(Yeah. So the whole thing is that it develops over months and/or years and it only ends when the object of the victim's love returns/realizes their affection. But that means he would haveta already know general man-cuz he looooveesss himmm-)
(No no no no no. OK-so basically the general and Elliot already know each other and are friends, Elliot has a big phat crush but he believes that the general doesn't return his affections-thus developing Hanahaki disease. It's honestly not just about the other person realizing their feelings. The feelings might already be there, it's more about admitting them and making the victim understand that they care for them.)