Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 57 *SPOILERS*
READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 56 SPOILERS HERE
Investigation
Hananoi is about to start his shift at the bookshop. He had decided in the previous chapter to find out more information about Hotaru's grandfather and the identity of Hoshihama Ginji (the author of the book he lent to Hotaru).
He wonders to himself how he should go about it, as Hotaru probably doesn't know anything.
As he enters the employee's resting area, he spots Hotaru and Nishi talking to each other.
Poems
Hotaru is impressed while looking at Nishi's phone, asking if he wrote them himself - she's looking at his poems. Nishi confirms that he writes lyrics that are like poems, and Hotaru marvels again.
Hotaru notices Hananoi enter and calls out to him. She quickly asks Nishi if she can show Hananoi his phone, which Nishi consents to, and tells Hananoi that Nishi dabbles in music and lyrics.
Hananoi isn't very interested, but takes a look and listens to the music. Hotaru says that the song is wonderful. Nishi embarrassedly and awkwardly thanks Hotaru for the compliments.
Getting up, Hotaru says that her break is almost over. She asks Nishi for permission to follow his account, then goes back to work.
Hananoi and Nishi
There's a short, awkward silence between the two guys after Hotaru leaves. Hananoi decides to read a book.
Nishi asks, "...Saki-kun, what are you reading?". Hananoi flinches from being called by his first name. He then tells Nishi not to call him that. However, Nishi answers that this was how Hotaru called him. Hananoi asks Nishi to also not refer to Hotaru by her first name.
Nishi is silent for a second, then begins to say something, but then decides against it halfway. Hananoi asks him to say it (because people starting something and stopping halfway makes him feel more concerned).
Nishi asks Hananoi if he is someone who is reliant on love. When Hananoi goes, "Huh?", Nishi continues, saying that he finds romance a hassle, so Hananoi doesn't need to be that cautious of him.
Nishi says that Hananoi being so uptight like this will cause Hotaru to have to be more considerate of his feelings. He blurts out that during Yao's farewell party, Hotaru had wanted to ask Yao for his contact details, but decided against it in the end, out of consideration for Hananoi's feelings.
Nishi then realizes what he uttered and thinks to himself that he was being nosy. However, Hananoi, having already heard what he said, asks, "...What did you say?" and Nishi answers, "Hm? I said, because Hotaru was thinking of your feelings..."
Hananoi has an unreadable expression on his face. Nishi looks at him for a moment, then scratches his head and gets up from his seat, telling Hananoi not to mind him. Hananoi remains in his seat, silent.
After Work
It's raining. Hananoi and Hotaru are walking along the streets with their umbrellas. Hotaru asks Hananoi about what they should bring to the upcoming school trip. Hananoi suggests that they go shopping together for the items during their next break. Hotaru then asks if they should also watch a movie at his house before shopping.
While they happily discuss their plans, Hananoi wonders to himself why Hotaru did not bring up the issue of Yao's contact details with him. He thinks, '...Well, even if she did, I doubt that I would have been able to manage my reaction.'
He continues thinking, 'The fact that Hotaru-chan would do that, is because she cares about my feelings... so I should be happy about it, right...?'
Hananoi then stops himself from thinking, telling himself that he's overthinking things. Instead of being concerned about what Hotaru did, he tells himself that there's a more pressing issue at hand.
Hananoi's Feelings
Hotaru notices that Hananoi is being silent and calls out to him, looking concerned. Hananoi quickly apologizes. However, Hotaru still looks concerned.
After a pause, Hananoi asks Hotaru if he can kiss her. Hotaru is surprised, but after checking around them to make sure that they're alone, she accepts a kiss from Hananoi underneath their umbrellas.
While Hotaru is still blushing, Hananoi apologizes and tells her that he needs some courage. Hotaru asks, "Courage...?", and Hananoi tells her that he will be able to explain everything to her during their next date. He reassures her that he will not do anything to betray or disappoint her.
Hananoi's Visit
On another day, Hananoi is outside of Hotaru's house and he presses the doorbell. Hotaru's mother opens the door, surprised to see him. She tells him that Hotaru is not at home, but Hananoi replies that he is not visiting today to see Hotaru. Hananoi asks if Hotaru's father is also at home, but unfortunately he is not.
Indoors, with a cup of tea, Hananoi apologizes to Hotaru's mother for visiting so suddenly without informing beforehand. He explains that this is an issue he is not comfortable asking for Hotaru's help to investigate.
About Hoshihama Ginji
Hananoi begins by asking Hotaru's mother if she knows Hoshihama Ginji.
Some time passes as Hananoi explains things off-panel. Hotaru's mother then says, "...I see, no wonder... I was thinking that it was strange, how Hotaru was suddenly reading her grandfather's book. Now I know that it was Hananoi-kun who lent her the book."
