The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 18: I Want This Moment to Last Forever

Chapter 18: I Want This Moment to Last Forever

After somehow surviving the ordeal of washing Aira’s hair and soaking in the bath with her, we finally got out.

Now I was sitting beside her, gently towel-drying her hair.

“That felt really nice. …Did it feel nice for you too, Hiroto?”

While I worked the towel through her hair, Aira suddenly asked me that.

…Yeah, okay. The way she phrased it definitely made my teenage-boy brain imagine something it shouldn’t.

But that’s on me for mentally regressing.

It was just a normal question. A totally innocent, normal question.

“…Yeah. It felt nice.”

I shook my head to clear out the nonsense and gave her a proper answer.

…Did I actually relax in there, though?

Hard to say.

Not Aira’s fault, of course.

The blame’s all on me—so I kept that part to myself.

“Dry off your body yourself, okay? Once you’re dressed, I’ll use the hair dryer on you.”

“Hair dryer?”

Ah, right. Of course she wouldn’t know what that is.

“Just think of it like a magic tool that dries hair. Might be a little loud, but it’s totally safe—nothing to worry about. And hey, I’ll be right here the whole time.”

“Mm. Okay.”

After seeing Aira nod, I turned my back to her and finally started drying myself off properly with a fresh towel—since I’d only done a quick wipe earlier.

Once I finished up, I got dressed without ever glancing in Aira’s direction.

…And yeah, I had to take off the towel I had wrapped around my waist to change, but—I just told myself Aira was being polite and facing the other way too.

“Aira, let me know when you’re dressed.”

“I already am.”

Reflexively, I turned to look.

Sure enough, there she was—wearing the outfit I bought her earlier today.

I’d already seen her in it when she tried it on at the store, but… still. She looked super cute in it.

…Of course, as my daughter. Let’s be clear about that.

“It really suits you. Now come over here—I’ll dry your hair.”

“Thanks, Hiroto.”

Not sure if she was thanking me for the compliment or for offering to dry her hair, but either way, Aira looked genuinely happy as she walked over to where I was getting the hair dryer ready.

“Do I look cute?”

Then, just like that, she tilted her head and looked up at me with those wide eyes—totally playing the adorable card.

“Y-Yeah. You’re super cute.”

Her sudden question caught me off guard, but I wasn’t about to lie.

After all, Aira really is the cutest daughter in the world. No contest.

“I’m so happy. I love you, Hiroto.”

“…Alright, I’m gonna start drying your hair, so don’t move.”

“Can I lean on you?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

The moment I said that, Aira turned her back to me and leaned in—pressing her body against mine without the slightest hesitation.

Seriously… Aira is just too cute.

Feeling genuinely happy that my daughter was being so affectionate, I switched on the hair dryer.

“You’re fine, okay?”

Just in case the noise startled her, I offered a little reassurance while gently running my fingers through her hair with my free hand.

Aira’s hair had always been beautiful, even back in the other world—but after using some conditioner earlier, it felt even smoother now.

Silky, soft… honestly, it was gorgeous.

…Maybe I should get her her own hairbrush next time.

There is one in the house that belongs to Nee-san, but letting Aira use it would probably be a bad idea.

Not because Nee-san’s brush is dirty or anything—just that if she saw unfamiliar hair in it, she’d definitely get suspicious.

The dryer was loud, so we didn’t talk much.

But Aira looked like she was really enjoying herself, and the whole moment felt… peaceful.

Honestly, if we could stay like this forever, I wouldn’t mind.

…Well, except for the bathing together part. I’d be totally fine never doing that again.