Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 65 *SPOILERS*

READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 64 SPOILERS HERE

*It's a long chapter!*

Yao?

Picking up from the previous chapter, Hotaru is at the library to study and meets Yao at the same table. They are both surprised to see each other.

Hotaru: Long time no see...! Yao-kun, you've been studying here, too?

Yao: ...Yea, my home is nearby.

Hotaru: Um... your mum, how has she been...

Yao: Ah, she's been discharged and is well now...

Their conversation in the library draws glares from other library users, so the two of them decide to leave the library.

Outside the Library

Hotaru and Yao are now sitting on a bench outside.

Yao: Sheesh, when I said, 'I don't want to stay up all night!!', everyone got really mad. Makoto started saying that she would sleep with mum every day to keep an eye on her.

Hotaru: Hehe, such a wonderful family.

Yao: ...Hinase, how are things with Hananoi lately?

Hotaru: ...Ah, um... to tell you the truth, we... broke up last month...

Yao: HUH?! You gotta be kidding... EH?!!

Hotaru: *looks uncomfortable*

Yao: Um... is it okay if I ask why...?

Hotaru: ...Yes.

Hotaru: It's something like... it's no good if we're together. When we're together, I'm not the same person that Saki-kun fell in love with. Saki-kun has to keep sacrificing himself... Even though we like each other, there are things that aren't good when two of us are together.

Yao: ......*lets out a big sigh*

Hotaru: Huh?! Yao-kun, why are you letting out such a huge sigh?!!

Yao: Sorry... Just letting out my emotions for a bit...

Yao thinks to himself, 'Hananoi... that guy...'

Hotaru stands up and ends the conversation by apologizing for making Yao listen to her and taking up his study time. Yao responds that it's fine. He says that he has to return home to make lunch and asks Hotaru if she comes to the library to study often. Hotaru answers that she does, because she can't make progress at home.

Yao: ...See you again, maybe.

Hotaru: Alright, good luck to both of us with studying!

At the Book Store

Hotaru closes her locker at the book store, getting ready for work. She thinks to herself, ' "Hinase"... huh...'

When she steps out into the main book store area, she spots Nishi restocking the bookshelves.

Nishi: Saki's replacement is figuring out if they want to be in charge of the cash register or arranging the shelves.

Hotaru: I see...

Nishi: That guy, I wonder if he'll resign like this?

Hotaru: Eh...

Nishi: Haven't you heard? He approached the manager, asking to resign (because his broken arm would cause trouble). Apparently, the boss decided to put it on hold and asked him to think about it after his arm healed... Well, it's already been a month since.

Hotaru thinks to herself that somehow, it feels like Hananoi is really going to disappear.

Phone Call

At home, Hotaru is studying, but also talking on the phone with her older sister Kagari.

Hotaru: At this rate, maybe we won't be able to meet again.

Kagari: I can't deny that it's possible...

Hotaru: *devastated*

Kagari: I also only keep in touch with a few friends from junior high and high school. Maintaining connections requires mutual effort... it's unexpectedly difficult... When I think about it this way, our life is full of farewells.

The sisters end their phone call. Hotaru sighs and slumps onto her table.

Hotaru wonders to herself if what Hananoi said to her about coming to see her again is still valid. She also wonders if he'll be able to graduate after missing so many days of school. She looks it up on her phone and breathes a sigh of relief when she verifies that he will be fine.

Her eyes fall on a postcard that Hananoi sent to her before. Holding it, she repeats Kagari's words to herself, "Our life... farewells..."

What Yao's Up To

Yao is outside a convenience store with a guy friend, taking a break and having some snacks.

Friend: Eh!! Being vulnerable after a break up is the best opportunity!!

Yao: *chokes on his drink*

Friend: Don't miss this chance! Invite her out on a date!

Yao: That's not what I meant...

Friend: Because no matter how I look at it, you like Hotako-chan.

Yao: Damn... We've been hanging out together for too long, this is troublesome...

(Yao and his friend have known each other since 3rd year of elementary school.)

Friend: Don't drag out the mistake you made when you were a kid forever (though I don't personally think it was a mistake.) There's no reason to hold back anymore, so you can do whatever you want. I want to see it~ Souhei's desperation.

Yao looks troubled and hesitant.

Another day at the library

Hotaru and Yao are seated near each other in the library. Both look dispirited. Yao looks like he can't take it anymore and slips a note to Hotaru.

"You haven't progressed from the same page since just now - are you okay?"

When Hotaru sees the note and looks at Yao, she finds him already standing up and bag packed.

