The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 07: She’s My Daughter, After All

Chapter 07: She’s My Daughter, After All

“…”

The moment I opened the bento, it hit me.

…It should’ve been obvious, honestly, but somehow I hadn’t noticed until just now.

There was only one pair of chopsticks.

“…Hiroto?”

Aira’s voice called out, tinged with concern.

I must’ve frozen up so suddenly that it caught her off guard.

Not that I could blame her—especially after everything that happened earlier with that emotional outburst of hers.

Well… calling it an “outburst” might be unfair. It all came from how much she cared about me, so… yeah. Best not to overthink it right now.

Anyway, the bigger issue at hand—how are we supposed to eat lunch?

…Should I go ask the staff room for another pair of chopsticks?

“Nah, it’s nothing. Aira, go ahead and start eating if you want.”

I did consider heading to the staff room, but honestly… it’s way too far from the rooftop. Too much of a hassle.

So instead, I figured I’d just eat from the other end of the chopsticks Aira was using.

“One bite at a time, together?”

Just as I was about to hand her the chopsticks—feeling pretty okay about it since I was the one who taught her how to use them—Aira said that.

“…Huh? Didn’t I say we’re splitting the bento in half?”

“That’s not what I mean. I want you to feed me, Hiroto. While you’re eating too.”

…Why would I need to feed her?

Sure, back when she was still learning how to use chopsticks, I did help her out like that.

But now?

…Well, she is still my daughter.

So I guess it’s not that strange.

And to be honest, I’m starving.

Might as well eat already.

“Alright. That works for me.”

With that, we pressed our hands together and said, “Itadakimasu.”

I’d taught Aira that back in the other world too, of course.

“Here, say aah.”

“Aaahn.”

Guess I’ll eat too.

While Aira was chewing, I flipped the chopsticks around and used the other end—the side she hadn’t touched—to grab a bite for myself.

When I glanced over, she was still chewing. Her mouth was shut (thanks to my stellar parenting), but her face?

Definitely not happy.

“…Why’d you flip the chopsticks?”

“…No real reason.”

There was no way I could tell her it felt awkward—doing the whole indirect kiss thing at our age. So I just played it off.

“In that case, don’t bother flipping them. Just eat like normal, okay?”

“…It’s fine, isn’t it? Anyway, your mouth’s open now, so come on—next bite.”

“…Mm. Aaahn.”

She went quiet again while chewing—just like before.

While she was focused on that, I took another bite from the same side. Same as last time.

“You did it again.”

Don’t say it like I committed a felony or something.

“Don’t tell me… you’re seriously that hung up on the whole indirect kiss thing?”

“O-Of course not!”

“Right, right. I mean, I am just your daughter, after all. Sharing an indirect kiss with your daughter wouldn’t make you nervous or anything, huh?”

“T-That’s obvious!”

Yeah, seriously.

What was I even getting all worked up about?

She’s my daughter, for crying out loud. So what if it’s an indirect kiss?

With that in mind, I went ahead and took a bite—using the same side of the chopsticks Aira had just used.

Then, without missing a beat, I gave her another bite right after.

…Pretty sure she looked kind of happy about it.

Maybe I got sweet-talked into going along with it without even noticing…

But hey, if Aira—my daughter—looked that happy, then whatever. I’ll let it slide this time.

…Still, I should probably remember to bring an extra pair of chopsticks tomorrow.