Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 7: MY FIRST CONFESSION

Hotaru tells Hananoi about her past. She tells him a rumor went around the school that she had a crush on a boy that her friend liked. Hotaru admits she didn’t do enough to reassure her friend. In retaliation, the friend cut her hair. She saw that love changed people and she wanted to understand that feeling. She asks Hananoi if change scares him. He reassures her that love doesn’t have to be negative. People can change for the better. Handing him a box of chocolates, she confesses that she is in love with Hananoi.

Unfortunately, she probably doesn’t receive the reaction she was expecting. With doubt, Hananoi asks her if she is sure about her feelings.

Hotaru explains that her friend told her love means different things to different people. She tells Hananoi that her love may not be identical to his, but she is sure it is love. Hananoi then explains his love. He wants to be with her all the time. She means more to him than friends or family. He feels he doesn’t need anyone else.

After confessing the desires of his heart, he asks Hotaru if she could still love someone like that. Before she could answer, Hananoi’s grandmother shows up unannounced. The grandmother is not happy that Hananoi has a girl alone. Hotaru stammers that they were only backing a chocolate cake together. She quickly gathers he things and announces that she is going home. Hananoi walks her to the station. In a surprise move, Hananoi suggests that they shouldn’t see each other for awhile. He wants her to seriously think about whether what she feels is love and whether she can see herself with someone like him. Confused, she leaves. Then she receives a text. Hananoi tells her they should stop walking to school together and eating lunch together.

The next day at work, Hananoi doesn’t show up to walk her home. He stopped messaging her as well. Hoping it was a text from Hananoi, it was only her mother asking her to stop by the store. While there, she runs into Hananoi’s grandmother. His grandmother apologizes for snapping at them and even thanks Hotaru for calling her when Hananoi was sick. They go out for coffee together. Hotaru tells his grandmother about the things they have been doing together which makes the grandmother happy her grandson is enjoying his high school life. Hotaru asks the grandmother why Hananoi lives alone. The grandmother explains they travel to poor countries to help children who can’t afford medical care. However, the grandmother hints that they care about other children more than their own.

Back at home, Hotaru struggles with not being around Hananoi. She pens a long text message only to erase it. She realizes that she is lonely and texts him a simple:

Feeling down, she lays down to go to sleep. Suddenly, her phone starts to ring. Hananoi is out of breath. He had run to her house. Hotaru tells her mom she’s going to the konbini. Upon seeing Hananoi, she runs into his arms.

Hotaru explains her feelings to Hananoi and asks him if he could go out with someone like her. He tears up. As she goes to wipe the tears from his face, he grabs her hand and tells her:

In a flashback, young Hananoi is sitting on a bench reading. An old man seems familiar with Hananoi and asks him why he seems gloomier than usual. Hananoi discloses his parents were supposed to come back to Japan and aren’t. The older man tells Hananoi that he needs to find someone that he loves more than his mom and dad. A person called a soulmate.

The next morning, Hananoi is eating breakfast when he gets a text from Hotaru. She admits her face still turns red when she realizes they’re both in love. Hananoi is beyond happy.

THOUGHTS

We FINALLY get some background information on Hananoi and it makes me so sad for him. While his parents are doing something very noble, they’re doing it at the expense of their own child, and I cannot approve of that. If their dream was to be traveling doctors, they should have thought harder about whether they wanted to start a family. It breaks my heart knowing he is probably a stranger to his own parents. He is so starved for love. Poor thing. Will continue to monitor.