After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 80

Nearly half an hour had passed since they started cooking.

Despite a few minor mishaps along the way, Chiba had finally managed to make egg-drop soup under Yuichi’s patient guidance.

Alice accepted the bowl from Chiba and sat down at the table.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Under Chiba and Yuichi’s watchful eyes, Alice took a small sip.

“…………”

“How is it?”

Chiba asked softly.

Alice’s silence made her nervous, though she tried her best not to show it. She turned her gaze away, pretending not to care.

Yuichi watched the scene with an amused smile.

Who would have thought that the usually proud and aloof Chiba had such a surprisingly innocent side?

“Mmm… This is the best egg-drop soup I’ve ever had! Chihiro, you’re amazing!”

“R-Really? This is nothing!”

Chiba’s cheeks immediately turned red.

“If you like it, I can make it for you again next time…”

Yuichi couldn’t help smiling.

She’s actually blushing.

Just then, Chiba turned around and caught him staring at her with a mischievous grin.

Her expression darkened.

“Hey! What are you laughing at?”

Yuichi quickly wiped the smile from his face and waved his hands.

“Nothing! I was just thinking about something nice.”

He then turned to Alice.

“By the way, Alice, if you don’t mind, you can stay here from now on. You don’t really have anywhere else to go, right?”

Alice hesitated.

“That’s true, but… wouldn’t that cause you trouble?”

“Of course not!”

Yuichi immediately shook his head.

“Actually, we’d be happy if you stayed. The house would be much livelier. Right, Chihiro?”

He paused.

“Stay here with me, Alice… Wait.”

Chiba suddenly turned toward him.

“What did you just call me?”

Yuichi froze.

“Chihiro… uh—”

Before he could finish, his body suddenly went flying through the air.

Thud!

Chiba had kicked him.

“Idiot! Who told you that you could call me by that name?!”

“Alice said it was okay, so why can’t I use it? We’ve known each other for almost half a year. Isn’t that a little unfair?”

“I said you can’t call me that, and that’s final! Why do you keep arguing?”

Chiba slammed her hand against the table.

“But—”

“Enough! You’re so noisy!”

Alice, who had been quietly drinking her soup, suddenly covered her mouth and giggled.

Both Yuichi and Chiba turned toward her in confusion.

“What?”

“Hehe… Sorry. I couldn’t help laughing.”

Alice smiled.

“Is this how you two usually argue?”

“No. It’s just that this guy has an incredibly arrogant personality.”

“No. It’s because this lowly, inferior creature keeps speaking to me disrespectfully.”

They pointed at each other at exactly the same time.

Alice stared at them.

Then she couldn’t help laughing again.

“But… wouldn’t the house be too small if all three of us lived here?”

Alice hesitantly raised the issue.

Yuichi nodded as though she’d just pointed out something obvious.

“If that’s the problem, why don’t we move?”

“Move?”

“We can find a bigger house.”

Alice stared at him.

She had only mentioned the lack of space as an excuse to avoid accepting his invitation.

She hadn’t expected him to immediately solve the problem.

Is he serious?

“Yes, of course.”

Yuichi spoke casually.

“I’ve actually been thinking about moving for a while. And I’ve saved up quite a bit recently, so we should be able to find a bigger place.”

Alice lowered her eyes.

The truth was, she felt guilty.

Yuichi had already given up his own comfortable sleeping arrangements because of her, even sleeping on the cold tatami floor.

She didn’t want to cause him any more trouble.

But judging from Yuichi’s confident expression, he genuinely didn’t consider her presence a burden.

“Ah…”

Alice hesitated.

Yuichi looked at her expectantly.

“What’s there to hesitate about? I’ve invited you so sincerely.”

He paused.

“Or… are you looking down on me?”

No, that’s not what this is about at all.

Alice wanted to say that, but seeing Yuichi’s hopeful expression, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him.

“Okay. I’ll accept your offer.”

She smiled faintly.

“However… before we decide anything, I’d like to discuss it with that person first. Is that all right?”

There was no other way.

For now, Alice could only compromise.