Let's Make a Deal - A Hard-Working Girl Living With a Caring Demon ch1: Carefree Life

I'm done.
Thank you.
...

For now, please remain on standby until 9pm.
Okay...

My name is Hitsuji Ryouko.
I waited, but nothing came for me...

Single. No hobbies. No free time.
I don't have a lover, but...

I have gotten myself a roommate recently.
I'm home.
Oh.
Welcome back.

Her name is Adele-san. She's a demon and a wonderful lady.
Go ahead and take a bath.

Hoshimoto Rideon's New Serialization!!
A carefree home comedy from Hoshimoto Rideon!
What's life with this demon like...?

When I get home, she has dinner and a bath prepared for me...

Is this Heaven...?

Wait, there's a demon here, so maybe it's hell?
Ryouko~ I'll leave your change of clothes here.
Ryouko~?

I don't care if it's Hell when it feels this good.
Hey! I told you not to fall asleep in the bath! You'll die!

My demon roommate, Adele-san.
I'm out.
Your hair's still wet. Hurry up and dry it.

It'll dry out on its own...
No. You'll catch a cold.

She's a kind demon.
Don't get the wrong idea.
It'd be a problem for our contract if you died now.

What was that just now?
Non-washout treatment.
You really are kind...

How is it?
It's the tastiest stew on this planet.

As someone who's bad at cooking, I'm grateful.
The carrots are star-shaped...
The flavor is good, but...

the fact she made it for me
and is eating with me...

brings out tears of happiness.
The salt in this rice is really good.
That's your own salt.

This potato salad is awesome too.
Of course it is.

Potato salad takes a while to make compared to how long it takes to eat.
Yeah. I always eat side dishes from a store.

Boil
Rince
Cut
Mash
Boil
Cut

But yours is the most delicious, Adele-san.

...Shall I make you extra?
My stomach's full for today.

Let's have some after dinner tea.
Green tea
or black tea?

Wah~ What should I go with?
Hot chocolate you can make easily with bars of chocolate.

Finely chop the chocolate,
and milk and cook in the microwave!

If you want to drink that then say so!
There's nothing easy about chopping chocolate!
I thought it'd be a pain to make...

I wanna drink it

I can see your inner voice peeking from behind your back!

Um... I've been wondering for a while, but why don't you just poof it out with magic?

Look here. Magic is all about picturing an image.
How do you picture something you know nothing about?

First, you need to study throughly.
Hmm, so this is potato salad...
Mashing by hand is pretty tiring.
It all begins with learning.

But I've been eating your potato salad for three weeks now, Adele-san.
Surely that's enough?
I feel like there's still something missing...
The type who follows something through to the end

Does that apply to cleaning and laundry too?
That's right. I've been studying a lot.
So diligent...

I figured demons would be more strange and lively.
There's a certain beauty in making it look that way.

How's your test studies going?
Man~ I'm getting nowhere! More importantly, this manga's fun, so you should read it too, Hitsuji.

She said that even though she was actually studying properly.
Oh. Could that have been another demon?

Delicious...
My weeknights have become so tranquil since you started living here, Adele-san.

What?
All you do is bathe, eat and sleep.
Isn't it the same?

No.
The Quality of Life is completely different.

My dinner used to be more half-assed.
I guess I'll have these bean snacks I got from that guy at work...
Hitsuji-chan, you can have these! Gahaha!

bean snacks

Why?

For one thing, I don't have the strength to make dinner.
One beef bowl.
Comin' up!

I get sleepy when I eat,

so I end up sleeping on the floor...
Put out a futon.
Feels so good...

I end up waking up in the middle of the night, which is when I finally lay it out.
My body hurts. Time to go back to sleep.
This sucks.
You moron...

Thanks to you, I now have enough energy to wash the dishes.

...I can do that for you.
Why don't you just enjoy your hobbies or something?

I don't really have any hobbies...
There must be something you enjoy doing.

All I did yesterday was pluck my arm hairs.
It's exhilirating when they come straight out.
I can grow them with magic for you if you want.

I used to enjoy reading for a hobby.

I was bad with school,

but when I read books, it was like I was in another world...
That's a huge book.

There you reading the bible or something?
It was a short novel.
The thicker the book, the longer I could stay there...

So when you say you used to, I take it it's different now?

That's right. For me, reading books
was a means to get through the bad times.

...But one day, I realised.
School will end if you endure it for a few years, but work won't...

I can't escape from that no matter how much I read.
Once I started thinking that, I couldn't touch them anymore.

I never thought I'd be living with a human...

Phew~
but it's a surprisingly nice experience.

It was always this until now.
Wealth!
Fame!
Girls!
I wanna eat potato salad.
I wanna relax in the tub.
But this kinda thing... feels fresh.

Well, whether it's a good use of a my demon skills is a seperate matter.
Tomorrow is burnable trash.

Besides...

p10

if you ask me if looking after this girl is a pain, I wouldn't think so.

I thought she'd become dependant on me, but that's not the case.
I'll fold it!
Please leave the dishes to me.
Um... I got you a souvenir.

Maybe she's the type that's surprisingly not troublesome...

Ah. It's that popular essay blog! You really are studying, huh?

Mama's Hectic Life With Three Kids Blog
Picky eaters
<Read more>
Wetting the Bed

I suppose.
Now go to sleep.

Let's Make a Deal ch2: Workplace Observation

Hello. Hitsuji Ryouko here.

This is my demon roommate Adele-san
who I started living with recently.

I really appreciate her looking after me, but...

Heh~
today is a little bothersome.

So this is where you work, huh?
Adele-san! Get down from there!

Are you sure nobody else can see you!?
Yes. Don't worry.

What about people with a sixth sense...?
Demons and ghosts aren't the same thing.
The only humans who can see me besides my contractee are those who've undergone training.

At the very least, there's none of those here.
That's a relief.
...

Jitsuji-san.
Um... You've been talking to yourself for a while now. Are you okay?
See?

She thought I was crazy!
That was awesome.
Why'd you show up at my workplace anyway...?

...Let's see.
If I had to say, it's... a demon's thirst for knowledge.

Hey, did you hear?
OO-san and Chief ^^ are having an affair.

Did you hear that, Ryouko!?
Office adultery really does happen!
Adele-san likes looking up human society on the internet.

S'up~ Hitsuji-chan.
Ah... Good work today.

You've been looking a lot healthier lately.
That's all thanks to living with Adele-san.

Oh yeah, Hitsuji-chan. You can have these.
Gahaha

Bean Snacks

Wah
Before Adele-san arrived, I'd end up having these for dinner.

Woah! What the!?
Later, Adele-san said "I didn't want the QOL I'd beaten into you to go down again".

Um, about this bit. It's kinda...

There's a little problem with the data.
Hmm.
What should we do.
We don't have any time...
Fwah

Work is boring. Should I cause a calamity or something?
Don't worry. Despite how it looks, this is a calamity.

Lunch break

Sorry

Eh!? The one-coin lunch is closed...! [tn: Places that serve food for less than 500 yen]

This is gonna hurt my savings.
...

Shall I make you lunch?
Are you sure!?

I'll bring it to you around 12.
Eh... The curry is floating!?
Please make it a bentou.
It's flying curry.

They have these things called bentou boxes.
Hmm. There's all kinds.

Oh yeah. You have an empty seat next to you at work, right?
I think I'll look it up on the PC when we get back.

Ah... The company's PCs are restricted, so you can't look at websites.
Eh!?

That's no good! Please tell them... just how convenient the internet is!
They restricted them because they're too convenient and are easily abused.

Oh yeah. Can we stop by a power spot on the way back?
Power spot?

For some reason, my shoulders get stiff easily.
Well... I can see that.

But they feel much better when I pass by the front of this alley.
I stop by here during lunch.

Yaaah!

Thanks for waiting.

Relaxed

What was that sound?
I don't really know, but it works.

Eh...!?
A demon...!?

Eh!?

Adele-san? What's wrong?
Lunch break's almost over.
...

I'll look into who's behind that voice next time...
I've been watching you all day,
but you're a pretty capable worker.

You're always cowering, though...
You should have a little more confidence in yourself.
Adele-san...

I need to do my best so I can leave on time...!
I'm done...! And five minutes before quitting time too.
Oh my.
You'll be able to leave home early today.
Just gotta check with the boss!

Eh...? I thought you were done?
Work is managed by the boss...
so even if you've finished the work you can see, there may be more lying in wait.

Work
Work that comes on a schedule
Work that may or may not come

Excuse me.
I'm a bit short on hands... Could I borrow Hitsuji-san for a moment?

