Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 54 *SPOILERS*
READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 53 SPOILERS HERE
Hananoi's Flashback
A younger Hananoi visits the old man, Ginji-san, who's having a cold. He brought medicine and food (including ice cream) for the old man.
The old man tells Hananoi that he should just focus on his studies, since he's preparing for high school entrance exams. As Hananoi's middle school and high school are affiliated, Ginji-san asks Hananoi if he plans on continuing to the affiliate high school. Hananoi answers that he is still considering.
Hananoi feels like there's no point in studying hard and doesn't know what he wants to do in the future. He remarks that perhaps he should be like Ginji-san and write a book. The old man tells Hananoi to just go with the flow, or check out other high schools to see if he finds any that he likes.
The old man shares that his grand-daughter is going to Yukisaki High School, because she had attended and enjoyed the cultural festival that they had. Hananoi learns that Ginji-san has a grand-daughter.
The old man says to Hananoi, "If the two of you get to meet, I hope you'll take good care of her." Hananoi considers going to Yukisaki High School.
After School
Hananoi leaves the school gates in a daze - he's still thinking about the picture of Hotaru's grandparents that he saw at her house.
Next to him, Hotaru is looking at a piece of paper that details their itinerary for the upcoming school trip. She asks him if he will prefer to ski or sled during the school trip. He replies that he has not tried either before, so he will go with what Hotaru chooses. Hotaru wonders out loud what to pick - she has done skiing with her family before.
Hananoi hops on the topic of Hotaru's family and asks if she went skiiing with her grandfather too. However, Hotaru looks confused and says that she has never gone out with her grandfather before. She explains that her grandfather always seemed busy, so she has practically not even met him before.
Hotaru and her Grandfather
Hotaru sifts through her bag and takes out star-shaped hairpins. She says that Hananoi had helped her look for them before, and they were actually a gift from her grandfather. When her grandfather passed away, they had found presents that he had prepared for the Hinase sisters in his room. Hotaru remarks that her grandfather had probably wanted to meet them. She says that she doesn't know what type of person he is, but would really like to meet him.
Hananoi thinks about how Hotaru and the old man had interacted back when they were all in the park (Hotaru playing badminton while Hananoi and the old man sat on the bench). He thinks to himself that if Hotaru and the old man were related, they should have recognized each other back then. He wonders if he made a mistake.
The Book
Hotaru remembers something and takes a book out of her bag. (It's the same book that was on Hotaru's desk, and her mother had noticed the book in Chapter 53). Hotaru thanks Hananoi for lending her the book (the author is Hoshihama Ginji) and says that the pictures of food in the book looked tempting and it was fun to read about the author's thoughts.
Arriving at the building of the bookshop, Hananoi and Hotaru talk about how Yao's last day at work is next week and that everyone is planning to write a farewell note for him.
New Guy
The couple notice a man waiting for the lift at the lobby. He has multiple piercings on his ear. When the lift arrives, all three of them enter, and Hotaru notices that he is going to the same floor as them. She wonders if the man is a new co-worker.
When Hananoi enters the men's changing room, he notices the man from earlier. He's changing his clothes and Hananoi notices a tattoo on his waist.
Work Time
Kuroe (the bookstore manager) finishes briefing the bookshop staff for the day, and asks for Hotaru to show the new co-worker around, because Hotaru has more shifts with him. His name is Nishi. Hotaru is a little hesitant, but Kuroe tells her that she's good at her job and is dependable - which is why he is asking her to do it. Hotaru feels motivated after hearing Kuroe's words and says that she will do her best 💪
Hotaru goes to Nishi and introduces herself. Nishi notices out loud that Hotaru is a high school student. Hotaru assures him that even though she's only in her 2nd year of high school, she's already worked at the bookstore for a year.
Nishi introduces himself - Nishi Taka, 20 years old. He says to Hotaru, "I'll be in your care, senpai." Being called a senpai by someone older than her surprises Hotaru. Hananoi sees their exchange.
After Work
Hananoi asks Hotaru how was work today. Hotaru asks if he's asking about Nishi. She says that she can't read his expressions, which made her a little nervous, but it was fine overall. She adds that this feels like a prelude to Yao's leaving, which makes her feel lonely.
Hananoi pauses, then says that he's glad Hotaru wasn't bullied. He explains that he saw the tattoo on Nishi's body, and how Nishi had ignored the co-workers from an earlier shift. Hotaru thinks to herself that Hananoi used to be like that too (ignoring people).
Hotaru wonders out loud if having a tattoo means that they are bad. After all, Kuroe and the store's boss had decided to hire him. Hananoi then chuckles and says that he knew Hotaru would say that.
Hotaru asks if Hananoi is looking out for her because she's usually naive and ignorant, and thanks him for his concern. She reassures him that she will be fine. Hananoi hugs Hotaru and says that he will absolutely protect her because he likes her so much.
Nishi's Behavior
Over the next few days, it is observed that Nishi minimizes any interaction with other co-workers and outrightly ignores people even when spoken to, just always quietly reading his book.
