(Today was fun.)

Jin watched Yoriko, who was carrying the large dolphin stuffed animal, until she disappeared from sight. Although it had been full of first-time experiences, Jin’s self-assessment of the date was that it had been successful.

“Alright, I’ll go home and think about what to do for next week’s date.”

Jin was happy that this date hadn’t ended things, but had led to another. Wanting to please her again next time, he headed home to make plans.

“I’m home. Though there’s no one to answer, of course.”

Yoriko returned home and looked around the room, but naturally no one was there. Her daughter Otowa was out working part-time to earn living expenses. Standing alone in the empty room made her feel a bit lonely, as she had been with Jin until just a little while ago.

“I need to prepare dinner before Otowa gets back. Mr. Dolphin, wait here for a bit, okay?”

Yoriko placed the dolphin stuffed animal that Jin had bought for her in the six-tatami room that served as both living room and bedroom, and then began to take off the borrowed uniform.

“Since it’s what Otowa uses for school, I’d like to wash it, but there’s a chance it won’t dry in time, so I’ll just iron it later.”

After hanging Otowa’s borrowed uniform on the wall, Yoriko changed clothes, put on an apron, and began preparing dinner.

“I’m home.” 

“Welcome back.”

Around the time Yoriko finished preparing dinner, Otowa returned from her part-time job.

“Wow, where did this dolphin stuffed animal come from?” 

“Well, this is…”

When Otowa entered the house, she immediately noticed the dolphin stuffed animal sitting in the living room/bedroom.

“Did you make Kaneda-kun buy it?” 

“W-well, yes.”

When Otowa asked Yoriko, she told her that Jin had bought it for her.

“Mom, you’re something else. How much was it?” 

“…27,500 yen.” 

“Wow, Kaneda-kun must have been in tears after being made to buy something like this. Well, that’s what he gets for trying to threaten me with my weakness. After inflicting this much financial damage, he should understand how scary I am and not bother me anymore.”

(I’m sorry, Otowa. I made plans to meet him again next week.)

Otowa heard the price of the stuffed animal from Yoriko and had a triumphant look on her face. However, Yoriko couldn’t bring herself to tell Otowa about her promise to meet Jin again next Sunday.

“Y-yes. Oh, that’s right. Dinner is ready.”

Yoriko changed the subject by announcing that dinner was prepared.

“Mom, I’m starving.”

Otowa sat down at the low table, and Yoriko began serving dinner.

“Thank you for the food.”

With dinner preparations complete, Yoriko and Otowa began eating the meal placed on the low table. Since it was just before payday, it was a modest meal of one soup and one dish, but Otowa ate without complaint.

“Hmm? Mom, you don’t seem to be eating much. Are you feeling unwell?” 

“No, I’m fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

Since Yoriko had eaten lunch a bit late, she wasn’t very hungry. When Otowa pointed this out, Yoriko continued eating at her usual pace so as not to worry her.

Chapter 20: Dinner Alone

“Now, what should I have tonight?”

Jin was on his way home after ending his date with Yoriko. Since there would be no dinner waiting for him at home, he stopped by a convenience store near his house.

“Welcome!”

As he entered the convenience store, a young male clerk who seemed unmotivated greeted him. Jin didn’t particularly respond and headed straight to where the boxed meals were kept.

(I’m getting tired of convenience store meals.)

Although slightly more expensive, Jin often used the convenience store near his home because it was easy to shop there. He frequently purchased dinner there and had tried all types of boxed meals available. While he was somewhat tired of them, going to another store was troublesome, so he reluctantly decided to choose from what was available.

“Would you like it heated?” 

“Yes, please.”

Jin selected a safe choice—a traditional Japanese boxed meal—and brought it to the register. The clerk asked about heating the meal as per the manual, and Jin requested it to be heated.

“Do you need a bag?” 

“No, I don’t.” 

“That will be 600 yen, please.” 

“Here you go.”

Since his home was just nearby, Jin decided to take the heated meal without a plastic bag and took money from his wallet to pay.

“I’ve received the exact amount. Thank you very much.”

Jin left the convenience store with his purchased meal.

“Well, now that I’ve secured dinner, time to head home.”

Having secured his dinner, Jin went straight home.

“I’m home.”

Jin’s house was a relatively new detached home in a quiet residential area. As an only child, with his father working far away, his father only came home during the Bon festival, New Year’s, and extended holidays. His mother had gone with his father, so Jin lived a life close to that of someone living alone.

“I’ve gotten used to no one being here though.”

Originally, his father was working away from home, and Jin had lived with his mother. But when Jin entered high school, his mother judged that he could live independently and went to join his father, leaving Jin behind. Since this lifestyle had continued for over a year, Jin had become accustomed to his current situation.

“Well, it’s good that I had the meal heated, but I’m still not hungry. I’ll take a shower first.”

Although Jin had his boxed meal heated at the convenience store, he wasn’t very hungry since lunch had been late. He decided to first take a bath, change clothes, and complete the homework assigned at school.

“After doing various things, the meal has gotten cold. Can’t be helped, I’ll eat it as is.”

Jin placed the now-cold boxed meal on the dining table, sat down in a chair, and opened the lid.

“Oh, that clerk didn’t include chopsticks. Well, I guess it’s partly my fault for not noticing.”

Jin noticed there were no chopsticks, stood up from his chair, went to the kitchen to get chopsticks, and also prepared some tea before sitting down again.

“It feels lonely somehow.”

Jin looked up just as he was about to use the chopsticks on his meal. He then remembered Yoriko’s smiling face from lunchtime, and though he had been fine being alone until now, a feeling of loneliness welled up inside him.