Chapter 13: Two Fools Apologizing to Each Other

Slumped on her living room sofa, Doroshi hugged her knees.
While scrolling through the Shino University Affiliated High School’s online community, she mentally drafted her apology to Ren.

Soon, a crisp knock sounded at the door.
Doroshi nervously scurried to open it, and sure enough, there stood the demon god maid, radiant as ever.
Seeing Ren’s familiar smile, Doroshi’s gaze faltered as she invited her inside.

“My place is small and cramped, nothing like that mansion. Hope you don’t mind, Ren.”

The apartment was typical—compact but neatly laid out, with every corner thoughtfully utilized.
It had two bedrooms, and the living room, lit by a white ceiling lamp, felt cozy rather than dim at night.

Ren clasped her hands in front, smiling softly.
“How could I? Bathed in Lady Doroshi’s radiance, this apartment shines like a golden palace.”

‘Whatever makes you happy.’

Doroshi gestured for Ren to sit on the sofa, but Ren looked hesitant.
“As Lady Doroshi’s maid, how could I…”

“Come on, it’s fine,” Doroshi said with a wry smile, plopping onto the opposite sofa.
“Just sit, Ren. I need to talk to you.”

But instead of sitting, Ren bowed deeply, her expression solemn.
“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. Please punish me, Lady Doroshi.”

“I’m so sorry, Ren, for saying such harsh things to you.”

Their apologies collided simultaneously.

“Huh?”
The scene wasn’t what Doroshi expected, and her mouth fell open in surprise.

Ren looked up, equally stunned, a trace of panic lingering on her face—a rare departure from her usual composed elegance.

“Pfft.”
Doroshi was the first to crack, unable to hold back a laugh.

As a participant in this farce, she couldn’t help but find it absurd.
She’d been so foolish.
Ren wasn’t upset with her at all—the demon god was just a kind, forgiving dummy.

Relaxing, Doroshi realized her harsh words at noon hadn’t angered Ren.
“But why are you apologizing to me?”

Ren sat across from her, her expression tinged with sadness.
“Because you were avoiding me at school today, Lady Doroshi… I wondered if I’d done something to trouble you.”
“My existence is for you alone. If you dislike me, if you don’t need me, I’ll vanish from your sight.”

“Whoa, whoa, it’s not that serious! I don’t hate you at all!”

Only now did Doroshi truly see it.
Despite her grand title as the “Calamity God of the End,” despite her calm facade, Ren was just a sensitive, fragile girl when you got to know her.
A girl with a demon god’s name who could feel joy, sadness, frustration, and worry.

Ren always projected strength, handling everything flawlessly as the perfect maid, so Doroshi had unconsciously bought into that image.
She’d overlooked the fact that Ren had once shown such a pitiful, vulnerable expression.

‘I should’ve noticed sooner.’

“I’m sorry,” Doroshi said gently, grasping Ren’s arm.
Her eyes caught the red ribbon peeking from Ren’s sleeve, and she smiled.
“I made you feel uneasy, didn’t I?”
“I said I believed in you, right? That hasn’t changed.”
“Your sudden transfer to my class threw me off a bit, but…”
Doroshi grinned brightly.
“How could I hate an amazing maid like you, always looking out for me?”

‘Though your clinginess is a bit much, and your overly respectful attitude can be hard to handle.’

“Lady Doroshi…”
Ren stared, trembling with sudden joy and relief.
“You mean…?”

Doroshi nodded, extending her right hand warmly.
“From now on, let’s look out for each other, Miss Maid.”

As if cradling a precious light, Ren clasped Doroshi’s hand without hesitation.
“Yes, Lady Doroshi. Your maid, Ren, is right here.”

Through Ren’s white glove, Doroshi felt the warmth of her palm.

“That ‘Lady Doroshi’ stuff is kinda embarrassing,” Doroshi said with a wry smile.

“Understood, Lady Doroshi.”
Ren showed no sign of dropping the title, her playful insistence a way of showing affection.

Realizing she’d never get Ren to skip the “Lady” part, Doroshi pivoted.
“About that mansion—I know you prepared it for me, but I’m not used to it. I’d rather stay here.”

“As you wish.”
Ren nodded, unconcerned.
To her, a mere mansion—or even the entire planet—paled in comparison to Doroshi’s preferences.

Doroshi’s wishes were paramount; her likes were the ultimate guide.
That was the sole principle governing the demon god now.

“Could I live here with you, then?” Ren asked, hoping to spend more time by Doroshi’s side.

Since Ren was a cute girl who seemed younger than her, Doroshi readily agreed.
“There’s two bedrooms. My aunt used to stay in the other one, but she’s away on a business trip. You can take that room.”

It felt like gaining a sweet little sister, easing Doroshi’s loneliness.

Ren offered to cook a fresh dinner, but Doroshi stopped her.
Instead, they reheated the lavish bento from lunch and ate together in the living room.

Ren protested that she shouldn’t eat with Doroshi and that, as a demon god, she didn’t need food.
But Doroshi insisted, and they shared a warm meal, the generous portions more than enough for two.

After dinner, they took turns showering.
Doroshi, done first, lounged on the sofa, lazily scrolling her phone—a limited pastime for someone without friends.

Soon, the bathroom door opened.
Doroshi glanced back instinctively and froze.
Ren emerged in Doroshi’s pajamas, steam clinging to her skin, water droplets falling from her still-damp red hair.
Her loose, flowing locks gave the demon god an ethereal, otherworldly beauty.

Doroshi stared, momentarily entranced.

Blinking her purple eyes, Ren slipped into the slippers Doroshi had provided and sat across from her, staring intently.

Unnerved by the gaze, Doroshi sat up straight.