After her enlightenment, Tohru's smile instantly brightened.
Yuzuki knew this was a smile free from burdens and pressure a genuine one.
Humming cheerfully, Tohru drove the car back. Once they turned into the alley and parked at the end, Yuzuki stepped out to open the door, followed by Tohru carrying a stack of bags. They entered together as the door swung open.
The moment they stepped inside, Tohru chirped, "Welcome home!" while putting away the groceries. Yuzuki could tell she was brimming with energy now.
Grabbing her unfinished lemon tea, Yuzuki reclined again on the patio lounge chair, pulling out her phone to refresh her host-related feeds. Meanwhile, Tohru refused to rest, immediately hunting for more tasks.
After cleaning the first floor, she headed upstairs to tidy the bedrooms sweeping, mopping, dusting chairs, and organizing items. Her enthusiasm only grew with each chore. Finally, she paused outside Yuzuki's bedroom door, peeked in, and giggled.
"I'm coming in~"
Tohru bounded inside, leaped onto the bed, wrapped herself in the blanket, and began rolling around. After a few enthusiastic tumbles, she fluffed and straightened the blanket.
"Hmm, tidy-tidy, clean-clean~~"
Folding the blanket neatly, she then eyed Yuzuki's wardrobe, her eyes sparkling.
"These clothes need washing too, right?"
She yanked the wardrobe open, pulled out the clothes, sniffed them thoughtfully, then pondered her cleaning method. A mischievous chuckle escaped her as she opened her mouth and began licking Yuzuki's clothes.
"Balabalabala~~~"
A few licks later, the garments looked brand new, even emitting a faint fragrance. This wasn't just magic dragon saliva had potent cleansing properties and a natural, adjustable scent. It could even be highly corrosive if Tohru wished!
So, for the remaining items…
"Hehe~~"
Giggling mischievously, she licked every piece of clothing in the wardrobe until all were spotless!
Downstairs in the yard, Yuzuki lounged halfway, watching videos. The sudden noise from above made her realize Tohru had gone up.
"Tohru, what are you doing up there?"
Whoosh—
The second-floor window slid open, and Tohru leaned halfway out.
"Cleaning the second floor and the bedrooms!"
Yuzuki thought for a moment. "Alright, remember to come down and rest."
"Hai~~~" (Yes)
Yuzuki turned back to scrolling, but then it hit her. Tohru's method of cleaning clothes. By swallowing them...
"No… no way."
She wasn't disgusted just baffled. They had a washer-dryer combo at home!
"Tohru!"
"Hm?" Tohru's head popped out the window again.
Yuzuki stared, her lips twitching.
"How are you washing the clothes?"
"..." Tohru froze.
"..." Yuzuki waited.
"Hehe~, how did Yuzuki-san know?" Tohru scratched her head sheepishly.
"Next time, use the washing machine!"
"Hai hai~, got it."
After the scolding, Tohru decided that next time, she'd pre-wash with her mouth and then use the machine.
Hmm, what a genius!
Post-cleaning, Tohru pondered, then pulled out the phone Yuzuki had left in each bedroom (now hers) and dialed an unknown number.
"Fafnir! Yeah, I'm on Earth now, and I'm the Head Maid. Uh-huh, I have a house the restaurant's super nice. Why call? To ask you something, since you've been here longer."
"Annihilate? Wait, I haven't even asked yet."
"Kill them all? No, this is Yuzuki-san's shop, I can't do that!"
The other end hung up before she finished. Every "answer" had been some variation of murder.
Kill, kill, kill…
Why? Because the other party was an otherworldly evil dragon who despised humans until Earth's culture ensnared him, turning him into a chuunibyou-riddled, tsundere, shut-in dragon.
So, Tohru's quest for advice was doomed.
She stared at the phone, sighed, and tucked it back into her chest.
"Fafnir's useless. Better search online."
Restless, she wandered until her gaze landed on Yuzuki lounging below. She trotted down to the yard.
"Yuzuki-san, there's nothing left to do."
"???" Yuzuki sipped her lemon tea, utterly confused. "Are you a workhorse, Tohru? If you're done, rest. A good life is meant to be enjoyed."
"What's a 'workhorse'?" Tohru tilted her head. "Is it edible?"
"It's a metaphor someone who toils nonstop like an ox or horse, without freedom or breaks," Yuzuki explained.
"Oh~"
Imitating Yuzuki, Tohru poured herself lemon tea (no ice), reclined on a lounge chair, and pulled her phone from her chest to relax.
Yuzuki's eyes widened at the chest retrieval, then she smirked in approval. With a snap of her fingers, ultra-pure ice cubes materialized midair and plinked into her drink.
"Oh~" Tohru watched, mesmerized, then pushed her cup forward. "Tohru wants some too."
Snap—
This time, dragon-shaped ice cubes formed and dropped into her tea.
"Oh~!" Tohru peered at her floating reflection in the glass, eyes shining. After a few sips, she plucked out a dragon cube to suck on.
Yuzuki smiled and resumed her game.
Just like that, they lounged, played, and lazed from noon till sunset until opening time neared.
Tohru checked the clock eagerly. "Yuzuki-san, it's almost time to open, right?"
"Yeah," Yuzuki nodded.
"Ganbatte!" (Let's go!) Tohru pumped herself up.
But before the door unlocked, familiar figures red and purple-haired began appearing at the alley's entrance, one by one.