Hotaru no Hikari 2: Episode 2 『節約したい干物女』Summary and Review

Ep 2 (The dried up woman who wants to save!) still had me laughing away wih the usual banter between Hotaru and Buchou. Basically the episode focus on Buchou being horrified at Hotaru's inability to save money and her futile attempts. (raw video at the end of post)

Hotaru no Hikari 2, Episode 2 Detailed Summary

The episode started off with a jubilant Hotaru dancing away in her own room, gleefully thinking about her being able to get married! Halfway thru her self rejoicing, she glanced upon her 47yen savings, and quickly hide it away and continue her happy merry prancing.

Buchou was checking thru the household inventory and then knocked on her door, asking what plans she have for the day. Hotaru interrupted replied "Afternoon nap!" and heard Buchou walked off. Hotaru paused for a while and quickly dashed out, happily asking Buchou if he had wanted to go book a wedding ceremony slot at the Meiji shrine etc. Buchou went "huuuhhh?!" and told her that he only wanted her to buy soy sauce back.

As Hotaru was on her way and skipped happily going off to buy a bottle of soy sauce with Buchou's 1000yen, she was stopped by a the fruit seller called out to her "Okusan" (Mrs).  A surprised Hotaru was sooooo happy to be mistaken as a housewife that she started on her spending spree! whenever she was addressed as a Mrs (LOL)

When she got back, Buchou was shocked to see her "conquest" and asked her what were all those stuff, and did she spend every penny! Hotaru quickly dug for her change and replied of course she wont dare to finish every penny! To Buchou's shock, he only had 2 yen back as change from a 1000yen note! (LOL). In exasperation, Buchou complained she has no financial/ economic sense..but Hotaru happily explained that "beautiful woman has no resistance to special and limited items on sale:)" Buchou replied "You can exclude the beautiful woman term, and its because she is such a spend thrift that resulted in her only having 47 yen in her account!" Hotaru "huffed and puffed" and whined at Buchou's lecture before laying down, but a determined Buchou told her to get up and listen to what he has to say. he wanted her to jot down her expenditure list.

That nite, as Buchou read her note about Beer- she buy whatever much she wanted to drink, Okashi- she buy whatever much she wanted to eat okashi (snacks), Manga zasshi- she buy whatever much she wanted to read manga/magazine only...Buchou nearly died of frustration! As Buchou looked at Hotaru with exasperation, she cheekily asked him if he wanted to have some watermelon! haaaa

When they were eating watermelon, Buchou asked how does she intend to book a ceremony venue if she is penniless? Hotaru innocently asked if Buchou is poor too and he quickly retorted she can drop the idea of eyeing on his savings. He asked how could she be like this (i think being carefree about monetary things), and she replied that she doesnt really care, plus she can do without a ceremony. He explained that wasnt what he was refering to but rather she has no concept of savings. Hotaru replied immediately "That's right!" and a surprised Buchou asked "Reaally?!! All these while you never have a concept of saving?" Hotaru said she did try before but it was futile. Buchou gave her an incredulous look as Hotaru happily went "peeeeooow" to spit out the melon seed.

"You are a 47yen woman. Guess we cannot get married. I cannot marry a woman who cannot save (thrifty person) to manage the household. I definitely cannot." Buchou teased her. Hearing that, Hotaru's immediate reaction was to run back to her room. It was Buchou's turn to happily  go "peeow" as he spat out the seed. Hotaru returned to steal the melons from him and an "indignant" Buchou yelled after her "Hey it was with my money used to purchase those melons!Oooi! "

As Hotaru sat in her room and ponder about the word "Setsuyaku (Saving)", she pinned the note onto the wall next to the "Getting Married".

Next morning. Hotaru excitedly greeted Buchou and showed him the homemade bento she made in attempts to save money. Buchou gave a happy smile as she happily showed him the 2 set of bento made for him and her. "From today onwards, I shall be a thrifty beauty!" Hotaru exclaimed happily. Buchou smiled and said "You can exclude the beauty and your efforts are well noted!" Hearing that, Hotaru was cheered and went "Fighting!" and asked Buchou to join in. He replied that he has long been a thrifty good looker but Hotaru said its okay and grabbed his hands anyway to join in the cheer!

At work, Senso was sharing with Hotaru good news about his planning design being selected for consideration for a 20billion renovation project . As Hotaru screamed "20billion?!!" everyone else in the office was abuzz with excitement. The manager hushed them to get back to work and Hotaru exclaimed"yeah that's right, 20billion isnt considered a large project budget to get overly excited" Buchou sitting at the back thought to himself cynically as as he stare at Hotaru" You 47yen woman!"

