I talked about in this post why Aizou and Yujiro are each other’s most important people, why their non-idol songs (or, rather at least just Yume Fanfare) is theirs and how they help each other overcome each other’s trauma, and I mentioned that I wholeheartedly support Nagisa/Hiyori.
Well I wanna go into deeper detail on that right now.
The Red Herring
Hiyori has 2 novels that were written and released that made people ship the ship for Yujiro/Hiyori- being Nonfantasy and Heroine Development Plan. But I, however, think that it was a red herring. Especially since most of Hiyori’s second novel, which I have translated here, is about her falling in love with the (discontinued) character Kaido Asuka. However, after she writes him a letter and goes to confess (which goes horribly wrong), she is rejected (albeit kindly) and, despite being obviously heartbroken, she moves on.
Though, since Nagisa was still in development since 2020, he was not included in the novel, leaving many to assume that Yujiro would be her love interest. After all, it was after Hiyori was rejected that Yujiro genuinely comforted her, walked her home, and helped her stop crying, and it was Hiyori who saved Yujiro from being seriously injured by a thief at a LIPxLIP event.
Not to mention, she and Aizou both went to pick him up from his home to go with him to a New Years shrine.
While I do not believe that Yujiro was meant to be the love interest for her, it is understandable that many people leaped to the conclusion.
I fully believe, especially thanks to the lack of actual thoughts of romance with them and there was a lack of romantic chemistry between the two, that we were supposed to be shown that Hiyori didn’t need a boyfriend to feel like a heroine- rather, she has her friends who she can rely on, and who rely on her.
The Love Series has a certain way of writing characters who fall in love- even characters who are similar to Yujiro and Hiyori- like Natsuki and Yuu or even Arisa, who is arguably the direct parallel character of Yujiro. (See that post here). They have a couple good moments together, but it’s not nearly enough to conclude that they’ll be endgame.
The Parallels
When Nagisa’s intro song Gamushara released, it was revealed that they- Nagisa and Hiyori, are childhood friends, and they were both in track together in middle school.
If you notice something about Nagisa and Hiyori, and the other canon couple Kotaro and Hina, you’ll recognize that there are strikingly similar parallels.
For one, both Hina and Hiyori fell in love with a light haired and blue eyed male who is out of their reach (for Koyuki being because he was in love with someone else, and Asuka because he was aiming to become an idol with Kanata). They both wrote their crushes a letter. They both got rejected. They’re both sporty and in track, and they both have songs that sing of their love for their failed first love. (Senpai and Heroine Dev)
While Kotaro and Nagisa have both loved the girls since childhood, both talk about how they grew much taller (Nagisa sang a line about it in his song Suki na Ko ni Uso Tsuita) and how they want to be the ones that their crushes can rely on, and both always defend their crushes when one seems to be put down or is insecure. Hell, they even both tell the girls something that leads to them blushing.
“To me, you’re the cutest in the world.” - Kotaro (Hanipre)
“You are a heroine, Hiyori. To me, ya always are.” - Nagisa (Herotaru)
The Anime
“But Lisian! You hate the anime! You say that we shouldn’t consider it canon! Isn’t it hypocritical to use that to say Nagihiyo is canon when you say such things?”
You’re 100% right. I did say not to count the anime as canon. And tbh, I still think that we shouldn’t use it as the baseline for the story. And if Nagisa was an anime-only character, I would continue saying that.
HOWEVER!
I feel like the Asuka events happen early on in the story, and then the Nagisa events happen later on, given that they’re both different and both supposedly canon.
Since Nagisa and Hiyori both have songs in the Koishiteru album (released in summer of 2022) that refer to the episode (Ep 7) that Nagisa makes his full appearance in, I have to begrudgingly admit there are some things in the anime that happened or were just expanded on from the MVs. Not everything- like the Yappa Saikyou/Yume Fanfare concerts, since they already all have context and the anime changed that.
If Nagisa and Hiyori did not have songs addressing what happened from the anime, then I would say that they have a lack of foundation, just another character obstacle for Hiyori to overcome.
Endgame?
However, there’s something interesting about the songs.
Back to the whole “parallels with kotahina/nagihiyo” thing.
