Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 52 *SPOILERS*
READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 51 SPOILERS HERE
Recap
This chapter is from Hotaru's older sister, Kagari's, point of view! Kagari narrates that this is the first time she's having conflict with Hotaru.
Hotaru has just learnt that Kagari is going to leave their home in March, but asks Kagari, "Didn't you mention before that you found a job where you could commute from home? Were you lying to me?"
Kagari starts to explain, but apologizes and says that it's a long story. Without giving Kagari a chance to elaborate, Hotaru tears up and runs away.
Kagari flashes back to autumn last year.
You've found a job?
After judo class, Kagari updates her friend that she's got a job offer, and her friend congratulates her.
There is actually still another company that Kagari would like to try interviewing for, but the one she's decided on is near to home and offered a reasonable package, so she decided to accept the first one. Her friend asks, "Didn't you say that you wanted to try living alone?"
Kagari thinks to herself that Hotaru recently got a strange boyfriend, so she can't rest easy leaving Hotaru alone - however, she can't tell her friend that.
New Guy...?
Kagari's phone chimes with a text. Checking the message, she sees that it's from a man called Kariya. Kagari explains that Kariya is a current employee at the company Kagari has decided to work at. He was an alumni and had helped Kagari. There is a string of text messages between Kagari and Kariya, where Kagari is thanking Kariya for his help getting the job offer, and him congratulating her.
Kagari says that Kariya asked her out before to celebrate, but she turned him down. Her friend gushes at how handsome Kariya is from his profile picture.
Back at home, Kagari receives another text from Kariya. She wonders if this counts as him asking her out on a date. She deliberates about it: Well, even if it's an invitation to a date, it's... no big deal, right? Sometimes, this is simply how romance begins. Entering the working society without any experience in love is also kinda... It might be a good idea to try expanding my horizons...
Still, Kagari concludes that even though Kariya seems like a good person, she feels that he sometimes has a poor sense of personal boundaries.
Hotaru knocks on her bedroom door. She asks Kagari when they should go out to celebrate Kagari's job offer. Hotaru says that she is free anytime after her cultural festival, and suggests watching the movie that Kagari was interested in. However, a moment later, Hotaru remembers that she already caught the movie with Hananoi. Kagari laughs and suggests they do something else. After Hotaru leaves, Kagari decides to meet up with Kariya.
Date with Kariya
At a restaurant, Kariya cheerfully toasts Kagari with a mug of beer to congratulate her on the job offer. Kagari politely thanks him, but he tells her to drop the formalities. He then asks her if she's seeing anyone. Kagari flinches at the question, thinking, 'Here it is again!'
Kagari answers that she isn't, and Kariya excitedly follows up with more questions: "Then, what kind of person have you dated before?" "What type of person do you like?". However, he then awkwardly apologizes and says that he didn't phrase himself tactfully.
Blushing, Kariya says that Kagari is beautiful and capable, so the person she dates must be brilliant.
Kagari wonders if this counts as him trying to pursue her. She is unable to comprehend what's going on. She tells Kariya that she doesn't have much experience with dating. Kariya is shocked, saying that he can't believe other men aren't interested in her.
He's a good person
Kagari explains that she did judo before, and can easily flip the average man to the ground, so somehow she became feared. Kariya laughs and says that the gap moe is very interesting to him. Kagari feels somewhat flattered and thinks to herself that Kariya is a good person.
In the restroom, Kagari thinks that she's too nervous, resulting in her feeling more exhaustion than enjoyment. Kariya was able to keep the good mood up (and prevent any awkward silences) by talking about various things, but Kagari wonders if Kariya is actually enjoying himself.
When Kagari exits from the restroom, she asks if they should make their way home, but Kariya has ordered another mug of beer for her, so she stays.
Second Round
Kagari is tipsy after leaving the restaurant. Kariya says that it's still early (8pm), so he asks if they should go to another place. Kagari goes, "But...", and Kariya asks if it's no good. Blushing, he tells Kagari that he wants to get to know Kagari better. Kagari flinches a little, but agrees to go with him.
The two of them enter the restaurant where Kagari used to work part-time. The waiter recognizes Kagari, but she signals to him not to say anything. Kagari also notices with shock that Kuroe (Hotaru and Hananoi's boss at the book shop) is in the restaurant. After getting seated, Kariya informs that he will go to the restroom.
Kagari leans back in her chair and sighs. Kuroe asks her from his table if Kariya is her boyfriend and she instantly says no. The waiter remarks that he's surprised Kagari actually brought someone here. She explains that Kariya is going to be her senior at her new job, so she's nervous. She decided to come to this restaurant, thinking that she'd be able to relax, but didn't expect to see Kuroe here. The waiter reassures her that they will not disturb her.
Tipsy
When Kariya returns from the restroom, Kuroe notices Kariya suggesting to get a bottle of red wine. Kagari says that she can't drink anymore, but Kariya asks her to accompany him with something to drink.
Kagari thinks to herself that she's getting drunk and tells Kariya that she really can't drink anymore. She stands up to go to the restroom. While Kagari is away, Kuroe notices Kariya making an order.
When Kagari returns to her seat, she asks to go home. Kariya offers her a glass, saying that he ordered fruit juice for her. Kagari is about to accept the drink, but suddenly, Kuroe stops her. He says that the glass doesn't contain fruit juice at all.
Kariya tries to protest, but Kuroe ends up drinking the "fruit juice". He then says that the drink contains a fairly high amount of alcohol. Looking at Kariya, he says, "She's already said that she can't drink anymore. What are you trying to do by getting her more drunk?"
