After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 54

“You’re really leaving already?”

“Can’t you stay a few more days?”

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“My boss only gave me this much leave.”

“I have to head back today.”

Orina sighed softly.

“…Then when will you come home again?”

Yuichi scratched the back of his head.

“I don’t know.”

“Maybe… next year.”

“At least come back every six months.”

“And don’t forget to call when you arrive.”

“The weather’s getting colder too.”

“Remember to dress warmly.”

“Don’t catch a cold.”

Yuichi smiled helplessly.

“I know.”

“We’re leaving now.”

“Take care, Mom.”

“Come on, Chiba.”

After saying goodbye to Orina and Tamura…

Yuichi and Chiba began the journey back to Tokyo.

---

Another long ride later…

The Shinkansen finally arrived.

The moment they stepped off the train…

Yuichi covered his mouth and sprinted toward the nearest restroom.

Several minutes later…

He staggered back out with an exhausted expression.

Seeing him like that…

Chiba sighed.

“…You even get motion sickness on the Shinkansen.”

“I’m honestly impressed.”

“It really proves how little exercise you get.”

Yuichi immediately protested.

“That’s completely different!”

“Even strong people can get motion sickness.”

“It’s mostly about body constitution.”

“I’m just naturally prone to it.”

He confidently believed his explanation would convince her.

Unfortunately…

It had the exact opposite effect.

“Starting tomorrow.”

“I’m putting you through proper physical training.”

“…No!”

Yuichi cried out in despair.

Chiba ignored him completely.

Several more days passed.

Yuichi’s vacation was almost over.

Tomorrow…

He would finally return to work.

During those few days…

Life had become a nightmare.

Every morning at eight…

Chiba dragged him out for a run.

After that came—

One hundred push-ups.

One hundred squats.

And countless other exercises.

It was torture.

Still…

The results were undeniable.

At least…

The dark circles under Yuichi’s eyes had finally disappeared.

“This isn’t helping me at all!”

Yuichi loudly complained.

He looked like a poor farmer protesting against an evil landlord.

The response was immediate.

“If you keep complaining…”

“I’ll cancel breakfast.”

“…”

Yuichi instantly fell silent.

He had no choice.

With tears in his eyes…

He obediently returned to doing push-ups.

“One…”

“Two…”

“Three…”

“…”

“…Ten…”

“…Thirteen…”

“…I can’t do this anymore…”

Before even reaching twenty…

Yuichi collapsed face-first onto the floor.

Completely exhausted.

Watching him…

Chiba sighed.

“…I really don’t know what to do with you.”

She wasn’t disappointed.

Nor was she angry.

In truth…

She didn’t enjoy forcing him to train either.

But…

Yuichi was simply too weak.

As an ordinary office worker…

He still hadn’t realized how rapidly the world was changing.

First came demons.

Then heroes.

Now even mysterious figures capable of using magic had begun appearing.

The impossible was slowly becoming reality.

No one knew what would happen next.

But Chiba knew one thing.

Yuichi could no longer live the peaceful life he once had.

She couldn’t stay beside him forever.

If she wasn’t there one day…

He needed enough strength to protect himself.

“I’m off!”

After finishing breakfast…

Yuichi waved toward Chiba and happily left for work.

He looked unusually energetic.

Nothing like the sleepy office worker he used to be.

Perhaps…

A long vacation really had done him some good.

Of course…

Chiba was certain that cheerful expression wouldn’t last very long.

---

About twenty minutes later…

Yuichi arrived at the factory.

He looked around.

“…Huh?”

The workshop was empty.

After checking the clock…

He finally realized why.

“…Right.”

“I’ve been waking up so early lately.”

“I completely forgot work doesn’t start for a while.”

For the first time in ages…

He was the very first employee to arrive.

Did that make him proud?

Not in the slightest.

“…If I’d known…”

“I would’ve left home later.”

Even so…

He didn’t dare slack off.

If the boss happened to check the security cameras…

There was a good chance his salary would suffer.

So…

Yuichi quietly began working.

As time passed…

Employees gradually started arriving.

The second person to clock in…

Was Lucifer.

That came as no surprise.

Lucifer had always been one of the earliest employees to arrive.

The only difference today…

Was that someone had beaten him.

Lucifer glanced toward Yuichi.

“…You’re here unusually early.”

His tone remained indifferent.

But Yuichi knew…

That was probably the closest thing to praise Lucifer would ever give.

Yuichi smiled.

“Looks like we’re both early today.”

Not long afterward…

The third employee arrived.

Yota Sasaki.

The moment he spotted Yuichi…

His eyes widened.

“Sakai?”

“You’re already here?”

“That’s rare.”

Yuichi proudly folded his arms.

“Don’t underestimate me.”

“I’ve worked here longer than any of you.”

“Before you guys joined…”

“I was always the first person to arrive.”

Yota laughed.

“Guess I should start calling you ‘Senpai.'”

Yuichi waved his hand modestly.

“Hmph.”

“No need.”

Despite saying that…

He couldn’t hide the smile creeping across his face.

Finally…

The fourth person entered the factory.

Their boss—

Hashimoto Ota.

He rarely came to work this early.

Normally…

He would sleep until he woke naturally before leisurely showing up around noon.

Yuichi immediately understood.

…A surprise inspection.

The boss probably wanted to catch someone slacking off…

So he could deduct their wages with a perfectly reasonable excuse.

Yuichi secretly smiled.

Nice try, Boss.

You’re not catching me today.

Then…

He glanced toward Yota Sasaki.

The man was comfortably reclining in his chair…

Fast asleep.

Yuichi’s eyes widened.

“…Sasaki?”

“…What are you doing?”

It seemed…

Someone was about to have a very unfortunate morning.