After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 22
The next morning…
Yuichi slowly climbed out of bed, dark circles hanging beneath his eyes.
He looked exhausted.
Beside his own bed stood the small bed he had prepared not long ago.
For someone special.
“…Good morning, Chiba.”
He greeted her out of habit.
Silence.
No familiar reply came back.
Only then did Yuichi slowly turn his head.
The bed was empty.
Chiba had left the previous night.
Although they had only lived together for a short time, the emptiness she left behind felt surprisingly overwhelming.
Yuichi stood there blankly for several moments.
Just then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone was knocking on the front door.
Yuichi’s heart suddenly leaped.
Could it be…
Did Chiba change her mind?
Is she coming back?
That had to be it.
Who else would visit so early in the morning?
Unable to contain his excitement, Yuichi rushed toward the door without even putting on his shoes.
He threw it open.
“…!”
The smile on his face froze instantly.
Standing outside…
Were not Chiba and Lucifer.
Instead—
It was Alice and Jebecald.
The two Heroes.
“Good morning!”
Alice stepped forward with what she believed was a bright and friendly smile.
Bang!
Before she could finish speaking, Yuichi slammed the door shut.
“…Ow!”
Alice clutched her nose in pain.
“My nose…”
She looked genuinely aggrieved.
“W-What’s wrong with this human?”
“I was only saying hello…”
Standing beside her, Jebecald struggled to suppress his laughter.
“I told you this was a terrible idea.”
“But you insisted on coming.”
“Now look what happened.”
Alice pouted.
“…I’m not giving up.”
She gently knocked on the door again.
No response.
So she knocked a little harder.
Still nothing.
Eventually, the endless knocking became too much.
The apartment door flew open once more.
Yuichi glared at her.
“Would you stop bothering me already?”
“Just because I protected a demon doesn’t mean you have to keep harassing me!”
Technically…
This was Alice’s first visit.
Still, she couldn’t find any words to defend herself.
Instead, she lowered her head.
“…I’m sorry.”
“I disturbed you.”
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
She looked so pitiful that it almost seemed as though she might start crying.
“…Huh?”
Yuichi froze.
Wait.
All I did was raise my voice…
Why do I suddenly feel like the villain?
He rubbed the back of his head helplessly.
“…Honestly.”
“I don’t know what to do with you.”
After letting out a sigh, he asked,
“So?”
“What exactly do you want?”
“I’m about to leave for work, so please make it quick.”
Alice immediately straightened up.
“My purpose is very simple.”
“I want to persuade you.”
“You don’t have to become a Hero.”
“But you must stop associating with demons.”
“They’ll only bring you misfortune.”
Unfortunately…
Yuichi had already heard enough.
Without saying another word, he calmly walked over to Alice.
Then—
He gently picked her up under the arms.
“…Eh?”
Alice blinked in complete confusion.
Before she could react…
Yuichi carried her outside the apartment.
“Wait!”
“Human, listen to me first!”
Ignoring her protests, Yuichi placed her down in the hallway and returned inside.
Only Jebecald remained in the room.
Seeing Yuichi walk toward the corner, Jebecald grew slightly nervous.
What’s he doing…?
Yuichi silently bent down.
Then picked up…
A broom.
Jebecald immediately understood.
“…Sorry for bothering you.”
Without another word, he bowed deeply before turning around and walking out of the apartment.
Outside, Alice looked at him in confusion.
“…Why did you come out too?”
Jebecald scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“I’m… not entirely sure.”
“I just felt like leaving was the wiser decision.”
Hearing their conversation through the open doorway, Yuichi felt his frustration reach its limit.
Last night they were trying to kill us…
And today they’re politely asking me to switch sides?
Who do they think they’re fooling?
Gripping the broom tightly, he stormed outside.
“You two!”
“If you don’t leave right now…”
“I’m going to chase you away myself!”
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