After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 32

Yuichi had gone to bed unusually late the previous night.

The reason?

Chiba had stubbornly insisted on sleeping on the floor.

Yuichi refused to let her.

The two argued over it for what felt like forever.

By the time they finally settled the matter, it was well past midnight.

As a result…

When Yuichi finally opened his eyes again, the morning sun was already shining brightly through the window.

Still half-asleep, he grabbed his phone.

The moment he saw the time—

“…!”

He shot upright as though struck by lightning.

“Oh no!”

“The company trip!”

“They’re all waiting for me at the haunted house!”

Without another thought, Yuichi jumped out of bed.

Seeing Chiba still sleeping peacefully on the futon, he instinctively scooped her up over his shoulder and sprinted out of the apartment.

If I run the whole way…

I might still make it!

The violent shaking soon woke Chiba.

She slowly rubbed her eyes.

“…Good morning, Yuichi.”

Panting heavily as he ran, Yuichi answered with surprising enthusiasm.

“Morning!”

“Did you sleep well?”

“You didn’t catch a cold sleeping on the floor, did you?”

Chiba looked at him expressionlessly.

“Demons don’t catch colds.”

“…More importantly.”

“Why am I being carried on your shoulder?”

Yuichi laughed awkwardly.

“Who knows?”

“Hehe…”

Chiba’s expression immediately darkened.

This human…

He’s becoming bolder every single day.

“If you don’t put me down immediately…”

“…you’ll die a very painful death.”

“I understand!”

Without the slightest hesitation, Yuichi gently set her back on the ground.

Straightening her clothes, Chiba looked around.

“…We’re heading to the haunted house?”

Yuichi scratched his head awkwardly.

“I overslept.”

“You looked so comfortable sleeping…”

“So I didn’t want to wake you.”

Chiba narrowed her eyes.

“Those are two completely different issues.”

“Don’t confuse them.”

She stepped closer and looked directly into his eyes.

“And listen carefully.”

“If you ever pick me up without permission again…”

“I won’t let you off.”

“I mean it.”

Yuichi instinctively swallowed.

“…Understood.”

For a brief moment…

He was reminded once again that the cute girl standing before him…

Was still a demon.

About an hour later, the two finally arrived at the meeting place.

Most of Yuichi’s coworkers had already gathered outside the amusement park.

The moment they spotted him, several voices called out.

“Sakai!”

“You’re late again!”

Yuichi scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“Sorry…”

“I’m a little late.”

No one seemed particularly surprised.

Yuichi being late had practically become routine.

However…

The girl quietly standing beside him immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

One of his coworkers, Yota Sasaki, blinked in surprise.

“…Sakai.”

“Is this your girlfriend?”

Yuichi instinctively glanced around.

After confirming that Lucifer was nowhere nearby, he quietly relaxed.

“…Yeah.”

A chorus of jealous sighs immediately erupted.

“I’m so jealous!”

“She’s adorable!”

“You lucky guy!”

Yuichi couldn’t help grinning proudly.

“Well…”

“If everyone works hard…”

“Maybe someday you’ll all find someone too.”

Strictly speaking…

Chiba wasn’t his girlfriend.

But…

Showing off in front of a group of fellow bachelors felt surprisingly satisfying.

Meanwhile, Chiba stood silently beside him.

She didn’t really understand what the word girlfriend meant.

However…

She could clearly feel everyone staring at her.

The attention made her uncomfortable.

Quietly tugging on Yuichi’s sleeve, she whispered,

“I thought we were coming to the haunted house.”

“And where’s Lucifer?”

Yuichi, still basking in the admiration of his coworkers, didn’t respond.

He simply stood there smiling foolishly.

“…”

Chiba’s eyebrow twitched.

Without warning—

Stomp!

“Oww!”

Yuichi immediately clutched his foot in pain.

Only then did Chiba calmly ask again,

“Well?”

Rubbing his sore foot, Yuichi finally answered.

“The haunted house doesn’t open until this afternoon.”

“We’re just sightseeing nearby first.”

“As for Lucifer…”

“I think he’s probably running late.”

He looked at Chiba curiously.

“Didn’t you contact him?”

Chiba slowly shook her head.

“I already tried.”

“I used our telepathic connection.”

“But he hasn’t responded.”

Yuichi nodded thoughtfully.

“Maybe he’s already on his way.”

“Let’s wait a little longer.”

“…Alright.”

Chiba quietly agreed.

Standing beside her, Yuichi secretly smiled to himself.

For some reason…

Knowing Lucifer wasn’t here yet made him oddly happy.

Perhaps…

Just for today…

He wanted to enjoy spending time alone with Chiba.

Author’s Note

Fun Fact: The necklaces worn by Chiba and Lucifer function as magical communication devices.

After both users infuse them with magic, their voices are transmitted through the enchanted crystals, allowing them to communicate over long distances.

Since the necklaces are worn close to the chest, users can even feel the subtle vibrations of the magic flowing through them.

In Anstertandin, these magical communication necklaces were widely used and were considered one of the most popular everyday magical tools.