After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 39

The next morning arrived before Yuichi knew it.

Warm sunlight streamed through the hospital window, falling gently across his face.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Still half-asleep, he rubbed them and turned his head.

The first thing he saw was a petite girl sleeping quietly beside his bed, curled up like a kitten.

“…Huh?”

Yuichi blinked in surprise.

After thinking for a moment, he finally remembered what had happened the night before.

He and Chiba had talked until very late.

At some point, he had fallen asleep without even realizing it.

Which meant…

From then until now…

Chiba had stayed by his side the entire night.

“…Chiba?”

He called her name softly.

There was no response.

Her eyes remained peacefully closed as she breathed in a slow, steady rhythm.

She’s still asleep…

Not wanting to wake her, Yuichi simply watched her sleeping face.

It was the first time he had ever seen Chiba like this.

Her long silver hair draped gently over her petite figure.

Without her usual sharp expression, her face looked unbelievably peaceful.

Her delicate features resembled a carefully carved sculpture.

The rise and fall of her gentle breathing was the only sign she was alive.

Without her usual pride and confidence…

She looked like nothing more than an ordinary young girl.

Yuichi smiled unconsciously.

He couldn’t bear to disturb such a peaceful moment.

So he quietly waited for her to wake up.

It wasn’t until nearly noon that Chiba finally stirred.

She slowly opened her eyes before looking around in confusion.

Only then did she realize she had fallen asleep leaning against Yuichi’s bedside.

“…Good morning, Yuichi.”

“Morning, Chiba.”

Yuichi greeted her with a warm smile.

Chiba stretched lazily before instinctively touching her long, messy hair.

Only then did she realize how untidy she looked.

…How embarrassing.

Still…

She quickly pushed the thought aside.

It wasn’t important.

Instead, she looked at Yuichi.

“…How are you feeling?”

Yuichi couldn’t help smiling.

Hearing genuine concern from Chiba still felt strangely unfamiliar.

“I’m much better.”

“The doctor said I can probably be discharged this afternoon.”

“Really?”

“…That’s good.”

After a brief pause, Chiba looked away.

“…But don’t misunderstand.”

“I only stayed because your injuries happened while protecting me.”

“If something happened to you…”

“My identity would become troublesome.”

“So don’t read too much into it.”

Yuichi’s shoulders immediately slumped.

“…Seriously?”

“That’s the only reason?”

After how well they had gotten along the previous night…

The answer was unexpectedly cold.

Just then—

Bang!

The ward door was suddenly thrown open.

Yuichi instinctively frowned.

Can’t people knock before coming in?

But the moment he saw who it was…

He froze.

“…Lucifer?”

“My Lord.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Lucifer looked at Chiba with obvious dissatisfaction.

“You actually stayed beside this human all night…”

His tone sounded almost… resentful.

Even he had never received such treatment from Chiba.

Why should Yuichi?

If Chiba hadn’t insisted otherwise…

Lucifer would have gladly stayed and watched over Yuichi himself.

Chiba calmly shook her head.

“It’s fine.”

“He protected me.”

“So this much is only natural.”

Listening to the conversation, Yuichi suddenly remembered something.

“…Wait.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work today?”

Lucifer gave him a cold glance.

Without saying another word, he tossed a bag of breakfast onto the bedside table.

“The boss was worried you might actually die.”

“So he told me to come check on you.”

Yuichi’s lips twitched.

…This guy really has the worst bedside manner.

Still, he smiled awkwardly.

“Well…”

“Thanks.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

Originally…

Yuichi had planned to sincerely thank Lucifer for helping him after the haunted house incident.

But judging from Lucifer’s attitude…

He suddenly felt there wasn’t much point.

Somehow…

That seemed exactly like Lucifer.