kotatsu.
Hotaru checks her phone and finds a message from Kagari: "I'm sorry I didn't immediately tell you about my job and about moving out. Let's have a good chat once you're home."
Hotaru replies to her sister: "I should be the one apologizing. I also want to have a good talk with onee-chan."
Hananoi turns in his sleep and Hotaru gazes at his sleeping face. With a soft voice, Hotaru says that she really enjoyed herself yesterday, so she's all right now, and she thanks Hananoi.
Hotaru reaches a hand out to trace the contours of Hananoi's jaw. She then catches herself and wonders what she is doing. Her hands moved all on their own, wanting to touch him. Her hand reaches Hananoi's chest, but then she retracts it, telling herself no. However, before she can bring her hand back, Hananoi has grabbed it.
He asks, gently kissing her hand, "You're stopping so quickly...?"
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