After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 57

Inside the small apartment…

Chiba spent quite a while figuring out how to wear the unfamiliar outfit.

Once she finally managed to put on the kimono, she stood in front of the mirror and quietly examined herself.

Reflected in the glass was a petite girl dressed in a bright crimson kimono.

Looking at her own reflection, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

…It actually looks pretty nice.

Just then, Yuichi’s impatient voice came from outside the room.

“Chiba, are you ready yet?”

“If you don’t answer, I’m coming in!”

Startled out of her thoughts, Chiba hurriedly replied,

“…You can come in now.”

Hearing her permission, Yuichi grabbed the doorknob and tried to open it.

Click.

Nothing happened.

Thinking he’d turned it the wrong way, he tried again.

Still nothing.

“…Huh?”

“Did you lock the door from the inside?”

“I can’t get in.”

Only then did Chiba remember…

Earlier, she’d deliberately locked the door to prevent Yuichi from accidentally barging in while she was changing.

With no other choice, she walked over and unlocked it.

“I’m ready.”

“Let’s go.”

The moment the door opened…

Yuichi froze.

It was his first time seeing Chiba in a kimono.

The elegant crimson fabric perfectly complemented her petite figure, and for a brief moment, he completely forgot how to breathe.

Predictably…

His mind went blank.

“…?”

“Yuichi.”

“Are you listening?”

Seeing him staring absentmindedly without responding, Chiba frowned and stomped hard on his foot.

“Oww!”

After leaving the apartment…

The two headed toward the shopping street where the autumn festival was being held.

Still somewhat unfamiliar with wooden sandals, Chiba carefully adjusted her pace as she walked.

“The next thing we need to do is meet up with Lucifer.”

“…Huh?”

“He’s coming too?”

Yuichi couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.

Chiba answered matter-of-factly.

“What are you thinking?”

“Isn’t that perfectly normal?”

“And don’t call him ‘that guy.'”

“If Lucifer heard you say that, he’d kill you.”

She wasn’t exaggerating.

Back in Ansterton, a demon had once openly mocked Lucifer’s leadership and dismissively referred to him as “that guy.”

The very next day…

That demon disappeared without a trace.

So Chiba wasn’t merely being cold.

She was sincerely warning Yuichi.

“…Got it.”

Yuichi obediently nodded.

Soon, lights from the festival came into view.

Music drifted through the evening air.

The shopping street was just ahead.

But the crowd…

Far exceeded Yuichi’s expectations.

For hundreds of meters, the streets were packed shoulder to shoulder with people.

“I knew festivals would be crowded…”

“But I didn’t think it’d be this bad.”

Chiba stood on tiptoe, scanning the crowd.

“It’ll probably take a while to find Lucifer.”

“Let’s head in first.”

“What?”

Yuichi cupped a hand around his ear.

The surrounding noise completely drowned out her voice.

Seeing that speaking was pointless, Chiba sighed.

Instead…

She quietly grabbed Yuichi’s sleeve.

That way, they wouldn’t get separated.

What Chiba failed to realize…

Was that this unconscious gesture instantly made Yuichi blush.

She had never held onto him like this before.

To Yuichi…

It almost felt like they were openly showing everyone they were together.

Completely unaware of what was going through his mind, Chiba simply focused on making her way through the crowd.

Meanwhile…

Yuichi was happily lost in his own imagination.

After weaving through the sea of people…

Chiba confirmed through the communication necklace that Lucifer was waiting somewhere near the shrine.

She quickened her pace.

“Hey…”

“Slow down!”

“There are so many interesting stalls!”

Bracelets.

Cotton candy.

Fortune slips.

One after another, they flashed past Yuichi’s eyes before disappearing behind them as Chiba continued walking.

Finally…

Just before reaching the shrine…

A tall figure appeared ahead.

His imposing build made him instantly recognizable.

It was Lucifer.

Standing beside him…

Was another familiar face.

“…Sasaki?”

Yuichi blinked in surprise.

“What are you doing here?”

Yota Sasaki laughed heartily and threw an arm around Yuichi’s shoulder.

“Of course I’m here.”

“Didn’t I tell you I’d be coming with my coworkers?”

“That includes Lucifer.”

Yuichi looked at Lucifer…

Then at Chiba…

Before realization dawned on him.

“You guys…”

“You planned this behind my back!”

Although Yota had met Chiba once before, they’d never been properly introduced.

He smiled warmly and extended a greeting.

“Hello.”

“I’m Yota Sasaki.”

“I work with Yuichi and Lucifer.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Because of what had happened during their previous encounter, Chiba didn’t have a particularly favorable impression of him.

Still…

Since he was Yuichi’s coworker…

She decided to be polite.

“My name is Chiba.”

“I’m friends with both of them.”

“Chiba?”

“What a cute name!”

Seeing Yota enthusiastically chatting with Chiba, Yuichi quickly pulled him aside.

“…Hey.”

“You don’t actually like Chiba, do you?”

His concern wasn’t born from jealousy.

Whenever Yuichi had gone out with Chiba before, there had always been men trying to flirt with her.

Without exception…

Every single one had been thoroughly beaten.

Chiba wasn’t nearly as approachable as she looked.

Yuichi genuinely feared Yota might accidentally provoke her.

But hearing that question…

Yota tilted his head in confusion.

“…What are you talking about?”

“I was just saying hello.”

“Besides…”

“You know my type.”

“I like women with big boobs.”

“Chiba’s not really my—”

“Shut up!”

Before he could finish speaking, Yuichi hurriedly covered Yota’s mouth.

Then he nervously glanced toward Chiba.

Fortunately…

She seemed completely focused on a nearby festival stall, talking quietly with Lucifer.

She hadn’t reacted at all.

Apparently…

She hadn’t heard a single word.

Yuichi let out a long sigh of relief.

…That was close.

Yota almost got himself killed.