So you have to work overtime after all?
Well, having work is better than waiting around...

Well then,
please ammend the parts I've labelled.

That girl's a super office lady who does her job all cool and collected.
With a desktop like that!?

Yes, Endou here.
...Understood. I'll prepare it right away.

Just look at that speed.
So cool.
Is that human okay!? You sure she hasn't snapped or something!?
Endou-san is always like that.

Endou-san, I've finished the ammendments.

What should I...
Let's go home then.

Eh?
Your division's been on standby a lot, right?
You were acting weird this morning, so I want you to go home as soon as possible.

Come on. Let's go.
Are you sure? There's still other people here...
It's past quitting time, so it's fine.

...Work is important,
but don't work to the point of going crazy.

But... Someone like me is worthless compared to everyone else...
They were willing to hire someone like me, so I want to at least contribute a little.

Stop saying "someone like me".
You're working hard enough as is, Shitsuji-san.

Okay, this is I split.
See you tomorrow.

She's a good human.
Her keyboard beating is scary, though.

The people in my department are the same... They go home late, but they're nice people.
They're even kind to someone as timid as me...
I heard it's cos they get paid overtime, but they don't.

Also, they're not covered by social insurance, but they treat people really...
Ryouko.
It says here that all corporations are required to take out social insurance.

I don't really get it, but I think you're working hard.
Thank you...
Ryouko-chan...
Why...?

Let's Make a Deal ch3: Kotaka-chan Appears

My name is Adele.
As you can see, I'm a demon.

Today, I'm investigating the "power spot"...
that my roommate Ryouko stops by.

For some reason, the mystery person who exorcised Ryouko
was able to see me.

To think someone without a contract would be able to see a demon.
If, by chance, it happens to be an exorcist, I'll have to exterminate them...

That's what I thought, but it turns out I was way off.
E-Eep...
I'm not suspicious or anything. I just want Ryouko-chan to feel better...

What are you? Ryouko's stalker?
No! I'm Ryouko-chan's friend!

Don't lie! That girl has no friends!
H-How cruel!

When I thought she was calling someone, it turned out to be a talking AI app.
...True, I probably don't have the right to call myself Ryouko-chan's friends.
We haven't been in touch in close to 20 years...

That much is normal. I have friends I haven't gotten in touch with in a few centuries.
Please don't put me on the same scale as a demon...

But still, you must be pretty powerful to be able to see me.

It's my first time seeing a demon, but...

I could tell from a first glance.
You're clearly different from the souls around here...
You seem to be of a high class.
!

...Want an autograph?
Eh!? No. I wouldn't be able to brag about it either way.

Why are you sneakily exorcising your friend in the first place?
Uuh1

So Ryouko doesn't have any friends after all?
You're wrong! We were friends... up until elementary school, that is...

I just happened to spot her in town just recently.
Time for your check-up, Hitsuji-san!
Hitsuji... No way... Ryouko-chan...?

She was so possessed that I acted without even calling to her...
Yaaah!
You stuck your hands in, huh?

Having someone you haven't met in decades shriek at you would definitely creep you out, right?
Well, it would make you sound crazy.

I ran out of there before she could find me out,

and then followed her
to her workplace.

I learned that she always comes here during lunch.
I just wanted to see her, so I came here every day...
and ended up exorcising her.
So you really are a stalker.

Actually, that girl won't be coming here anymore.
Eh...?

No way... Why would you say that?
Did you do something to Ryouko-chan...?

She has a bentou that I made her.

Wah... Fried chicken tenders.
Didn't she say frying stuff in the morning was a pain?
She's so kind...

Rare to see you with a bentou, Hitsuji-san!
Wah~ Amazing! Did you make that yourself?

Ah, my roommate made this...
Ooh, not bad!
Could it be your lover?
Ah...

Adele-san's just with me cos of our contract, so she's not really my anything...
It's a really intricate bentou... This person must really care about you, Hitsuji-san.

Y-You think so?
Yeah~ I know so.

Achoo!
All that awaits humans who make contracts with demons is destruction...

I don't imagine that Ryouko-chan would willingly summon a demon.

You...
Why are you with Ryouko-chan?

It was a matching app.
Th-There's no way that's true!

What about you?
You're clearly not close if you haven't spoken in years,

so why are you so obsessed with her?

You said you were friends up until elementary school, right?
I've got time to kill, so why don't you tell me all about it?

It's been boring ever since I finished watching all that series I had recorded.
D-Don't treat people's past memories like a drama series!
You demon!

I had a sixth sense ever since I was little, so I couldn't pass the time like everyone else...
Don't think you can go to school today either? ...Alright. Mama's heading out, okay...?

I don't wanna go to school... I'm scared of all the ghosts...
Kotaka-chan! I've brought over your printouts!

Ryouko-chan lived nearby, so she was made to run errands for me.
Kotaka-chan~
I felt sorry for her, but at the same time, I felt happy.

Wait a minute. That's Ryouko?
She was a cheerful girl.
So cheerful that not even a single soul could approach her...

Ry-Ryouko-chan. Shall we play again?
Let's play!

Your mom's never around, huh?
Yeah. She goes to meetings for my sake.
But that's fine. If Mama was here, I'm sure she'd...
Kotaka~? Is somebody here?

No way! She's back already!
I'm sorry, Ryouko-chan! You need to get out of here right now!
Kotaka-chan, this is the second floor.

Ryouko-chan!!

Stop it, Mama!
That's no good, Kotaka!
We need to remove any outside impurities!

