Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 53 *SPOILERS*
READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 52 SPOILERS HERE
Shoujo Manga Time
Hotaru narrates that their winter break is coming to an end, and for some reason, she and Hananoi are at a manga cafe today.
They've picked out shoujo manga. Hotaru asks Hananoi if he's really going to read them, and he looks determined as he says yes. Hotaru asks why he wants to read the shoujo manga that she's read before, and he explains that it's because he wants to find out how much knowledge (on sex) she has. (He doesn't verbalize the word sex, though, which confuses Hotaru, but she doesn't question him further.)
Lap Pillow
Hotaru thinks to herself that this is the first time they're at a manga cafe together.
They begin reading. After a while, Hotaru glances at Hananoi and sees that he's very focused on reading. She sits close to him, and Hananoi leans his head onto Hotaru's. She also leans into his shoulder. She blushes, but they continue reading.
After two hours, Hotaru notices that Hananoi has read quite a lot. She tries to change her sitting position, then sees in the manga she's reading that the male protagonist is laying his head on the female protagonist's lap.
Hotaru peeks at Hananoi, who is still focused on reading. She then goes to lay her head on his lap. She feels thrilled at having unlocked a new experience. However, Hananoi blushes and taps her head lightly, asking her what she's doing.
Hotaru sheepishly explains that she's been used as a lap pillow before, but she hasn't tried using Hananoi as a lap pillow before. When Hananoi asks her how it feels, she says that she feels nervous. However, she asks shyly if she can continue being like this.
Dad wants to talk
After Hotaru and Hananoi leave the manga cafe, Hotaru brings up that her parents had asked her to invite Hananoi to their house for a meal on Sunday. She says that her father seemed to want to talk to Hananoi.
Hananoi wonders aloud what Hotaru's father would want to talk to him about - about rejecting their relationship? Hotaru gets flustered. However, she says that her mother looked happy when mentioning it.
Hananoi says that he understands. Back then, during New Year's Day, it was too hurried, so he wants to make a proper visit this time. Hotaru assures him that she will be around too. She adds that if anything were to happen, her older sister will side with them (even though Kagari won't actually be at home that day 😅).
Hotaru thinks to herself that ever since what happened on New Year's Day, it seemed that her father had some thoughts about Hananoi. She hopes that Hananoi and her father will be able to resolve any issues with this gathering.
It's Sunday
Hotaru informs her parents that she will be heading out to fetch Hananoi. Her father is pacing around the house nervously. His wife tells him to calm down, since he was the one who wanted to see Hananoi. She also tells him to scoot away and not obstruct her cleaning 😁
While cleaning Hotaru's room, Hotaru's mother notices a book on her desk. She seems to recognize the book title.
Hananoi arrives at the Hotaru household. He politely greets Hotaru's mother and offers some snacks. He also bows and apologizes to Hotaru's parents for causing them trouble during New Year's Day. However, Hotaru's mother cheerfully replies not to dwell on the past, and asks everyone to relax and enjoy the good food. Hotaru's mother asks Hananoi if he knows how to grill.
Takoyaki
The family + Hananoi will be making takoyaki for lunch. Hananoi looks on in dismay and gives Hotaru a look that goes, 'I would appreciate it if you had informed me about this earlier...', but Hotaru tells him that she was concerned that if she had done so, he would have stressed himself out trying to practise making them.
Hananoi tries to ask for permission to search the internet on how to make takoyaki, but Hotaru's dad asks him if he trusts them to teach him. Hananoi explains that his hands are very clumsy, which makes Hotaru's dad think to himself that Hananoi is giving off a different vibe than before.
Awkward(?) Conversation
Hotaru gets out of her seat at the dining table to help her mother with the ingredient preparations. Hananoi and Hotaru's dad are left at the table.
Hananoi remarks that he's surprised how families in Kanto also have takoyaki grills in their homes. Hotaru's dad answers that it's pretty common. The conversation then falls silent. However, Hotaru's mum gives her husband an expectant look.
Taking the hint, Hotaru's dad elaborates that the takoyaki grill was a birthday present for Hotaru - she had requested for it. Hananoi is surprised to learn that.
Hotaru's father adds that Hotaru's birthday present requests are always of this nature. She had asked for a sandwich grill, pancake maker, tomato planters etc. Hotaru goes over and nags her father for talking about how gluttonous she is. However, Hananoi points out that all of those gifts are not just for her, but are things that her family can use. Hotaru's father agrees, surprised at Hananoi's insightfulness.
Hananoi says that he can recognize this part of Hotaru, because it is what he really likes about her.
Time to Make Takoyaki
Hotaru announces that she will demonstrate how to make takoyaki. Hotaru skillfully turns the takoyaki balls. Her father does the same. Unfortunately, Hananoi makes a mess when he attempts to do so. Hotaru's father notes that Hananoi is indeed clumsy and Hotaru chides her father, while Hananoi just looks depressed.
