Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 5: OUR FIRST DATE

Hotaru is at work and her co-worker is begging her to introduce her to Hananoi.

Hotaru tells her friends and they explain to her that her co-worker has ulterior motives. However, Hotaru is so naïve that she can’t think that way. At lunch, she asks Hananoi if he wants to make a friend. He explains his reasoning why he doesn’t need friends. Hotaru then recalls a childhood friend asking her to help her with her crush. She is between a rock and a hard place. She consults her older sister with her dilemma. When she asks her older sister how she can make everyone happy, her sister gives her the best advice.

Hotaru decides that she is going to tell her co-worker that she can’t introduce them. At lunch with Hananoi, he notices that something is going on with Hotaru. He asks her, but she changes the subject. She notices it is cold. They notice the door to the roof is open. He suggests they go out to the roof. There, Hotaru exclaims how awesome the roof is. A strong cold breeze blows and the door to the roof closes. Hotaru and Hananoi are trapped on the roof. Before she can panic, Hananoi reminds her that they have their phones. She texts her friends to help her out. Hotaru is cold and Hananoi tries to give her his cardigan, but she refuses. Instead, she comes up with this solution:

Hotaru is freaking out and honestly thinks they might die from exposure if no one comes to save them. Using this opportunity, Hananoi asks her what has been on her mind. She finally opens up and tells him about the co-worker. He isn’t phased, and instead offers to turn her down himself so things won’t get awkward for Hotaru. Hananoi sneezes and Hotaru tells him to hold her tighter. He declines because he said it would be a bad idea. Out of nowhere, Hotaru asks him if he could drop the “no touching” rule. He holds her tight. They almost kiss, but are interrupted by the door opening. That’s when her friend drops the bomb that they weren’t actually locked out.

At her next shift, she tells her co-worker the truth, that Hananoi is her boyfriend. The co-worker makes it clear that she only wanted to get to know him because he looks like her favorite idol. Hotaru realizes she got worked up for no reason.

Hotaru has an upcoming date with Hananoi. She is out shopping with her friends and once again seeking their advice. They hint that she’s in love with him, but she is still not sure. When she meets with Hananoi, she’s running late. He notices that she looks cuter than normal. Their first stop is a movie. It is a horror movie and Hotaru gets scared easy. After the movie, she’s worried because she was hoping they could talk about the movie afterwards. Hananoi suggests lunch. However, the place she picked out was temporarily closed. She is pretty down on herself, but Hananoi comforts her and lets her know it is okay. They find a place for lunch and do some shopping. As a commemorative gift, Hotaru gifts him a dumpling keychain. He had bought her the same one! On their way back, she tells Hananoi that dates with him are fun. He recalls all the times girls told him he wasn’t fun on dates.

Hananoi walks Hotaru home and they end up at the park where they first met. Hananoi takes a soccer ball to the head while trying to protect Hotaru. Hotaru lets him sit in her lap where he tells her that the only thing he has left to give is himself. She begins to rattle off everything she feels for him. She exclaims she really, really likes him. In a sleepy stupor, Hananoi mumbles he would be very happy if it were true. The more she thinks about it, she thinks she might know what love feels like now.

THOUGHTS

We are finally getting somewhere! I think it is 100% cute that he tricked her into thinking they were locked out on the roof. However, without that catalyst, I don’t think she would have ever had the courage to ask him to stow away his no touching rule. I feel very sad for Hananoi. It seems he really wants someone to love him back and he has been very unlucky in love. He, too, is learning how to dial back a bit. He began pretty immaturely, but now, it seems, he has learned some self-control. However, I don’t think he has learned self-love. I am hoping Hotaru’s new found feelings for him help him dig out of the hole he seems to be in.