This is another first for Hotaru! Another girl wants to get to know her boyfriend! And it's her co-worker to boot
!
Somehow I'm not surprised Hananoi would be the type to rationalize not wanting friends so he could prioritize his lover and family, especially given he acts pretty closed off from anyone else, though I'm not sure if that's really healthy for him in the long run
.
Hotaru is finally getting relationship advice from her big sister! She really is growing up! Even if she's asking for relationship advice from a girl who has never had a boyfriend...though her big sis seems like a keeper
.
Taking their lunch date on the stairs to the school roof! Being a little naughty and sneaking in somewhere with your BF can be pretty romantic! Especially when you get locked in and have to snuggle up inside his vest and get all close and intimate while opening up to each other in close proximity! And Hananoi planned everything, you devious mastermind
.
Well, that's good! Satomura just was interested in Hananoi because he looked like her favorite idol, she had no intention of pursuing him romantically! And Hotaru's relief that another girl wasn't after Hananoi makes her start to reflect on her own feelings and desire for him
.
Poor Kyo having to carry Hotaru and her feelings so hard until she realizes she's genuinely in love...not to mention helping her prep for her date! It's cute seeing Hotaru dressed up a little and taking the lead with Hananoi with a "foolproof" date plan
.
I don't know what it says about Hananoi that he was interested in a book that got turned into a slasher movie...though no surprise Hotaru isn't into it. Though at least she had Hananoi ASMR to take her mind off of it
.
And then the date plan immediately goes off the rails...but it's a valuable lesson that sometimes you just need to let things flow naturally, whether it be checking out a ramen place together or even buying matching keychains without even knowing it
.
What better spot to end this date than a full-circle moment at the bench where they first met! And Hotaru saying she had fun, compared to all the girls who Hananoi had bad dates with, really hit hard for him. Because he wants Hotaro to be happy because she was there for him at his lowest, so much so that he'll take a ball to the head to protect her. Though the lap pillow made it worth it
.
Hananoi has always wanted someone to choose him, excelling in kindness and studies to make people want him, but it's never worked. All he had left was to give himself and all his feelings to someone, but he still doesn't think it could work. Yet it's enough to make Hotaro release all her feelings for him, everything she likes about him, as she confesses her love for him before she even realizes it. And finally understands she's in love
.