They head out of the library together again.

Yao: Are you not feeling well after all?

Hotaru: ...Lately, there have been days where I don't think about Saki-kun, so I thought it was getting better...

Yao: ... Then, do you want to go out to play today?

Hotaru: Eh?

Yao: I'm also tired of studying today.

Hotaru: Ah... um... but...

Yao: We've both been through a lot lately. Sometimes, we should just enjoy ourselves without thinking about anything. How about it?

Hotaru remembers her teacher's words about making time to not think about it. She seems convinced to go along with Yao's suggestion.

Oyako Don

Hotaru and Yao are at an eatery and Hotaru is served oyakodon, covered in a claypot. Her expression is still downcast before she removes the cover, but instantly brightens up when she sees the oyakodon.

Gasping, she marvels at the golden shine of the dish. She also tears up a little when eating it, saying that it's delicious, as expected of a famous restaurant with long queues. She remarks that she can hear the sound of her heart being forcibly healed (her mood is improving).

Yao: ...That's great. I thought that you might like it. I guess I was right.

Hotaru: Eh, what made you think that way?

Yao: That time I showed you the oyakodon that I made...

(There's a tiny flashback of Hotaru taking a picture of Yao's bento, which was oyakodon. She was marveling at how delicious it looked.)

Hotaru (embarrassed): Uwuh- That's because Yao-kun is such a good cook... the bentos that you sometimes make and bring to work always look delicious.

Yao: ! Eh, ah... What... could it be that you wanted to try it?

Hotaru: Eh?!! No... That's not the case!! You're mista... (trying very hard to deny it)

Yao: Haha, you're honest~ If you'd said so, I would make it for you.

Hotaru: I can't possibly ask that of you. Besides, Sa-... (I think she was going to talk about Hananoi)

Hotaru: Nothing!

Yao: ! Ah... That was insensitive of me. Sorry, I unintentionally...

Hotaru: ...

Yao: ...

Hotaru: Maybe I was wrong about this too...

Yao: It's not wrong. ...It's not.

Yao looks earnest and serious when he says that. Hotaru looks a little surprised.

To ease the tension, Yao follows up with, "...I say that, but I don't fully understand it."

Yao changes the topic by reminding Hotaru to eat up, as today is supposed to be an enjoyable day. He also suggests for them to head out to a further place after eating. Hotaru agrees.

While eating the rest of her oyakodon, Hotaru thinks to herself that the atmosphere between them right now is...

She glances at Yao, sitting opposite her and finds him gazing fondly at her. She flinches a little from surprise and awkwardly looks down at her food again. She thinks to herself that Yao's atmosphere today is somehow a little different than usual.

Later, it's very crowded when they try to board the train, so they get squeezed together in close proximity. The crowd pushes them, but Yao holds an arm respectfully and protectively behind Hotaru to ensure that she's safe. His gestures are noticed by Hotaru, who looks at him and notices that he's blushing a little.

New Destination

Hotaru and Yao arrive at an amusement park. Hotaru is surprised. Yao goes away for a moment and returns to put a cat ears headband on Hotaru.

Hotaru is very surprised and Yao cheerfully says that being immersed is important. Hotaru panics and tries to pay Yao back for it, but Yao says that it's to thank her for going along with his selfish suggestions. Hotaru pays back by getting Yao a bear hood, so that they're equally embarrassed.

Hotaru looks distracted by some people - there is a couple on a ride, and another couple with a young child.

Yao snaps Hotaru out of her distraction by calling out to her and asking if she's come to this amusement park before. Hotaru answers that it's her first time. Yao then suggests that they go and have fun. Hotaru smiles and agrees.

Having Fun

The two of them scream on the roller coaster, have fun at a shooting game, enjoy some churros. Hotaru looks briefly distracted by a couple at a kebab stand again, but quickly rejoins Yao.

Later, the two of them exit the haunted house, heaving a sigh of relief. Hotaru remarks that it's her first time going to a haunted house, but the screams of the other guests were more scary than the props itself. (The two of them were frightened by other guests who were screaming and running towards them from behind.)

While walking around with Yao, Hotaru thinks to herself, '...I'm glad, I'm enjoying myself. I wonder if it's okay... to spend my time like this? I shouldn't be weirdly conscious just because it's Yao-kun. Treat him like any other friend and keep in touch. Don't think about sad things and just have fun with the people around me...'

