The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 38: No Matter What

Chapter 38: No Matter What

“……”

“…Why won’t you look at me?”

I didn’t really know what to do, so I was just walking alongside Aira—trying to cool off my face a little.

We kept making brief eye contact, and maybe that’s what prompted her to suddenly ask me that.

“…What are you talking about? We’re walking—gotta watch where we’re going, right? It’s dangerous if you don’t.”

“Then let’s stop for a second. Look at me. Properly.”

“…There’s no point in going out of our way just to do that. We can talk when we get home. Or once we sit down somewhere.”

“No. I want you to look at me now.”

Why is she so fixated on now?

…It’s not like I’m embarrassed or anything.

I mean, sure, that kiss with my daughter felt kind of awkward but—n-no, wait, that’s not it.

I’m not embarrassed, okay?

…There’s nothing weird about being flustered over a kiss with your daugh—

…Ugh. Never mind.

“…Did you start hating me? Was it because… I forced the kiss? Did I make you hate me…?”

“—!”

Aira asked that, her eyes brimming with tears.

It was obvious—

If I didn’t say something right now, or worse, said the wrong thing…

Those tears would start falling any second.

“No. Of course not. No matter what happens—There’s no way I could ever hate you, Aira.”

Not caring who might be watching, I looked Aira straight in the eyes and pulled her into a hug.

I told her how I felt—

And I meant every word of it.

Back then, I made a promise.

And that promise wasn’t a lie.

…It’s just—right now, I’m a little confused about what kind of love I feel for Aira.

No. That’s wrong.

Aira is my daughter.

I love her as my daughter.

There’s no way it could be anything else.

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Really. But hey—kissing someone without asking isn’t okay, alright? I’ll let it slide this time, but no more of that, okay?”

“Okay. Next time, I’ll wait for Hiroto to kiss me instead.”

…Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that last part.

“Alright. How about we swing by the bookstore or something?”

I didn’t have anything specific in mind to buy, but you never know—we might find something interesting.

Aira might even find something she likes too.

No harm in checking it out.

Thinking that, I reached out and took her hand first this time—interlocking our fingers like usual.

…Because let’s be real—if I didn’t, she would’ve done it herself anyway.

Might as well beat her to it.

“Hiroto, I love you. …But then why did you look away earlier?”

“…Aira. Let’s just end this conversation, okay?”

“…Were you flustered?”

“—A-Aira, seriously, the topic’s over! Got it?!”

“I’m soo happy.”

Ignoring my words completely, Aira said that with a big smile.

…Yeah.

I should probably just let it go.