Salt

Stop it! Just stop it!
~~~~
I'm fine, Kotaka-chan.
I taste salty.

That's enough!
...I'm sorry. Go home... and don't come here anymore...

It's because I'm so weak that my mother was so overprotective and did something so cruel to Kotaka-chan.
I couldn't bear to face her anymore.

Ever since then, I've left that earthly life
and trained hard to become someone who wouldn't fear ghosts.

And just when I gained the power of exorcism, we reunited. It felt like destiny.
Just look at these abs.
And thus, a majestic stalker was born...

My mother opened her eyes after seeing how strong I had become.
You're no longer the Kotaka that I needed to protect anymore...
I must've been crazy.
Starting today, you've reach enlightenment.
Still seems crazy to me.

Huh? Adele-san and...
Ry-Ryouko-chan!? I'm... Amano Kotaka! Your classmate from elementary school...
Eh? Ah! Kotaka-chan!?

What are you doing here? Was the bentou not enough?
Nah. I got stiff shoulders again, so I decided to hit the power spot...

We can finally talk again...

Are you perhaps the goddess of fortune...!?
You already know that I'm a demon.

Alright, I'm going home.
Ryouko-chan, a moment...

Why are you with a demon?

She seems nice, but she's still a demon.
Did you get wrapped up in something unpleasant...?

We met on a matching app.
That part was true!?

Let's Make a Deal ch4: The Two's Day Off

I, Hitsuji Ryouko, am a late sleeper on Saturdays.
I overslept...

I laze around and stay up late, resulting in Sundays being the same...
Huh...?
It's me, Zazae

I end up sleeping even less from indigestion, leaving me without much sleep when I greet the Monday.
You look sleepy, Hitsuji-chan!
I've been sleeping a lot, though...
At least, that's how it was...

No way...
Ryouko...!?

But now that I'm living with a demon, my lifestyle's at a good rhythm now.
Good morning, Adele-san.

I somehow managed to wake up by myself today.
You surprised me so much that I dropped the eggs.

Eh? I'm sorry.
It's fine, but we'll need to use up the ones that broke.

Maybe we could make some pudding?

Alright~ What a lucky break!
Please don't surprise me anymore.

The world seems so bright when you wake up early on a day off...
It's cos the weather's nice.

Can't do it.
Wake up.
No matter how many times I tried to wake you, you'd always sleep until noon...

But looking at it likes this, you've been steadily learning to wake up.

Ryouko's time spent sleeping on days off
Do your best

Look, if you do this, there's a moving animation.
It plays sound too.
Please don't play around with my waking hours.

Even if I wake up early, there's not much that I want to do...

What did you use to do on your days off, Adele-san?

Ooh... Ooh...! Demon-sama!
May Demon-sama watch over us!

I got invited to a few parties here and there.
How classy~

Bath World
Super Bathhouse Bath World

This weekend, I wound up at this super bathhouse!

Heh~ So they have establishments like this, huh?

Come to think of it, there's one in the next town over that's just opened.
Oh, that's close. How about we go there today?
Sounds good.

It's called "Bath Heaven", though.
I hope they won't kick me out.

Ah... but other people can't see you, can they, Adele-san?

It'll become like a mysterious phenomenon...
!?
I would be showing myself, so you know.

You can do that?
I wouldn't be able to go shopping if I couldn't.

I figured you'd just steal everything, since you're a demon and all.
You're pretty biased, aren't you?

This is the place, Adele-san!

Bath Heaven

I'm happy you took an interest.
Good day~

(Rejoice) Two years since opening!!!

(Rejoice) Two years since opening!!!

I thought you said this place just opened?
My sense of time has gone weird since I became a working adult...

Please wear this inside the building.
Adela-san! You forgot to put away the horns!

Aah
I made sure these parts remain unseen.
Making humans unable to see us demons take a lot of magic.

I see.
That's why I just hold back the magic on parts I want people to see.

Hiding my form from people in the same trade is a waste of magic.
That's some rare knowledge that I can't use anywhere.

I don't think I've bathed with a friend since my school trip...

I'm getting kinda embarrassed...

Adele-san, please cover up a little more.
What? Isn't being nude the Japanese bathhouse style?

I'll join you once I'm done washing.
Kay kay kay kay kay
Where's Adele-san...?

...? She's chatting with a stranger...
Ah, Ryouko.

Eh? This girl is Ryouko-chan?
That's right.
?

I'm sorry. I was sure we were talking about childcare.
My child whines and refuses to go to sleep.
Ah, mine too.
I don't wanna go to work~!!

I haven't had a fulfilling break like this in ages...

I'm surprised the open air bath was free with so many customers around.
Indeed.

I wanted us to take our time soaking, so I used magic.
There was an open air bath the last time I checked, right!?
The door's gone.
Hey... you can't do that!

Ah, there's milk!

Gotta have these when you take a bath.
That so?

...Can I get a sip of yours too?
They're the same flavor.
Doesn't look that way to me...

I can't believe we're eating here too.
We may as well make the most of our visit.

Having beer in the middle of the day is awesome!
They've got potato salad, your favorite. Wanna order some?

Nah~... I can't be satisfied unless it's yours, Adele-san.

Excuse me. Could I borrow your kitchen?
We don't have to eat it today!

Ah, it rained.
Oh, you're right. Good thing it's stopped.

It was really fun, but...
I wonder if Adele-san doesn't like big bathhouses...
I used magic.

Ryouko.
Ah, yes?

That was fun. Let's come here again.
...! ...Sure!

I'd like to go to one of your parties next time.
You should probably stick with home parties.

I'll make us a feast and we can invited Kotaka-san too. That okay?
Yay!

...Let's take a bath when we get home.
We're having multiple baths in a row.

Let's Make a Deal ch5: Catching a Cold

Catching a cold when you're living by yourself is lonely, but...

Hello. Hitsuji Ryouko here.
Oh, Iijima-san's off today.

There's been a cold going around lately.
Two people from the sales department after off today too.

...Are you okay, Hitsuji-san? You look pale.
I'm always like this!

I don't really catch colds.
That's good then...

Just as I said that, I caught one.
Adele-san, it's pretty cold today, huh?
You look terrible. Go measure your temperature right now.

Uuh. Fried chicken.
Not today. I'll wrap it up for you.

I can't tell if I still have a fever.
You certainly look sick to me.

...I'm totally fine!
You're so easy to read.

38.2 degrees.

It's probably gonna get even higher.
Change into your pajamas.

Don't wanna. I need a bath...
You don't have the stamina for that.

Aren't demons able to control the bodies of humans...?
You wanna take on that badly!?

The futon's laid out, so lie down.

Hey! What are you doing!?

I don't wanna go into the futon when I haven't washed my body...
Your body's more important than the futon!

Do you have an appetite?
I do!

Fried chicken...
You'll have to settle for porridge today.

No way...!
You can't just tempt me with the scent of fried chicken and give me tasteless porridge!

This tastes amazing!
I made it Chinese-style.
You get really selfish when you have a fever.

Go to sleep once you've brushed your teeth.

And no smartphones.
Kay...

Aahn
Smartphones really stand out in the dark, y'know.

It didn't go down overnight.

I need to call work...
I'll call them. You go back to sleep.

Good morning. I'm Hitsuji's roommate...

...etammoor s'ijustiH m'I . gninrom dooG
Uwaaaah!

I heard a shriek just now...
Whoops.
I forgot to change my voice.

My natural demon voice just comes out when I use machines...
Huh...

It's from work, right? I'll get it.

Sorry, I have a cold...
A-A cold was enough to give you that kind of voice!?

Chinese porridge is delicious...
I'm just glad you have an appetite.

How many years has it been since someone took care of me when I was sick...
Drink your medicine too.
Kay...

I was so happy that I ended up being selfish.
Did you drink it? Good girl.
Maybe I'm relying on her too much...

I'm going shopping. Are you able to eat fruit?
Just apples will be fine!

Wah, how cute.

Can't get enough of them, I see.

I can do other animals too.
I wanna see!

Cerberus, the watchdog of Hell.
Wah...

Uuh...

I'm sorry. Ryouko. I fed you too much...

The cerberus came out...

I wonder if it was displeased with my stomach.
You didn't eat it all in one go, y'know.

She's fast asleep.
Her expression seems more peaceful...

Human lives are fleating.
They can die from a simple weakness.

U-Uuuh...
What's wrong, Ryouko!? Are you in pain?

I'm fine! I can still eat the fried chicken!
I shouldn't have worried.

Hah...

Have you been watching me this whole time?
Not really. I'm just surfing the net.

...I just did it in the dark so I wouldn't disturb you.
Adele-san...

The trashbin's full of cooling pads...
That's a total waste, but she was being kind so I won't say anything...
Keeps cool for up to 8 hours?
I won't fall for such lies.

That's a lot of notifications!
Ah... I had the vibration turned off.

Is it from work?
It's from Kotaka-chan. I didn't go to the power spot today, after all...

For now, why don't you tell her that you can't respond today?
You should get back to sleep.
You're right.

Kotaka - Just now - Why?
Kotaka - Just now - I'm sorry
