After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 27

The night was quiet.

Moonlight streamed gently through the window, illuminating the room with a pale silver glow.

Apart from the ticking of the clock and the rustling of tree branches outside, everything was silent.

Inside the hotel room, Chiba sat at a desk surrounded by stacks of books.

One after another, she flipped through volumes related to magic and supernatural phenomena.

Ever since arriving in this world, she had been searching for a way to restore her magic.

Only by recovering her strength could she challenge the Hero once more…

And one day return to Anstertandin.

Unfortunately…

The more she read, the more disappointed she became.

This world didn’t seem to have any concept of magic at all.

Books alone weren’t enough to provide the answers she sought.

Or perhaps…

The books Yuichi had given her simply weren’t the right ones.

Most of his collection consisted of novels and books aimed at teenagers.

She had even discovered several suspicious books hidden inside a large box beneath his bed.

“…Humans are strange.”

After searching through every page without finding anything useful, Chiba slowly closed the book and let out a tired sigh.

Just then—

Knock. Knock.

Without even looking up, she spoke.

“Come in.”

The door quietly opened.

Lucifer entered the room.

The first thing Chiba asked was,

“…Did Yuichi accept it?”

Lucifer nodded.

“He did.”

A look of relief immediately appeared on Chiba’s face.

“…That’s good.”

She had secretly worried that Yuichi would refuse her repayment.

Fortunately…

Her fears had been unnecessary.

Lucifer remained silent for a moment before looking toward the mountain of books covering the desk.

“My Lady…”

“You should rest.”

“You haven’t been sleeping properly.”

Chiba shook her head.

“If I don’t find an answer…”

“Resting is meaningless.”

“Have you forgotten why we came to this world?”

“Of course not.”

Lucifer answered without hesitation.

“I only mean…”

“You don’t have to shoulder everything alone.”

“You can rely on me.”

Chiba looked at him curiously.

“…But you’re working every day.”

Lucifer smiled faintly.

“Leave it to me.”

“…You’re unusually confident.”

“I simply believe books aren’t the only source of knowledge.”

Chiba quietly nodded.

He was right.

She had almost finished reading everything Yuichi had given her.

Yet she still knew almost nothing about restoring magic.

“There is another source of information.”

Lucifer continued.

“The Internet.”

“I’ve heard humans can find almost anything there.”

“The Internet…”

Chiba remembered reading that word several times.

According to the books, it was an enormous source of knowledge used by people throughout the world.

Perhaps…

The answer she sought could be found there.

Lucifer folded his arms.

“I think we should ask Yuichi.”

“He’s lived in this world his entire life.”

“He’ll know how to use it.”

The moment Yuichi’s name came up, Chiba hesitated.

“…But…”

“We’ve already troubled him so much.”

“He might refuse.”

Lucifer answered with complete confidence.

“He won’t.”

“Yuichi will be happy to help.”

“…Really?”

“I’m certain.”

After thinking for a long moment…

Chiba finally nodded.

“…Alright.”

“Then tomorrow morning…”

“I’ll visit Yuichi again.”

Meanwhile…

Back at Yuichi’s apartment…

The rain had continued throughout the night.

Unable to leave, Alice and Jebecald had spent the night there.

Despite sleeping beside a beautiful young woman…

Yuichi had behaved surprisingly well.

Alice had fallen asleep almost immediately after her bath.

Throughout the entire night…

Yuichi simply slept facing the opposite direction.

He never once tried to take advantage of the situation.

Morning arrived.

Alice opened her eyes feeling completely refreshed.

She stretched lightly before looking toward the floor.

“…Wake up.”

Jebecald slowly opened his eyes.

“Achoo!”

He sneezed violently.

After spending the night sleeping on the hard floor, he looked utterly miserable.

His lips trembled slightly from the cold.

Even so…

They couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

They still had important tasks ahead of them.

First, they needed jobs to establish themselves in this unfamiliar world.

Then…

They had to continue searching for the demons.

Quietly saying goodbye to the still-sleeping Yuichi, they left the apartment.

Not long afterward…

Yuichi slowly opened his eyes.

“…Morning…”

He absentmindedly reached toward the empty space beside him.

His hand touched nothing.

“…They’re gone.”

Alice and Jebecald had already left.

“…Good.”

With no one around to bother him, Yuichi happily rolled back under the blanket.

Today was a holiday.

Thanks to the company’s excellent performance, everyone had been given the day off.

Although his supervisor had lectured him for hours yesterday…

At least today he could relax.

Maybe he’d spend the whole day playing video games.

Just as he was sinking back into sleep—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“…Again?”

Yuichi sighed.

Please don’t tell me it’s those Heroes again…

Reluctantly climbing out of bed, he shuffled toward the entrance while rubbing his sleepy eyes.

“…What is it this time…?”

He opened the door.

Then froze.

Standing outside…

Wasn’t Alice.

Nor Jebecald.

It was Chiba.

“…C-Chiba?”