The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 32: The Real Thing's Better

Chapter 32: The Real Thing’s Better

After lunch, I headed back to my room, flopped into my chair, and started scrolling through movies—just looking for something Aira and I could watch to kill some time.

Watching on my phone wasn’t ideal, what with the tiny screen and all…

But since I had no clue when Nee-san might get home, setting it up on the living room TV didn’t seem like the smartest idea.

So yeah—phone it is.

Of course—I know it sounds weird to say “of course” here—but I’d already explained that to Aira.

Still… the moment I took my phone out without a word, she started getting jealous of it again.

“Hiroto, what’s this?”

While I was browsing through movie options, I suddenly heard Aira’s voice from somewhere behind me.

I’d told her she could chill and do whatever she wanted, so I just assumed she was still lounging on my bed.

Guess not.

When did she move?

“Hmm?”

I glanced her way—and there she was, holding something I hadn’t seen in forever.

Somehow, Aira had dug out my old (soprano) recorder.

The same one I used back in middle school.

Man, talk about a blast from the past.

Though technically, I’m still a high schooler now, body-wise…

Eight years in another world makes that little plastic instrument feel like some kind of ancient relic.

“Ah—that’s a musical instrument.”

“An instrument? How do you use it?”

“You put that part in your mouth and blow into it. It makes sound. …But wait, hang on—are you sure it’s clean? That thing’s probably covered in dust.”

I took a closer look, just in case—but apparently, past-me had actually stored it properly.

It looked totally clean.

“Hiroto, have you played this before?”

“Yeah, I used it for like, three years.”

“Can I try it too?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Honestly, ever since we started sharing lunches at school, I’d been thinking about this—

It’s kinda weird to worry about indirect kisses when we’re family and not even the clean-freak type.

While I was mulling that over, the recorder suddenly let out a loud peeeeep.

…Yep. That’s what happens when you don’t cover any of the holes.

Oops. I totally forgot to mention that part.

Well, whatever.

Aira didn’t seem all that interested anyway—

She was already putting the recorder back where she found it.

“The real thing’s still better.”

That’s what she said… right as she climbed into my lap.

…Not that I mind her sitting there, but what did she mean by the real thing?

“…? Yeah, I guess?”

I wasn’t totally sure what she meant, but I nodded vaguely and started petting her head as we leaned in together, scrolling through the movie list.

This time, we searched together.

…Actually, now that I think about it—Aira really does understand the language here, huh.

I wonder if she can read it too.

“Aira, can you read this?”

“I can.”

Maybe it’s part of her bonus from crossing worlds, just like me?

Well…

At least it means I don’t have to teach her how to read.

So yeah, I’ll count that as a win.