Knock knock.

Anya put her book down, stood from the sofa, and slipped on her shoes. “Coming, coming.”

She opened the door.

“I’m home,” Lirina smiled.

“Oh.” Anya’s chest tightened slightly… strange, but this feeling while waiting for Lirina to come home… it somehow felt a bit like being a couple (what even…).

After returning from Ivak’s place, she rested for a bit, had a bento for lunch, and spent the afternoon doing chores. Now, chores done, she waited for Lirina to return.

Doing chores… if Lirina were working instead of at school, it would feel even more like that…

Wait a second… does this mean my role is… the wife?

No, no, from the start… why am I thinking these weird things!

Lirina and Anya exchanged glances for a moment.

“Eh?” they both said in confusion.

“You… not coming in?” Anya tried to shake off the messy thoughts and asked normally.

“…Anya, aren’t you going to say ‘welcome home’?” Lirina asked, not noticing Anya’s slightly flushed face.

“Huh?” Anya froze.

“Ah…” Lirina saw Anya’s expression of “what are you talking about?” and understood.

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “Uhh, I thought you knew, but apparently you didn’t… In this country, there’s a small tradition: when someone comes home, they usually say, ‘I’m home.’ Then, the people inside respond with, ‘Welcome home.’”

“So… you were waiting for me to say ‘welcome home’?” Anya chuckled. “That’s… a unique tradition.”

“Uhh… I still hope you say it, Anya,” Lirina said as she changed her shoes. “Because I used to live alone. Even if I said ‘I’m home,’ nobody would answer.”

After all, Kasa was busy and not always around, and the demon world didn’t have this tradition…

“….” Anya watched Lirina stand, giving a slightly lonely smile, about to step further inside.

“Wait.” Anya called out. “We… welcome home.”

“Oh…” Lirina paused, then her eyes lit up like little stars. “Th-thank you, Anya!”

“…Such a strange reaction. If you act like this again, I won’t say it next time.” Anya turned her face, hiding her slightly red cheeks behind her hand.

This girl could be made happy with something so simple… it made Anya both envious and helpless.

Too cute.

Anya went to the sofa.

“Wow, Anya, the house is so clean… even cleaner than when I cleaned it!” Lirina praised, looking at the almost brand-new living room.

“Consider it thank you for letting me stay. It wouldn’t be right not to be thorough.” Anya held her book but didn’t open it.

“Hehe,” Lirina laughed. “I'll put my things away and change. Oh, Anya, are you hungry?”

“Not really.” Anya opened her book. “The lunch bento was enough, so I’m not very hungry. You go ahead with your stuff first.”

“Mm,” Lirina nodded and walked into her room.

Hearing the door close, Anya exhaled, placed the book back on her lap, and slowly lifted the corners of her mouth.

Her feelings were complicated. She didn’t even fully understand her own state of mind.

Why did she decide to go to Lirina’s school? Because staying home was boring and lonely. If she could spend the whole day with Lirina, the happiness wouldn’t be lost because of “separation.”

Going out alone earlier, she’d felt all the negative emotions piling up. On the streets, on the bus, noticing people staring, the sounds of vehicles—it all irritated her.

She had a lot missing inside herself.

So this decision was beneficial. Being able to go out with Lirina, go to school, come home… even thinking about it made her a little happy.

And why “I don’t know my own state of mind”? Because… the decision to go to Lirina’s school was made and acted on so quickly, a bit impulsively… If Lirina knew she secretly planned all this, she’d probably be embarrassed or angry.

But… still, she wasn’t happy.

Seeing Lirina’s friends, realizing the time Lirina spent away from her was with them… it annoyed her.

Last night Lirina had said… “too many related things will be troublesome…” Hmph, hmm… hmph!

Afraid I’ll affect your life, huh? Hmph. Acting so happy as a human…

I… won’t tell them you’re a succubus or about your fake name. If you tell me, I know. Why avoid it like that?

Anya frowned, clutching a pillow.

She only wanted to see more of Lirina because being with her made her happy.

Anya looked toward Lirina’s room.

Hmph, whatever. Ivak already helped, and the chores are done.

