I Started Dating Someone By Taking Advantage Of Her Weakness, But I Was Actually Dating Her Mother - Chapter 11-12: First Date (Part 7&8)

“Tsukimizato-san, we’re getting off at the next stop.”

“Yes, I understand.” 

Jin and Yoriko had been rocking on the bus for about 20 minutes and were approaching the bus stop nearest to the aquarium. The interior of the bus was so crowded that people were standing, and many of those on board appeared to have the same destination, including families with small children and couples.

“Next stop: Aquarium. If there is no notification, the bus will continue without stopping.” 

“Kaneda-kun, if we don’t press the stop button, the bus will pass our stop.” 

“Y-yes, you’re right.”

There were rare occasions when, if many people were getting off at the same place, everyone assumed someone else would press the stop button, and in the end, no one ever did. That was exactly the situation now. When the bus driver made the announcement, several people, including Jin, hurriedly pressed the stop button simultaneously.

“I was worried the bus would pass our stop.” 

“Yes. Several people pressed the stop button at the same time in a panic. I almost laughed watching it.” 

“I’m good at quick reactions, so I’m sure the button that registered was the one I pressed.” 

“Hehe, I’ll let you believe that.” 

The vehicle stopped at the aquarium bus stop, and more than half the passengers disembarked, all heading toward the building at their own pace.

“It’s a big building. This is my first time visiting this aquarium. Have you been here before, Kaneda-kun?” 

“No, it’s my first time too.”

The aquarium they were visiting was a relatively new facility that had been completed a few years ago. It was the first visit for both Yoriko and Jin.

“Well then, I’ll go buy the entrance tickets, so please wait here for a moment.” 

“Alright, I understand.”

Since it had been agreed that Jin would pay for everything on this date, he naturally asked Yoriko to wait while he moved to the ticket counter.

(The aquarium shouldn’t be too hard on Kaneda-kun’s wallet, right?)

Yoriko had chosen the aquarium, thinking it wouldn’t cost much, as she regretted making Jin spend so much money at the café. However, she would soon learn that her assumption was mistaken.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your entrance ticket, Tsukimizato-san.” 

“Thank you. Wait, the aquarium entrance fee costs this much?”

After purchasing the tickets, Jin returned and handed one to Yoriko. She was surprised at the amount printed on the entrance ticket.

“Public facilities might be a bit cheaper, but I think this is standard for private ones. I’ve heard that aquariums have quite high costs—not just for building and equipment, but also for maintenance like feed and personnel expenses—so they set higher prices to recover those costs.” 

“I-I see.”

Yoriko was convinced by Jin’s explanation about why the entrance fee was high.

(I didn’t know the entrance fee would be 3,000 yen. I’ve burdened Kaneda-kun again. I’m sorry.)

Although Yoriko didn’t say it aloud, she felt apologetic about making Jin spend so much money.

“Amazing! There are so many sardines swimming around.” 

“Tsukimizato-san, do you like sardines?” 

After entering the aquarium and proceeding a little along the designated path, there was a large tank where schools of sardines were swimming together in the same direction. Since Yoriko was watching the sardines with such a serious expression, Jin thought she must have liked them and asked her.

“Huh? N-not particularly, I was just looking at how lively they are.” 

“I-I see.” 

Sardines were fish whose price fluctuated depending on the catch volume, but they generally fell into the relatively inexpensive category. In the Tsukimizato household too, they were familiar fish that appeared on the dinner table only during seasons when they were affordable. Yoriko was simply thinking how delicious the lively sardines looked. Jin found it curious that Yoriko was looking so intently at fish she didn’t have particular feelings for, judging them solely on their liveliness.

“Wow, now here’s a king crab, and oh, over here is a snow crab!” 

(Tsukimizato-san seems really happy, so I’m glad I brought her here.)

The two proceeded along the route and stopped at the crab exhibit. Yoriko was looking at the crabs in the tank with a serious expression. Watching her, Jin thought that if she was this delighted, it was good that he had brought her to this place. In truth, at that moment, Yoriko was simply gazing with longing at these luxury ingredients that were too expensive to ever appear on the Tsukimizato family table.

“Kaneda-kun, there are sharks over there. They’re so big!” 

“Yes, they’re very big. If you look carefully at their mouths, you can see lots of sharp teeth. It would hurt if they bit you.” 

Further along the route was a tank where sharks were exhibited. The tank was very large to allow these big fish to swim freely, and multiple sharks were swimming gracefully. Yoriko and Jin looked up into the tank, overwhelmed by the size and power of the creatures.

“Kaneda-kun, those are garden eels!”

“Tsukimizato-san, this striped one is called a ribbon eel, and garden eels are the ones with black spots on a white background.” 

“Really? I thought both were garden eels.” 

As they continued along the route, they came to a tank where garden eels and ribbon eels were exhibited. Yoriko had pointed to a ribbon eel and had called it a garden eel, but Jin pointed out the real garden eels to her. Yoriko then read the explanation next to the tank and realized that what Jin had said was correct.

“Tsukimizato-san, it seems the dolphin show is about to start.” 

“Really? I’ve never seen a dolphin show before.” 

“In that case, shall we go watch it together?” 

“Yes, that would be nice. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jin had anticipated going to the aquarium and had memorized the dolphin show schedule. Since the time was approaching, he asked Yoriko if she wanted to go see it, and she was very enthusiastic. And so, the two decided to move to the outdoor pool where the dolphin show was being held.