Once I was done looting, the walk back home was a quiet one. Asia pinched my shirt all the way back, as if she were afraid I would run off if she let go. Some of the particularly grouchy elders gave me strange stares, unable to mind their own business in their aged wisdom that somehow gave them the right to openly judge everyone.
However, it did become apparent that Alice was right. She really was invisible to those not attuned to the supernatural. That was beneficial in more ways than one, especially because it would draw the attention of those that could, in fact, see the talking rabbit riding on my shoulder.
Not forgetting my initial goal, I did stop at a convenience store along the way to stock up on some energy drinks, a couple bags of chips, and a few packets of gum. That was really all I needed.
The real issue came at the front door.
That was when the reality of it finally settled in. I'd basically just invited a foreign girl to live with me. That sounded awesome to a healthy teenage boy like myself, but it was pretty hard to figure out a way to introduce her to my dad, no matter how supportive he was.
I breathed in the cold afternoon air, and tapped a fist against my chest.
He also hadn't raised a bitch.
"Come on, let's go beg my dad."
I held a hand out to Asia. Her lips quivered, and her dark green eyes seemed to glaze over. But then, she took my hand with a conviction I hadn't expected of someone as timid as her.
"I'll do my best."
When I opened the door, the corridor seemed to stretch. The light in the living room was on, and I could hear the faint noise of some news announcer prattling off about some firefight.
I took my shoes first, stacking them on the rack... Heh. Asia did the same.
With another deep breath, I started making my way over to the living room. Each step felt heavier than the last, and a strange resistance built up in my heart as the distance closed.
No teenager alive would not feel this way about bringing a girl to their parents in this situation.
I smacked my chest with my fist again.
"Oh, you're home early today, Masao-"
My dad's mouth fell open, and his bushy brows went so far up his big forehead I found it worrisome. He stared at me, at the blonde nun beside me, then back and forth. The tv remote fell from his hand, harmlessly plopping down on the carpet.
"W-What?"
"Hello, sir!"
Asia gave a full 90 degree bow that would make any businessman proud.
"Hey dad," I started calmly, "Can you let her live with us? I know it's a massive ask, but I promised her I wouldn't leave her by herself-"
My dad slowly rose to his feet, and even though we were the same height, it felt like he towered over me at that moment. The thud of his footsteps drummed in my ears, and both Asia and I grew smaller with the distance between us and him.
He stopped at arm's length and gave the nun one more up and down. Mechanically, his arm rose forward like in a certain forbidden salute, then he brought it down on my shoulder. The way he clutched it reminded me of the few times I brought home a sports or martial arts trophy.
But... weren't those moments of pride?
Why was he reacting this way to...
"I'm-"
Tears began streaming down his cheeks from glassy eyes.
"You brought home a foreigner as your first." His grip tightened, and he started bawling, "I'm so proud to call you my son right now. You've done only what I dreamed of as a kid!"
Right... he'd always been big into English movies.
I smiled, "She's from Italy."
All the while, poor Asia looked between father-and-son like a lost child, unable to put together what we were talking about. She yelped cutely when my father became even more noisier.
He turned to her, scratching the non-existent hair on the back of his head.
"B-Buongiorno."
Asia's eyes lit up. She gripped her skirt by either hand, and bowed politely.
"Buongiorno, signore."
My father let out an excited sound and fervently shook her hand. "I don't know how you managed to get someone like her with that smile, but she can stay as long as she likes. Permanently, even. Don't you dare hurt her, Masao."
I deadpanned at his behaviour, "Alright... Sorry about him, Asia."
She giggled.
Alice tugged on my hair. "That's good, really, isn't it, master-sir?"
It really was.
This was exactly the sort of life wanted. It had only been day one since Alice showed up in my life to help me out and I'd already managed to rescue an ex-communicated innocent nun with a tragic past.
Really, this was awesome!
-
Leaving my dad to come up with a way to communicate with Asia, I retreated to my room. I was rummaging through my drawer for something more presentable when there was a knock on the door. I knew from the sound alone that it was my father.
"Be safe. Alright?" He said, before I heard him going down the stairs.
I couldn't help but smile at that.
"You have a good father, you do, master-sir."
Not a few minutes later, there was another knock on my door, more subtle and kinder. I didn't have to be a genius to figure out it was Asia.
"Come in."
She came in... different clothes. Adult clothes one size too large for her. A frilly white blouse accented with grey, and blue jeans... I would recognise those clothes anywhere.
For a moment, Asia did not look like Asia at all.
"Masao?"
I shook off the stupour, "I see you're settling in."
"Your father is a really kind person."
"He'll probably cry again if you say that to his face." I chuckled.
He looked super tough, but that big man could get emotional at the drop of a hat if someone tugged at the right heart strings. He'd been more withdrawn when my mother was alive, I remembered that, but it was like he decided to take both rolls when she was gone.
Really, I didn't know how to pay him back for all that.
"He asked... if I wanted my own room."
I craned my neck, still rummaging through my dresser, "We do have a free one."
"...I said no."
Wut?
"I-I want to be with you, at all times."
"Asia... you can't just cling to the first person-"
"I don't care!" She shook her head, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes, "I don't want to ever leave the first person that wanted to be my friend. I'm so stupid but you still... even if you don't want me around... please use me as you want, just don't-don't leave me-"
A long sigh left my lips. I left the clothes behind and walked over to the girl standing in my doorway. Abruptly, I gripped her little cheeks with both hands.
"Come on. Don't say stuff like that." I rubbed the tears away with my thumbs, "No guy alive would turn you down. Well, I certainly wouldn't. Just... I don't want you to regret your choice."
I'd spent my last life suffering the consequence of something like that.
With a shake of my head, I returned to my clothes. While I was happy to suspend my first isekai adventure to help her out, it still remained my top priority. Besides, it was best to leave her to consider her words and feelings alone.
She wiped her face with her hands, "I-I won't."
"That's good, then."
I pulled Freed's light sword from my pockets, throwing a black shirt and grey trousers over my shoulder. Alice lightly hopped off my shoulder just before the clothes came down over her.
"I-I'm still not so sure about travelling to that world this soon, oh no not at all." She pleaded with both paws held together, "I was only ever thinking of the advantageous time dilation when I opened that, master-sir, believe me."
I narrowed my eyes, "We're going."
-
Hope u enjoyed.
Please do comment so I can know how I did and get that dopamine hit that keeps me writing.