Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 11 – OUR FIRST CAMPUS EXPEDITION

Hotaru and Hananoi are bowling with Yao and Satomura from work. Satomura is in college and explains to the gang that she hasn’t really been out with anyone since moving to Tokyo. She gives Hotaru a hug and Hananoi makes the off comment that he has one more competitor for Hotaru’s attention.

While Satomura and Hotaru play a game together, Yao invites Hananoi to play ping pong. If he wins, Hananoi has to tell Hotaru about his past. If Hananoi wins, Yao is to never bring it up again. Hanonoi wins.

While walking together, Hotaru slips on a can on the sidewalk and scrapes her knees. Hanonoi cleans her wounds for her. As they are talking, Hananoi said he observed that she wasn’t as awkward around Yao. She explains that Yao was the boy her friend liked and that he didn’t deserve her awkwardness when he didn’t do anything wrong.

Hananoi is struggling with his feelings. He explains to Hotaru that he needs to grow more as a person. As he is talking to her, he almost kisses her, but stops in time. He apologizes that he keeps putting her in awkward situations and that he almost broke his promise to her to not kiss her until she is ready. She immediately hugs him.

She realizes that her body moves on its own and that she isn’t reciprocating because Hananoi puts her in awkward situations. She just doesn’t know how to express those emotions to Hananoi. When she tries, Hananoi stops her and admits there is something he hasn’t told her. As he tries to tell her, she stops him because it looks like he doesn’t want to tell her. They agree that they will try to learn more about each other over time instead of dropping truth bombs on each other.

At school the next day, its raining. Instead of going out, they decide to take a little school expedition. They continue to talk about small things from their past. Hotaru learns that Hananoi went to a middle school that had dorms. They run into Hibiki and Shibamu. Shibamu is in the kendo club, and Shibamu’s boyfriend is in the basketball club. As they sit waiting for the rain to pass, Hotaru asks Hananoi if it has always been his policy to make friends. He tells her that he had one friend that was way older than him who disappeared one day.

He opens up more and tells her more about his friend. She then tells him to close his eyes and stay still. He admits that whatever she does, he might not be able to hold back. She wants to confirm that her feelings are true. She touches his ear and he immediately opens his eyes in surprise. Hotaru confirms that she thinks he is cute and that her feelings are sincere.

When he asks what she did, she admits it was a signal and he goes in for the kiss.

THOUGHTS

What a sweet moment. I am glad that they’re talking things through and getting to know each other. Hotaru is such a sweet and observant girl. She could tell that whatever Hananoi had to tell her, it pained him. Instead of forcing him, she proposed they learn slowly. It’s wonderful to see Hananoi open up. It’s sad to think that he spent so much time alone and avoiding relationships. I am glad that he is slowly learning that relationships are meant to be shared and that they’re an important part of life. I also like that he is learning to share Hotaru. I wonder what is going to happen with Yao. I’ll be upset if they leave it there. I wouldn’t mind a bit of drama with Yao to spur on more growth from Hananoi.