Seno asked what Hotaru was up to and she explained she was doing a Kid's fair for a business/shop street a budget of 50thousand yen. Seno exclaimed its such a small budget and dont bother to put in so much effort. However Hotaru corrected him that regardless of budget, they should always do their best to do a good job. Seno went "yes yes....stop being so naggy" as he causally sat her down. Just then problem crop up and one of the store called to say they wont take part in the fair due to lack of budget. Hotaru sadly took down the poster as requested. Then an idea hit her and she returned to the manager and said "even if you dont have enough money, I will help to think of something!" Meanwhile in the rest room, Sachiko realised she made a mistake about being pregnant.

Late that night, Hotaru was hard at work making new concept for the kid's fair. Seno was also back to do more work for the 20billion design. Hotaru remarked that the client has decided not to go forth with Kid's fair to a surprised Seno, but she replied its ok and she will continue to try harder. Seno said she is soo strange. She preached about work ethics again and he told he joking to stop her nagging as he gets a headache just talking to her.

Next morning, Hotaru complained bitterly to Buchou to make it ok to wear sports jersey to work as she has run out of work clothes as she has no money to send them to laundry. Buchou calmly told her to do her own laundry and ironing but Hotaru whined that she is sleepy, tired and its a hassle! Buchou called her name and said he rem "someone declaring that some beauty asserted she will work hard at being thrifty to get married" and he pretended to scout the room ard for the person! "Oh yeah! a sheepish hotaru went and Buchou exclaimed she still had the cheek to say that! Buchou snatched her laundry pile and threw it away as he declare it will be 100million years before this poor person should think about using professional laundry! "Go do your laundry!" and she scrambled away....

At work, Hotaru approached Buchou to review about the revised plans for Kid's fair and he frown at the burned patch on her top. He asked when did she come up with it and she explained she stayed up last nite to complete it. Buchou quickly added he will join her to revisit the client. However halfway, he brought her to Boss boutique to get a new top, explaining it is necessary to be presentable regardless who she meet.

She however said she has no money for new clothes since she is a reformed thrifty beauty. Buchou told her to cut the crap and just go find a top! Hotaru cutely looked at the tag and exclaimed "Buchou! There is an additional zero!" Buchou was driven up the wall and told her to just get on with it!

At the store, the owners loved Hotaru's new plan and agreed to go with it, professing that they had thot the company would have just given up when told the clients had no budget, instead he was impressed at how she had revised the plans with customer's situation in mind. then he noticed and commented what an expensive looking top while Buchou looked on smilingly at the back. To his surprise, Hotaru shrugged it off saying its a cheap top. (Haaa haaaa). At that moment, Buchou received a call to say the 20billion project has been aborted.

Hotaru saw seno was depressed though he pretended to shrug it off as nothing. Hotaru followed him out with her usual preaching and Seno turned to tell her to quit bugging him with the same crap lecture, but Hotaru interrupted that after a day's hard work, the beer tastes the best and whipped out a can to him, saying "you have worked very hard and so this beer will sure taste good!"

At home, Buchou remarked about the mess and spotted his "missing" beer and the specially imported foodstuff being eaten by Hotaru! he asked where is the thrify beauty and she remarked she had taken a holiday! He offered to help but she declined and told him to retire early for his morning appointment.He reminded her to turn off the lights and she said ok. However when Buchou come out to inspect, he saw her asleep with all the electrical lights on. He covered her and went to close her open mouth and smiled while looking on at her lovingly, before turning off the lights.

As she completed the kid's fair work at home, she heard a kid at the door. The kid asked who she is and Hotaru was stunned. The woman rushed in after her daughter and Hotaru didnt know how to explain her presence but the woman said she knew Hotaru is living there and has heard alot about her. She was only here to return the phone Buchou loan her. As hotaru desperately tried to put the mess away, the kid exclaimed it sure was messy and if her daddy wasnt home? Hotaru paused in surprise but the woman said he isnt her real dad. The real dad passed away 3 years ago in an accident. The woman explained she wanted to set up a shop and had made enquires with Buchou.

The woman then gave Hotaru some homemade foodstuff. Hotaru asked isnt she tired after a day's work to make all these? But the woman replied its much cheaper than to buy. "Saving! She is a classic thrify beauty!" Hotaru thought to herself as she stared at the woman. While leaving, she asked Hotaru isnt she getting married since she had heard Buchou wanting to live with her always. A thoughtful Hotaru ate the snack and exclaimed it was delicious!

The kid said she missed "papa" but the mum said she wont see him anymore. The kid asked why? She didnt replied. Meanwhile, Hotaru pondered upon the conversation she had with Buchou.

That nite, Buchou casually mentioned about the woman having called him about their visit but all Hotaru took in was that he addressed the woman in non formally but called hotaru in her full name. "Why do you call me Amemiya? (full name)" "because you are amemiya!" "but 3 years ago, you only address me by my nickname!" Hotaru said. "Nickname?" "Yes,, Ahomiya" "Yes but you were an aho (simpleton/idiot) back then!" Buchou replied. "So I am not an idiot anymore?" She asked. "Didnt you say you are already a cool OL? Didnt you grow up alot?" However Hotaru wasnt pleased at all....Hotaru then commented about the stars, and about there was a very small star but tried its very best to sparkle. Buchou not realising Hotaru's mood replied scientifcally that the star prob has exploded and disappeared by now.

