After reading (some of -- I have to read them in English, and thus must wait for the translation) the original Densha Otoko thread, I think something a lot of people fail to realize is that Hermes had her sights set on Densha from the beginning.

Yes, women can develop crushes too, guys. And while most Japanese women want a guy who is rich, handsome, or both, what women are really keyed on is Good Provider Behaviors. Densha having the stones to stand up to the guy on the train impressed her; their relationship being a success was mostly him failing to screw it up, with the aid of the nichanners.

I certainly concede that it could be a hoax, but if you take the viewpoint that she was pursuing him, the whole thing is a hell of a lot more plausible.