AGWSF 08

Chapter – 08

After feeding Aira here and there, we finished the lunch that my sister had prepared.

…Well, anyway. It goes without saying that it was absolutely delicious, but maybe because my body here is still growing, half of it just wasn’t enough.

I don’t want to make Aira worry, so I won’t let it show on my face or say anything about it, though.

“That was delicious.”

“I’m glad. …Not that I made it or anything.”

Aira—I hate to say it—but maybe because she’s not very big, she looked satisfied, unlike me.

I suppose it’s possible she’s just not showing it on her face like I am, but if I overthink it, I honestly won’t know for sure, so I’ll just take it at face value.

…More importantly, there’s the question of what to do about dinner.

Should I skip lunch starting tomorrow and give my portion to Aira? …No, that won’t work.

Aside from the fact that my sister would definitely tell me to bring out the lunchbox, it’d weigh on my conscience to make Aira eat cold food while I get freshly made warm meals. I just can’t do that.

I could buy her something outside… but that’d run out of money eventually.

…Should I get a part-time job?

It’s not like the abilities I gained in the other world are gone, so I think I could handle just about any job fairly easily. …It might not be a bad idea.

It’d ease my sister’s burden too… or would it? I’m planning to use all the money I earn on Aira anyway.

…Sigh.

Even if I do get a job, the question is what to do about today and tomorrow.

…Should I text my sister saying I’m eating out with friends, and take Aira out to eat?

That’s probably the safest option.

It’ll hurt my wallet, but I have some savings… well, it’s not like I have none, and more importantly, it’s for my daughter. There’s nothing wrong with that.

The problem is, one or two days might be fine, but there’s no way I can keep using the “eating out with friends” excuse every single day… Wait, actually, I don’t necessarily have to eat, do I?

I could just feed Aira an early dinner and eat my sister’s home-cooked meal later.

…Maybe I could even cook dinner for my sister myself.

I used to cook regularly back in the other world, and I’d like to show some filial piety—well, sibling piety?—and express my gratitude to her anyway.

“I want to eat something you made too, Hiroto.”

“Some other time.”

While exchanging casual chatter with Aira, I sent my sister a message: [I’m eating out with friends for dinner tonight.]

She’s probably at work so she won’t reply yet, but at least that takes care of today.

Tomorrow and the day after, I don’t need to eat—I’ll just feed Aira. …She’s my precious daughter, and I’d like to eat together with her as much as possible, but… well, I suppose it can’t be helped.

“Do you still have time?”

“Hm? Yeah, I can stay here for about another ten minutes, so I’ll be here. What’s up?”

I said that while tidying up the lunchbox, feeling relieved now that I’d figured out what to do about Aira’s dinner. Then Aira came over and settled herself perfectly onto my lap as I sat cross-legged.

“What are you doing?”

“Is it no good?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

Back in the other world, this sort of thing was perfectly normal, so I nodded and said that.

…Yeah, spending some relaxed time with my daughter like this isn’t bad at all.

“Hiroto, your heart is beating faster than when we were in the other world. Are you nervous?”

“I’m not. It’s just your imagination, Aira.”

Still, Aira leaned against me, pressing her ear to my chest as if listening to my heartbeat.

“…See? It’s not beating fast, right?”

“It is.”

“……It’s not.”

“Your face is red too. You’re conscious of me. I’m happy.”

“…………….It’s not, but… just think whatever you want, I guess?”

“Okay. I’ll think whatever I want.”

There’s no way I’d be conscious of my own daughter, so it’s definitely just Aira’s imagination. I said that and gently patted her head.

She really is cute. …As my daughter, of course.