The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 17: The Real Enemy

Chapter 17: The Real Enemy

“Suu… fuu…”

I slipped into the bath just a little before Aira and let out a quiet, deep breath—making sure she wouldn’t hear it.

It’s fine. Totally fine.

Aira is my daughter. There’s absolutely no reason to be nervous…

…Like hell there isn’t!

She’s sixteen now!

If she were still the little kid I met back when we first crossed paths, maybe this wouldn’t be such a big deal—but sixteen?!

Yeah. Regret came crashing in all over again.

But even with all that, I couldn’t bring myself to call it off now.

Because, honestly, I had no idea how else I was supposed to get her into the bath.

Sure, I could’ve taken her to a public bathhouse or something…

But what excuse would I even give Nee-san for going out?

And more importantly—I really didn’t feel comfortable sending Aira into a place like that on her own, surrounded by strangers.

If this were a world she was already familiar with, maybe I wouldn’t be so worried.

But here? This world was completely unknown to her.

Even I struggled right after I got transported to the other world—when I was all alone, before I ever met Aira.

I didn’t want her to go through that same kind of fear or uncertainty.

So yeah… bathhouses were off the table.

The only other plan I could think of was pretending to be in the bath while secretly letting Aira go first…

But that would fall apart the second Nee-san even glimpsed me waiting outside the bathroom.

From her point of view, I’m supposed to be in the middle of a shower—so if she saw me just loitering in the hallway, it’d make zero sense.

…Worst-case scenario, she thinks I’ve completely lost it and drags me to a hospital.

…Or maybe she peeks inside and the whole thing blows up right there.

So yeah, even if I wanted to claim this situation was totally unavoidable—like, not my fault at all—

The truth is… that doesn’t change the fact that I’m kind of freaking out here.

Okay, not freaking out.

I’m not nervous.

It’s just… taking a bath with your 16-year-old daughter kind of unleashes a tidal wave of guilt.

While I was lost in that mess of thoughts—not quite denial, but pretty close—the bathroom door creaked open.

My eyes reflexively darted toward it.

And standing there—of course—was Aira. 

I’d been a little worried she might ignore what I said, but nope.

She actually followed my instructions.

Towel securely wrapped around her, she stepped inside.

…Still, just because she’s technically covered doesn’t mean this is “fine.”

Right now, I’m in a bath with a girl wearing nothing but a towel.

I-I mean—yes, she’s my daughter! So it’s not like I’m thinking anything weird!

Absolutely not!

“Hiroto, thanks for waiting.”

“…I wasn’t waiting. Not really.”

Which wasn’t a lie.

I mean, come on—what kind of dad actually waits for his teenage daughter to get into the bath with him?

“I put my clothes in the same bag where you put the new clothes you bought me.”

Still keeping my eyes firmly glued to the wall—because I really didn’t want to accidentally glance her way—I heard her voice from behind.

Right. Her clothes.

Totally forgot about that part.

As for the laundry…

I’ll just run the machine when Nee-san’s not around.

And I’ll have Aira toss her stuff in herself—so I never have to see it.

Perfect plan.

“Hiroto, what should I do?”

“Eh? Ah—oh, right… Okay, I’m turning on the shower now, so don’t freak out, alright?”

Trying my best to shove aside every awkward and guilty thought, I took a deep breath and turned the shower on.

After all, showers didn’t even exist in the other world.

Now that I think about it, that’s yet another reason why letting her go to a public bath alone would’ve been a terrible idea.

“What’s coming out is hot water. So start by splashing a little on your feet to check the temperature—make sure it’s not too hot. Then slowly pour it over your body and hair, got it? Think you can manage on your own?”

I said all that mostly because… well, I really didn’t want Aira in my line of sight right now.

Yeah, I was a little worried about whether she’d figure out how to use the shower on her own.

But hey—everything’s a learning experience. And no matter what happens, I’m right here.

So she’ll be fine.

…And just to be clear, it’s not because I don’t like seeing her or anything weird like that.

It’s because of the guilt, okay?

That’s all. Just plain, heavy-duty dad guilt.

“…I’m scared.”

“…It’s okay. You can take it slow, alright?”

“…But if Hiroto does it, then I won’t be scared.”

Now that I think about it, being scared of the shower makes total sense if it’s your first time seeing one.

Especially this one—we’ve got pretty strong water pressure.

Still, her saying “If Hiroto does it, I’ll be fine”…

That’s gotta be a sign of trust, right?

…In that case, I’ve got no choice. Gotta be a dependable dad.

“F-Fine. But just this once, got it? Just this one time—because it’s your first time.”

“Mm.”

I hesitated, knowing that the longer I waited, the more likely she’d get cold.

So, with a resigned sigh, I picked up the shower head.

While adjusting the temperature with my hand, I brought it toward her feet…

Her feet…

And then my brain decided to go, “Hey, what’s under that towel?”

NO-NO. WRONG. STOP-STOP.

What the hell am I thinking?!

She’s my daughter!

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Pull it together, man!

“Hiroto?”

“…It’s nothing. I’m starting now, okay?”

“…Mm.”

This time, I actually got my brain under control and gently sprayed Aira’s feet with the shower.

“…You okay? Not too hot? Doesn’t hurt or anything?”

“I’m fine. It feels okay.”

“Alright. Then go ahead and sit on that stool. I’ll rinse your body and hair next. If it gets too scary, just say so and I’ll stop right away.”

“Okay.”

Aira sat down on the little bath stool nearby.

Which, given her height, already made me feel like I was towering over her—but now?

Yeah… it was way worse.

Nope. Not going there.

No weird thoughts. None.

She’s my daughter.

She’s my daughter.

She’s my daughter.

Alright. Good. I’m focused now.

…Seriously, I only see Aira as my daughter. That’s it.

But if I’m being honest… what followed was nothing short of a battle.

Possibly the toughest one I’ve ever faced—even counting everything back in the other world.

If I had to name my enemy?

Yeah—it’d be guilt.