Hananoi connects the dots and asks, "So he is indeed..."
Real Identity
Hotaru's mother states that Hoshihama Ginji is the pen name of Hotaru's grandfather. His real name is Hinase Ryouji. She then marvels at the fact that Hananoi and Hotaru's grandfather are acquainted.
Hananoi asks why Hotaru doesn't know that the book was written by her grandfather. Hotaru's mother says that it's a long story, but the gist of it is because her husband didn't get along with Hotaru's grandfather. Hananoi recalls how Hotaru's father had shared (in Chapter 53) that Hotaru's grandfather wasn't around even when Hotaru's grandmother was ill and dying.
Hotaru's mother elaborates that when Hotaru was still very young, Hotaru's father and grandfather would often get into arguments related to Hotaru's grandmother, and that resulted in them becoming estranged. Hence, they never really talked about Hotaru's grandfather.
Grandfather's Life
Hotaru's mother shares that Hotaru's father only became more open-minded after Hotaru's grandfather passed away. Before that, Hotaru's grandfather was a sensitive topic - Hotaru and her sisters probably sensed it unconsciously.
Hananoi now understands why Hotaru did not recognize her grandfather even when they were all playing at the park together last time. Hotaru's mother adds that Hotaru's grandfather probably visited that park because he wanted to see how his granddaughter was doing, before he passed away.
Hotaru's parents only found out after the passing, but Hotaru's grandfather had a terminal illness then. Hotaru's mother continues sharing that Hotaru's grandfather was someone who didn't like showing weakness - he had also battled his illness for a long time, outliving his expected remaining lifespan before passing away. He even only passed away in the end because of an accident.
Hananoi and Ginji-san
Hotaru's mother marvels at how Hananoi's fate and life seems so intertwined with the Hinase family. She asks Hananoi what his relationship with Hotaru's grandfather was like.
Hananoi shares that Hotaru's grandfather was like a safe harbour for him. When he was young and moved here, he wasn't able to make any friends and had a hard time getting along with his grandmother's family (recall Chapter 51), so Hotaru's grandfather was his only friend. Hananoi would chat with him about love, family, and Hananoi enjoyed listening to his stories about his travels and memories.
Hananoi realizes out loud why he lost contact with Hotaru's grandfather after he started high school - it was because Hotaru's grandfather was ill then. Hananoi then suddenly recalls the last phone call he had with Hotaru's grandfather.
Time of Death
Hananoi asks Hotaru's mother when Hotaru's grandfather passed away. She shares that it was around April.
Later, on the way back home, Hananoi recalls that during the last phone call he had with Hotaru's grandfather (Chapter 47), Hotaru's grandfather had asked to meet up on April 6th, because it was Hananoi's birthday. However, back then, Hananoi had said to him ,"Actually... My parents are supposed to arrive back in Japan that day.", and Hotaru's grandfather had answered, "Well, that's good to hear! They've been gone a while! I'm sure they'll throw a big celebration to make up for it!"
Hananoi staggers and collapses onto a nearby lamp post. He then thinks about how Hotaru had mentioned (in Chapter 54) that she wanted to meet her grandfather.
Back at home, Hananoi collapses onto his bed, tears in his eyes. He tells himself that he has to explain everything to Hotaru tomorrow, during their date, because he promised her to. He recalls what Keigo told him in the previous chapter about Hotaru being accepting and understanding, and reassures himself that everything will be fine.
On the way to the date
The next day, Hotaru is at home picking out her clothes for her date with Hananoi. Her mother peeks into her room and chuckles about how Hotaru and Hananoi are getting along well. However, she recalls Hananoi's parting words to her yesterday: "About Ryouji-san... please allow me to tell Hotaru-chan about it myself." and thinks to herself that Hotaru is in for a shock.
Hotaru's mother informs her that it's started to snow, so if the trains are halted when she needs to return home, she can call to ask for a pick up.
Hotaru is now on a bus and texts Hananoi to inform that she will be arriving at the train station at 12.25pm. Hananoi replies that he will be waiting at the gantry.
At the train station, Hotaru notices two children who seem lost. The younger sister is urging her brother to hurry up and figure out their directions. Hotaru feels like she recognizes the children.
The boy can't seem to figure out what to do and panics, while his younger sister starts crying, "Hurry up--! If you don't, mummy's gonna die--!!". The boy chastises his sister.
Hotaru goes up to the children, asking, "U-um... Are you two... Yao-kun's younger siblings...?"
Meanwhile, Hananoi is waiting inside the train station for Hotaru, telling himself, '...It'll be okay. I'll be fine as long as I see Hotaru-chan.'
He pleads, "Hurry over... Hotaru-chan."
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