I Started Dating Someone By Taking Advantage Of Her Weakness, But I Was Actually Dating Her Mother - Chapter 75-76: Third Date (Part 16) & Detour Date (Part 1)

(What was Tsukimizato-san trying to say?)

After the Ferris wheel started moving, things became a bit awkward, and in the end, they didn’t exchange any conversation until they got off. Because of this, Jin was bothered by what Yoriko had seemed about to say, but more than that, his head was completely filled with thoughts about how their lips had touched, and before he knew it, he had stopped feeling that curiosity.

“Shall we head home soon?”

“Yes, let’s.”

After finishing the last attraction, with closing time approaching soon, Yoriko was the one who suggested they go home. Jin still had feelings of wanting to stay there longer, but with the unavoidable time limit of closing time approaching, there were currently no other options left besides leaving the amusement park.

“Ah, that’s right. The photo.”

“I almost forgot it.”

Without either of them particularly initiating it, their hands had naturally become joined as they walked toward the exit, but suddenly Jin remembered the photo they had taken when they’d first entered the park.

“Excuse me. I’d like to exchange this, please.”

“Yes. Is this the correct photo?”

Jin handed the exchange ticket to the staff member at the exit gate. They then showed him a two-shot photo of Jin and Yoriko neatly inside a picture frame, confirming that the contents were correct.

“Hehe, Kaneda-kun, your face looks strained.”

“It was my first photo, so I was nervous!”

Looking at the photo, Jin’s face was strained with nervousness. In contrast, Yoriko was beaming with a full smile, their expressions clearly opposites. When Yoriko, who had been looking at the photo together with him, said this while laughing, Jin replied as if to dispel his embarrassment.

“That’s fine. It’s no problem.”

“Understood. Then, that will be two copies of the photo.”

“Thank you very much.”

Jin and Yoriko each received their photos in the amusement park envelopes.

“We look forward to your next visit.”

The exit gate was right there next to where they had received the photos, and Jin and Yoriko left the place, seen off by the staff.

“Then, it’s okay to take a taxi home, right?”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”

On the way there, they had traveled by train considering the cost, but with the common understanding that they didn’t want to experience that crowding again, they decided to use a taxi on the way back. After putting the photos in their bags, the two moved to the taxi stand while holding hands.

“You’re supposed to prepare dinner today too, right?”

“Yes, that’s the plan. But I don’t have ingredients, so I’m planning to shop on the way home.”

“In that case, it would be good to go to a store as our destination.”

“Thank you. That would be very helpful.”

While waiting for the taxi, Jin asked Yoriko about her plans afterward. Since Otowa, who had gone to work part-time that day, would be returning home, Yoriko had to prepare dinner before then, so she intended to purchase ingredients before going home. When she told this to Jin, the taxi’s destination was decided to be the supermarket that Yoriko usually used.

“…To the market, please.”

“Understood.”

Jin and Yoriko got into the taxi, and Yoriko told the taxi driver their destination. The driver then radioed their destination to headquarters, switched on the fare meter, and the display changed from “vacant” to “hired”, showing the rising fare.

“As expected, taxis are more comfortable than trains.”

“I played a lot today and got a little tired. It might have been tough to go home standing on the train like that.”

Jin and Yoriko felt grateful once again for using a taxi where they could definitely sit while travelling, rather than a crowded train.

(Ah, the fare has already reached four digits.)

After the taxi started moving, Yoriko had been concerned about how the amount on the fare meter began moving from the initial fare, going up by several tens of yen every little while. The movement showed no signs of stopping, and in no time, four-digit numbers were being displayed.

(It went up again. I’m scared to think how much it will be when we reach our destination.)

Even though Yoriko knew Jin would pay the fare, she couldn’t help but be concerned about the fare meter.

“Tsukimizato-san, you don’t need to worry about the money.”

“Yes, I understand, but seeing it go up one after another makes me worry.”

While Yoriko usually treated Jin with warm, embracing kindness, she struggled with money matters, so even though she understood rationally, she couldn’t easily switch her feelings. Jin noticed Yoriko’s gaze and reassured her once again not to worry.

(It’s okay for me to rely on Kaneda-kun, right?)

Thinking this, Yoriko grasped Jin’s hand, and Jin squeezed back in response.

“Is this place alright?”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

Enveloped by Jin’s warm hand, Yoriko felt reassured and had fallen asleep without realizing it. She woke up when the taxi had arrived at their destination, just as Jin was making the payment.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I ended up falling asleep.”

“I thought you might be tired from playing, so I was watching your sleeping face.”

“How embarrassing.”

Yoriko apologized for falling asleep, but since the same thing had happened when they’d gone to the aquarium, Jin wasn’t fazed at all.

“I can at least carry your bags, so would it be okay if I came along?”

“Eh? You don’t need to go that far.”

“If it’s not a bother, I just thought I’d like to stay together a little longer.”

After Jin and Yoriko got out of the taxi, Jin asked if he could come along when Yoriko was about to go shopping.

“It’s not a bother, but I’m just buying ingredients?”

“That’s fine. That way, we can stay together a little longer.”

Yoriko had intended to part ways there, but Jin’s offer extended their date just a little bit more.