Hotaru cried out "Buchou!!!" He was shocked at her reaction and asked what happened! "That little star is ME!" That star is you? Buchou asked in shock."I dont want to disappear! even though its small and weak but I too want to try my best to glow brightly, by Buchou's side, to glow bright;y!!! But it looks impossible... Iw ill surely disappear. I will never be associated as the classic thrify beauty." Hotaru confided sadly...

"Didnt the thrifty beauty go on a holiday?" He explained that he completely understand that she cannot fulfil her "promise" now as she is overrun by work, and that he understand her completely. Hotaru looked up at Buchou hopefully. Buchou offered her a can of beer to a despondent Hotaru, and she looked at him mingled with feelings but then suddenly she sprouted what is "Iberico Buta(pork)" Buchou excitedly explained it was a spain pork and how delicious it is...and that its very expensive. Hotaru exclaimed in excitement and Buchou asked what, but she smiled to herself without a word. She rem the prize to the kid's fair was Iberico pork!

At the fair, Seno joked she should join in the kid's race and she nodded. A surprised seno said he is joking, but Hotaru was just consumed with winnin the pork. The kid appeared saying that Buchou had brought her to the fair as her mum was busy with the store. Word spread that Hotaru was joining the race. Buchou learnt about the prize Iberico and gestured to Hotaru if she was in the race for it and she nodded. As she sped on thinking about the money saved for dinner and how Buchou loved the Iberico, she tried with all her might to win.

However, the little girl fell and Hotaru turned back to help her, carrying her to finish the race while Buchou looked on with relief as they crossed the line! Hotaru saw the boy winning the Iberico and fell flat to her face, Buchou wanted to rush to her but Seno beat him to her, trying to help her but she fainted while mumbling Iberico buta.... A concerned Buchou looked on from a distance.

Hotaru strolled with Sachiko and they chatted. Sachiko confided her love trouble to Hotaru. Hotaru told her even if there is no money, things will still work out. Hotaru reached home and apologised to a sleeping Buchou for not winning the Ibeico pork, and drew on his face.

Buchou waked and asked what did she draw on his face...and then asked if she is alright after fainted. She replied she is fine and that she didnt sleep and eat enuff. "Not enough food?" Buchou asked her to wait and sped off to the kitchen, presenting rice to her. As he was retiring to bed, he said "Good nite Ahomiya".

A surprised Hotaru turned and asked what did he say?! Buchou replied for her to still compete with kids at her age, just for Iberico, it sure was idiotic! Buchou then turned ard and said gently "Goodnight, Ahomiya!" She was sooo overwhelmed with happiness that she imagined it to be Iberico meal! Buchou interrupted saying its just plain rice but she explained because he prepared it, so it tasted as good like an Iberico meal! Just then, Buchou remembered she had drew something and demanded what was on his beautiful looking face. She replied cheerily "A pig!" as Buchou yelled "Ahomiya!"

Next day, she received 2 bridal dinner and offered to Buchou, because there was Iberico! Buchou was sooo excited saying that even if its alone, he will still go! However, as they got off the lift, they witness Sachiko arguing with Shouji. Buchou and Hotaru both gave up their voucher to the couple seperately. Hotaru said the meal will ensure the couples who dine there a blissful marriage, and Buchou looked on at Hotaru's selfless gift to Sachiko.

At the dinner, Sachiko revealed there is no baby and not to worry. Shouji didnt have reasons to ask her to be with him (as he is poor) and wished her a blissful marriage in the future. Sachiko said his happiness is her happiness. Shouji cried....

At home, Buchou asked her why didnt she go to the dinner. she asked the same since he had said he would go at all cost even alone. "I didnt go because the thrifty beauty should be back soon right now that work has come to a completion. I think she should be back soon!" Buchou teased. Hearing that, she dashed back to her room and repeated "saving saving saving!" An idea hit her and she took all her manga to sell to raise her "saving" However, she spotted a book on "How to save". As she happily share with Buchou she sold her old manga for 580yen, she bought the book for 680yen!Both exclaimed she didnt save at all and he exclaimed "at a loss of 100yen even!"

"but but but, after reading this book, i can save alot!" but she ended up with ways that spent even more money, driving Buchou up the wall! Just then, Seno called to treat her Iberico and she said she will bring home her share. before she left, Buchou billed her for the items consumed. Hotaru said ok and went off chanting "iberico Iberico Iberico!"

Seno smiled at her arrival and asked "iberico buta eh?" Hotaru happily nodded in agreement "Iberico buta!"

Episode 3 Recap

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