Considering how the last chapter played out, and knowing that something could have happened between Hiromi and Nonaka, things are bound to get messy now that Lily and the rest of the girls are in Wakayama. It's going to be interesting to see how Hiromi navigates all of this.
Honestly, I’m hoping Nonaka makes a move. I’ve said this before and still stand by it, I’m not really a fan of Lili getting back with Hiromi. She was the one who ended things. So even if she wants to rekindle their relationship, the real question is, did she actually learn from her mistakes? Is she ready to commit this time, or is she just going to walk away again when things get tough?
If it’s the latter, I’d rather see Hiromi end up with Nonaka. Even if their relationship is only temporary, it could still hold meaning and help him grow as a character during his time in Wakayama. But now that the girls have shown up, and considering he’s eventually heading back to Tokyo, I feel like this might be the story’s way of wrapping up this arc and putting things back on track. Maybe it’s about showing Hiromi that he belongs back home. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly where this is all heading.
I knew Hiromi would not end up with Nonaka, even for a little bit. I had hoped maybe that could happen, but his time in his hometown was likely going to be limited to the point his grandma was out of the hospital and recovered enough that she didn't need constant help around the house - and the moment this shitshow of a chapter ending happened, any possibility of them dating even temporarily has been scuttled right there in the shipyard.
Nonaka can try to make a move, but I will make the outrageous claim that Lili will cry foul and get weirdly possessive in an infuriatingly passive way, or (somehow worse than that) just get all sulky which will compel Hiromi to back off and put a stop to it to try and keep the peace knowing he'll eventually have to go back to Tokyo because.......I honestly don't know why he can't just stay here and inherit his grandma's place and work at his old friend's inn, but it's Sasuga so of course a simple happy ending is taboo.
I will go on record though and admit that I'm being super petty about it, but I need Lili to see him getting along really well with both Nonaka and with Hime. Like, have Hime be her usually flirty self with him but in her innocent "not actually coming onto you" fashion that she has about her. Only because I want to see how she reacts. If she just sees it and gets a little sad at the fact she ended things between them but understands that it's just all part of life, then that's fine and I'll hold her in a bit higher regard.
If she actually gets possessive or objects and tries to either intervene or confront Hiromi later, then I hope she ends up getting food poisoning for like two weeks straight, or something, as karmic punishment.
This chapter feels like needless stirring the pot though and just denying Hiromi a single space to call his own, and I'm very much irrationally annoyed about it. But for the sake of drama and the petty hope that feelings get hurt, I will put up with it.