I Started Dating Someone By Taking Advantage Of Her Weakness, But I Was Actually Dating Her Mother - Chapter 7-8: First Date (Part 3&4)

“Is this place okay?” 

“Huh? Yes.”

Jin guided Yoriko to a stylish café located near the station. This café was one Jin had researched online beforehand, a place highly rated by young women. From the establishment’s setup, Yoriko realized it was a café in a price range she would absolutely never use in her normal life, which made her hesitate a bit to enter.

“Welcome! Will that be two customers?” 

“Yes.” 

“Very well. Please let me show you to your seats.”

An energetic young waitress noticed Jin and Yoriko entering and called out to them. After confirming their number, she guided Jin and Yoriko to an available table.

“How about this table?” 

“It’s fine with me, but what about you, Tsukimizato-san?” 

“Y-yes. I-it’s fine.”

The waitress guided Jin and Yoriko to a window seat with a good view outside and asked them if the table was acceptable. Jin found it suitable, but when he checked with Yoriko, she replied that it was fine, though she seemed uneasy.

“I’ll bring you some water and oshibori hand towels, so please wait a moment.”

After confirming that Jin and Yoriko were seated, the waitress informed them that she would bring water and oshibori, then bowed slightly and returned to the counter.

“It’s my first time here, but it’s really stylish, isn’t it?” 

“Y-yes, it is.”

Jin had already seen photos of the interior online, but seeing it in person, with the slightly dim lighting, brick walls decorated with plants placed in various locations, and the scent of coffee in the air, he thought the actual atmosphere was even more appealing than in the photos. Yoriko similarly felt that it was a place with a good atmosphere and was looking around the interior as if seeing something rare.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your water and oshibori. Please call me when you’re ready to order.”

The waitress brought water and oshibori to Jin and Yoriko’s table, informed them to call her when they were ready to order, and then went to attend to other customers.

“Tsukimizato-san, feel free to order whatever you like.” 

“Alright. Let’s see…”

(No way! A single cup of coffee costs 800 yen? How many days’ worth of our household food budget would that be?)

Yoriko was shocked as she looked at the menu placed on the table. Having continued a difficult life of constant saving, just entering a café was something she hadn’t done in a very long time, and she was shocked to find that the price of a cup of coffee had become unexpectedly high during that time.

(No, no, I was about to forget my original purpose because of how expensive everything is. Kaneda-kun, I’ll make you regret threatening my daughter.)

Yoriko was so surprised by the coffee prices that she almost forgot her original purpose, but she decided to carry out her revenge for the near-blackmail that had been done to her daughter Otowa.

“I’ve decided. I’ll have the Special Parfait.” 

“Got it. Excuse me!” 

“Yes?” 

“One Special Parfait and one Master’s Special Coffee, please.”

(I know this is contradictory after what I just said, but I’ve ordered the most expensive item on the menu without any hesitation. Maybe Kaneda-kun didn’t even check how much the Special Parfait costs.)

Seeing Jin order exactly what she had requested without changing his expression, Yoriko felt both surprise and concern.

(Th-this is a 5,000 yen parfait, isn’t it?)

In front of Yoriko was placed the Special Parfait, the most expensive item in this coffee shop. It was about twice the size of a regular parfait, generously topped with fresh cream, and filled with various types of fruits both inside and on top. It was arranged like a flower radiating multiple colors, and Yoriko thought it looked like a work of art, making her feel reluctant to eat it.

“C-can I really eat this?” 

“P-please go ahead. You don’t need to ask me, feel free to eat it.” 

Yoriko asked Jin once more to confirm if it was okay to eat it. Jin looked momentarily confused before answering with a smile.

“W-well then, I’ll dig in.” 

Yoriko made up her mind, picked up the long-handled parfait spoon, scooped up some of the parfait, and put it in her mouth.

“Mmm, it’s delicious! It’s so sweet.” 

Yoriko savored the taste of the parfait she had not eaten for over a decade. And from its deliciousness, a broad smile spread across her face.

(Tsukimizato-san is enjoying the parfait so much. She looks incredibly happy. Just watching her puts me at ease.)

Jin also felt a warm feeling inside as he watched Yoriko’s happy face, and he sipped his coffee while observing her as she silently and diligently devoured the parfait without conversation.

“I never knew parfaits could be this delicious. Oh! I-I got completely absorbed in eating without thinking!” 

“You know, Tsukimizato-san, you had such a happy expression while eating that parfait. I couldn’t help but stare.”

Yoriko had been so focused on eating that she only came back to her senses once the dish containing the parfait was empty. Jin hadn’t conversed with her either, but just seeing her happy face made him glad he had ordered the parfait.

“Would you like another one?” 

“Eh? Is that okay?” 

“Of course. Excuse me! Another Special Parfait, please!”

(He really ordered another one. That’s 10,000 yen total. I don’t have that much money with me, but I hope it’s really okay?)

Yoriko couldn’t forget the taste of the Special Parfait and gave in to Jin’s sweet temptation. As they ordered the second Special Parfait, she remembered that she didn’t have 10,000 yen in her wallet and became anxious about what they would do if Jin couldn’t pay for the meal.

“You really like sweets, don’t you, Tsukimizato-san?” 

“Eh? I don’t usually eat them.” 

“Is that so? You looked so happy eating it that I thought it was something you ate regularly.”

(I do like sweets, but considering our household finances, I can’t afford unnecessary expenses.)

Jin heard Yoriko’s words and learned that she didn’t normally eat sweets. He assumed that she was just being careful about excessive calorie intake, but the reality was that the Tsukimizato household finances were tight, and they simply couldn’t afford luxuries like sweets.

“Here you go. Your Special Parfait. I’ll take these away.”

While Jin and Yoriko were talking about sweets, the waitress brought the Special Parfait they had ordered and placed it on the table. At the same time, she cleared away the dishes that Jin and Yoriko had used.