Hananoi suddenly looks pumped up and says that he will be able to master it if given a week. However, Hotaru tells him not to waste the money buying a grill and practising just for this.
Hotaru's mother offers Hananoi a plate of finished takoyaki and asks him to eat. They all begin eating.
Hotaru's face brightens up extraordinarily upon eating the takoyaki, exclaiming that it's been grilled to perfection. Her parents also react in a similar manner, amusing Hananoi greatly. He laughs, and all of them look at him.
Can we talk?
After the meal, Hananoi is helping with the dishes when Hotaru's dad goes up to him and asks to talk in private. They go into the family's altar room to sit and face each other.
Hotaru's dad tries to start the conversation, but ends up tripping over his words. Instead, Hananoi begins talking.
Hananoi says that he reflected hard about what happened on New Year's Day, and about what he should have done so as not to make them worry. He suddenly leans towards Hotaru's father and asks if they should exchange contacts - so that he can report to them every 30 minutes, even providing their location and pictures if necessary.
Hotaru's father is taken aback and tells Hananoi to stop, because he gets it. He also mutters to himself that Hananoi is indeed someone who's rather extreme.
Hotaru's dad acknowledges that he was indeed unhappy at what Hananoi did, which Hananoi accepts. However, Hotaru's dad adds that after giving it more thought, he realized that Hananoi's train of thought actually is in line with what he is looking for, so he has mixed feelings about it.
Parents
Hananoi looks confused. Hotaru's dad then asks Hananoi if it's true that he is living alone, because his parents are always working. Hananoi confirms so, and adds that his parents are doctors who work overseas.
Hotaru's dad asks Hananoi if he loves his parents. After a moment's thought, Hananoi answers that judging based on them as people, he does not dislike them. However, he would not choose to live the same way as his parents do. He would want to live for the most important person in his life.
Hotaru's dad goes, "You don't dislike them, huh... I really dislike them, though. Oh, I mean my own father." He then shares with Hananoi more about himself.
Hotaru's (Paternal) Grandfather
Hotaru's dad's father (Hotaru's paternal grandfather) was a journalist, so he was seldom at home. When Hotaru's dad's mother (Hotaru's paternal grandmother) was gravely ill, Hotaru's grandfather still didn't return, and wasn't even there during her final moments.
Hence, Hotaru's dad sincerely hopes that his daughters would be able to find partners who value them above and beyond everything else. However, when Hananoi appeared before his eyes, he was surprised to find that it was different from what he imagined.
Unease
Hotaru's dad elaborates that he can feel Hananoi's sincerity, but it's because of it that he feels worried. He then dismisses it by saying that Hananoi and Hotaru are still young, so for now, he just hopes that Hananoi will not make Hotaru cry.
Hananoi says to Hotaru's dad that there's no need to worry, because his greatest wish is for Hotaru to be happy. If Hotaru ever gets hurt, he would not be able to forgive anyone, including himself.
Watching Hananoi, Hotaru's dad thinks to himself that this is precisely what he is worried about.
Paying Respects
Later, Hotaru's dad opens the door of the altar room as he is done talking with Hananoi. Hotaru's mother tells him that Hotaru is waiting in her room, so Hotaru's dad says that he will go to call her.
Hotaru's mother goes to check on Hananoi in the altar room. She asks him if he got lectured, but Hananoi says no - that they simply chatted about Hotaru's grandfather. Chuckling a little, Hotaru's mother says that her husband must have complained to Hananoi about him.
Hotaru's mother shares with Hananoi that she actually finds Hotaru's grandfather interesting and that she quite likes him, in fact. However, he passed away the year before.
Hananoi then asks if the altar is for Hotaru's grandparents and Hotaru's mother confirms so. She points out a picture frame of Hotaru's grandparents. Hananoi asks to pay his respects to them.
The Picture
While Hananoi is praying, Hotaru enters the altar room and asks if he's all right. Hananoi answers that rather than considering their relationship approved, it felt more like Hotaru's dad had agreed to silently watch over them. He is happy to have had talked to Hotaru's dad.
Hotaru is pleased to hear that. She then asks if Hananoi was paying respects to her grandparents, to which Hananoi says yes.
Hotaru then speaks to the altar, "Grandpa, grandma, this is Hananoi Saki - he's the one that I like."
Taking the picture frame of her grandparents into her hands, she tells Hananoi that she only remembers them through photographs.
Glancing at the picture, Hananoi says that contrary to what Hotaru's dad told him, Hotaru's grandparents look loving in the picture. Hotaru explains that it's because her grandmother loved her grandfather dearly. She also says that her grandfather was very dashing.
When Hananoi takes a good look at the picture, he has a vision of the old man he used to be friends with. The old man he remembers looks like spitting image of Hotaru's grandfather.
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