Kotaka - Just now - Was it something I did?
Kotaka - Just now - Please don't hate me

Tell her that you've got a cold!

I brought some provisions. I don't want to wake you, so I'll leave them here. -Kotaka
She got humble pretty fast.

Kotaka-chan... How did she know where I live...?

-
Let's Make a Deal ch6: Sudden Visitors

Hello. Hitsuji Ryouko here.

Ryouko-chan.
I missed yoou.
The other day, I reunited with my friend from elementary school.

Today, we're having a girls' night at my place.

Ah, she's here!
Eh?
It's still 30 minutes too early.

Intercom

Good day to you.
May we have a moment of your time~?

Entrance Monitor

Send them away. I'm sure they're solicitors.
Well, just a talk couldn't hurt.
They're just kids...

Thank you very much! I'm an exorcist.

There's a demon here

and I'm here to exorcise it!

Ng...
Adele-san!

How do you like that holy water!?
I-...

It's delicious...

The holy water I drew from Mt. Fuji didn't work!?
This is holt water?
Phew...

Kh...
Kh... How frightening!

But how about this!?
Taste my holy cross!

It surprisingly suits you.

Pfft
No way... Not even the sacred instruments work!?

Ah~ I can't take it anymore!
wheeze~

Eh? A demon!?
Ahaha
wheeze
...Oh, it's you, Mahara.

You know each other?
Don't laugh!
She's my junior.

...An exorcist brought along a demon...?

Introductions are in order. I'm Ahara.
This is Yuruka Himawari-san.

Why are you teaming up with an exorcist?
This is a fully-fledged contrat.

Yuruka inherited the role of exorcist from her father...

But just between us, her father was lying about being an exorcist.
I can tell just from looking.
So that skull thing was her father's, huh?

Of course, Yuruka couldn't see any demons or ghosts.
Maybe I'll see them if I summon one.

...So you were this close to being exorcised and enslaved?
As if.

You're an exorcist even though you can't see demons?
Then make a contract with me, and I'll give you the power to see us.

Whaddaya think? Win win, right?
Don't you automatically become able to see demons after making a contract...?

She tricked that girl and gained her soul without offering anything in return.
Surely not...

Oh? We are demons, after all.

You should avoid letting your guard down around me too.

That's gonna be difficult.

What're you whispering about!?
Stuff that children are better off not knowing.

~Don't treat me like a kid!
I'm an amazing exorcist!

This is a jar of top-grade souls.
They usually take a long time to grow before they become useable...

But even now, they can deal a fair bit of damage to a human.

If you wanna save this woman, get exorcised!

Hey! That's a devilish way of doing things!

Sorry. That's just how I raised her...

But isn't this convenient for you, Senpai?
I mean, your contractee will die quickly.

You wanna eat some souls, don't you?

...
Don't lump me together with a young'un like you.

You're leaving me out again!

Sorry for the intrusion, Adele-san.
Welcome. We've been waiting for you.

Eh? Low-grade souls!?
Yaah!

Ah...
Ah...

I've taking a liking to this lifestyle.

I still need to help Ryouko enjoy herself.

Eh~...
Were you always like this, Senpai?

Are you Ryouko-chan's friend? Want a beer?
...Kotaka's here, so could you leave?
Sure, I'll drink.

Yuruka, let's retreat for today.

You're yielding to that demon!?
At the very least, you've been the more devilish one today.

Senpai... and Ryouko-san. Let's meet again sometime.

Thank goodness. I was worried there wouldn't be enough drinks.
Wah.
Are you really a former shut-in?

Honestly... The food has gotten cold.
It's delicious even when cold.

Who were those girls just now?
The human is apparently an exorcist.

Eh... What that okay!?
Oh, were you worried about me?

I couldn't sense any supernatural ability from her!
Yeah. She's the one worth worrying about.

The next day.
That girl seems harmless enough.

The real problem is Mahara. She might bring harm to Ryouko...
Ah.

They apparently live in the apartment building next door.
What a strange neighborhood.

-
Let's Make a Deal ch7: Mahara

Yesterday's enemy is today's friend?

My name is Adele.

Our neighbor turned out to be an exorcist.

Well, to be precise,
If you drink this, you'll become a powerful exorcist.

Melon Soda

I'll drink it!
she's a fake who got conned into being a demon's toy...

...

Why is she hanging around our place after all the commotion the other day?
I'm watching over her since Mahara started working part-time.

And why is Kotaka here too?

I don't know how to deal with kids.
Get it together.

I couldn't turn her down...
It's important to have the courage to turn down friends.
You have a schedule, don't you?

I can't help it! Ryouko-chan's counting on me!
She takes top priority!!
I-It's okay to come over if you want to...

Honestly... What are your parents doing?

...
Himawari... Get along with Papa, okay...
Mama! No! Where are you going!?
And right after that, my father also...

...Your dad's an exorcist...
so I need to go on a quest to exorcise demons.
I leave the rest to you, my daughter...

By the time he gets back, I'll become a great exorcist and get lots of praise!
What clear eyes...

She's still a kid.
She must've made a contract with Mahara so she wouldn't be lonely.

Even if it was her own responsibility, it's still sad.
Cabbage.
Chives.
Pork...

Hmm
If Mahara's with her, then this girl's aunt is...?

You should study up on the differences between vampires and demons.

Go home once you've finished your gyoza.
Eh~!?
Looks good.
It's fine, isn't it?

You're way too unphased, Ryouko.
Did you shower in low-grade souls or something?
Is that so!?
Wawawa

I figured Kotaka-chan could come over and exorcise me...

Quit oversupplying your stalker.

How troublesome. I wanted to go shopping after this.

Why don't you just go?
I'm too worried.

For one thing, is Mahara really working part-time?

I'm curious about the human you like so much~

It'd be dangerous if she came over, even with Kotaka around.

Sorry, but could you come with me so I can protect you?
Yes, gladly!

There's somewhere I wanna stop by while we're at it.

I pass by it on the way to work.

Care for a delicious cake?
Campaign in Progress

Get a free eclair if you bring this flyer!

Give us a good review and get 10% off!!
We're not the same store we were before~
Do come.

You've never gone in?

Akane
It tastes good, but...
The employee with the beard is so creepy!
Miki
High risk, high return
The cake is wonderful, but interacting with the bearded employee was hard.

I can see why you'd hesitate.
It apparently tastes good, so I haven't given up completely...

You said you'd protect me, after all.
I meant from Mahara, but whatever.

We're going shopping for a bit. Wait here.
Eh? Don't tell me...

So that Papa can praise me,
For Ryouko-chan's sake,

I've been given a chance to search for Adele-san's weakness...!?

I can't! I was entrusted with watching the house!
I need to behave when in someone else's home.
These two were raised well.

Here it is.
Welcome~

Wait.
Mahara!?
Wah~ It's Senpai.
And Ryouko too.

So this was your part-time job, huh?
That's right.

Watching those foolish humans is so fun.
Ufufu
I'll start dieting tomorrow...!

Is that employee with the beard off today?
You mean the manager?
He recently went missing apparently.
Eh!?

Is the store gonna be okay?
I'm working as proxy manager.

I might even become the real manager at this rate.
Mufufu
Amazing...
You're pretty amazing yourself for believing her.

Not to be rude, but this makes entering the store easier.
It's more dangerous with a demon in charge, though.

...Now that I know Mahara's here, you don't need to tag along anymore.
Go on home and eat some cake.

I'll wait for you, so let's eat together.
It'll be fine~ Senpai doesn't really like sweet things.
Right, Senpai?

Hurry up and choose one.
Senpai?

Bit overprotective, aren't you?
Okay, I'll be
heading home first.
Ehehe
Not really.

Come again~
More importantly, about this "missing" manager.

He was delicious.
You really act fast, huh?

Humans sure are cute.
"I'll grant your wish in exchange for your soul"...

Even though it was up to him how much I took,

I'm sure he'll be happy until he dies.

There's no mistaking it, though.

The moment his wish was granted, his soul became mine.
When will you get Ryouko-san's, Senpai?

...I still haven't granted her wish yet.
Is that so? That's rare for a model demon like you, Senpai.

When "that time" comes, give me a call.
...
I'm sure the look on Ryouko-san's face will be priceless.

Welcome back, Adele-san.
I've been waiting for you. Let's eat cake together.
...Sure. Thanks.

The next day
Mahara-san's board is changing signs...

Don't tell me manager really was...!?

That looks really demonic...

Oh? It's doing pretty well.
I guess some things are demonically possible.

-
Let's Make a Deal ch8: Flower Viewing

Village society is difficult.

Good evening. I'm Hitsuji Ryouko.
Hah~...

I'm home...
Welcome back. Why the long face?

It's the company flower viewing party next week.

Notice of Flower Viewing Party
Free Participation

I don't wanna go...
They why don't you just not go? It's free participation, right?

When our company says "free participation", it really means "mandatory participation".
I don't really get what you're saying...
The type who carries out their duty as a salarywoman.

If you take it at its word, you're in for a bad time.
