Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 55 *SPOILERS*
READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 54 SPOILERS HERE
Interactions with Nishi
On another day at work at the bookstore, Nishi approaches Hotaru to ask about work. He calls her "Hotaru", which inadvertently still causes Hotaru to feel a little uncomfortable.
She narrates/ recaps that Nishi is a new co-worker at the bookstore who is older than her. Contrary to his outwardly appearance, he is a serious bookworm, but he and Hananoi don't seem to get along that well (Hananoi is always watching intently whenever Hotaru interacts with Nishi). Hotaru notices how Hananoi seems to be sighing more recently.
After work, Hotaru and Hananoi are walking together. Hotaru brings up that the next day will be Yao's last day at work and it feels as if she hasn't seen him for a long time. Hananoi seems a little distracted, but he agrees with what Hotaru says.
Hotaru then stops Hananoi and says that he has been listless since the semester started. She asks if it's because he is still wary of Nishi (even though what's bothering Hananoi is in fact the book that he lent to Hotaru and how the old man he knows is possibly Hotaru's grandfather).
Hananoi asks if his behavior towards Nishi is that obvious. Hotaru answers that she can sometimes feel his gaze. Hananoi apologizes, because he felt that he was already trying to minimize it. Hotaru tells him to let her know whenever he feels uneasy about it. She also offers to hug him.
Taking up the offer for a hug, Hananoi wraps his arms around Hotaru and says that she's really cool. Hotaru replies that she just wants him to always be smiling. Hananoi looks touched and answers that he hopes to be able to smile together with Hotaru forever.
Next Day
At work in the bookstore, Nishi greets Hotaru good morning and she answers in kind. Hananoi notices how Nishi is still addressing Hotaru by her first name and thinks to himself that he still finds Nishi an eyesore.
Yao is surprised to see Nishi and asks Hananoi who he is, because it seems to Yao that Nishi was able to quickly integrate himself into the workplace (Yao also noticed that Nishi called Hotaru by her first name). He also asks Hananoi if Hananoi is fine with this.
Hotaru notices Yao and Hananoi chatting and approaches them. Yao greets her and she answers back, "Long time no see. It feels lonely knowing that it's your last day, but please still take care of me."
Yao's Last Day
During work, Yao notices how Hotaru guides Nishi and thinks to himself that she still works as hard.
Some children approach Yao to say that they want to purchase a book. Yao realizes that it's his two younger siblings. Even their mother is here at the bookstore. They giggle at Yao's shyness when he asks why they are here. They explain that it's because it's his last day at work. His mother says that she has always wanted to see what her son is like at work - and reassures him that she finished her work before coming. Yao nags that she must have not gotten enough sleep again and asks her to take better care of herself.
When Yao's family leave, Hotaru giggles and says to him that he has a good relationship with his family. Yao says that he's been embarrassed, but Hotaru reassures him that it's fine, since she also likes to visit her older sister at her job.
Satomi arrives at the bookstore. She greets Yao and explains that she didn't have any plans before the farewell party, so she came early. Yao asks courteously if it's really fine that they are having a farewell party for him, as he's only worked for a year. Satomi answers that this is just like having a final concert for an idol who's exiting the industry - it would be really lonely to not have a party. She then says see you later.
Closing Shop
The bookstore is now closed for the day. Hotaru, Hananoi, Yao, Nishi and Kuroe are all packing up the store. Kuroe then says that they can leave for the day.
Yao takes a look around the store and thinks to himself that another ordinary work day ended uneventfully. He thinks back to the conversations that he had with Hotaru in the store: "Ah--! Hotako? What a coincidence--!" "--W-we are friends!" "I really look up to you! I've always admired you!" "Thank you for everything."
Yao swipes his staff card to log the hours for the final time. He and Hotaru say, "Otsukare-sama deshita" to each other. Hananoi informs them that he still needs to help Kuroe with some tasks, so he says for the two of them to head to the farewell party first. Yao and Hotaru offer to stay to help, but Hananoi says that he knows where the farewell party is, so it's fine.
On the way to the farewell party
Hotaru and Yao are walking together and there's a bit of an awkward silence. Hotaru breaks the tension by asking Yao why he resigned. She asks if it was because of what happened with Non-chan. However, Yao says it isn't - he explains that it's because he wants to prepare for college entrance exams.
