After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 29

“By the way…”

Yuichi tilted his head in confusion.

“Why do you suddenly want to visit a haunted house?”

Chiba lay on the large bed, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling.

After a brief silence, she answered,

“I’m not completely certain.”

“But…”

“A demon’s magical power is closely connected to human emotions.”

“I have a feeling that if Lucifer and I go to a haunted house, we might find a way to restore our magic.”

Her expression was completely serious.

Unfortunately…

Her posture was not.

Today, Chiba was wearing a short red skirt.

As she casually lay on the bed without thinking about it, the view from Yuichi’s seat became…

Rather dangerous.

Yuichi instinctively looked away.

Then looked back again.

…I wish time would stop.

“Yuichi.”

“Are you even listening?”

He snapped back to reality.

“H-Huh?”

“Oh!”

“I don’t really understand why you want to go there…”

“But don’t worry.”

“I’ll figure out a way to take you.”

“…”

Chiba stared at him silently.

He definitely wasn’t listening…

After Chiba left, Yuichi immediately began thinking.

A haunted house…

If the company trip happened to include one…

He could take Chiba there without spending any extra money.

Perfect!

With that idea in mind, Yuichi marched straight toward his supervisor’s office during lunch.

The heavyset supervisor was sitting comfortably in his chair, leisurely smoking a cigarette.

Yuichi bowed deeply.

“…Boss.”

“I know this might sound selfish…”

“But could I make one request?”

The supervisor raised an eyebrow.

“What is it?”

Yuichi gathered his courage.

“Could you let me choose the destination for the company trip?”

It was the first time Yuichi had ever asked his supervisor for a personal favor.

To his surprise…

The man remained silent for a long while before smiling.

“…Sure.”

“I don’t see a problem with that.”

Yuichi’s eyes immediately lit up.

He agreed?

Seriously?

Unfortunately…

The supervisor wasn’t finished.

“…However.”

“I expect you to work even harder this month.”

“Understood?”

Yuichi’s smile instantly disappeared.

“…Yes.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He left the office looking completely defeated.

…I knew it.

Nothing ever comes for free.

Looks like overtime is going to become my best friend.

The following morning…

After saying goodbye to Yuichi, Chiba headed toward the apartment Lucifer had rented.

As she walked through a nearby alley…

She suddenly spotted two familiar figures.

“…Alice?”

“…And Jebecald?”

The two Heroes were standing outside a building, speaking with a blonde landlady dressed rather provocatively.

Not wanting to reveal herself, Chiba quietly hid nearby and observed.

Although she couldn’t hear every word…

Their conversation gradually became clearer.

“It can get a little noisy here at night.”

“Is that alright with you?”

Jebecald nodded confidently.

“That won’t be a problem.”

The landlady smiled.

“Wonderful.”

“Then I’ll need the rent in advance.”

“…Rent?”

Alice and Jebecald looked at each other.

Apparently…

They had assumed that introducing themselves as Heroes would be enough.

Unfortunately…

This wasn’t Anstertandin.

Being a Hero meant absolutely nothing here.

Jebecald spoke honestly.

“…We don’t have any money.”

The landlady’s expression changed instantly.

“What?”

“You want to rent a room without paying?”

“Do you think this is a charity?”

“Out.”

“Both of you.”

Only moments later…

The two legendary Heroes were unceremoniously thrown out onto the street.

After returning home, Chiba immediately told Lucifer what she had witnessed.

“…So the Heroes are nearby?”

Lucifer frowned.

“Have they already discovered where we’re living?”

Chiba slowly shook her head.

“Not yet.”

“But I don’t think it’ll take long.”

“It looked like they wanted to rent a place nearby.”

“They simply couldn’t afford it.”

Lucifer folded his arms.

“…Should we strike first?”

“We could eliminate them before they become a threat.”

Chiba immediately rejected the suggestion.

“No.”

“Not with our current strength.”

“We won’t stand a chance until our magic has recovered.”

Lucifer nodded.

“…Understood.”

“I’ll speak with the landlady.”

“I’ll make sure she never rents a room to them.”

He paused awkwardly.

“…Although…”

Chiba looked at him.

“Although what?”

Lucifer coughed lightly.

“…She keeps asking whether I have a girlfriend.”

“…”

“…I honestly don’t know how to answer.”