The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 01: Always Together

Chapter 01: Always Together

“Hirotooo~ It’s morning~ Time to wake uuuup!”

A soft, easygoing voice called out, gently tugging my consciousness out of sleep.

…Ah, right. I really did make it back.

Even though I’d spent nearly eight years in that other world—and actually lived through all of them—my body had somehow returned to the way it was when I first got summoned: sixteen years old, a first-year high schooler.

Honestly, yeah—it was confusing as hell…

But more than anything, I just felt relieved.

“Hiroto~? C’mon, get up alreeeady~?”

“I know, I know! I’m up, Nee-san!”

Our parents passed away when I was still really little.

Even though it must’ve been incredibly hard on her, my sister never let it show. She took care of me all on her own, always putting on a brave smile.

That’s why—ever since the day I got dragged into that other world—I kept fighting. I kept pushing forward with one goal and one goal only: to make it back home.

And when I finally did, the wave of relief that washed over me was almost too much to bear.

…Back over there, I’d lost count of how many times the same thought crossed my mind.

What if I never saw her again?

What if I never got the chance to say thank you?

What if I never repaid her for everything she’d done?

So yeah—just making it back felt like a miracle.

…And yet, even with all that joy, there was still something else.

A quiet, heavy ache I couldn’t ignore—

A deep, undeniable sense of loss.

It was during the first month after I’d been summoned to that world.

That’s when she appeared—

An assassin girl sent to kill me.

Even now, she’s the one I still can’t get out of my head.

Yeah, I know. It sounds crazy to be hung up on someone who literally tried to end me.

But when she first came after me… she was only eight years old.

And honestly? She knew even less about the world than I did—and I’d only been there a month myself.

So, for whatever reason… I decided to take her in.

Maybe it wasn’t pity.

Maybe I just needed someone—something—to hold onto.

I’m not really sure anymore.

But what I do know is… I raised her.

To her, I probably ended up being something like a parent.

She got super attached to me, so I don’t think she ever hated me or anything.

I mean, come on—

Even when she turned fourteen, we still took baths together, y’know?

That’s gotta mean she liked me at least a little, right?

…Just to be clear, I always made sure she wore a towel, okay?

Not that it really mattered anyway.

By that point, I was already over twenty.

In this world’s terms, she was basically a middle schooler.

There’s no way that would’ve done anything for me.

Even if she hadn’t worn a towel, it wouldn’t have been a big deal—

…Wait. No.

Once she started maturing, I probably would’ve felt seriously awkward.

So yeah.

Towel was definitely the right move.

“…Haah.”

Well, I guess it’s just a memory now.

She really was always by my side.

I shook my head, trying to push away the creeping melancholy.

…She’ll be fine.

By the time she turned fifteen, she was already way too skilled as an assassin—even I couldn’t sense her presence anymore.

There’s no way anyone’s taking her down that easily. She’s strong. She’ll be okay.

Besides, I taught her everything she needed.

We even said our goodbyes—properly.

So… yeah. It’s fine.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself—

But for some reason, my eyes started to sting.

Like there was dust in them or something.

My vision blurred.

…If I’d known it would feel like this, maybe I should’ve brought her with me—

No, what the hell am I even thinking?

Even if I had brought her back, then what?

What could I have done?

It’s not like this world has the same loose age laws. Over there, you’re considered an adult at fifteen.

But here? I’m still a kid myself.

So even if I’d brought her along… there’s no way I could’ve taken care of her.

…Ugh.

What am I even saying?

Forget it.

All I can do now…

Is hope she’s safe.

“Aira… I hope you’re doing we—”

“Yes?”

Just as I started to say her name—the name I gave her, since she didn’t have one when we first met—

And just as I was about to pray she was living a peaceful, happy life…

A voice I knew way too well cut me off.

Standing right in front of me was a girl—

With black hair and black eyes, rare traits in that other world.

Even though she’d always been properly fed, she never grew past the 140-something centimeter mark.

Slender. Petite.

And without a doubt—her.

“…Huh?”

“…Sorry. Looks like you didn’t call me. …I misunderstood.”

And just like that, the girl—Aira—vanished again.

“…………HAAH?!”