Hotaru's Way (Hotaru no Hikari, literally "Light of the Firefly") is a Josei manga by Satoru Hiura about the ups and downs of Office Lady Hotaru Amemiya: a "dried fish woman," which is a term for women who, instead of focusing on going out, looking good and going on dates, would rather live a more relaxed lifestyle. She rents a home alone; however, through strange circumstances, her boss starts living there as well. The two of them keep this a secret from everyone, as he gives her advice on love and life. Hotaru eventually finds a boyfriend, but is there some tension between her and her boss, Takano?
The manga was serialized in Kiss from 2004 to 2009 and compiled into 15 volumes. It's licensed in English by Kodansha USA. It was also adapted to a live-action drama in 2007.
This manga provides examples of:
- Armor-Piercing Question: When Hotaru brings up the idea of marriage to Makoto.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other:
- Kaname and Yuuka have moments like this towards each other.
- Hotaru and Takano also have these moments.
- Basement-Dweller: While not an extreme example, Hotaru is perfectly content spending her days at home alone, reading manga, eating cup noodles, and drinking beer.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Hotaru perceives much of the main cast in this light initially, including Takano, Kaname, and Yuuka.
- Boke and Tsukkomi Routine: Mentioned by name by Hotaru (with herself in the boke role, of course).
- Cannot Spit It Out: Kaname has trouble confessing his feelings for Yuuka. Hotaru calls him out on this.
- The Dandy: Rokurou shows shades of this.
- Dogged Nice Guy: Kaname is a Type 2.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: The focal point of the entire series. Hotaru feels she has to change her entire life in order to live up to the standards she sets for herself as Makoto's girlfriend.
- From Roommates to Romance: Between Hotaru and Takano; there's some UST between them.
- Growing Up Sucks: Frequently, Hotaru is compared to a child who hasn't matured enough to act like a proper adult.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Hotaru tries her best to make Makoto's exhibition a grand success, even after he dumps her.
- Imagine Spot: Hotaru constantly fantasizes about her relationship with Makoto falling apart.
- Instant Fan Club: For Makoto. All the girls want him.
- Insult of Endearment: Hotaru refers to Kaname as "Lord" because of her image of him as a feudal lord, even after she comes to respect him and treat him as a friend.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Takano.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Occasionally a character will address the readers directly.
- Love Chart: for the drama
◊ - Love Hotels: Used when Hotaru and her boyfriend, Makoto, finally have sex.
- Love Hurts
- Love Triangle:
- Yuuka tries to insert herself into this position with Hotaru and Makoto, which also creates a triangle between Kaname, Yuuka, and Makoto.
- Takano already holds a similar position with Hotaru and Makoto.
- Manchild: Hotaru, in spades.
- Megane: Makoto.
- Mistaken for Cheating: Makoto is terrified that Hotaru will confess that she's been having an affair with Kaname when she first tries to tell him about her living situation.
- Office Lady: Hotaru's role in the office.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Takano delivers these to Hotaru on an almost regular basis.
- Relationship Upgrade: A rare example in which the story's plot is kicked off by one.
- The Rival: Yuuka.
- She Is Not My Girlfriend: A heartbreaking example in Chapter 52.
- Ship Sinking: Chapter 53 delivers a very "final" tone to Hotaru and Makoto's relationship.
- Smoking Is Cool: Takano. Kaname, to an extent.
- Tsundere: A male non-romantic(?) example in Takano.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Hotaru and Takano grow into this.
