I Suddenly Became Rich, But I Have No Idea How to Spend the Money

It took less than an hour of driving before we arrived at our destination.

“This place has such a great atmosphere!”

Hitomi Yukii excitedly sought my agreement.

“Right? I figured we had to check it out at least once, so I thought I’d bring you along, my fellow Japanese cuisine enthusiast!”

I replied, slightly excited myself.

Upon entering the restaurant, I approached the owner and said, “I have a reservation under Kirishima.”

The proprietress stepped out from behind the counter and said, “Ah, Mr. Kirishima. We’ve been expecting you,” before leading us to a private room.

After seating us, she took our drink orders and then left the room.

“This place looks crazy expensive!?!? I didn’t bring much money with me!?!?”

Hitomi exclaimed in a panic.

I simply replied, “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

“I mean, maybe it’s because we’re not dating yet, but the fact that she’s genuinely worried about whether she can afford it is definitely a good sign.”

I let my smug thoughts wander while waiting for our drinks and food.

At Iwai, they only serve set courses, so there’s no need to place individual orders. While they occasionally check how far along you are with your meal, they rarely disturb guests in private rooms.

As Hitomi and I chatted about trivial things, the first dish was brought out.

It was a seasonal appetizer featuring hamo (pike conger) and soft-shell turtle broth, perfectly suited for summer.

“Ooooh… hamo. And the broth is soft-shell turtle, huh?”

“Yeah, eating hamo really makes it feel like summer.”

“Totally! Especially in Kyoto—there’s always talk about the Gion Festival and hamo together! I’ve always wanted to eat hamo by the river in Kyoto.”

“The Gion Festival is coming up soon. Should we go to Kyoto?”

I asked mischievously, harboring a faint hope that she’d say yes.

“Sounds good! I’ll cover the gas and tolls, so let’s go! But in exchange, you treat me to the hamo.”

Hitomi teased with a playful grin.

This carefree side of her was one of the things I found so charming.

“The hamo is way more expensive than the gas and tolls!”

I retorted.

Hitomi just laughed. “Relax, it’s a joke. I do have enough money to pay for my own hamo.”

“Being able to talk about money without things getting awkward is really nice.”

Given my past experiences, I found myself silently appreciating this moment.

Once again, my opinion of Hitomi went up a notch.

Time flew by as we enjoyed our meal, and soon, all that remained was dessert. That was when the conversation took a turn toward romance.

“Hitomi, you’re gorgeous and super popular. Why haven’t you dated anyone?”

“Because there’s someone I have my heart set on.”

“Is it someone I know?”

“Well, yeah, of course. But more importantly, why haven’t you dated anyone, Kirishima?”

“Wow, that was a blatant topic shift. But fine, whatever.

Honestly, I’ve been busy with personal stuff, and after my last breakup, I wasn’t in a rush to get into another relationship. Besides, I always had cute girls willing to eat with me, so I never really felt the need.”

“Wait, cute? You mean me?

I mean, yeah, it’s common knowledge, but hearing it outright is still kinda embarrassing.”

“Idiot!

But yeah, that’s how it’s been. So, back to my question—who’s this person you’ve got your heart set on?”

“Oh, so we’re back to that, huh?

Well, if I were to give you a hint…

Maybe it’s time you figured it out already? I mean, would a girl this cute and amazing normally go to a private dining spot with a guy one-on-one?”

“Oh, come on.”

I glanced over at Hitomi, only to find her looking at me dead serious—no jokes, no teasing. Just a straightforward gaze, locked onto me.

“Wait… for real?”

“Yeah. Well… yeah. I mean, I didn’t expect it to go down quite like this, but yeah, I’m serious.

To begin with, you’re the only guy I’ve gone out to eat with one-on-one since starting university.”

“Uh, wait, uh, huh? I mean—uh, what?”

I was completely flustered by her response.

“Well, well. So now you know, right?

Mr. Kirishima, the brilliant student favored by our professors.”

Kirishima hesitated before asking fearfully, “It’s… it’s me?”

“Ding ding ding! Finally figured it out, huh, Kirishima?

After sitting next to you all semester, chatting with you all the time, and dropping so many hints, you really had no clue?

You probably just thought we recently started getting along, didn’t you?”

“I’m so sorry, Miss Yukii…”

“So? What now?

I went out of my way to say all this, and you’re not even gonna give me an answer? Huh? Kirishima?”

Hitomi prodded me, pushing me to make a move. I steeled myself and finally said:

“Uh… would you go out with me?”

A triumphant smirk appeared on Hitomi’s face.

“Lose the ‘uh’ and ‘would you.’ Try again.”

As if making me confess first wasn’t enough, she made me rephrase it over and over until she was satisfied.

It took about five tries before I finally got her official approval.

Even then, she only gave me a “passing grade.”

“Thank you!

But, Hitomi, why were you interested in me in the first place?”

“Looks don’t matter to me as long as the guy seems kind enough.

You’ve got a clean look, you’re tall, and your style is exactly my type.

But most importantly, unlike other guys, you never came on too strong. Even when I flirted with you, you barely noticed. That really got under my skin.

I mean, I know I’m a catch.

But by the time I realized it, it was too late. I was already always looking at you, always thinking about you.”

Hearing her honest thoughts caught me off guard.

“Wow… I’m honored.

To think that the ultimate dream girl, Hitomi Yukii, took an interest in me…

I, Kirishima, am moved to tears!”

Overcome with excitement, I blurted out nonsense.

“What the hell are you even saying?”

Hitomi rolled her eyes but then smiled softly.

“Well, from now on, we’re officially a couple. Let’s take good care of each other, okay?”

“Of course! Looking forward to it!”

And just like that, we became a couple.

When it came time to pay the bill at Iwai, I insisted, “Since we’re officially dating now, I’ll cover the whole thing.”

But Hitomi refused, saying she’d pay half, no matter what. In the end, I covered the majority while we split the rest.

And so, our first official date ended on that note.