After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 56
Another day of overtime.
For Yuichi, spending holidays working overtime had long since become routine. It was simply the reality of modern working life.
By the time he got home, it was already late.
Fortunately, he had the following day off, so he could finally get a good night’s sleep.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The first thing he saw was a petite girl sitting quietly at his desk, completely absorbed in a book.
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her youthful face.
After an exhausting day at work, that peaceful scene alone made Yuichi feel as though all his hard work had been worth it.
“I’m home…”
Yuichi smiled tiredly as he greeted her.
Chiba had heard him climbing the stairs long before he reached the room, but she was so engrossed in reading that she barely paid him any attention.
Still, since he had greeted her first, she lazily replied,
“…Mm.”
Yuichi couldn’t help smiling.
Recently, he had deliberately bought a large number of books online.
Since Chiba loved reading—and now even had a spare key to his apartment—she had been spending her afternoons here reading.
What she didn’t realize…
Was that Yuichi had intentionally created this opportunity just to entice her into visiting more often.
Like an unsuspecting lamb willingly walking into a wolf’s den.
“Oh, right…”
“I heard there’s an autumn festival in town tomorrow night.”
“Do you want to go?”
Yuichi suddenly remembered what Yota Sasaki had mentioned that morning and casually asked.
“No.”
Chiba answered without hesitation.
“I see…”
Yuichi sighed softly.
His disappointment was obvious.
“If you want to go, then go by yourself.”
“You don’t have to worry about what I think.”
Hearing that, Yuichi hurriedly waved his hands.
“N-No, that’s not it.”
“I was just asking.”
“Honestly, I don’t even like crowded places.”
“They’re noisy and packed with people…”
Even so…
Deep down…
He really wanted to see Chiba wearing a kimono.
Only after noticing the darkness outside did Chiba finally close her book.
“It’s already this late…”
“I should head back.”
Yuichi blinked in surprise.
He had assumed she’d stay the night.
“Huh?”
“You’re leaving already?”
“You could stay here tonight.”
Afraid that the “prey” he’d worked so hard to lure in was about to escape, Yuichi quickly tried to persuade her.
“No.”
“I promised Lucifer I’d be back tonight.”
Her answer was firm.
She had already decided to leave.
No amount of persuasion would change her mind.
She stood up and walked toward the door.
Just before leaving…
She casually looked back.
“I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Yuichi let out a helpless sigh.
“…All right.”
“Then let me walk you home.”
“No.”
“You’ve been working overtime.”
“Get some rest.”
“…Okay.”
The next day arrived quickly.
Yuichi spent the morning shopping around town.
The afternoon passed quietly as he stayed home playing video games.
Nothing particularly noteworthy happened.
As evening approached…
A series of distant popping sounds echoed through the neighborhood.
Fireworks.
Lying lazily on his bed, Yuichi stared blankly at the ceiling.
Yota and the others are probably already at the festival…
Forget it.
It doesn’t matter.
I’ve always spent my holidays like this anyway.
“…So noisy.”
He pulled the blanket over his head, trying to block out the sound.
It didn’t help.
The festival only became livelier as time passed.
He wasn’t sure how much time had gone by.
Just as he was about to fall asleep…
Knock.
Knock.
“Yuichi.”
“Are you asleep?”
The familiar voice instantly woke him.
He jumped out of bed and hurried to the door.
As expected…
It was Chiba.
“I was just about to sleep.”
“What’s wrong?”
Standing outside with her arms crossed, Chiba calmly said,
“Aren’t we going to the autumn festival?”
“We should leave soon.”
Yuichi froze.
“…Huh?”
“But yesterday you said you didn’t want to go.”
Chiba looked at him proudly.
“I changed my mind.”
“Is that a problem?”
“O-Of course not!”
Although he tried to stay calm…
Inside, Yuichi was practically dancing with excitement.
“Just wait a minute!”
He rushed back into his room in a panic.
Watching Yuichi frantically searching through his closet…
Chiba stepped inside.
“What are you looking for?”
A moment later…
Yuichi pulled out a beautifully wrapped white box.
Inside…
Was a brand-new kimono.
He had bought it from a traditional clothing store some time ago.
Just in case.
“I heard everyone wears kimonos to the autumn festival.”
Yuichi held it out expectantly.
Chiba looked at the garment…
Then back at him.
“…You want me to wear this?”
Yuichi nodded vigorously.
“Mm-hmm!”
The kimono itself was beautiful.
She had no real objection to wearing it.
The problem was…
Yuichi’s sparkling, puppy-like eyes made her feel suspicious.
This guy…
Surely he wasn’t thinking about something strange again.
“…Turn around.”
“And don’t come in.”
“Okay!”
Yuichi obediently hurried outside and shut the door.
Only at moments like these…
Did he become unbelievably obedient.
Watching him leave…
Chiba let out a helpless sigh.
Normally…
Putting on a kimono only took a few minutes.
But…
Nearly half an hour passed.
There was still no sign of Chiba coming out.
Yuichi paced anxiously outside the room.
Unable to wait any longer, he finally knocked on the door.
“Are you done yet?”
A slightly panicked voice came from inside.
“N-Not yet!”
“Wait a little longer!”
Yuichi frowned.
What on earth is she doing in there?
Then…
A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
A kimono…
It’s worn differently from ordinary clothes.
Could it be…
He carefully asked,
“…If you don’t know how to put it on…”
“…I can come in and help.”
The answer came instantly.
“If you come in…”
“…I’ll kill you!”
Chiba’s cold voice echoed through the room.
Yuichi gave up immediately.
“…Guess that’s not happening.”
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