I Started Dating Someone By Taking Advantage Of Her Weakness, But I Was Actually Dating Her Mother - Chapter 63-64: Third Date (Part 4&5)

“We arrived. I’m going to buy tickets now, but before that, could you give me your cell phone number so we could contact each other if we get separated in the park?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t have a cell phone.”

Jin had thought to exchange contact information beforehand since it would be troublesome if they got separated in the large park. However, the Tsukimizato family didn’t have the financial means to maintain cell phones, so neither parent nor child owned one.

“Oh, sorry.”

(Even though I had heard about Tsukimizato-san’s financial situation, I asked without thinking. Ugh, I should have been more considerate. I’m such an idiot.)

Jin regretted forgetting the point he should have been considerate about after hearing Yoriko’s words.

“A-anyway, I’ll buy the admission tickets, but would you mind coming with me so we don’t get separated?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Kaneda-kun, I made you worry about me, didn’t I?”

Looking at Jin’s expression, Yoriko realized he was regretting having asked for her cell phone number. She gently moved closer to Jin while offering a brief apology so as not to worry him.

“Amusement parks cost quite a bit of money just to enter, don’t they?”

“That’s true. But this place comes with a free pass, so we can enjoy as much as we want without worrying about money.”

Yoriko said this while looking at the price list posted at the ticket booth. The prices were somewhat high, but it was a conscientious facility where you could enjoy attractions to your heart’s content because it came with a free pass.

“Two adults, please.”

“Yes, that’s 10,000 yen for two adults.”

Jin paid at the ticket booth and received tickets for two people.

“Tsukimizato-san, here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Jin handed one of the tickets to Yoriko. Then, clutching their tickets, they moved to the entrance gate.

(I wonder if it’s been about 20 years since I last came to an amusement park. I’m so excited, as though I’ve returned to my youth.)

While looking at the various attractions that were slightly visible from inside the entrance gate, Yoriko was remembering the last time she had visited.

(Come to think of it, I was with that friend of mine back then. I haven’t been in contact with her for quite a while, but I wonder if she’s doing well?)

The amusement park they were visiting had been a facility that existed since Yoriko was a child. The last time she had visited was during her student days with a close friend, but after graduating from school, she didn’t keep in much contact with that friend, and they had gradually grown apart.

“Tsukimizato-san, is something wrong?”

“Huh? No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.”

Yoriko remembered that instead of dwelling on past memories, she needed to think about enjoying herself since she was here with Jin now.

“You two there, how about a commemorative photo?”

When Jin and Yoriko entered through the entrance gate, there was a photographer taking commemorative photos in the entrance plaza. The photographer was conducting sales activities indiscriminately toward people who had entered, but since this amusement park was used mostly by locals and most were repeat visitors, few listened to him, and he was mostly ignored. As Jin and Yoriko passed by, the photographer called out to them as well.

“Tsukimizato-san, shall we take one as a memento?”

“Hmm, I don’t mind.”

(I’m so happy that I can take a photo with Kaneda-kun. But I can’t display it in the room where Otowa is, can I?)

When Jin asked Yoriko, she agreed to the photography while maintaining a calm expression. However, contrary to that expression, she was internally so happy about being able to have a commemorative item with Jin that she wanted to jump for joy.

“Then, we’ll take the photo with the flower bed in front and the Ferris wheel in the background. Yes, we’re finished. How many copies would you like?”

“Um, two copies please.”

“Understood. That’s 2,000 yen for two copies. This is an exchange voucher, so please pick them up at the exit gate when you leave.”

Since the photos would be printed out and placed in special frames, they couldn’t be given immediately and had to be picked up when leaving. Jin paid the photographer and received the exchange voucher.

“Tsukimizato-san, do you have any preferences for what you’d like to ride?”

“Well, when it comes to amusement parks, it has to be the jet coaster first, right?”

“I-I see.”

Since Jin didn’t know Yoriko’s preferences, he tried asking where they should go first. He had expected something mild to come up, but was surprised when she immediately suggested a thrilling ride instead.

“So, let’s go get in line.”

“O-okay.”

Yoriko, fully motivated to ride the roller coaster, took Jin’s hand and led him to the ride area.

“This is definitely a popular attraction. Quite a few people are lined up.”

“That’s true. It would be troublesome if the wait were too long, but waiting a reasonable amount gives us time to do image training for when we actually ride it.”

The roller coaster at this amusement park was popular, and the line was longer compared to other attractions. Jin and Yoriko got in line at the back and decided to wait for their turn.

“Thank you for waiting. Please go ahead.”

After a while, Jin and Yoriko’s turn came.

“Kaneda-kun, this is amazing. We got the front row!”

“Y-yeah, that’s right.”

Jin and Yoriko were lucky enough to get front-row seats. This ride consisted of five connected cars that could seat four people each with two rows of seats front and back, for a total capacity of 20 people. As long as you didn’t mind the people behind you, it felt like you were in your own private space. Yoriko’s excitement was high even before they started moving, but in contrast, Jin was somewhat uncomfortable with this type of ride.

“The safety bar is coming down.”

When the attendant announced this, a safety restraint bar came down from above, securely fastening the passengers.

“Well then, off you go. Have a safe trip!”

Clunk.

When the attendant said this, a loud sound came from below, and the roller coaster carrying Jin and Yoriko began to move.

“Could it be that Kaneda-kun isn’t good with this kind of ride?”

“N-no, that’s not true at all.”

While climbing the steep incline with clanking sounds, Yoriko looked at Jin’s expression and asked with concern, but Jin stubbornly denied it.

“I see, I see. So Kaneda-kun has things he’s not good at too.”

“Tsukimizato-san, don’t you look kind of happy about that?”

“I don’t. Oh, that’s right. You might feel a bit calmer if you hold my hand.”

“Ah!”

After saying that, Yoriko’s hand gently wrapped around and gripped Jin’s hand.

(Huh? I feel like Tsukimizato-san’s grip is getting stronger.)

Jin felt puzzled by Yoriko gripping his hand more tightly than usual. While this was happening, the roller coaster carrying Jin and Yoriko had reached the highest point. From there, it would use the force of the slope to return to the starting point. After a moment of floating sensation, they went downhill and gradually picked up speed.

“Aaahhh, I can’t support my body!”

“Ahahahaha!”

Since Yoriko was firmly gripping one of Jin’s hands and wouldn’t let go even when he tried to free it, Jin had to support himself against the car that was shaking up, down, left, and right with just one hand on the safety bar, which increased his fear. Meanwhile, Yoriko was laughing joyfully beside him.

“Hah, hah, that was scary.”

“Really? I had a lot of fun. Should we go for another round?”

“Sorry, I need a little break.”

Once the roller coaster started moving, the ride time was brief, and they quickly completed one circuit and returned to the starting point. The two got off and headed toward the exit. While holding Yoriko’s hand during the ride had been nice, Jin, who had suffered more physical and mental damage than anything else, quickly told Yoriko that he needed to rest.