Hotaru's eyes land on the ferris wheel. She's suddenly reminded of Hananoi telling her, "Hotaru-chan, we're nearly at the top.", and all of her memories with Hananoi come flooding back into her mind.

Emotional

Hotaru's eyes well up with tears. Yao doesn't see her expression, so he asks Hotaru where she wants to go next.

However, in response, Hotaru suddenly smacks herself, shocking Yao.

Hotaru (hiding her face and wiping her tears): Sorry, I messed up. It's nothing, so give me a minute. Gotta think only about... fun things...

Yao looks at Hotaru, then at the ferris wheel. We then see that Yao did notice the few times Hotaru was distracted earlier. He looks a little disappointed, but wipes away his sadness quickly with a gentle smile.

Yao: Ah--... It's impossible after all, I'm not cut out for this kind of thing. Hinase, let's change the purpose of today. Let's make today a day where we think about Hananoi a lot. Could you tell me what you liked about Hananoi?

Hotaru's tears are spilling down her face as she sobs while Yao holds her.

Talking About Hananoi

Hotaru and Yao are still in the amusement park, but seated in an open area. Hotaru is still sobbing.

Hotaru: ...Our life is full of farewells.

Yao: What? All of a sudden...

Hotaru: My older sister said that. When... I thought about how we might never be able to meet again, I was scared...

Yao: ...You liked him so much and yet still broke up?

Hotaru: In the end, when I'm with him, he puts me first and doesn't take care of himself... Perhaps it is better if we aren't together...

Yao: Hmm... But is that something that would be resolved by breaking up with Hinase? He doesn't seem like the type to take care of himself even when he's not with you...

Hotaru imagines Hananoi running in front of an oncoming car to protect a dog.

Hotaru: .........It's true...!!!

Yao: Haha, right? What else? Here, tell me everything.

Hotaru: ...Um, he said that he likes me because I care about everyone... Previously, I broke a promise I made to Saki-kun. It was something that made me very sad.

Yao: About that, could it be the day that my mother collapsed?

Hotaru: *nods*

Yao: Ah--- I'm sorry. No wonder you looked dressed up that day...

Hotaru: Because of that, I prioritized Saki-kun over other people for a while. Despite that... it seemed like he was doing everything he could to restrain himself...

Yao: Woah, that's difficult.

Hotaru: I'm sure there were some parts where I went too far... but was it really that bad?

Yao: Hm, I don't understand how he feels, but I think he lacks a bit of self-confidence. Did you prioritize him only out of guilt?

Hotaru (tearing up again): ...I don't know. But I didn't want Saki-kun to remain hurt...... I want him to always be happy, and I would do anything to make it happen.

Yao: That's love. That's called special treatment.

Hotaru starts sobbing again.

Hotaru: ...But what if, he doesn't like the me who's changed from the time we first met... what am I going to do...

Yao's Reassurance

Yao looks at Hotaru sobbing and now understands that Hotaru has been feeling anxious about this.

He goes to crouch down in front of Hotaru and gently holds her hands. 

Yao: Listen, Hinase. There is nothing wrong with the thoughts and choices you made at that time. From what the two of you... what Hinase has shown me, I guarantee it. Even if you didn't give the perfect answer at the time, the fact that you are always facing the person honestly will get the message properly across.

Hotaru: Yao-kun...

Yao: You have to face your anxiousness directly. How about it? Sometimes you can attack from here.

Hotaru: ...Bu-

Yao: Bu?

Hotaru: But... we've already broken up... Isn't it... overbearing?

Yao looks surprised at first, then he bursts out laughing.

Yao: Who are you shying away from? Just go for it, Hinase. Show that Hananoi your love, enough to make him cringe a little!!

Just as Hotaru is encouraged by Yao, we see that her phone receives a few messages from Kagari.

"Sorry, Hotaru. Just to add on to our conversation from back then. I thought about it - relationships between people are easily broken, so that's why, if you want to maintain the connection, perhaps you have to be the one to make the first move."

Hananoi

Far away in another country, Hananoi is on a bench, looking out over a vast grassland.

A bespectacled boy calls out to him. They converse in English.

Boy: Hey, Saki! I knew you'd be here! You're spacing out. Thinking about something?

Hananoi: I was thinking about how long it would take to walk to Japan from here.

Boy: Ah! I see! The one from Ginji's book, right? I wanna read the continuation soon!

The narration reads: The earth is connected. If I walk on this ground, this sight tells me that someday, I'll be able to return to you.

In the last page of this chapter, we see Hotaru arriving at an airport, suggesting that she's flown overseas to look for Hananoi.