Embarrassed at being outed, Kariya tries leave the restaurant and bring Kagari with him. He pays, says that they don't need to give him the change, immediately tugs on Kagari's arm and gets up to leave.
Realizing what has happened, Kagari follows Kariya out of the restaurant while the waiter runs after them. Outside, the waiter is shocked to see that Kagari has judo-flipped Kariya onto the ground.
Kagari and Kuroe
Moments later, Kuroe and Kagari are sitting on a sofa in the restaurant, looking exhausted. The waiter hands them water. The waiter asks if Kagari is alright. He also remarks that Kuroe pushed himself too much - he is usually able to drink only one mug of beer. He then leaves them to close up the restaurant.
Kuroe looks at Kagari who looks dejected and tells her that she's not at fault. Kagari is mumbling to herself, so he realizes that she didn't hear what he said. Kagari mumbles, "I'm usually so quick to give people tips and advice, but when it's my turn, I fail so spectacularly... Sheesh... What am I going to do about the job offer...? Why did I go and flip him...?"
Kuroe tells her that everyone makes mistakes. However, Kagari suddenly bursts out in tears and cries out, "It's my first time today! Going out with a man alone for a meal! And trying to experience love! It's all my first time!"
Kuroe simply goes, "Huh...huh?", and Kagari asks out loud why people always seem to assume that she has dating experience. Kuroe apologizes but Kagari says that she shouldn't have dragged him in. Kuroe wonders to himself if Kagari is a crying-drunk. 😂
Kagari's Problems
Wiping her tears, Kagari says that she's always been perfect - in her studies, sports, housework and job, but only after stepping into the outside world does she realize that she's still ignorant, and that was a blow to her confidence.
Kagari suddenly cries out again, asking Kuroe to never tell Hotaru about what happened earlier. The last thing she wants is for Hotaru to learn about how lame she is.
Kuroe chuckles a little and asks Kagari what her name is (he has been addressing her as "Hinase's big sis"). Kagari tells him her name and he says that it's a great name.
After a while, the waiter comes back to check on Kagari and Kuroe, finding them asleep.
Back to the Present
Kagari summarizes that after that incident, Hotaru, who had a fight with Hananoi, was able to stand up on her own two feet again by herself, and Tomo (their little sister), who often threw tantrums, seemed to mature a little. Her two younger sisters, who were always following behind her, seemed to have caught up with her and even surpassed her. She wants to take a step forward for herself too.
Kagari knocks on Hotaru's bedroom door. She asks if their father has lectured Hotaru yet (about staying out overnight). After Hotaru confirms so, Tomo laughs, saying that it's the first time she saw their father so mad at Hotaru. Kagari also laughs, then says that she has something to tell the two of them (Hotaru and Tomo).
I'm not perfect
Kagari explains to Hotaru and Tomo about the incident with Kariya and why she ended up choosing a job that requires her to work in Kansai. She apologizes for not telling them earlier. Tomo is in disbelief.
Kagari tells them that she isn't as perfect as they make her out to be, that she has never experienced romantic love, and that she also can fail. She adds that she didn't immediately tell them about her moving out, because she was afraid of their reaction. Tomo is still in disbelief that her perfect, omnipotent big sis could fail.
Kagari apologizes again, but Hotaru asks why she is the one apologizing. Hotaru says that she should be the one to apologize - for constantly saying that Kagari is so cool and relying on her - that she has been a burden to Kagari.
However, Kagari instantly denies that and says that their dependence on her has been her motivation in her life. Hotaru feels relieved and laughs, saying that Kagari is so chivalrous.
Kagari says that she likes being relied on by them, but she has realized that she's become overly conscious of it. Hence, she wants to go out into the world and expand her own horizons.
Hotaru and Tomo say that they understand. Hotaru tells Kagari that she will feel very lonely, but she wants to support Kagari's decision. Tomo then says that they're exaggerating things - it's not like they're not going to see each other for the rest of their lives. The sisters laugh.
Later, Kagari leaves the bedroom, but Hotaru goes up to her. She tells Kagari earnestly, "Indeed, I've always felt that onee-chan was perfect. However, it's not because you're perfect that I think of you as chivalrous!"
Kagari smiles and the two sisters hug.
The parents
In the living room, Hotaru's father wonders out loud if their daughters were able to make up properly. He regrets not informing Hotaru and Tomo earlier about Kagari's situation. However, Hotaru's mother reassures him that everything will be fine. Also, Kagari had requested that she wanted to be the one to tell her sisters.
Hotaru's dad then asks his wife if he thinks that Hotaru has changed. He wonders out loud if Hotaru dating Hananoi will be a bad influence on her. Hotaru staying out overnight was a huge shock for him, as she would never have done something like that before.
Hotaru's mom says that she thinks Hananoi is a good kid, and asks her husband what he said to Hananoi. We see a flashback of the father's conversation with Hananoi.
Call him over again
Hotaru's father sternly says to Hananoi, "When Hotaru is being stubborn, the right thing you should do is to persuade her and then bring her home, isn't it? She is not such an obstinate child, so if you didn't encourage her, she would have immediately come home. I only assented to the two of you going out late at night because you both said it was going to be a short while. While I do not wish to interfere with your relationship, if you both are not able to behave appropriately..."
Hananoi bows and apologizes for causing them worry. Hotaru's father asks if they will not do such a thing again, but Hananoi says that he cannot guarantee it. This shocks Hotaru's father.
Hananoi elaborates that he would of course try his best to choose the option that is safe and can put their minds at ease. However, above and beyond common sense, he wants to prioritize Hotaru's feelings.
Back in the present, Hotaru's father says to his wife, "...Yup, let's invite him over. Let's have Hananoi-kun over as a guest."
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