Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai 66 *SPOILERS*

READ HANANOI-KUN TO KOI NO YAMAI 65 SPOILERS HERE

Hotaru's Bold Decision

Hotaru updates Satomi and Yao (they are at karaoke together) that she plans to visit England by herself to meet Hananoi. 

Satomi is very surprised. Yao also says that he didn't expect Hotaru to make such a bold decision. Hotaru explains that she has always been approached or pulled along - she wants to try for once, doing something by herself. However, her parents were against it.

Yao offers to discuss and rethink Hotaru's strategy. Satomi then asks why she is included in this discussion - Yao and Hotaru innocently reply that it's because it seemed like the normal thing to do, and that Satomi is reliable. Satomi cries dramatically from feeling touched, and starts contributing ideas and her experiences enthusiastically (she has a lot of experience travelling solo to find her idols).

Biggest Concern

After settling the issues of travel funds (Hotaru has been working part-time so she has sufficient savings), Satomi points out that Hotaru's parents' greatest worry is safety. She suggests that if there can be an adult locally (in England) to act as a guardian, it will be more reassuring. The three of them crack their heads trying to think of someone suitable.

Assist from Hibiki and Shibamura

At Hotaru's home, Hotaru is now facing her parents together with Hibiki and Shibamura. Shibamura explains that she and Hozumi-sensei have known each other for a long time and that he is in Caterbury teaching kendo. Hozumi-sensei had shared that it's possible to secure an accommodation through his acquaintance. 

Hotaru's parents are worried about placing Hotaru's safety in the hands of a man, but Shibamura adds that the adult can be trusted. She also suggests arranging for a meeting prior to the trip so as to reassure them.

Hotaru also presents to her parents a notebook - it contains her detailed itinerary. She also says that she can contact them regularly while she is there if they are concerned.

Hibiki chimes in to lend her support and requests for Hotaru's parents to grant Hotaru this request.

Hotaru's Room

Later, the three friends are in Hotaru's room. Hotaru has obtained her parents' approval (though her father was very reluctant). Hotaru tearfully thanks her two friends. They pass her things useful for travelling, like a neck pillow and small bottles for toiletries.

Hotaru starts tearing up again, surprising Hibiki. Hotaru says that them and Yao have been so good to her and she feels blessed. Hibiki remarks that she's been wondering for a while if Yao actually likes Hotaru. Hotaru remains quiet. Shibamura then says that everyone just wants to lend their support, because it's Hotaru.

After that, Hotaru's parents and Hotaru meet the acquaintance through video call, Hotaru gets her passport made, and she does some more research on England. Yao also helps Hotaru with speaking English.

Yao and Satomi

The two of them are chilling at a fast food place and Satomi expresses her surprise at Yao informing her that he won't be going to send Hotaru off. She says that it wouldn't be weird if he went, since he is an important friend to Hotaru. Yao shares that he thinks he won't see Hotaru anymore, because he's moving away (to a neighbouring city). Satomi is shocked again.

Yao explains that the move is because of his mother's recent incident. His family is moving to where his grandmother is so that everyone can be less worried. He adds that he already tried approaching Hotaru in his own way, even if it was just a little bit - and he feels refreshed.

Satomi looks at him and thinks to herself that Yao's expression does not show that he is feeling refreshed at all.

Yao's Thoughts

Yao is packing his belongings at home, getting ready for the move. His dog Hotaru comes to accompany him. There are some flashbacks of Yao's memories from when he was young - his father comforting him when he cried, someone in the hospital (I think it was his father? I don't remember if his father has passed away) telling him that they are leaving mother and his siblings to him, Yao crying to his dog Hotaru but remaining stoic in front of his crying siblings, his interactions with Hotaru in elementary school and middle school, girls who liked him, and Hotaru's crying face.

He recalls Hotaru's words to him: "I know how happy it made me when you were kind to me when it looked like I was going to cry. That's why, I've always wanted to become someone like you, Yao-kun."

Meanwhile, Hotaru is packed up and ready to leave her home. Her parents see her off at home. Her father asks Hotaru to help clear up the misunderstanding Hananoi still has about her grandfather. Hotaru says okay and leaves.

Yao and Satomi (again)

Satomi manages to locate Yao after he leaves the school gate and wants to drag him to the airport to see Hotaru off. Yao tries to say that he's fine and it's a bad idea to go. However, Satomi gets upset and says that she hates seeing a kind person get nothing in return. She doesn't want the person she likes to think that he's at fault and simply decide to end his love.

Yao is surprised at her words, and before he can respond fully, Satomi blurts out loudly her confession - she likes Yao. However, Yao can only apologize to her. Satomi wipes her tears and smiles at Yao and says that she understands. She also apologizes for breaking their promise.

A while later, the two of them alight from a train. Satomi explains that Hotaru has reached the airport, so Yao will need to find her before she reaches the customs clearance. She also says that Yao will have to go by himself from here on, but Yao gives her a dejected look. He asks her to give him a punch as they had agreed.

Satomi gives him a huge slap on his back and tells him with a smile that it's the final stretch.

Yao and Hotaru

Yao runs with all his might towards the airport, telling himself that this is the time to act on his instincts.

He spots Hotaru going up an escalator and calls out to her. "Hinase! Hina... HOTARU!!"

Hotaru hears him and turns back to go towards him. He tells Hotaru, "Good luck...! Do your best!! I... I'm really glad that I was able to meet you!! If it weren't for you, Hotako, I'm sure I would have come to hate myself someday...!!"

Hotaru stops in her tracks at tears up, going, "...Me too. If I could live my life being straightforward... I would...". She thinks about Yao in their elementary school days. Hotaru then says that to answer a question he once asked her, her answer is, I liked you, Yao-kun!!

She says that because of the Non-chan incident, she didn't know if she could say that she was good friends with Yao, but she was truly happy. Happy that he talked to her, and happy that he was kind to her. It also made her very happy to be called Hotako by him. She will definitely never forget what they went through, because it's her life's treasure.

Both of them with tears in their eyes, Yao says, "Goodbye, Hotako. Goodbye." and Hotaru answers, "Yeah...! I'll be going now." They shake hands.

Afterwards

Satomi is still waiting at the train station, fidgeting, waiting for Yao. When Yao appears next to her, she stammers and says that she was wondering whether to wait or not. 

Yao asks her if they'll be friends no matter what happens. Satomi looks relieved at his words. She then asks Yao if he managed to meet Hotaru. Yao says that he did, but when he saw Hotaru in person, the words that came out were completely different from what he had been thinking. Nonetheless, he's glad he fell in love. Yao's tears are spilling down his face while he says that.

Satomi smiles, then gives him another slap on the back, saying that he did his best.