The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 33: Nothing More, Nothing Less… Probably

Chapter 33: Nothing More, Nothing Less… Probably

Yesterday, Aira and I ended up spending the rest of the day watching a movie together—

And just like that, it was already the second day of our break.

This time, I actually managed to wake up in the morning like a normal person.

After all, I had plans to go out with Aira today.

Not a date—just going out. Definitely not a date.

“Well, I’m heading out, Nee-san. We’re grabbing breakfast outside today.”

“Mmkay~ Have fun out there.”

After finishing up all the prep to head out, I gave Nee-san a quick heads-up and stepped outside.

I couldn’t sense anything or see her, of course—but Aira was right there with me.

“You can come out now.”

Once we reached a quiet, out-of-the-way spot, I called out to Aira—who I knew had to be nearby.

She reappeared… and immediately latched onto me.

“…What’s up? Something wrong?”

“I just wanted to. …Is that bad?”

“N-No, it’s fine. Do whatever you want. …Let’s get going, though. I’m starving.”

“Mm. …Can I stay like this?”

“…It’s not that I mind, but walking like this would be kinda rough. How about holding hands instead?”

“Okay.”

She nodded, which was a relief…

But then, when I reached out—wait.

Why is she intertwining her fingers with mine like that?

…Not that I hate it or anything, but come on.

That’s… that, right?

That’s the so-called “lovers’ hold,” isn’t it?

There’s no way a parent and child are supposed to hold hands like this.

Definitely not.

“Uh, Aira?”

“Yes?”

“I mean, yeah, I did say we could hold hands. But, um… don’t you think this way of holding hands is kinda… off? Parents and kids don’t usually link fingers like this, right?”

“…We’re not parent and child, so it’s fine.”

Oof.

That one stung a little.

I knew she didn’t mean it in a bad way.

I knew she wasn’t saying it because she hated me or anything like that.

Still… somehow, knowing that just made it feel even more complicated.

“Besides, you don’t mind either, do you? I’ve never thought of us as parent and child even once—but you do, right? So if you’re fine with it, then it’s not a problem, right?”

“N-No, I mean… yeah, but still, this kind of hand-holding is—”

“I don’t think we’re parent and child.”

“…………”

At this rate, we were never going to move.

…Fine. Whatever.

It’s not like I was trying to stop her because I was embarrassed or anything.

And she did have a point.

If I really thought about it, there wasn’t any harm in keeping things like this.

So yeah. It’s fine.

Totally fine.

“…Okay. We’ll stay like this. Let’s just go already.”

“Mm. I love you, Hiroto.”

“…Yeah. I love you too. As my daughter.”

But that last part—

Wasn’t for her.

It was something I said to remind myself.

Aira is my beloved daughter.

Nothing more…

And nothing less.

Or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to be.