Fu...
then they shouldn't write "free participation", right?

It's what you'd call a test run.

Reading between the lines is important.
OO-kun isn't coming?
Young people these days just aren't cooperative...

It's the same thing with "please come in your regular clothes".
The human world is weird in so many ways...
Varies depending on the company

The "bring your own" system is a burden too...
I guess it doesn't come out of the expenses?

There's budget allocated to alcohol.
How sportsmanlike.

The employees have to bring food in exchange for not paying a membership fee.

Snacks
Crunchy Sticks
Potato Chips
Side dishes
Nibbles
Cheese

They say "anything's fine", but it'll get awkward if I pick something too plain...
It needs to be easy to eat, plentiful and cheap...
Sounds like the membership fee would've been easier.

I can fix up something for you.
Eh?

I dunno. There's a lot of people...
Don't be modest.

Make it Pretty
Recipes For Large Parties

It's my first time making it for a large group, so I'm itching to try it.
It's a small company. Just a little is fine.

Cheers!

Come her one its own is fun, but I've gotta keep it up until evening...

Hitsuji-chan, you drinking!?
Gahaha
We've only just had our toast.

It's on the company's money, so drink up!
Sure.
He's like when relatives try to feed you...
Ryou-chan, eat this!! This too!!

Wah!
You made this, Hitsuji-san?
No, it was my roommate...

Delicious!
It's just like out of a restaurant.
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside...

That's Adele-san for you.
Ah, Endou-san.
Mind if I sit next to you?
Oh? Someone's popular.

Judging from your expression, I'm guessing it tasted good?
Ah, I didn't eat any.
Eh!?

What's your roommate like, Hitsuji-san?

Do you have a photo?
I wanna see her.
I do have one, but...

Kya...

A spectral photo...?
Is this alright?
I only appear in photos in a basic form.

I'm heading to the little girl's room.
Okay. Take care.

I should've gone earlier!

Must be painful, huh?
Mahara-san!?

I love human queues. They're like cute little ants...
Hah...

You here for the flower viewing? You don't seem like the flower appreciating type.
You sure have a way with words.

I'm here for work today~

Mobile catering!
Wah
I'm only selling baked sweets since the others would spoil, though.

And also human observation I guess.
Ufufu
I'm guess that's the main event for you?

Huh? Ryouko-san?
Himawari-chan.

All the shops are fun!
Wipe your mouth.
Someone's enjoying herself...

There's a shop over there too?
Isn't it dangerous for her to be on her own?

It'll be fine. I've got a couple or burly familars accompanying her.

Seaweed

One please~
And that's supposed to be better...?

So you're actually being considerate of Himawari-chan, huh?
That's right~ She's a precious toy, after all.

Her soul will lost its taste
if it gets damaged too much.

...Ah, it's free. Excuse me.
See ya.

...

...One hour until 6pm...

Are you gonna stay behind once it's over, Hitsuji-san?
Nah...

I'm gonna slip out too. Wanna go home together?
Sure!

Gahaha! Come on! Keep drinking!
Endou-san, you liar...

Yo, Endou!!

Ryouko.

Adele-san!?
I'm here to pick you up.

Thanks for looking after Ryouko.
Who's that?
Hitsuji-san's roommate apparently.
The one who made the karaage!?

You've got an early day tomorrow, right? I was worried since you didn't come home...
I know you're having fun, but let's go home.

...Thanks for that.
No problem.

I tried reading between the lines too.
Does this mean "everyone" too?

Volunteers welcome

You should make use of me more often.

...Because I'm your "contractee"?

Huh?
It's because you can't say no.

You don't need to read between the lines with me.

...Then I'd like to go back to drinking.
Oh? Shall we prepare right away?

The karaage was a big hit.
Fufun
Of course it was.

-
Let's Make a Deal ch9: Home Visit

The demon roommate is the center of attention!?

After the flower viewing party, more people in our company
Good morning.
know about the existence of Adele-san.

How did you two get to know each other?
Through a matching app.

It feels like the world has grown wider...
Eh!?
...Hitsuji-san!

Ah... Hazama-san from the sales department.
Have you given what I said yesterday some thought?

Refreshing~

It's so sudden... It's troubling.
Guess I bewildered you, huh...
But I'd never doing anything to trouble you!

I just want you to introduce me!
To Adele-san!!

He doesn't mince words about using me as a stepping stone...
So bright...
Encounter with the unknown...

I'm home...
Welcome back... Wait, what happened?

Um...
How do you feel about handsome guys who are good at their work and brimming with confidence?
What's this all of a sudden?

...! Could it be...
Oh, Ryouko. You're in love, aren't you?
I guess that's okay.

Wah~ Thank goodness. Alright, he'll be coming over tomorrow.
Eh!?

Ryouko! Wait!
You can't bring him home so suddenly.

I figured it'd be more convenient to bring him home.
Someone's bold...

It's okay as long as there's feeling.
But Ryouko is at that age for humans...
Is that what it is?

The dumping can happen sooner that way.
!?
Hazama-san's, that is...
I love you!
Try again next time.

Please play along with me.
Do I have to play along?
It can't be done any other way.

Wait, what are you even...
Hah
Could it be...?
I can't talk to him by myself.
Help me out, Adele-san...

Fu...
You could've just said so!

Alright! Leave it to me!
She's really into it... Did she want a lover that badly?

The next day.
Okay, I'm off.

Off where!?
To the cafe with Kotaka-chan.

...Isn't the guy who you were after coming here?
No, you've got it all wrong.

You're the one he's after, Adele-san.
YOU
People like you really leave me at a loss for words!!

Geez...
I went to all that effort to tidy up the place.

I should mess it up a little so he doesn't get the wrong idea.

I should've known that Ryouko wouldn't fall in love...
Potato salad~
Fried chicken~
Rice with seasoning

It's still a long way off for her.
Phew

..."Phew"?

Nice to meet you. I'm Hazama Kyouhei.

Refreshing~!

I'm Adele. Thank you for looking after Ryouko.
I'm sorry for showing up at your home.
And so you should be...

...! Delicious...!

You're really good at making tea, Adele-san.
Not at all...

Crap... I should've cut some corners.
Um...!
I fell for you at first sight.
Please go out with me.

That's the look of someone who isn't expecting a rejection.
I'm flattered, but...

We can start off as friends.
There's other fine girls out there.
I want you!
So stubborn.

Ryouko's pretty cute too.

Pft.

No, I can't even imagine dating Hitsuji-san.

Sure, she's cute... ish?
But she seems kinda boring.
Beautiful girls like you are more my type!
...Is that so?

p10

...Hey, Hazama-san.
Eh...?

I can't go out with you,
but I don't mind forming a contract with you.

A contract...?
I'll grant you three wishes,
but in exchange, I'll take your soul.

How about it? I can show you Heaven.
You'll be seeing Hell afterwards, though.
Adele-san!

p11

Ryouko!? That was fast.
I'm sorry, Adele-san.

...Kotaka-chan told me...

Eh?
She's at home with some guy she doesn't know!?
Adele-san should be fine.
...That's not the point, Ryouko-chan.

Even if you think she's fine,
if she did the same to you, you'd feel hazy, right?

I'm bringing over a nice guy tomorrow.
Just play along.

Hazy...

p12

I forced Hazama-san onto you because I wasn't any good with him...
You forced him onto me, huh?

Um...
About that contract...
Oh dear. I forgot about him.

Ryouko's back, so forget it.

Amnesia Spray

...More importantly,

I just realised...
that I don't like it when other humans talk about you.
Adele-san...

Does that include Kotaka-chan?
I'm sorry for talking about Ryouko-chan to you...
K-Kotaka is fine!
So you're here too, huh?

Let's Make a Deal ch10: Stroll On a Day Off

The reason for her shock is...

Hello. Hitsuji Ryouko here.
Today, we had a physical checkup at the office.

Checkup Results - Hitsuji Ryouko

My weight went up...!
Oh, so it has.
How did this happen...?

I forgot to eat...

Morning

Noon

Nom nom

Beef bowl!

Yoshi Beef
Evening

Yeah, that makes sense...
Today's dinner is beef stew pie packed with meat and veggies.

You looked terrible on the day of your checkup.
That so?

A-Are you okay? You should eat something...
Hah...
That won't get me the right results.

The checkup was in the afternoon, so I had to skip lunch too!

Regret

How did you get any work done?

I worked like normal, but the section chief acted a bit distant for some reason...
Hitsuji-san, about this...
Ah. Never mind.
They should do it in the morning next year.
I feel bad for the section chief.

By the way.
Hazama-san's memories went back to before her came over, so the same thing happened again.
I should've erased everthing up to before the flower viewing.
Introduce me to Adele-san!

I need to turn him down this time.
Making a fuss will interfere with everyone's work...
so I'll need to be indirect...

My Adele is strict when it comes to house gifts...
The stone bowl of a Buddha, the jeweled branch of Hourai, the legendary robe of the fire-rat,
a jewel from a dragon's neck, and a cowry shell born of swallows.
The five tasks of Princess Kaguya.

Okay!
I'll let you know when I have them!
Are those some trendy snacks or something?
He probably won't be a problem anymore.
Hazama-san's an idiot...

