After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 52

Back in Yuichi’s bedroom…

“…So?”

“What’s wrong?”

Sitting on the bed, Chiba absentmindedly twirled a strand of her long hair around her finger as she looked at Yuichi.

Instead of answering…

Yuichi quietly closed the bedroom door.

Then he carefully checked outside to make sure neither of his parents was listening.

Only after confirming they weren’t nearby did he finally let out a relieved sigh.

He turned toward Chiba.

“…Do you realize…”

“…my parents are starting to get suspicious?”

Chiba blinked.

“…Suspicious?”

She looked genuinely confused.

Yuichi’s shoulders immediately slumped.

She really doesn’t understand…

With another weary sigh, he decided there was no point beating around the bush.

Taking a deep breath, he pointed at her.

“…What normal human…”

“…goes an entire day without eating?”

“…”

Chiba fell silent.

So…

That was what he meant.

She understood now.

Demons didn’t need food.

They survived by absorbing negative human emotions instead.

To humans…

That would naturally seem impossible to believe.

After thinking for a moment, she asked calmly,

“…Why should I hide who I am?”

Yuichi froze.

“…What?”

“You can’t be serious.”

Chiba stood up from the bed.

Her expression remained as indifferent as ever.

“We demons don’t need food.”

“That’s simply a fact.”

“And I have no intention of pretending otherwise.”

“Hiding my identity would only be troublesome.”

“I hate troublesome things.”

Yuichi stared at her.

She wasn’t wrong.

Everything she said was true.

Even so…

He couldn’t stop worrying.

After a long silence, he quietly asked,

“…Aren’t you afraid?”

“If people find out…”

“You’ll only end up making enemies.”

Chiba crossed her arms.

“…I’ve already told you.”

“I have nothing to fear.”

“If anyone causes trouble…”

“I’ll simply eliminate the problem.”

“They’ll stop once they’re too afraid to oppose me.”

She spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Yuichi rubbed his aching forehead.

Just what kind of upbringing did this girl have…?

After a long silence…

Yuichi finally gave up.

“…Fine.”

“I can’t change your mind.”

“So we’ll leave before my parents discover the truth.”

“We’ll head back tomorrow.”

Chiba shrugged.

“…Whatever.”

Yuichi nodded weakly.

“…I’m going downstairs.”

“…To finish dinner.”

Without another word…

He left the room.

Back at the dining table…

Yuichi silently shoveled rice into his mouth.

He didn’t say a single word.

Watching him, Orina smiled knowingly.

“…Did you and Chiba-chan have a fight?”

Yuichi remained silent.

Instead…

He picked up another mouthful of vegetables.

Tamura chuckled.

“As a man…”

“You should know when to give in.”

Yuichi froze.

The chopsticks in his hand nearly snapped.

Give in?

You have no idea…

I’m practically treating her like royalty already!

At this point, I’m the one constantly giving in!

Unable to take it anymore…

Yuichi abruptly put down his bowl.

“…I’m full.”

“I’m going to bed.”

Before either of his parents could stop him…

He stormed upstairs.

“…That boy…”

Orina sighed helplessly.

When Yuichi returned to his room…

He immediately buried himself beneath the blanket.

His back faced the rest of the room.

He clearly wasn’t asleep.

He was pouting.

Chiba watched him quietly.

…He’s upset.

But no matter how hard she thought about it…

She couldn’t figure out why.

She replayed every word of their conversation.

Nothing seemed wrong.

After thinking for a long time…

She silently arrived at her own conclusion.

Yuichi…

Has been acting more and more like a child lately.