Note: Non Non Biyori is an anime, that was done by the studio Silver Link and is based on a manga by Atto.

Hotaru Ichijo was a cheerful, nice girl, who had been keeping a very personal and emotional secret, ever since she was in middle school. Hotaru and her parents had moved to a small city. The city was so small, that Hotaru's school only had four other students. Because of that, it was easy for Hotaru to know and befriend each of them. She was friends with each of them, but there was one student, who caught Hotaru's attention more than the others. That student's name was Komari Koshigaya. After shortly meeting Komari, Hotaru had become smitten with her. However, this was the secret, that Hotaru had decided to hide from everybody.

Even as the years passed on, Hotaru still felt the need, to keep her hidden feelings a secret from everybody, even Komari. By the time Hotaru and Komari had reached their high school years, Hotaru's feelings hadn't changed and she was still in denial, towards her precious, but embarrassing feelings. During middle school, Hotaru was too young, to understand the concept of having a crush. However, by the time high school came around, Hotaru knew what it was and deep down, she knew she had a crush on Komari. However, this was the type of thing, that Hotaru wasn't eager to share. She was a shy girl and if that wasn't hard enough, Komari was her dearest friend. She was terrified of the thought, of losing her best friend, because of her feelings. She didn't know how Komari would react to the news, so she figured she should hide her feelings, just like she always did.

Komari was slightly older than Hotaru, so she graduated high school, before Hotaru did. Although Hotaru was proud of her bestie, for graduating, she was sad about it, because it meant she'd have less time with Komari. Hotaru, Komari, and the others lived in a small town and none of their families were rich, so Komari going to college was a delimma, that Hotaru didn't have to worry about. However, Hotaru was sad, that Komari would no longer be with her, duriung her days of school. She'd still see Komari, on weekends and holidays, but she knew it wouldn't be the same. Hotaru tried to make a goal, of not being sad at Komari's graduation. She feared she could ruin her beastie's big moment, by being sentimental and sad, about her leaving the school. She tried to use her willpower, to take the situation seriously and act dignified. However, those personal feelings, that she had been hiding away, were coming out of her. Hotaru could only hide who she really is and what her true emotions are, for so long. While Komari's family, teacher, and other friends looked happy for her, Hotaru had a gloomy, somewhat nervous look on her face.

After talking to her family, teacher, and other friends, Komari was going to walk to Hotaru and have a friendly chat. However, she took a close look at Hotaru and saw that tears were coming down her eyes. The tears were small and subtle, so the others hadn't noticed them. Komari walked closer to Hotaru and started using a issue, to wipe away Hotaru's tears. Hotaru realized what Komari was doing and she felt embarrassed, about Komari discovering her tears. Komari had a gentle, concerned look on her face, while staring at her friend. She wasn't sure the words, that she should be asking and Hotaru was struggling, to say the proper greeting.

After a moment of silence, Hotaru finally spoke. She nervously said, "Hi Komari."

Komari replied, "Hi Hotaru. What's going on?"

Hotaru asked, "What do you mean?"

Komari asked, "Why were you crying? What are you sad about?"

Hotaru was so scared of the truth, that she tried using a fib. She said, "I was tearing up, because this is your graduation. This is a big moment for you, which brings about big emotions."

Komari replied, "I know that's not what you were crying about, Hotaru. I'm your best friend, so I know you well. Those weren't tears of happiness or any kind of sentimental tears. Those were sad tears."

Hotaru nervously responded, "You could say that."

Komari started holding Hotaru's hand, while saying, "You're my best friend, so I want to help you. Please tell me what's going on. There's something, that's making you feel sad. Please tell me what it is."

Hotaru was struggling, to word the situation, in a way that would make her feel comfortable. After a moment of thinking, an idea popped into her head. She looked back at Komari and said, "I was crying, because you're my best friend and now that you're graduating, I won't be able to see you, during school. Even though school's not a fun place, I've had several wonderful memories there, because of you. Without you around, school is going to be a sadder and less enjoyable place, for me."

Komari replied, "Hotaru, it means a lot to me, that you have so much sentimentality, for our friendship." She hugged Hotaru, while saying, "I'm going to miss you, but we'll still get plenty of time, for visiting one another. I'll visit you on weekends, holidays, and other days. You don't need to worry, Hotaru. We'll always be a part, of one another's lives."

Hotaru tried to remain optimistic, but she struggled with that. During the next year of school. Hotaru didn't feel the same, without having Komari, as one of her classmates. Her class barely had any students, so Komari's absence made a major impact. Hotaru's other classmates missed Komari, but they still retained their lighthearted and fun antics. However, things weren't the same, for poor Hotaru. After finishing each assignment, she'd mope around, while waiting for school to be over. Hotaru's friends were getting concerned about her. She was joining conversations or playing with them, as much as she used to do. She was becoming distant and gloomy.

During one of school, the students were given an assignment, to write an essay about their best friend. The assignment was the last thing, that Hotaru felt she needed. For her, it was a sad reminder, that her dearest friend wasn't in her class. It was also a reminder, of how Hotaru had been trying to act like she just saw Komari as a friend, even though she had a crush on her. While writing the assignment, Hotaru's emotions started getting the better of her. She was feeling a panick attack, but she didn't know. If having anxiety wasn't bad enough, tears started coming down her eyes. The tears fell upon her assignment. Her assignment was dripping and the words she wrote were becoming impossible to read, thanks to the tears. Hotaru's breakdown caught the attention, of her classmates. Her friends rushed to the teacher and told her about it. Hotaru's teacher was usually sleepy and didn't pay much attention to the class. However, due to the seriousness of the situation, the teacher woke up and ran to Hotaru. She put her hand on Hotaru's forehead, while asking, "What's wrong?"