Now that's settled, let's have a toast...
Hey!!
You're having cola after dinner!?

You'll get fat.
Tsk tsk.
This action has meaning.

You should be careful about Barium when you reach 35...!
It not only tastes bad, but if you burp...!
Have another!

In other words, I need to practise holding in my burps...
Oh dear! Guess I'll have to have another!
You just want to drink, don't you?
It's still a long way off for you.

Getting back on topic.
Your neutral fat and cholesterol has gone down, so that's not a problem.
There's still the flab, though...
I wanna get slim.

How about going to the gym?
It's too tall of a hurdle...

How about jogging?
Ufufu
Ahaha
Ah...

I'd look stupid without the right jogwear.
I'm not gonna keep it up anyway, so I don't wanna buy it...
Giggle giggle
Giggle giggle
Oh my, look at that free-to-play runner, Darling.
You're right, Honey.
You're overthinking it.

Besides.
I'm scared of getting laughed at for being out of shape.
They won't laugh at you just for running.

That's not what I think.
Doesn't she run weird?
That's a deep darkness.

Hmm
Some exercise that others can't see easily...

Hanging Equipment

Not a chance!!

Yoga
Owowowow

Body's too stiff.

Dance

I don't know how to regulate that...
...!

How about jogging in the air?
There's someone floating!!
Is she getting abducted!?
They'd do far worse than laugh at me.

In that case...

Ryouko! Wake up.
Mmm~

Today's a day off work, right?
Go wash your face.

I've left your clothes here.
Kay.

I did a little thinking after that,
and figured we could start with a stroll.

Wah.

Even though there's so many people on weekdays...

Feels fresh, doesn't it?
It's like a diffrent street altogether.

Even just a stroll does wonders for your body.
Since you really don't exercise.

Okay~
Let's go down the alleyways I don't normally take.
Ah, Ryouko, not that way...

Wah!

Cats gather here at this hour.
You shouldn't disturb them.

You sure know a lot.
You're usually asleep around this time, so I get bored.
...

p10

Adele-san! There's a café here!

Looks like it's been here for a while.
Heh~...
I had no ideas.

They do breakfast!

Should we go in?

It's fine. Go right in.
Eeh?
Please come with me.

p11

...?
Giggle... giggle
Look, Darling. A café beginner.
You're right, Honey.
Giggle giggle
Ryouko must be getting strange ideas again.

Nobody's going to laugh at you.
Eh?

No.
I just wanted to go in with you since it's a pretty shop...
Ah. I see...

p12

We went outside to help her with her diet...
but we're eating in the end. Was this for the best?

I've been out of sorts lately...
Adele-san.

Walks are fun.
Thanks for inviting me!

...You're welcome.

Let's get breakfast here next time.
Didn't you want to lose weight?

--
Let's Make a Deal ch11

This is the happiness she should've obtained.

Himawari!
Papa's finally home.
Mama's home too.

...You finished excorcising the demons!
Demons?
There's no way those exist.
What are you talking about?

Morning. You good on time?

Tragedies of the World

...If you're worried about that, you should've woken me up!
Eep~ What the heck?
I'm not your Mom.

I just assist you with your activites as per our contract.
That's all.

...I'm heading off.
Kay~

Ah~ That was fun.
Humans really are foolish.

What should I do to pass the time today?
I'm not in the mood for selling cakes.
...

...I'm about to clean out the bug screen.
I've brought some wine and goat cheese from the Demon Realm as a gift.
...Come in.

You just don't get this kind of taste in the human realm...!
Haven't been back there lately?
No. I've been kinda busy.

Oh? So she's doing proper "work" outside of Ryouko-san.
If you've got any funny tales, do tell.

Let's see. The other day, Ryouko was hiding some clothes she had spilled some food on...
Why didn't you bring it out right away!?
I used dishwasher detergent.

Her face was amusing that day.
That wasn't what I had in mind...

Senpai, you've really changed.
You used to be more dry with your contractees.

That girl's different.
You mean she's just rare?

Come to think of it, Senpai, the humans you used to form contracts with
were those who'd be going to Hell either way.

It seems you're interested in Ryouko-san,
but would you feel the same about any good perosn?

....That's not...
You're not getting off that easy.

Regardless of what you do, Senpai,
we're all just demons to these humans.

Don't be picky.
Just do what you gotta do.

I don't need an explanation from a junior!
Like you're one to talk! You've only ever fed from idiots!
Nothing beats seeing idiots in tears.

I'm home!
!? You're home early today.
Early...?

Huh? Mahara-san.
Pardon the intrusion.
Wah~ Thank goodness.
?

I just so happened to buy four evening snacks,
so you can share with Himawari-chan.

...That's not enough to move me.
Eh!? Then you don't get any, Mahara-san.
I don't like it for some reason.

Mahara's late...

I hate being alone.

Mama! Today on my test...
Sorry. I'm exhausted.
Papa! I made dinner.
Sorry, I already ate out.

Lying exorcist girl!
chuckle
Cut that out~
What happened to you, Yuruka-san...?

Mahara would never use a key.
Who's there?

How long are you gonna stay here?

Whoops, I still haven't gotten to the point.

I figured it's about time I ate Yuruka's soul.

p10

...Himawari's still a child.
But she's my contractee.

I was interested by how stupid and cute she was, but it's gotten tiresome.

If I pull out her soul while she's still alive,
she'll surely let out a nice scream.
I want you and Ryouko-san to get a good look too.

p11

You've got some good sense.
Yay~
Senpai praised me.

But I'm not getting Ryouko involved.

Meddling with other contractees is a breach of manners...
Liar.

I don't believe you.
You just don't want Ryouko-san to hate you...
I'm out of the bath~

p12

Ryouko-san, do you like Yuruka?
? Yeah. She's cute, so I like her.
She's so tolerant even when cursed.

Okay~ Let's call Yuruka over.
Wait, Mahara...!

Huh?

It's Yuruka... and
who?

Let's Make a Deal ch12: Mahara's Contract

A sudden visitor. She doesn't seem like a bad person, but...!?

I'm truly
sorry about all this!!

...Who's she? What's all this about?
Sorry. I haven't the faintest idea either.

For now, please come in...

This person is Aunt Hasumi.
My Papa's sister.

Aah.
The exorcist dad's...
Eh!?

...I heard your brother left you in charge of Himawari-chan, but...
Huh!?
...

You didn't hear anything about that?
Not at all...

I only just got a call today...
Are you on the way home now? Pretty late, don't you think?
Nii-san...

...Sorry, but if it's money you want, I'm all out this month...
No, no. I was just wondering if Himawari's doing okay.

...Why are you asking me?
Eh? You didn't get my letter?

...I haven't received any.
...Then forget I said anything. Later.
Eh? Hey...

Oh...
It's you, Aunt Hasami...

...Where are your parents...?
...That's when I heard about the situation.

I wanted to thank you for looking after her
and apologise for being so my rudeness this late in the everning...
Although this is the first I'm hearing about an exorcist...
Well, she's been a handful here and there...

I'm really sorry for my brother.
From now on, I'll take responsibility and...
It's okay, Aunty.

I'm the one who threw away Papa's letter.

Eh?

My memory wipe spray! That's expensive, y'know!

...I knew my Aunty would say that.
Papa...
But then what'd happen with her lifestyle?

...I knew from the start
that the whole exorcist thing was a lie...
But...

What else should I have done?

I mean, if I didn't believe in that lie,
it would've meant my Papa's never coming home...

I didn't want to think that I had been abandoned.

Amidst all that, Mahara appeared from one of Papa's books...

Maybe it's not a lie after all.

So I had her play along with my pretend exorcist routine.
...You weren't serious about that?
That's kind of a shame.

I'm a moron, huh?
Aunty came running here because she was worried about me,
but Papa is...
Can we wrap this up soon?

I'm wanting my compensation now.
Could you give it to me... right now?

Adele-san.
Himawari...

"Interfering with other contractees is a breach of manners", right?

p10

Is that okay... Yuruka?

...I...

I
haven't done anything that warrants me giving you my soul yet!

p11

Eh...?

Wha...

What are you saying!? You're about to see demons, right?
That's just a bonus of the contract!

"A soul in exchange for the granting of three wishes"...
That's what it says in this book!!

p12

No way!
You actually read that part?
It's in Latin, isn't it?
Could she even have summoned her without being able to read it...?

Mahara goes after idiots, so she included illustrations.
So easy to understand!
But you made a contract back then, Yuruka...

I haven't received a "written contract" yet!

...Didn't I teach you to document things properly?
Otherwise it end up being a case of "he said, she said".
Th-There hasn't been any humans who've asked for that until now...

p13

Things got like this because you're so fussy!
Like you're one to talk, Senpai.
I was planning to drive you out once Papa came home.

But now you're the only one I have...!
Don't leave me alone.
Don't deceive me.
Protect me until I die!

You wanted to make a contract, right?
It's too late to regret it!

p14

...Regret?

I don't think I've ever regretted anything before.

This is the first time a human has outwitted me.
I think I've fallen in love with you.

...Huh?
Hey! Get off me!
