The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 09: Thinking About What Comes Next

Chapter 09: Thinking About What Comes Next

After spending some quiet time with my daughter, I headed back to class.

“Ah, Hiroto! Didn’t see you in the cafeteria—where’d you end up eating?”

Honoka had been chatting with her friends, but the moment she noticed me walk in, she made her way over and asked that.

…Yeah, no way I could tell her I’d been on the rooftop. That place was supposed to be locked, after all.

“Uh… just around. Somewhere nearby.”

“Were you alone?”

“…I was with a friend.”

“You could’ve just eaten with me, y’know~”

Yeah, no. That would’ve been way too awkward.

I mean, sure—I do think of her as a friend. But she’s also my friend’s girlfriend. That makes things complicated.

Right as that thought crossed my mind, someone suddenly hugged me from behind—tight enough that it actually kind of hurt.

I turned just enough to check, trying not to make it obvious to Honoka… but, of course, no one was there.

“…Well, thing is—I won’t be able to eat with you guys starting tomorrow either. You two should enjoy your lunch dates together.”

Yeah. Didn’t take a genius to figure out that was Aira.

And now that I thought about it, I’d never actually told Honoka that Aira had a boyfriend.

So I casually slipped that into the conversation.

…Even though I only saw her as a daughter, she was probably getting jealous again—just like earlier.

Not ideal, but… I could kinda understand it.

“Ehh?! Why not?!”

Honoka’s classic over-the-top reaction rang out, and at the same time, I felt the grip of whoever was hugging me from behind loosen just a little.

…Yup. Definitely jealousy.

“…No real reason. Just felt like it.”

“Then let’s eat together like we always did!”

“…Sorry. I lied. Even if we’re just friends, it still feels kinda awkward eating lunch with a couple.”

“…We seriously don’t mind, though?”

“I know. But I do. So, once I get a girlfriend or something, I’ll join you guys again.”

“…Okay. That makes sense. …But still, just so you know—we really don’t care. So if you ever feel like joining, don’t hesitate, alright?”

“Yeah. Thanks. And… sorry about that.”

“No, no. I should be the one apologizing.”

Honoka really was a good person—and yeah, I did feel bad about lying to her.

But I couldn’t just stop eating with Aira either… so, well, it couldn’t be helped.

Sure, the guilt was there.

But unless I could tell her everything, this was the only way.

My friends mattered to me—of course they did.

But Aira?

She was even more important.

After parting ways with Honoka, I made my way back to my seat—with Aira still clinging to me from behind.

Just as I started thinking, Uh, I kind of need to sit down here… she finally let go.

I sighed in relief and sat down—only for something—no, someone—to drop right into my lap a second later.

I couldn’t see her, of course, but the moment she settled in, I knew it was Aira.

A surprised sound almost slipped out, but I managed to catch myself—remembering the embarrassment back at the convenience store.

Instead, I grabbed my notebook and scribbled a message in the other world’s language:

[What are you doing?]

“(…Am I not allowed?)”

Still perched on my lap, Aira wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned in close.

Her voice was soft and playful—whispered right into my ear.

[It’s not about allowed or not—wait, no. It is. It’s not allowed. I’ve got class coming up, y’know?]

“(…I won’t get in the way, promise. I’ll stay quiet.)”

[Still not okay.]

“(…Hiroto, do you… not like it?)”

[I think you’re the cutest girl—er, daughter—in the whole world. So no, it’s not that I don’t like it.]

“(…Then can I stay like this?)”

…Sigh.

Guess she’s just in a clingy mood today.

And honestly, Aira’s probably got a lot to deal with from now on. If she says she won’t be a distraction, maybe I should just let her have this moment.

…Only problem is, we’re really close right now. Like, way too close. My face is on fire.

But hey, letting your daughter be a little clingy sometimes—that’s part of being a parent, right?

[Fine. Do what you want. Just don’t get in the way, okay?]

I mean, technically, this whole situation is kind of getting in the way… but whatever. Close enough.

“…Mm. I love you, Hiroto.”

“—!”

That whisper in my ear nearly made me yelp.

Somehow, I managed to hold it together, reached for my textbook like nothing happened, and quietly waited for class to start.