Hotaru said, "I don't know. I'm sorry, for ruining my assignment. I'm probably going to fail this assignment and as wrong as that may sound, I don't care." She looked at her friends, who were very concerned about her. She put her hand over her face, while saying, "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm acting like this, but these emotions feel like something, that I can't put away."

The teacher and classmates knew Hotaru needed some help, so they decided to call the one person, who was the best, when it came to cheering people up. They gave Komari a call and told her what was happening. Komari had been doing a few part-time jobs, so she could make money, before choosing an official career. She got permission, to take the rest of the day, so she could help Hotaru.

Hotaru had been given permission, to leave school, for the rest day. She was told to go outside and wait for Komari. Hotaru went outside and sat on a bench, while feeling pathetic. She wanted to seem grown-up, mature, and responsible, but she wasn't feeling that, in this situation. She felt weak and uneasy. She grabbed tissues and tried to make her tears go away, before Komari came along. However, her essay, about her best friend, had landed on her sleeve. She removed the assignment, while her sad breakdown started continuing. Just like before, she didn't know why such feelings were flowing through her, but it felt painful and rough.

A few minutes, Komari arrived. She saw that Hotaru was crying, so she started tissues, to make the tears go away. Hotaru felt a heartwarming feeling, from Komari skipping a day of work, just to assist her. She said, "Hi Komari. I really appreciate, that you came here. I feel bad, that you had to miss a day of work."

Komari gently played with Hotaru's hair, while saying, "You shouldn't feel about that, because it's a part-time job. Besides, my best friend is more important than any job. Hotaru, you often don't share the feelings, that are roaming around your mind. I respect your shyness, but this is one of those situations, where you can't hide what's going on. You need to be honest with me. You're going through something emotional. Tell me what it is."

Hotaru replied, "I want to be honest with you, but I don't know what this problem is. This breakdown came out of nowhere. I don't know why it happened. It was sudden, confusing, and incomprehensible, but it was impactful and powerful."

Komari said, "Hotaru, I've often had this feeling, that's something been bothering you."

Hotaru had a confused look on her face, while asking, "What do you mean?"

Komari answered, "When we played together, as little kids, I often had fun with you. You were my best friend and that's not going to change. However, I got the sense there was a feeling of sadness, that you were hiding. When I would ask you about, you'd claim it was nothing. However, the breakdown, that you just had, proves you were lying."

Hotaru was starting to realize, that her fibs hadn't been helping her. She said, "I have been keeping secrets, ever since we started being friends."

Komari put her hand on Hotaru's shoulder, while saying, "I don't know why you'd do that. We're best friends, so we should be sharing our feelings and embracing the truth. Hotaru, you need to tell me your secrets."

Hotaru nervously gulped and took a long pause. She knew it was time, that the truth came out. She nervously started shaking and shyly said, "Komari, I really like you."

Komari replied, "I'm your best friend, so I assumed you enjoyed my company. I like you too."

Hotaru took another pause, while saying, "I'm afraid, that I'm not just talking about friendship." An awkward moment passed, before Hotaru said, "Komari, I have other feelings, when it comes to you."

Komari asked, "What do you mean?"

Hotaru said, "I have a crush on you. I've felt smitten by you, ever since my eyes laid on you. You were the sweetest, most delightful person, that I had ever seen. Everyday I saw you was a magical experience, that my heart treasured. However, having such feeling was something, that I was ashamed about."

Komari replied, "Hotaru, you shouldn't be ashamed of those feelings. You should of told me."

Hotaru started feeling more anxiety, while saying, "I couldn't do that. I can't go up to my best friend and tell her, that I have a giant crush on her. That could ruin the wonderful friendship, that we have. Besides, I was too embarrassed and ashamed, of how I felt."

Komari replied, "You shouldn't be ashamed, Hotaru. I think you're the most adorable girl, that I have ever seen. Honesty is an important thing. If you keep your feelings locked away, that will lead to emotional breakdowns and stressful feelings. You need to express your true feelings, even if they're embarrassing and awkward. I need you to start doing that. Can you?"

Hotaru put her hand on her chin and thought about it. She said, "For you, I'll try."

Komari replied, "I'm glad to hear that."

Another long pause came about, before Hotaru asked, "How will our friendship change, now that you know how I feel? Will our friendship suffer and be affected, because of this?"

Komari shook her head and replied, "No it won't. You're still my best friend. In fact, I have a secret feeling, that I need to share with you."

Hotaru asked, "What is it?"

Komari said, "Well, for the past couple of years, there'd often be quick flashes, where I felt a certain bond between us. We got along so well and had such a close relationship, that I often felt like you were more than just a friend. I never paid much attention to it, but it was something I occasionally felt, throughout the years."

Hotaru replied, "Komari, it sounds like you were hiding your feelings, just like I was."

Komari blushed and replied, "I suppose that's true. However, you were hiding a lot more, than I was."

Hotaru nervously responded, "That's for sure."

Komari started holding hands with Hotaru, while saying, "We're both guilty, about not being honest. We should forget about fibbing and ignoring our feelings."

Hotaru said, "It's time we embrace the truth."

Komari replied, "Yes and it's time, that I embrace the truth." Komari gave Hotaru an affectionate hug, while made Hotaru blush. They gave one another a quick kiss, before Komari started holding Hotaru in her arms. Both Hotaru and Komari learned how wonderful honesty really was and always will be.