...You're hungry, right? I'll get dinner ready soon.
And then we can have some evening snacks.

Let's Make a Deal ch13: All-Out ____

When it comes to things people tend to do on days off...

Where's Endou-san...?
There she is!

Hmm.
She's really into it...
It's not urgent, so maybe I should come again later.

Oh, Hitsuji-san.
Ah...

What do I do?
This is awkward.

Sorry to interrupt.
Her inner conflict is written all over her face.
It's fine. We were just having a discussion.

What were you talking about?
"What do you do on your days off"?

How do you spend them, Hitsuji-san?
When I first joined the company, I just slept all day...

But since Adele-san arrived...
I got to Healthland,
take morning strolls and eat breakfast...
Or something like that.
How nice~
Sounds fun!

You sure are active.
How enriching~
It's only like that when I'm hanging with Adele-san, though.

Normally I just laze around the house.
Ahaha
Me too!

Somehow lazing around leaves me thinking "I've wasted my day off~" and I get all depressed.
I know what you mean.
...

It that case...
how about you go all-out with your lazing around?

I see...
That could work.
If you're aware of your goal and prepare things properly, you might feel a sense of accomplishment.

All-out lazing around?
I don't really get it, but I kind of do.
Let's do it.

Let's go shopping this weekend.
You're right. I'll get something cheap as a side dish for dinner...

What are you saying?
It's all-out lazing around, which means no work.
It's all "buy".
That's way more "all-out" than I expected...

The weekend.
Wah
This supermarket looks good!
Hey, Ryouko! Don't run!

The tea I usually buy is * times the price...!

Ryouko, are we done yet?
The cart's filled to the brim.

Need food for three meals... Maybe supper too, just to be safe... More snacks too... We might need more drinks too...
It's like you're preparing for a hurricane.

I wanna buy this too.
You don't need to buy a cushion.

Now, now. Don't say that.
It feels nice.
! You're right... And it has a somewhat pleasant smell.
...Hm?

Wait, this is just Ryouko's scent!
I almost let her sway me.
Take it back. You decide if you want it.
Wah! ...Huh? Something smells nice...

This is Adele-san's scent...
...Ryouko? What's wrong?
She bought it because of the lingering scent.

...Can we stop by the drug store too?
Sure.

What are you buying so much of?

Meguri Ondo [tn: A name of a kabuki play, but with the "me" written with the kanji for "eye"]
Relaxation Time
Weightas premium
It works.

Stuff for my eyes, stuff for my legs... and an expensive compress!

If I put all of these on, I should reach ultimate tranquility...
Dream...
Ah~...
Stuff like that.
Shouldn't they be used more frequently?

We bought a lot!
I'm getting kinda excited.

Let's get everything ready!
I wouldn't think you were about to start lazing around...

It's perfect...!

Just gotta put the remote and tissues in arm's reach.
You're not planning on moving at all, are you?

I'm feeling accomplished already...
You've experienced all kinds of leisure just getting to this point.
...Oh?

Ryouko, you dropped these snacks.
Ah, I did that on purpose.
Sorry.

In the event that I absolutely need the bathroom,
Hah~ I don't wanna move.
Oh my!
I laid these out as a reward for moving.

You went that far...!?
Okay! Let's get this started!!

p10

Ryouko.
Wanna watch a movie?
Sure.

Let's turn off the lights.

Ah...

All that walking around to get things ready...
has made me sleepy...

p11

Mm...

Good morning, Ryouko.
It's still the evening, though.
Ah!

I fell asleep, didn't I...?
And here I thought I'd get to enjoy the entire day.
The important thing is that you took it easy.

Here's some instant ramen.
The one we bought today.
It's got veggies on top!

...Ah...
What? I'm allowed to do this much work, right?
...No, it's not that you can't.

p12

It's just that you're always doing so much for me, Adele-san,
that I wanted you to take it easy and laze around too...

...
I'm not overdoing it or anything.

...It's fun how you get delighted over every little thing.

Hehe... Delicious.
Let's laze around again tomorrow.
Okay!

--
Let's Make a Deal ch14: Mountain Climbing Together

Cruising along human garbage...

...Hah...

I wanna touch nature...

You want to climb a mountain?

I've got a hunger for nature.
A human hunger that a demon like me wouldn't know of.

Then let's go this weekend.
Alright~!

I can fly you up to the summit in no time.
N-Not that!

I wanna enjoy the nature while climbing it.
Is that what it is?

Let's eat riceballs at the summit.
Sounds good. Should I invite Kotaka too? She's sure to be delighted.
Ah...
Actually, I did invite her earlier, but...

Sorry, Ryouko-chan. I can't go.
Mountain spirits are pretty nasty so I can't deal with them.

...is what she said.
It's so bad that she'd turn down an invitation from you...!?
*Those who can sense spirits have different preferences.

On the day.
Okay! The weather's great!
This'll be fun, Adele-san!

Yes. Let's go.
A serious mountain climber!

What's this all about...
I did some research on "mountains"...

Ryouko... Mountains aren't to be looked down on!
You're gonna get stranded with that equipment!
It's a mountain for beginners.

Wah~ Quite the crowd.
Looks like the entrance is this way.

Ah, I'm gonna ride the lift up to the midway point.
It's this way.
Lift...?

Do you want to climb this thing or not?
You told me not to carry you.
I wanna climb in moderation.
Let's go.

What a view!
It's really quite nice.

Ryouko, who's always about her appetite, is this excited...

Photo Zone

I'm taking your photo~
Nature sure is great.

We're halfway up, so let's watch the view here too...
Adele-san! They're selling giant dango over there!!

Photo sales

It's called Kurumi Miso apparently!
She's all about her appetite after all...

I was worried when I heard this was a mountain,
but the paths are all paved.
This mountain has a lot of them.
I dunno about other mountains, though.

Its status as a tourist attraction brings all kinds of visitors.
There's lots of shops and the lifts take you halfway up.

Even someone as out of shape as me can get to the summit easily!

I'm tired... Are we at the summit yet?
I thought you said it was easy?

Looks. The summit's right ahead.
The last slope is pretty harsh.

We're here~!
There's so many people. I can barely see the view.

Anyway, let's get to those riceballs.
What about the view?
I saw plenty on the way here.

Ah, that spot is open! Let's go!
Your appetite really does take top priority, huh?

Let's dig in!
There's cod roe, konbu, umeboshi, and a secret ingredient.

You sure you're not enduring it? If you wanna see the view, I can just get rid of everyone.
It's fine.
Huh...?

Fried chicken!
Eat that and do your best with the second half too.
Okay!

p10

The way back didn't take long at all.
I'm exciting the see the view from the descent.

Huh...?

Th-This is way scarier than when we were going up!

Hey, Ryouko, are you okay!?

I'm fine.
You suck at lying.

p11

Wh-What part of that face is fine?
It's embarrassing to admit I'm scared.

Taking your photo~
Look, Ryouko. It's a photo spot.
Please don't laugh...

p12

That's a good photo.
They gave it to us for free.
We'll buy it.

Photo sale

Eep... Just take it!

...I'm sorry it couldn't capture me for real.
Eh?

Humans love to leave behind photos, right?

Don't worry.
I've taken plenty of photos of you with my brain camera, Adele-san!
Ryouko...

Huh!? They've got soy sauce flavored dango at the station!
Let's eat it!
....

--
Let's Make a Deal ch15: Let's Make a Love Potion!

I can't hang out the laundry during the rainy season...

Senpai~

What do you want this early? You're bothering the neighbors.
Good morning.

Wanna make a love potion with me?
...Huh?
(Translation) Whoever drinks it will fall in love with you<3 Love Potion Recipe

Apparently if you drink it, you fall in love with the first person you see.
Beginner Witch's Exciting <3 Spell Book
Isn't that a magic textbook for children?
~Translated into Japanese for your convenience~

Brings back memories, huh?
I've never read this kind of book.
Eh~ I thought you'd be excited about it.

In fact, I'm surprised you've read something like this.
Fufu
You have your cute sides sometimes.

Spells for silencing your irritating senpai...
I wouldn't like it if there actually is one in there.
Sorry if I offended you.

I was just reading it for fun.
Heh~ Magic spells, huh...

Such childish tricks. How boring.
Hah
I was a smart girl, after all.
That's not cute.
You're such a brat...

But now, I wonder if it really does work...
Mahala...

Besides, these ingredients are crazy and I wonder what they taste like.
Just how will this turn out?
So you're just doing this for fun then.

What ingredients do we need?

ribbit ribbit

Let's see.
The skin of a frog, the light of a firefly, the mucus of a snail...

"Seasonal", huh.
Perfect for the rainy season.

Continuing on, we need shredded mandragora, charred mantis, the dried wings of a fairy, and the tears of a loved on...
That sure sounds disgusting.
It's a classic, though.
...Then we boil it from Friday night until Saturday morning.

"Here's a tip!" Add a cube of consommé at the end<3
Consommé's gonna do nothing at that point!

Also... "The effectiveness will increase if you add these!"

Oh? There's more we need?
Let's see.

Maca root, pit viper, soft-shelled turtle, eel, gall midge.
