Chapter 16: The Demon God Maid’s Playful Declaration

“Yawn—I totally overslept.”
Doroshi stretched lazily, closing the apartment door behind her, still not fully awake.

Sunlight slanted across the hallway floor, tiny dust particles floating in the warm glow.
Maybe because her emotions had been so intense yesterday, her brain hadn’t relaxed, making her wake up much later than usual.

Upon opening her eyes, she found the maid standing neatly by her bedside, watching her.
Doroshi nearly broke down—it’d take time to get used to Ren’s presence.

After an embarrassing episode of Ren helping her into her school uniform, Doroshi fled to the bathroom to wash up and calm down.
She then savored a breakfast she’d never have on her own: Ren’s special cream puffs, a soufflé pancake, and a warm glass of milk that soothed her body.

Noticing Ren had perfectly gauged her appetite, Doroshi felt a mix of emotions.
Her ordinary day began wrapped in the maid’s comforting care.

Rubbing her eyes, Doroshi turned and locked eyes with her neighbors, the Komiya couple.
“Good morning, Mr. Komiya, Mrs. Komiya,” she said politely, a habit that earned her a good reputation in the neighborhood.

She was fairly close with the Komiyas.
When she first moved here, they’d helped her a lot, often inviting her over for dinner when her aunt was away on business.

“Morning, Doroshi! You’re heading out later than usual,” Mrs. Komiya, a charming housewife, said with a warm smile.
Mr. Komiya, beside her, was opening their door, suggesting they’d just returned from outside.

‘Unlike lazy me, they’re up early,’ Doroshi thought, a bit ashamed.
“Yeah, I stayed up late yesterday, but it’s fine. I’ve got enough time,” she replied, nodding to acknowledge their concern.

“Good, then. Be careful on your way,” Mrs. Komiya said, waving as she and her husband entered their apartment, not keeping Doroshi to chat since she was in a rush for school.

After the brief exchange, Doroshi left the building and spotted Ren on the street, hands clasped, standing calmly beside a sedan.
Oddly, it seemed different from yesterday’s car.

Though she disliked the flashy ride, time constraints forced Doroshi to climb in.
Repeating yesterday’s routine, Ren drove them to school and parked in an inconspicuous corner as Doroshi instructed.

Cautiously scanning her surroundings to ensure no one noticed, Doroshi headed toward the school.
She’d planned to go straight to class, but after last night’s heartfelt family talk, she wanted to grow closer to Ren.
So, she decided to wait by the circular fountain along the school’s walkway for Ren to finish parking.

The weather was pleasant, morning light painting the fountain with rippling colors, making the water droplets sparkle.
But soon, Doroshi regretted her choice.

During the morning rush, students hurried toward the school building, but those passing the fountain couldn’t help staring at her.
“She’s waiting by the fountain for someone, huh?”
“Feels like a scene from that novel everyone was talking about.”
Whispers and stifled giggles drifted from the crowd.

Feeling like a monkey in a zoo, Doroshi lowered her head, annoyed.
‘You guys are so irritating.’

As if things couldn’t get worse, a boy’s voice rang out.
“Wait, isn’t that the girl from that accident?”

His words drew more attention, students stopping to point and murmur, unsettling Doroshi further.
About a year ago, shortly after starting high school, an accident occurred involving a popular second-year student who was badly injured.
For certain reasons, Doroshi hadn’t tried to clear up the misunderstanding.
In her view, people only believed what they wanted, so explaining would likely be pointless.

At Shino University Affiliated High School, her reputation suffered as a result.
Though many didn’t care about who the prettiest or coolest students were, they knew her face—a twisted kind of fame.

Masking her emotions, Doroshi adopted a cold, unapproachable demeanor, a social shield she’d built after the incident, honing her resilience.
Class was about to start, so she figured the gawking idiots would scatter soon.
But after thirty seconds, they showed no sign of leaving.

‘Are you guys skipping class or what?’

Normally immune to gossip, today it grated on her nerves for some reason, and she was tempted to snap.

Just then, a commotion at the school gate drew everyone’s attention.
Doroshi glanced over and instantly understood why.

Ren entered, surrounded by a few girls from their class—likely having met at the gate.
Her vibrant red hair swayed in the morning breeze, twin tails exuding youthful charm, despite her being over a thousand years old.

Ren’s striking presence made her the focal point, nearly every gaze following her.
Doroshi could hardly believe anyone but a celebrity could command such attention.
Though Ren’s photos had spread widely online, many students seeing her in person for the first time marveled at her charisma.

Despite the stares, Ren felt no pressure, masking her irritation with a perfunctory smile as she humored the classmates clinging to her.
While responding absently, her sharp vision quickly spotted Doroshi by the fountain.

Catching Doroshi’s eye, Ren’s mood, soured by the noisy “flies,” brightened, her smile widening.
Ignoring the crowd’s clamor, she quickened her pace toward Doroshi.

“Huh?”
The students around the fountain frowned, confused.
Why was the red-haired transfer student approaching Jinzenji?

Before Doroshi could react, Ren, in perfect maidly grace, bowed deeply.
“My deepest apologies, Lady Doroshi. Parking took longer than expected, wasting your precious time.”
“That you waited for me here fills me with boundless gratitude.”
“In this moment, my heart is overflowing with happiness~!”

Ren’s diamond-clear purple eyes met Doroshi’s, her hands clasped tightly to her chest.
Her radiant smile and sweet, almost coquettish voice sparkled with delight.
“Tonight, I’ll repay your kindness with a lavish dinner and impeccable service!”

Tilting her head, Ren lifted her uniform skirt’s hem lightly, curtsying with a dazzling smile.
Her vivid red hair fluttered with the motion.

Doroshi—and everyone watching—froze, stunned by the spectacle.
‘You’re not even pretending anymore, are you?!’