The Assassin Girl Who Stayed by My Side in Another World… Somehow Followed Me Back to Modern Japan - Chapter 39: Smaller Is Better

Chapter 39: Smaller Is Better

After that, Aira and I walked hand in hand to the front of a bookstore.

Once we got there, I turned to her and said,

“Aira, if there’s any book you’re interested in, just say so. Seriously. Books aren’t rare or ridiculously expensive here like they were back in the other world.”

…Well, okay, I wouldn’t exactly call them cheap—not on a high schooler’s budget.

But if it’s for Aira—for my daughter—then I’m more than happy to pay.

Hopefully something catches her interest.

Back in the other world, I don’t think she ever had anything you could really call a hobby.

It’d be nice if she found one here.

…Not that I’m trying to push anything on her.

It’s just… if she wanted to, that’d be great.

“Okay. Thanks, Hiroto.”

“Mm.”

With that short exchange, we headed into the bookstore together.

“Hiroto?”

Out of habit—probably from eight years ago, before I even went to the other world—I found myself naturally wandering toward the light novel section.

But halfway there, I stopped and turned to look at Aira.

“Ah!”

Aira tilted her head slightly, like she didn’t really get what was going on, then touched her lips with a finger and looked straight into my eyes.

…No.

It’s not like I was thinking about that kiss from earlier or anything.

Trying to convince myself of that, I quickly looked away—still standing there, frozen in place.

That’s not it.

It’s just… if I walked straight over to the light novel section like I always used to,

I felt like Aira might get jealous again or something.

…Well, okay, maybe that’s kind of a stretch.

I mean, yeah—I can’t accept her feelings.

But I do get that Aira doesn’t see me as just her father anymore.

Honestly, after everything she’s done, she’s made that pretty clear—on a very physical level.

So yeah… that’s why I hesitated a little.

But it’s fine. Totally fine.

“It’s nothing.”

I shook my head slightly and gave her that answer, then picked up where I left off and kept walking—straight toward the light novel section, just like I always used to do eight years ago.

Once we got there…

Well, I figured as much, but none of the new volumes from the series I used to read were out.

…Makes sense, I guess. Time didn’t move at all while I was gone.

Not that I would’ve been able to read them right away anyway, even if they were.

So yeah—it’s fine.

I really did like them back then, but to be honest, I barely remember what the stories were about now.

Guess I’ll just look for something new that catches my eye.

“Aira, you can go look around on your own if you want. I’ll be here for a while.”

“I’m fine. I want to stay with Hiroto.”

“…Got it.”

…Not like it’s weird or anything, having my daughter nearby while I browse light novels.

And it’s not like I think buying light novels is embarrassing or whatever.

It’s just…

How do I even put this…

The way Aira keeps staring at me…

It kinda feels like she’s watching my every move.

N-Not that I seriously think she is! It’s probably just my imagination.

Anyway, on a whim, I reached out for one that had a well-endowed anime girl on the cover.

But the second I touched it—

The light novel I’d just picked up… somehow wasn’t in my hand anymore.

It was back on the shelf.

Perfectly placed, like it had never been touched in the first place.

“…Huh?”

I couldn’t help letting that slip out loud.

Because seriously—I had no clue what just happened.

Not even the slightest idea.

So I tried reaching for the same book again.

And the exact same thing happened—except this time, Aira grabbed my hand.

Then slowly started guiding it toward her chest.

“…Smaller is better.”

That’s what she muttered as she did it.