I Started Dating Someone By Taking Advantage Of Her Weakness, But I Was Actually Dating Her Mother - Chapter 55-56: Offerings (Part 1&2)

“By the way, Kaneda-kun, were you shopping for lunch at this store?”

“That’s right. But also, since I troubled Tsukimizato-san yesterday, I was thinking of bringing her an apology gift with lunch.”

“Trouble?”

(Otowa didn’t say anything about it last night, but I wonder if something happened between the two of them? But I shouldn’t have asked about that here.)

Jin had been speaking thinking he was talking to Otowa herself, but since it was Yoriko listening, she didn’t understand what kind of trouble he was referring to. Yoriko reflexively asked back, then realized it was something she shouldn’t have inquired about.

“Well, I accidentally scooped up some whipped cream that was around Tsukimizato-san’s mouth like this and ended up licking it without thinking.”

(Oh my, oh my, well, well. If Kaneda-kun is worried about it, then knowing that child, she must have gotten embarrassed and run away.)

When Jin explained with hand gestures as if recreating what had happened yesterday, Yoriko, who was Otowa’s mother, somehow sensed what had occurred afterward.

“I’m sorry about that. She just got a little embarrassed. I don’t mind it at all, so it’s fine.”

“It’s a relief to hear you say that. I was worried I might have made you angry.”

When Yoriko answered as if speaking for Otowa’s feelings, Jin showed a relieved expression.

“Oh no. I need to head out soon or I’ll be late.”

“Huh? Ah, that’s right. You need to go home once and prepare for school, right?”

“Ah, y-yes, that’s right. Well then, Kaneda-kun, see you on Sun— I mean, see you later.”

(I got a bit carried away talking. I need to hurry or I’ll be late.)

Yoriko had secured a promise to meet Jin on Sunday and headed to the sewing factory where she worked in high spirits.

“So Tsukimizato-san was working this early in the morning. It might be meddlesome of me, but maybe I should choose something energizing for lunch.”

Jin assumed that Yoriko was working from early morning and headed to school after purchasing something that might give her energy at the supermarket.

“Good morning, Tsukimizato-san.”

“Huh? Oh, good morning.”

When Jin entered the classroom and was organizing what he had brought at his seat, Otowa arrived at school. When Jin greeted her, Otowa returned the greeting with a somewhat troubled expression.

“We couldn’t make plans yesterday, but would it be okay if I went to that place during lunch break?”

“You’re planning to come again? As I said before, it’s a school facility, so do as you please. Also, don’t talk to me so casually in the classroom.”

“Sorry.”

When Jin asked Otowa if he could go to the place where she spent her lunch breaks, Otowa didn’t refuse, though she showed an exasperated expression.

“Did you wait?”

“I-I wasn’t waiting or anything. Kaneda-kun just came on his own.”

“Hmm, that might be true. Today I bought lunch for the hard-working Tsukimizato-san.”

Somehow lunch break arrived, and Jin headed toward the stairs leading to the rooftop, following behind Otowa. Jin, who had met up with her, announced that he had prepared lunch while showing the shopping bag containing what he had procured that morning.

“That’s fine by me. I brought my own.”

“Then let’s trade.”

“Hmph, it can’t be helped. It’s the usual plain rice balls. Don’t expect me to give them back even if you ask for them later!”

Otowa was very curious about the non-rice-ball food dangling in front of her, so she accepted Jin’s proposal and offered her plain rice balls.

“So, what did you buy, Kaneda-kun?”

“I thought you might be tired, so I decided on katsudon.”

“Tired? Well, whatever. Wow, it has a big cutlet in it and looks delicious.”

When Jin took out the prepared katsudon from the plastic bag, Otowa’s eyes lit up. Jin thought she must be tired from working in the morning, so this time he chose something with slightly higher calories that would give her energy, rather than prioritizing ease of eating.

“Of course, it comes with a drink. Tea is okay, right?”

“Thank you. I’ll have some.”

Otowa received the plastic bottle of tea from Jin.

“Mmm, it’s been a while since I’ve had meat. The coating on the outside is also delicious and goes well with the rice.”

Otowa then began eating the katsudon, chewing and swallowing each bite while savoring the taste.

“Well then, I guess I’ll have some too. Tsukimizato-san’s rice balls are simple, but even when they’re cold, they have a warmth to them that I like.”

“Mmph, gulp. My mother made those though. Speaking of which, when I told her that you were happily eating them yesterday, she was really pleased.”

Jin began eating the white rice ball he received from Otowa, and when he gave the same impression as yesterday, Otowa told him that her mother had been delighted.

“Kaneda-kun, that was delicious. Thank you.”

“Not at all. Thank you for the meal as well. Also, there’s dessert if you want to eat it?”

“Huh? There’s some today too?”

When lunch ended and Jin mentioned that he had prepared dessert, Otowa’s eyes sparkled as she sent him an expectant gaze.

“Here you go.”

“This is cream puff, right? It’s really big.”

“They say the bigger the better, so I chose the extra-large size.”

What Jin had prepared was a cream puff that was about twice the normal size. Otowa looked at it with a surprised expression at its size.

“I can eat this, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll have some. Mmm, the pastry shell and custard cream blend together exquisitely and it’s delicious!”

Otowa peeled off the packaging and gradually brought the cream puff to her mouth bit by bit. Jin could tell just by looking at Otowa’s face that she was satisfied.

“Hah, honestly, I was expecting that Kaneda-kun might bring something again today. I think it would be bad if things continued like this. So, eating together today will be the last time. If you plan to come again, I’ll eat in a different place.”

“Why is eating together a problem?”

When Otowa told him that spending lunch together would be the last time that day, Jin asked for the reason.

“I mentioned this a little before, but my family is struggling financially to the point where I can only bring white rice balls for lunch. I don’t know if Kaneda-kun knows this, but I’m attending this school on a scholarship.”

“I see.”

Jin was surprised to hear from Otowa that she was receiving a scholarship to attend school.

“Because my family doesn’t have money, I can’t spend money wastefully, and I don’t have the luxury of playing with friends either. Because I don’t want to have painful experiences, I’ve been trying not to make friends at school, but if I continue spending lunch breaks with Kaneda-kun like this, I’ll have to treat you as a friend.”

“I don’t mind at all though.”

“I mind! That’s why eating lunch together ends today. Do you understand?”

Being confronted with Otowa’s one-sided demand, Jin was shocked to be rejected by the woman he thought was his friend.

“I’m very grateful for the food you bring me to eat. So even though it pains me greatly to say this, please don’t talk to me at school anymore. That’s how it is.”

“Ah, Tsukimizato-san.”

After saying this, Otowa gathered her belongings and went down the stairs.