After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 15

Night gradually fell over the city.

The setting sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon, painting half the sky in brilliant shades of crimson.

After spending the entire afternoon exploring the town, Yuichi Sakai and Chiba finally began making their way home.

Both of Chiba’s hands were occupied by shopping bags.

Meanwhile…

Yuichi wasn’t carrying a single thing.

Feeling rather guilty, he scratched his cheek and awkwardly spoke.

“Um…”

“Would you like me to carry some of those for you?”

Chiba answered almost immediately.

“No need.”

“…”

Yuichi’s shoulders slumped.

She rejected me without even hesitating…

Isn’t the guy supposed to carry the shopping bags?

Seeing his disappointed expression, Chiba glanced at him before quietly adding,

“You’ve already done enough for me today.”

“So I’ll handle this myself.”

Her casual remark instantly lifted Yuichi’s spirits.

“…No one’s ever said something like that to me before.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

After returning home, Yuichi immediately collapsed onto the bed.

“I’m exhausted…”

After walking around town all day, every muscle in his body was begging for rest.

At this point, he felt so tired that even if a beautiful girl suddenly appeared in front of him…

He probably wouldn’t have the energy to react.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

Chiba gathered her things and headed toward the bathroom.

Just before she entered, Yuichi lazily spoke.

“Oh, right.”

“I bought you something.”

“It’s inside one of the shopping bags.”

“If you don’t mind, you can change into it afterward.”

Chiba froze.

“…Bought me something?”

She didn’t remember purchasing any clothes that day.

Curious, she opened the black shopping bag.

After carefully removing the wrapping paper…

She discovered a neatly folded sailor-style school uniform.

“…”

She slowly turned toward Yuichi.

“Yuichi.”

Before she could ask a single question—

She heard exaggerated snoring coming from the bed.

“…”

“He’s pretending to be asleep.”

For the first time in her life, Chiba seriously questioned who the real demon was.

About thirty minutes later…

The bathroom door slowly opened.

Yuichi, who had been pretending to sleep the entire time, secretly peeked over the blanket.

Then he froze.

Standing in the doorway was Chiba.

She had actually changed into the sailor uniform.

Her long black hair was still slightly damp from her shower, and the simple outfit made her look even younger than before.

Yuichi stared speechlessly.

He had honestly believed she would refuse to wear it.

Noticing his gaze, Chiba instinctively grabbed the hem of her skirt.

Her cheeks gradually turned pink.

“H-How…”

“How does it look?”

Yuichi remained completely silent for nearly ten seconds.

Then he quietly wiped away a small nosebleed before answering with absolute sincerity.

“…It looks beautiful.”

There wasn’t a trace of exaggeration in his voice.

He genuinely meant every word.

Seeing how few clothes Chiba owned, he’d secretly decided to buy her something during their shopping trip.

Earlier that afternoon, he had casually excused himself by claiming he needed to use the restroom.

Instead…

He had slipped into a nearby clothing store.

After carefully estimating Chiba’s size, he spent a surprisingly long time choosing an outfit he thought would suit her.

It seemed his decision had been the right one.

Unfortunately…

Yuichi continued staring for a little too long.

Chiba narrowed her crimson eyes.

“If you keep staring…”

“I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

Yuichi immediately straightened up.

“I-I’m sorry!”

Later that evening…

Back in the living room, Chiba folded her arms.

“Tonight…”

“You may choose.”

“The bed…”

“Or the tatami.”

Yuichi blinked.

“Huh?”

“But we shared the bed before.”

“Why is there suddenly a choice?”

Chiba hesitated before answering.

“At first, I didn’t think much about it.”

“But recently…”

“You’ve been acting more… suspicious.”

“…Suspicious?”

Yuichi couldn’t help laughing awkwardly.

Admittedly…

He occasionally found himself thinking embarrassing thoughts.

But thoughts were all they were.

There was no way he would actually cross that line.

Besides…

Even if Chiba somehow forgave him…

Lucifer definitely wouldn’t.

He quite enjoyed remaining alive.

“So…”

“Do I really have to choose?”

“Yes.”

“There is no room for negotiation.”

Yuichi sighed dramatically.

“…Then I’ll sleep on the tatami.”

No matter what happened, he couldn’t bring himself to let Chiba sleep on the hard floor.

That much was non-negotiable.

He quietly unfolded the old tatami mat and lay down.

The floor was just as hard and uncomfortable as ever.

Chiba watched the scene without showing the slightest hint of sympathy.

“…”

Yuichi stared silently at the ceiling.

Today…

I suffered a complete defeat.