I have seen yuri manga with plot like this about one billion times. And at this point i just click thru the pages with 'meh, boring' expression.
Really? A billion times, you say? Wow, I can only think of maybe three or four on the whole site where they do that "see you off with a smile" and actually do it.
Do we even have a billion manga?
Really, I feel sorry for authors who can't come up at least something original.
It must be hard for you, being such a discerning reader who can only enjoy completely original, never-before-attempted plots that blaze new ground with every page. There can't be much you can read without tossing it on the ground in disgust.
Here comes a needlessly long response.
I have read a lot of manga etc, etc, essentially I've seen my fair (and a hell lot more) of stories. Essentially i get really tipped off when people complain about originality. Humans have been writing stories before they could even literally write (verbal lore). So no, it's not original. If you dig long enough, someone most likely has already done it. So stop complaining about originality, it's practically impossible to be original. Also the whole perspective of originality is subjective. For someone who has never read manga or even exposed to yuri this is the most fly bat sh*t original graphic representation of a plot they have ever come across. Even the artist them self may think it's a original idea because THEY have not come across it. ALSO, the plot ISN'T that generic but that's for the next paragraph. Basically: STOP BLOODY COMPLAINING ABOUT ORIGINALITY. calm and thus, for me, what really counts to the enjoyment/entertainment value of a piece of literature is execution. If you can retell Little Red Riding Hood better than the last guy, I would still enjoy it,
For those who don't think this is original, please direct me to why you think so, because to me, it is (read above as to the subjectivity of the perspective of originality).
Now for some actually interesting stuff. Although i might be reading too much into it.
1. Hitomi promising herself that she would send off Ichiko with a smile.
2. The flower that was mentioned that bloomed in the spring, signaling Ichiko's departure.
3. Hitomi crushing the flower in spite of the impending spring.
4. Ichiko stating the resemblance of the flower to Hitomi.
5. Hitomi recites "it's better that she doesn't know about the flower i crushed", as opposed to the more expected "it's better that she doesn't know about my feelings".
6. Hitomi's hope that Ichiko will only remember her blessings.
1,6: Pretty generic stuff, but still got me. More of personal reasons.
1,4: Hitomi was "blooming" when she sent off Ichiko is where i found the resemblance, interesting semblance but another interesting point being that Hitomi's "blooming" was forced.
2,3,5 :Spring being an annotation of romance, maybe Hitomi is referencing her giving up her love instead the actual event.
5. If more literally taken, it's possible that she simply fears how Ichiko would respond since Ichiko said she like the flower.
5. If glanced over I think many would have just replaced the line with "It's better that she doesn't about my feelings" due to similarities with the cliche.