AGWSF 07

Chapter – 07

“She’s your daughter, after all.”

“…”

As I opened the lunch box, I realized something important.

…It’s a bit late now, and it’s obvious, but I only have one pair of chopsticks.

“Hiroto?”

I must have frozen up suddenly, because I heard Aira call my name worriedly.

Her outburst from earlier? It’s hard to believe that was her… well, maybe not.

Her outburst earlier was because she cares about me… no, let’s stop that. I’ll put that aside for now.

More importantly, the problem is what to do about lunch.

…Should I go to the staff room and grab some disposable chopsticks?

“No, it’s nothing. You can eat first, Aira.”

I thought that, but the staff room was too far from the rooftop, and I couldn’t be bothered. So I decided to just eat using the opposite end of the chopsticks from where Aira had put her mouth.

“Let’s eat together?”

And just as I was about to hand her the chopsticks—confident that I’d taught her how to use them properly—Aira said that.

“? I told you, we’re splitting it half and half, right?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m saying you should feed me while you eat.”

…Why do I have to feed Aira?

Sure, back when she was learning to use chopsticks, I used to feed her, but now the situation is… well, she’s still my daughter, I guess. …Then I suppose it’s fine.

I’m hungry too, to be honest. I wanted to eat as soon as possible.

“Fine. Let’s do that.”

And so, we put our hands together and said “Itadakimasu.”

I taught her that properly back in the other world, too.

“Here, open up.”

“Ahh—”

Time for me to eat too.

Thinking that, while Aira was chewing, I flipped the chopsticks around and ate from the end she hadn’t touched.

Aira was still chewing, so she didn’t open her mouth (thanks to my upbringing), but her face was clearly dissatisfied.

“Why did you flip them?”

“Why… just because, I guess.”

I couldn’t exactly admit that at this age I was worried about an indirect kiss, so I dodged the question.

“Then instead of going out of your way to flip them, just eat normally?”

“…It doesn’t matter. Come on, if your mouth is free, hurry up and eat.”

“…Mhm. Ahh—”

This way, she’ll stay quiet while she chews again.

Thinking that, I put some of the lunch in my mouth just like before.

“You did it again.”

Don’t say it like I’m doing something wrong.

“You’re not, by any chance, worried about an indirect kiss, are you?”

“Th-there’s no way that’s true.”

“Yeah, you’re right. To you, I’m still just your daughter. You wouldn’t normally think twice about an indirect kiss with your daughter, would you?”

“O-of course not.”

That’s right.

What was I even worrying about?

She’s my daughter. An indirect kiss is nothing to make a fuss over.

With that thought, I kept the momentum going and took a bite using the end of the chopsticks Aira had used.

Then I fed her a bite too.

…I might be imagining it, but Aira seemed happy.

I can’t help but feel like I was talked into something, but Aira—my daughter—looks happy, so I’ll let it slide this time.

…I’ll remember to bring another pair of chopsticks starting tomorrow.