Anyway, that… Elsh Girl’s Academy—I’ve already decided to go.

…She shouldn’t be mad about this, right? She wouldn’t kick me out. That thought made her feel ready for whatever came. Lirina was kind and gentle. She wouldn’t make things too difficult.

Anya clenched her fist, dropped the pillow, and picked up her book again.

~~~~~~~~

Lirina’s room.

Changing into home clothes, she stretched, then sat at her desk and opened her backpack.

Today’s homework was surprisingly light. Hehe, now she could chat with Anya later. She was curious about what Heaven was like… and Anya seemed to have some misunderstandings about the demon world. Maybe talking properly would clear things up.

Lirina dug through her books. Suddenly, her face turned red, and she leaned onto the desk.

“Uhh… hehe~” she whispered excitedly, punching her thighs lightly.

Anya said “welcome home”… this was the first time Lirina had heard it in real life in Japan, outside of movies and anime.

Anya… she was really thoughtful and gentle.

Lirina remembered what Kasa had said: “An angel’s love is precious. That angel is alone now. If you can do something with her…”

…Ahh, stop thinking about that.

She grabbed her hair and sat up straight.

She knew almost nothing about Anya—only from her words and the emotions she gave off. She knew Anya must have been unhappy before.

Why help Anya? Honestly… she wasn’t entirely sure.

If she had to say, it was… she couldn’t bear to see that lonely Anya wandering again.

A girl her age, beautiful, yet radiating so much sadness—it hurt to see.

Thinking back, her decision had been impulsive! Ugh! But luckily Kasa hadn’t said anything, and it seemed explainable… maybe.

The most important reason… being with Anya made her happy.

Having someone with you felt amazing.

Even if… it made her shy, and Anya was a little mischievous… but Anya was also adorable, like a noble little cat.

Uwoah.

Lirina shook her head, realizing she’d been lost in thought for a while. She took a deep breath, picked up her pen, and got ready to do her homework.

A large crow perched on the desk.

“…Ka, Kasa!” Lirina froze for half a second, then her face lit with joy. “W-where did you go? I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning…”

“…” Kasa tilted his head, then said gloomily, “Had some personal business. Didn’t tell you.”

“Uh, is it done now?” Lirina asked.

“Kind of,” Kasa flapped his wings. “Got rice and water?”

“I prepared some yesterday. It’s in the wardrobe. You weren’t back, so it’s still there.” Lirina said.

Kasa flapped over to the wardrobe and started eating.

Lirina began her homework.

Halfway through, she felt a body press against her from behind, holding her tight.

“Kasa… I’m doing homework,” she laughed, putting her pen down.

“These past two days wore me out… little princess, let me hold you for a bit,” Kasa muttered, pinching her cheek.

“Ahh… okay, but not too long.” Lirina smelled Kasa’s familiar scent. “After I came back today, Anya told me ‘welcome home.’”

“Oh, that’s the heartwarming tradition in this country, huh?” Kasa opened his eyes. “Not bad… Have you thought about when to take that little angel?”

“Uhh… haven’t really thought about it yet…” Lirina’s face immediately flushed red.

“Hmm… for someone like you, taking things slow might suit you better.” Kasa raised a hand and rubbed Lirina’s head. “I won’t rush you, but when the time is right, you’ll need to tell Lady Naliena—you know, just say you already have someone suitable.”

“Uwaa… please, can we delay that as much as possible?” Lirina said, her face burning red.

“I understand, I still don’t know much about you, my little shy one.” Kasa chuckled, pressing slightly harder on Lirina’s head. “Do whatever feels right—you’ll know. Naturally falling in love is a kind of dream, so savor it properly.”

“Ahwah… Kasa, you’re saying weird things again!” Lirina’s face flared even redder.

“Pfft.” Kasa laughed. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I’m pretty tired myself. Little princess, can I nap on your bed for a bit?”

“Ah, sure, it’s fine,” Lirina replied.

“Ohhh—” Kasa didn’t hesitate, moving to the bed and collapsing onto it.

━━━━ ❖ ━━━

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