In my opinion Hana's actions were not manipulative at all, one of the main focuses on the manga is how ashito is doing this to become successful in order to pay back the sacrifice his mother did sending him to Tokyo. So when asshole-coach-niisan put him in the corner of you do this or you're out, ashito felt like he didn't have any options, he is forced to continue even if he doesn't like it, the kid doesn't put a tantrum or get mad he just takes time to shallow his own feelings, that's why he tells Hana that he's not ready to return yet,
When he explains Hana that HE CAN'T QUIT even if he wanted to, that's when Hana called his mom. I loved how his mom instinctively senses that something is wrong and assures him that he CAN come back home if he doesn't want to be there anymore, that he isn't forced to continue for her sake.