After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 49

Yuichi’s hometown was still quite a distance from Shin-Osaka Station.

To get there before it became too late, taking a taxi was their only option.

Before getting into the cab, however, Yuichi reluctantly pulled out his phone.

“…I guess I should call home first.”

He really didn’t want to.

But there was no helping it.

Only his mother had the key to the house.

The call was brief.

Yuichi told her he was on his way home.

He also mentioned that he would be bringing a friend with him.

After a short pause, his mother suddenly asked,

“…A girl?”

“…Yeah.”

Without understanding why that was her first question, Yuichi answered honestly before quickly ending the call.

He let out a long sigh.

“…My mom can be such a pain.”

Sitting beside him in the taxi, Chiba tilted her head.

“…Why?”

“You were only on the phone for a minute.”

Yuichi leaned back against the seat.

“She always asks the strangest questions.”

“…I see.”

Chiba nodded thoughtfully.

Her own memories of her mother were vague.

She only remembered that…

When she was very young…

Her mother had always been by her side.

She had been human.

As for why a human had lived among demons…

Or why she had suddenly disappeared from Chiba’s life…

Those memories had long since faded.

Now…

None of it mattered anymore.

“We’ve arrived.”

By the time the taxi driver announced their destination…

It was already close to midnight.

Yuichi had hoped the driver could take them directly to the house.

Unfortunately, the narrow country road ahead made that impossible.

With a helpless sigh, Yuichi opened the trunk.

“…Looks like we’ll have to carry everything ourselves.”

Just as he reached for the luggage—

“I’ll do it.”

Chiba stepped forward.

Yuichi blinked.

“…Huh?”

“But these suitcases are heavy.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay carrying them alone?”

Chiba looked at him as though the answer were obvious.

“After seeing how completely helpless you became on the Shinkansen…”

“I realized I can’t keep relying on you.”

“And…”

She gave him a smug smile.

“I’m a demon.”

Yuichi could only sigh.

Being mocked by the girl he liked…

And not even being able to argue back…

Was surprisingly painful.

“…Fine.”

“But let me carry at least one.”

“No.”

Without waiting for another word…

Chiba effortlessly lifted both suitcases.

Yuichi stood there in stunned silence.

“…What are you waiting for?”

“Let’s go.”

“…Right.”

The quiet country road stretched ahead of them.

As they walked…

Yuichi couldn’t help staring at Chiba.

She carried both heavy suitcases as though they weighed nothing.

Not even breathing heavily.

“…How are you so strong with such a small body?”

Without even looking back, Chiba answered,

“Don’t compare an ordinary human…”

“…to a demon.”

Yuichi laughed.

“…Are all demons this arrogant?”

Chiba shrugged.

“It’s not arrogance.”

“It’s simply the truth.”

Yuichi smiled helplessly and hurried after her.

At last…

They arrived home.

Yuichi stepped onto the front porch and gently knocked on the door.

“…I’m home.”

Footsteps quickly echoed from inside.

A moment later…

The front door opened.

Standing there was Yuichi’s mother—

Kitakami Orina.

“Oh my!”

“Little Yuu’s finally home!”

Yuichi froze.

Little… Yuu?

He stared at his mother in disbelief.

Had he heard correctly?

She was actually calling him by his childhood nickname.

Seeing her smiling warmly…

He couldn’t help wondering if this was really his mother.

After recovering from the shock, Yuichi awkwardly cleared his throat.

“…Um…”

“This is the friend I mentioned on the phone.”

“Her name is Chiba.”

Orina’s smile immediately widened.

“So you’re Chiba-chan.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of my son.”

Chiba politely bowed.

“…Not at all.”

“If anything…”

“He’s the one who’s taken care of me.”

Yuichi secretly glanced at her.

Normally…

Chiba rarely spoke to him so kindly.

Even knowing she was simply being polite…

Hearing those words still made him unexpectedly happy.

Orina laughed cheerfully.

“Oh my, you’re far too modest.”

“You must both be exhausted after such a long journey.”

“Come inside.”

“Dinner’s already waiting.”

Chiba bowed once more.

“…Thank you for having me.”

Then…

The demon princess quietly stepped across the threshold of Yuichi’s childhood home.