Hananoi asks Kuroe about Nishi. Kuroe explains that during the interview, Nishi spoke very normally. Also, even though he dresses flashily, he's just someone who loves reading books. Kuroe says that Hananoi might get along with him. Hananoi answers that he feels relieved hearing what Kuroe said. Kuroe laughs a little and asks if Hananoi was looking out for Hotaru. He remarks that Hananoi is over-protective. Hearing that from Kuroe makes Hananoi flinch.
Boxes
Later, Hananoi is in the storeroom arranging boxes. Hotaru peeks in to ask if he's done with his tasks. She says that she's done closing the shop, so she can help him. Hananoi says that it's fine as the boxes are heavy, but Hotaru decides to help with the smaller boxes.
While putting away a box, Hotaru notices a book on the ground. She kneels down to pick up the book, but Nishi then walks in front of her, giving her a shock. Hotaru flinches from shock and knocks into the shelf she's next to, and one of the boxes on top starts to fall.
Hananoi shouts, "Hotaru!" in a panic and dashes to cover her, and Hotaru closes her eyes from fear, but nothing happens. When she opens her eyes, they find that Nishi had stopped the box from falling on both of them.
Nishi goes, "Phew... What a relief...", but asks them to help him, as he's struggling to put the boxes back in place. After putting the boxes away properly, Hananoi and Hotaru thank and apologize to Nishi.
What Nishi is Like
Nishi bends down to pick up the book that Hotaru found on the ground and hands it to her. Hotaru notices a small cut on his hand and immediately dashes off to get the first aid kit, even though Nishi tries to tell her that he's fine.
Hananoi hands Nishi a water bottle, saying that he can use it to soothe the bruise that he might have gotten from catching the boxes. However, Nishi declines, saying that it wasn't anything serious.
Nishi then asks Hananoi, "Um... earlier, why did you have to prioritize protecting senpai? If I wasn't around, you would have gotten seriously injured."
Hananoi answers, "...It's fine. As long as Hotaru doesn't get hurt, nothing else matters."
Nishi looks somewhat shocked at Hananoi's reply.
Next Day at Work
Hotaru arrives at the bookstore for her morning shift. She finds Nishi reading in the rest area and goes up to thank him for saving them yesterday. However, there's no response from Nishi. Feeling dejected, Hotaru goes and sits on the chair diagonally across Nishi.
Nishi then notices Hotaru, removes his ear buds and asks if she said something earlier. Hotaru answers that she did talk to him. Nishi apologizes, as he was wearing his ear buds and didn't hear her (it also has noise-cancelling capabilities). Hotaru realizes that this is the reason Nishi was ignoring everyone.
Hotaru asks to speak to him for a while. When Nishi nods to agree, she asks him what book he is reading. Nishi answers that it's a collection of poems, so Hotaru asks if he likes poems. Nishi says that he does, and he also tries writing poems himself. Hotaru is amazed and impressed.
Nishi says that the poems that he writes are probably not the same as the kind Hotaru is imagining. Hotaru then asks if Nishi also came to work at the bookstore because he loves books. She tells him that she noticed how gentle he was in handling books.
Hotaru's Sincerity
Nishi awkwardly answers, "Ah......Okay......" and Hotaru senses that the conversation is ending. However, Nishi tells Hotaru that she doesn't need to look out for him just because he's new or seems lonesome. He didn't come here to make friends.
Hotaru asks him if he's the type to prefer being alone. Nishi doesn't know how to answer that. Hotaru then says, "...Even if we don't become friends, I still want to be able to talk with you normally. Is that okay?"
Nishi scratches his head and says that he doesn't particularly dislike talking. He was just doing it for Hotaru, because he noticed from his first day that Hananoi was very wary of him. (He knows that Hananoi and Hotaru are dating.)
Hotaru frantically explains that Hananoi is just a more cautious person who needs more time to lower his guard around others. Nishi asks if Hotaru's boyfriend is some kind of wild animal (LOL)
"Hotaru...?"
Hotaru also asks Nishi not to address her as "senpai", because she is not older than him. Nishi goes, "Oh... Then..." and tries to recall what Hotaru's name is. He recalls her nametag but is not sure how to correctly read the kanji. He then recalls Hananoi shouting "Hotaru!" the previous day, so Nishi goes, "...Hotaru?"
Hotaru blushes instantly from shock at being called by her first name. Hananoi, who has just entered and heard what Nishi said, is also trembling from shock. Hotaru runs up to Hananoi to tell him that it's not what it seems.
Nishi, watching them, remarks to himself that the two of them are strange.
Hananoi's Thoughts
During break time at work, Hananoi thinks to himself that he really needs to be cautious of Nishi. However, he tells himself that he can't be like before, threatening others.
Hananoi angrily thinks to himself that Hotaru already introduced herself to Nishi before, yet Nishi claimed that he didn't know how to read the kanji for Hinase.
He tells himself to calm down by reading a book, and takes out the book Hotaru had returned to him - written by Hoshihama Ginji. Hananoi then notices the author's name. (The first character of Hoshihama is 星, which is a combination of the two characters for Hinase, 日生).
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