(When it was on display, I could only touch it lightly, but it feels so wonderful to hold.)

Yoriko received the dolphin plush toy from Jin and hugged it. The pleasant elasticity and texture were indescribably good.

“I’m glad you like it. Seeing you happy makes me happy too.” 

“Huh? Was it showing on my face?” 

“It was the same happy face you make when you’re eating.” 

“Oh, how embarrassing!”

Yoriko became very embarrassed when Jin pointed out that her expression had unconsciously softened. Not wanting him to see her blushing face, she hid it behind the dolphin plush toy she was holding.

“Well then, shall we head back now?” 

“Yes. Let’s go to the bus stop.”

Jin and Yoriko decided to leave the aquarium and head to the bus stop.

“Tsukimizato-san? Ah, it seems she’s fallen asleep from fatigue.”

On the return bus, Jin and Yoriko were seated in a two-person seat, but Yoriko had fallen asleep from exhaustion. The dolphin plush toy they had purchased at the aquarium was lying across both their laps, serving as a sort of blanket.

“The texture of this dolphin plush is really quite nice.”

With no one to talk to, Jin stroked the dolphin plush toy on his lap. He could feel the pleasant texture and understood why Yoriko had been attracted to it.

“Oh!”

When the bus went over a bump, it shook significantly, causing Yoriko to lean heavily against Jin. It was the first time Jin had been in physical contact with a woman, and he experienced Yoriko’s softness and an indescribable sweet fragrance.

“Her face is so close.”

When Jin turned toward Yoriko, her face was right there. It was his first experience of this kind, and Jin’s heart was racing. He was so flustered that he couldn’t move and could only gaze at her face.

“Tsukimizato-san, we’re almost at the station.” 

“Huh? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep. Oh no!”

The journey from the aquarium to the station took about 20 minutes by bus. Jin woke Yoriko up as they approached the station. She woke up immediately but seemed surprised about something.

“Kaneda-kun, I-I’m sorry. There’s drool on your clothes.” 

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a little bit, and I should be the one thanking you for letting me see your cute sleeping face.” 

“Geez, Kaneda-kun, do you always sweet-talk women like this?” 

“N-n-no, not at all. I’ve never been on a date with a woman before. You’re my first.”

Yoriko had slept so comfortably, albeit briefly, that she had drooled a little. Some of it had fallen onto Jin’s clothes, slightly wetting them. In response to Jin’s thoughtfulness, Yoriko couldn’t help but ask if he sweet-talked many women. Jin honestly told her that this was his first date.

“R-really?”

Yoriko felt very relieved upon hearing Jin’s response. As they were having this exchange, the bus arrived at the station.

“Tsukimizato-san, do you still have enough time?” 

“Hmm, I’m sorry. I need to go home soon to prepare dinner.” 

“I see. That’s too bad. Today was really fun.” 

“I had fun too. But I’m sorry for making you spend so much money.”

Jin had been thinking about their next destination, but since they hadn’t clearly decided how long the date would last, he asked Yoriko about her plans to confirm if they could continue. However, Yoriko needed to prepare dinner to coincide with Otowa’s return from her part-time job. Although Yoriko really wanted to continue the date, she reluctantly declined.

“That was our agreement, so don’t worry about it. Um, if possible, I’d like to go on another date with you.”

This date had been proposed by Jin as a condition for forgetting about the fart incident, and Otowa had accepted on the condition that Jin would pay for all expenses. Since they weren’t in a relationship, the date was meant to be a one-time event. Jin felt that this date had been very enjoyable and asked Yoriko about another date, hoping for the best.

“I had a great time too. And I’d like to go on another date with Kaneda-kun. Let’s see…”

Yoriko also felt the date had been enjoyable and thought it would be nice to have another one, but she soon remembered that she was there as a substitute for her daughter, and having achieved the original purpose, she thought it would be right to end it here. However, Yoriko was reluctant to end things and began thinking about a good solution.

“Would next Sunday at the same time and place be okay?” 

“That day works for me. Then I’ll look forward to next week.”

Yoriko proposed a date for next Sunday. Jin had no reason to refuse and accepted her proposal.

“Also, I have one request.”

Yoriko spoke with a serious expression to Jin, who was happy about securing the date.

“Even though we’ve made plans for a date, we’re not actually dating. I don’t want strange rumors at school, so I’d prefer it if you didn’t speak to me at all until our next date.” 

“Huh? O-okay, I understand.” 

“Thank you.”

Jin couldn’t read Yoriko’s intentions, but since they had made plans for next week, he thought he could endure that much and accepted her proposal.

“Well then, Kaneda-kun, see you next week… I mean, see you tomorrow at school.” 

“Yeah, see you tomorrow. Tsukimizato-san, be careful with that large package.” 

“Thank you. I’ll treasure this stuffed animal.”

Yoriko almost responded with her own schedule but remembered she was there in place of Otowa and hurriedly corrected herself. Jin thought about offering to walk her home since she was carrying a large item, but since they weren’t dating, he decided it was appropriate to part ways here and didn’t suggest it. Thus, their first date successfully concluded.