Both Hina and Hiyori have songs that sing of their (growing) feelings for their childhood friends. For Hina, it’s Daikiraina Hazudatta (which is also a duet with Kotaro tbf) and for Hiyori, it’s A Below Average Heroine (which doesn’t have an MV yet and it doesn’t appear to be translated yet, but the song is, essentially, her wondering how someone can like her like that, being insecure, and wondering of her own feelings about her childhood friend)
Also, it is revealed in the novels that Kotaro and Hina are hinted to get together in their university days. And here, in the Erande MV, they are obviously adults, in uni, and Hina confirms that they’re dating to her friend.
Now, as of right now, there is no other MV or anything else for Nagisa and Hiyori, HOWEVER! This does not mean that there won’t be.
Shito himself teased that there will be a university arc between Nagisa and Hiyori. When and where?!
In a twitter post, of course!
And who else got together in their uni days? Their parallels, Kotaro and Hina.
This way, Hiyori won’t be so focused on track, but she’ll be doing her own thing and have time for dating, while Nagisa attends a university in Tokyo as promised in his episode, so that he can be with Hiyori.
Will they be endgame? It definitely appears that way, since they’re following the Kotahina story almost to a tea.
The Childhood Friends Trope
In Honeyworks, the childhood friends trope always ends up reigning supreme- with the only exception being for Fuuma/Kazuki, but for Fuuma, he doesn’t end up with anyone. The only Dolce member who is canonically confirmed to be dating anyone is Sara with Uru. (Fuuma’s novel I have translated here and Sara’s novel I have translated here, if you wanna know more!)
There’s Yuu and Natsuki, Kotaro and Hina, and now, Nagisa and Hiyori.
(Bonus: here’s a really cute Fan MV for the three couples!)
So...why the childhood friend trope??
Well, aside from the trope being one of the most popular tropes in Japan, it is, simply put, because when you have a childhood friend, they know absolutely everything about you- your personality, your flaws, your insecurities, your home life, everything.
In the case of Nagisa and Hiyori, the two of them know each other’s goals- Hiyori knows and truly believes that Nagisa will be able to inherit his father’s restaurant, while Nagisa supports Hiyori in everything she does.
Hell, part of the reason why he came to Tokyo to visit her was because he was concerned about her after she failed the track prelims in the anime.
The two have absolute faith in each other and speak as though it’s simply a matter of “when” they meet their goals, never “if”.
While we don’t know Hiyori’s plans for what she’ll be doing after high school, we know that Nagisa is fully ready to support her- otherwise, he wouldn’t be so keen on coming to Tokyo come when he arrives for university.
While Hiyori has talked about Nagisa inheriting his father’s restaurant even when they were little kids, with her defending Nagisa from bullies.
While it’s true that Nagisa is very well-liked and popular at his high school and Hiyori has LIPxLIP who do support her and her dreams, it’s not quite the same as simply and genuinely standing by one’s side, unwavering support, even when you know all of your partner’s life problems and struggles.
There’s a level of intimacy that Nagisa and Hiyori share- to the point where Hiyori is desperate for Nagisa’s approval on even the most minor of things- such as looking cute, and Nagisa is so desperate to show his appreciation for Hiyori that he traveled god-knows-how-far to get to her and cook her at least one meal, something he’s wanted to do since they were little kids.
The two of them make each other happy in ways that others cannot, and stand by each other with complete trust and support- and growing feelings of love, just like Kotaro and Hina’s love story did. It’s a love story that has been unfolding ever since their childhood.
Conclusion
I wholly believe that Nagisa and Hiyori’s story, like Aizou and Yujiro’s story is with Ken and Arisa, are meant to mirror Kotaro and Hina’s.
Even if we do have to wait a while on that promised University Arc, meaning we’ll have to wait for more content for Nagisa and Hiyori, we will eventually have a beautiful closing arc that can only end with another generation opening for the supporting viewers to have and appreciate.
