Rereading this again and I couldn't help but feel bad for Chika. Amusing as Hanai is, she isn't protagonist material and her feelings felt somewhat shallow.
Wish there was a continuation with Chika as protagonist so she could get her happy ending.
Not quite though. They both actually realize they like the other. They simply don't realize that the other likes them back. So it's more like square one but with a door over to the side hidden in the shadows that turns out to be a shortcut to square ten or so. All they need is an illuminating light to show them the door.
We're talking about Morinaga though, she will milk the drama for all what is worth. :/