Honey and Clover Ep 05

Takemoto goes back to his hometown during the winter holidays and remembers how he had made up excuses not to go back for a long time. He goes to the hospital which his mother works in and finds that she is sick and currently resting at home under the care of his stepfather, Kazu-san.

On the way home, Takemoto sees some kites being flown and recalls his past. His father was a tall and skinny man who was sickly. He died when Takemoto was in primary school and told the young Takemoto to take good care of his mother. Ever since then, Takemoto worked very hard for his dream of buying a house to live with his mother. However, when he was in Year 2 of senior high school, his mother brought Kazu-san to see him and said that Takemoto would not have to worry about her anymore. This brought about a change in him as he seemed to have lost his goal overnight with Kazu-san's appearance and wasn't sure what to do in future. However, his interest in creating things made Takemoto decide to leave home and study in Tokyo.

While wandering around the streets, Takemoto is startled by Kazu-san who had come to look for him. Kazu-san brings him to the baseball centre and tries to liven up the atmosphere by playing with the batting machines. Takemoto does not really dislike Kazu-san but just feels uncomfortable being with him. Kazu-san gets the feeling that Takemoto is refusing to come home because of him and tells him to come home more often so that his mother will be happier. He says that he can never be a replacement for Takemoto or his dead father and tries to get his point across without sounding too forceful. Takemoto's mother is very happy to see him and content to hold his hand the whole night.

Takemoto goes home to find a note telling him to go to Hanamoto's place and he finds his friends there. He gets very happy when Hagu says "okaerinasai" to him.

Takemoto, Hagu, Yamada, Morita and Hanamoto go for an onsen trip together because Hanamoto had struck the lottery through the tickets given by Morita as a Christmas gift. As such, Hanamoto is treating everyone to go for the trip. Mayama is joining them later as he has to attend a job interview. Hanamoto realises that Yamada is in love with Mayama when she grumbles about Mayama's character. Yamada falls into a daze as she recalls how she found out about Mayama's feelings for Rika and laments how hard it is for her to stop loving Mayama despite him having eyes for someone else.

At the onsen ryokan, the students go wild with excitement and enjoy themselves very much. Morita accidentally damages one of the calligraphy pieces and uses soy sauce to draw some pictures as compensation. Hagu is stunned by Morita's talent while the rest of them continue to marvel at Morita's drawings. Mayama arrives at the ryokan and they do not understand why Mayama keeps going for interviews at big companies only. Morita points out that the low probability of Mayama making it will give him a perfect reason to stay in Rika's company. He asks Mayama to give up finding a job and form a company with him.

When Hanamoto's handphone rings, Mayama wonders if Rika is on the line and even checks his handphone to confirm his guess. However, he finds nothing and feels that he's thinking too much. Morita plays Mayama's handphone ringtone again to make fun of him and the latter ends up buying lots of desserts to stop Morita from talking about it.

Mayama and Hanamoto meet in the onsen bath and the latter tells him to decide for himself about his career instead of letting feelings rule his head. Mayama promises to take his suggestion seriously...

The first part about Takemoto's childhood is done in a nostalgic manner and I can identify with his feelings when he lost his aim in life due to his mother's remarriage. Maybe that's why he's still not sure what he wants to do with his life when he talked to Mayama in the first episode.

Morita is really cool when he was drawing at the onsen. When he's serious, there is this charm about him which is hard to ignore. Even though he may be playing the fool most of the time, who knows what he is really thinking about?

Mayama is really bent on staying with Rika and trust Morita to say it out bluntly in front of everyone. And Morita never fails to make me laugh when he keeps poking fun of Mayama with that ringtone.