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a professional translator, if you spot any mistakes please feel free to shoot me a DM correcting me! (thank you for fixing some of the lines that I had issues with @/koizumicchi)
Inaka umare inaka sodachi
Sukato niawan yasei-ji
Go kinjodzukiai wa koime
Puraibashimaji hoshi
Osananajimi no otokonoko
Min'na ni suka re teru hiro
Kohai joshi no fankurabu
Watashi wa mobukyara nintei
Born and raised in the countryside
I was a wild girl who didn’t look good in a skirt
and have a very good relationship with my neighbors
Though I really want my privacy
The boy who I grew up with
Is a hero that everyone likes
And has a fan club of junior girls
I’m the designated mob character
"Kareshi janai no!?"
Naka wa ikedo...
"Kareshi janai no!?"
Kakkoi kedo...
(Usoda~tsu!) Honto!!
(Usoda~tsu!) Honto!!
Son'na no arienai!!
Hazu ga...
“Is he your boyfriend!?”
We’re close, but...
“Is he your boyfriend!?”
He’s cool, but...
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
It’s not possible!!
It shouldn’t be...
Kokurareta!! Doko ni horeta!?
Masaka hiroin!? Nantekotta
Suki suki suki suki suki toka nan nan
Oshiete Julietta
Ganmen toka heikin ika
Sore ga do shita!? Monku akka
Umareta toki kara kon nan'na ndesu
Sore demo idesu ka? ii no!
Ikiiki shi teru ima koso
Watashi hiroin
I was confessed to!! What about me did he fall in love with!?
No way, I’m a heroine!? Oh my god
What is love love love love love
Tell me, Julietta!
My looks are below average
What about it!? Any complaints
I’ve been like this since I was born
Is that still okay? Okay!
Now’s the time to be thriving
I’m a heroine
Bikkuri shite ne renakatta
Menoshita ni dekita hidoi kuma
Tomodachi to famiresu kaigi
Zeitakuda to okora reta
Kokuhaku sa rete shimattara
Tomodachi janaku naru no ka na?
Fuan wa aite mo onajide
Butsukatte kureta nodesu
I was so surprised that I couldn’t sleep
There was some serious dark circles under my eyes
I went to a family restaurant to meet with friends
They got upset with me for being unappreciative of it
When you get a confession
Do you stop being friends?
The anxiety is the same for the other party
They ended up colliding
"Koishite iru no!?"
Son'na hito inai
"Koishite iru no!?"
Kami ni chikatte
(Usoda~tsu!!) Honto!!
(Usoda~tsu!!) Honto!!
Koi nante muen no hazu ga
“Are you in love!?”
There’s no one like that
“Are you in love!?”
I swear to god
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
I was never supposed to fall in love...
Kokurareta!! Itsu ni horeta!?
Masakano fuiuchi katamatta
Suki suki suki suki suki toka nan nan!?
Oshiete Romeo
Benkyou toka akaten baka
Sumimasen to hansei bakka
Umareta toki wa kitai sa reta ndesu
Genjitsu wa kibishi ii no!
Tsuppashitteru ima koso
Watashi hiroin
I was confessed to!! When did he fall in love with me!?
I didn’t expect such a big surprise that I froze in place
What is love love love love love
Tell me, Romeo
As for my studies, I’m a failing idiot
All I can say is sorry and reflect
When I was born, they counted on me
Reality is often harsh...but it’s okay!
Now’s the time to get going
I’m a heroine
“You seriously rejected him!?”
Someone like me...
“You seriously rejected him!?”
It’s not surprising
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
(That’s a lie!!) It’s true!!
I don’t believe it
Seriously...
Kokurareta!! Doko ni horeta!?
Masaka hiroin!? Nantakotta
Suki suki suki suki suki toka nan nan!?
Oshiete Julietta
Ganmen toka heikin ika
Sore ga do shita!? Monku akka
Umareta toki kara kon nan'na ndesu
Sore demo idesu ka? ii no!
Ikiiki shi teru ima koso
Watashi hiroin
Koi suru ni wa mada hayai
Shikaredo hiroin
Dare ga nanto ioutomo
Watashi hiroin
I was confessed to!! What about me did he fall in love with!?
No way, I’m a heroine!? Oh my god
What is love love love love love
Tell me, Julietta!
My looks are below average
What about it!? Any complaints
I’ve been like this since I was born
Is that still okay? Okay!
Now’s the time to be thriving
I’m a heroine
It’s too soon to fall in love
Even so I’m still a heroine
No matter what anyone says
I’m a heroine
