Hanako views being bound to the school as a punishment and he hates it, but ultimately it’s his inability to forgive himself and move on from his past that keeps him trapped. I feel like this panel illustrates Nene starting to break him free from that mindset.
We rlly need a compilation of Hanako calling Nene his 'assistant.' He hangs so tightly onto that title as a way of calling her HIS. Possessive lil' bug.