Hotaru is confused. Yao reminds Hotaru that come next spring, they are going to be third years in high school. Hotaru is at first relieved to know that it was because of such a reason, but then Yao's reminder makes her depressed all of a sudden (because she totally forgot about college exams).
Yao reassures her that she will be fine, since she's always been diligent with her studies. Still in worry mode, Hotaru tells Yao that her grades are only average at best.
Yao chuckles, but tells Hotaru that he sincerely believes that no matter what Hotaru does in the future, she will definitely be all right. Hotaru calms down at his words and says that he always puts others at ease. Yao makes a painful smile to himself upon hearing Hotaru's words.
Farewell Party
When Hotaru and Yao arrive at the farewell party, they find the rest of their co-workers already waiting enthusiastically. Yao is immediately grabbed away by the co-workers, so Hotaru goes to sit with Satomi, who is sitting with Nishi. Nishi says that he came because he heard that there's free meat, but Satomi corrects him that only youths under the age of 20 get free meat.
Hotaru smiles and thinks to herself that Nishi is starting to get along with the others. While grilling their meat, Hotaru remarks that Yao is really popular with all their co-workers. Satomi explains that it's because he took many morning shifts during the winter break, so everyone was very impressed with him. Nishi comments that Yao seems like the type to be gentle with everyone. Satomi adds enthusiastically that more than being gentle, Yao is the embodiment of kindness.
Nishi asks Satomi if she likes Yao, which surprises Satomi. However, Nishi also asks Hotaru if she likes Yao (Satomi is relieved when she realizes that Nishi was asking about "like" in the broad sense, and not romantically).
Hotaru answers that rather than like, she respects Yao a lot. When Nishi and Satomi look confused, she explains that Yao had helped her on many occasions, so she hopes to become someone like Yao. Nishi agrees that Yao really does seem like a good person.
Yao's Contact Info
Hotaru then says that she would like to ask Yao for his contact information later. Satomi is surprised to find out that Hotaru has not had his contact details the whole time. She asks Hotaru if it's because Hotaru was being mindful of Hananoi's feelings.
Before Hotaru can answer, a confused Nishi asks why Hananoi is involved in the topic. Satomi explains that it's because some people prefer their significant other to not interact with people of the opposite gender. Nishi says in a somewhat disapproving manner, "Just because the other person is of the opposite gender, it becomes not okay to ask for their contact details? That's gotta be really troublesome. Apart from your significant other, there would also be people you'd want to keep in contact with, wouldn't there?"
Hotaru thinks of her earlier interaction with Yao and doesn't say anything while Satomi tries to explain further, but Hananoi and Kuroe arrive, effectively ending the conversation there.
Hananoi spots Hotaru and approaches their table. Nishi is about to ask Hananoi something, but Satomi interrupts him, standing up and pushing Hananoi away to get him to write the farewell card for Yao. Hotaru and Nishi are left behind to continue grilling meat.
Meanwhile, Hotaru continues gripping onto her phone, occasionally looking at Yao.
Hananoi and Yao
After eating for a while, Yao gets up from his seat and goes down a flight of stairs to take a break from the socializing. He spots Hananoi at the bottom of the stairs. He asks Hananoi what he is doing.
Hananoi is actually drafting a farewell message for Yao on his phone, but answers Yao that he is checking the weather forecast.
Yao goes next to Hananoi to stand and talk, and thanks him for coming to the farewell party. Hananoi stiffly answers that there's no need for thanks, as he is here just to make sure that Hotaru gets home safe after the event.
Yao says that the two of them haven't seen each other in a while, but Hananoi seems listless. Hananoi tells Yao not to use his kindness on him, which makes Yao laugh. Yao says that it should be fine, since he's about to leave.
After a moment's silence, Hananoi says, "...I'm sorry." to Yao, which causes Yao to ask why. Hananoi answers, "For the reason you're resigning... and also for what happened last time."
Just then, Hotaru appears at the top of the stairs and spots the two boys (but they don't notice her). She's about to approach them, but Hananoi continues, "Anyway... even so, I'm still breathing a sigh of relief at your resignation... so, I'm sorry."
Hotaru's eyes widen and she pauses in her movements. She then turns to leave. Meanwhile, the two boys continue talking.
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