What the heck?
It's become more graphic.

We don't need to any of those.
Why not? It increases the effectiveness, right?
Let's just not.

More importantly, I just skimmed through this, but
can you even prepare "tears of a loved one"?

I've already secured those.
...You made her cry?
While she was sleeping.

Papa is an exorcist...
Hrm...
No, Papa... Don't leave me...
mumble mumble

An impression of her Papa does the trick every time.
Do you really like Himawari?

Well then, let's go get the other ingredients?
Go!
I'm coming with you?

I said we'd make it together, right?
Here.

We're not gonna find any mandragoras or fairies here.
And I don't wanna go all the way to the demon realm.
I just mail ordered those.
I already have them.

...Then why didn't you order the other ingredients too!?
I wanted to enjoy making it with you, Senpai.

Phew. That should be everything.
We can finally start cooking.

I haven't caught bugs since I was a child.
Mahala was cute back then.
...That's totally what your face is saying.

When the potion's done, give Ryouko-san some too.
Ryouko doesn't need something like that.

Besides.
Manipulating her heart directly would be quicker.
True, but
There's no romance in that...

I'm home~
Making me work overtime is evil.
Welcome back.
Pardon the intrusion.

Gya!
What's all this!?
We're gonna cook them later~

Eeh...?

...If Adele-san's the one doing the finishing touches, then...
Don't worry. It's not for you.
You'd eat it if Senpai made it, huh...

p10

Now then, it's nighttime,
so let's boil it until morning!

Cooking commences
That stinks!
It's gonna wake up, Ryouko.
Knowing Ryouko-san, she'll be fine.

Mmm~ Om nom...

stink stink stink

See? She's having a dream about eating something.
Ryouko...

The next morning.

p11

It's ready~!
Ugh... This is gonna be a pain to clean.

I'd love to help and all, but I better head back.
Don't tell me...

Thank you very much, Senpai!
I knew she'd run off!

p12

Morning, Yuruka!
How about a glass of juice to wake you up?

...No. You're being suspicious...

You always used to drink anything before.
That was
I was putting on an act!
If you drink this, you'll become a powerful exorcist.
I'll drink it.
See chapter 7.
...Are you upset?
Not really.

Well, whatever.
What's for breakfast?
...Leftovers from yesterday's dinner.
I need the bathroom so watch the pot.

p13

Now's my chance~ I'll just mix it in with her food.

Cream stew is Japanese cuisine, huh? I'd like to try it.
I wonder if Ryouko-san can get Senpai to make it for me.

Is this...

...

p14

Phew...

She was right. The consommé did nothing...

In the end, I didn't notice any effect from the potion.

Yuruka is looking even cute,
You smell weird, Mahala.
Back off a little.
And I worked so hard and everything too.
...With that?
but that's probably not because of the potion.

Was the potion effective or not...?

Volume 1 Release Illustration

Rejoice! Tankobon on sale! (I'm so happy)
Let's Make a Deal Volume 1

Love to everyone who supports Hashimoto-sensei's manga.

A Demon Contract That Adapts Rather Well to the Modern Age

Wah... Signing a digital contract is easy...
Congratulations to "Let's Make a Deal: A Hard-Working Girl Living With a Caring Demon" for going on sale!

Hashimoto Raidon-sensei
Let's Make a Deal: A Hard-Working Girl Living With a Caring Demon volume 1 release. Congratulations<3 u-temo

--
Let's Make a Deal Special: A Demon and a Human on New Year's

Thank for for 2022! Please support us next year too. - Mashimoto Rideon

I'm home~
Yeah, welcome back.

This bag is stuffed with dreams...
Hehehehe...
Wash your hands and rinse your mouth.

Are you really going to make everything?
Of course.

Ryouko, please write down your favorite things.
Ah~... (Alright.

Fried Chicken
Potato Salad
Sukiyaki
Fried Cutlet
Fried Shrimp
Gratin

This will be the menu for New Year's Eve.

I've been looking forward to that day ever since...!
Go wipe your mouth.

It's my first "New Year's", so I'm looking forward to it.
Eh?
Really?

That's surprising.
There aren't any humans like you who'd want to live with a demon 24/7 after all.

I'm a little worried about how easily you accepted a demon like me, though.
Adel-san's first new year's...

Let's enjoy it then!
...Like I said, that side of you is...

And then,
let's do lots of fun stuff next year too!

...Oh, if you talk about next year, the oni will laugh at you, right?
Oh.
You know your stuff, Adel-san.
I did plenty of preliminary research.
By the way,
what do you usually do for New Year's.

I spend all day eating, sleeping and watching TV!

...I want to play badminton and fly a kite.
Sounds good. Never tried that before.
The heck?
So we're both a pair of newcomers.

Look forward to next year's updates!

Let's Make a Deal ch16: Alone At the Station At Night

I-I screwed up~...

I overslept...

OXX Station

I've really screwed up...
Lucky~ A free seat...

...Miss.
...Stop.
It's the last stop.
Fgah!
I missed the last train...

*Today is a weekday.
First off, I've got work in the morning
so I need to find a way home...

Naturally, there's no buses or other trains...
I've got it! What about a taxi...?

HUGE SUM

That's an entire day's wages!

HUGE SUM

There's no way that's happening!

I would tell Adel-san that I can't get home
but she doesn't have a phone...

Why don't you have a smartphone?

You need official documents to get a contract, right?
I don't have those.
How honest...

Can't you just forge them? You're a demon, after all.
I can pay for it.
You're so...

Stop thinking about things from the demon side.
I'll send an e-mail to my laptop just in case.
She sometimes checks it for online shopping, after all.

We've been pretty much together all the time outside of work that I've never realised...

how anxious it feels not being able to get in touch with her.
"Welcome home, Ryouko".

...I hope Adel-san notices my e-mail...

Meanwhile.
Ryouko's really late today.
I wonder if she's busy.

...I've forgotten since she usually comes home,
Ah...!
Eep~
but she might get in a accident, or get caught up in an incident.

...She might even try to run away from me.

...

Erm, what should I do next...?
Wait! I'm almost out of battery!

C-Convenience store! Convenience store!
There!

Portable charger
Lithium charger

Pricey...

I get the feeling convenience stores use portable chargers to take advantage of customers...
Kh...
This, please...

Thank goodness. There's an internet café...
Phew...

If I looked that up sooner, I wouldn't have needed to buy the charger...
Normally I would've finished by bath and dinner by now.

I'd be in my futon talking to Adel-san
and she'd yell at me to go to sleep already...

...I'm so lonely.

Private Stalls 24H
Internet
Games - Manga

I'll catch the first train home, take a shower, then go to work.
The light is reassuring.
Then I guess I'll get a little sleep during lunch break...

I wanna sleep in my futon...

...Honestly. I was wondering why you hadn't come back...

p10

Adel-san!?
What are you doing here?

How'd you find me...?
All it takes is a little magic to find where my contractee's soul is.

Eh!?
Like I said.

Even if you tried to escape, I'd catch you.

p11

Amazing! I don't have to worry about getting lost!
That was meant to be a threat...

Well, whatever. Let's just head home.
Eh?

Fwah...

Adel-san, can you give me a piggyback?
What are you saying? I wouldn't be able to use my wings that way.
Don't squirm.

This is an unexpected way of carrying.
It's the most convenient.
...

p12

I'll make sure not to oversleep next time...
I'd be happy to carry you anytime.
That's the problem!
What is it? You're weird...

They got home safely.
You were embarrassed because my chest was hitting you!?
It happens when we take baths together.
Touching them directly is a different matter!

--
Let's Make a Deal ch17: Adel-san and a Smartphone

I'm starving... I wonder what's for dinner.

I'm home~
Eh? Ryouko!?
...Oh geez, it's this late already!?
...?

Huh?
A smartphone! You bought one?
I figured I'd need it for times like the other day(*).
The other day.
I missed my stop... and I have no way of contacting Adel-san...

...And then I got so caught up in setting it up that I haven't started dinner yet...
I'm sorry.
That's perfectly fine.

I need to start right away...
Oh, right! I haven't been shopping either!

Some perfect demon I turned out to be...
Kh
She's funny when she's depressed...

I know.
How about we go to a famires today?

Famires?
It's short for "family restaurant"...

I see. It's a family-owned restaurant.

At Home

Close. It's a restaurant marketed towards families.

It's cheap, yummy, and popular with students. I used to go there all the time.

But once I grew up, being all alone in the same space as families and groups of students became rough...
I-I see.
So I'm looking forward to going again.

This is it.
Oh, I often pass by here while shopping.

Adel-san seems really interested in family restaurants...

Relax, Ryouko!
There doesn't seem to many families or students here.
Oh, it was for my sake.

Come to think of it, the people who come around this time
are mostly worn out adults just like me...
You're being rude to the other customers.

Let's order something right away.
A glass of wine for 100 yen...!?

Ryouko. Let's leave.
Why!?

I mean, selling that for 100 yen is just fishy...
They must be corrupting humans for their own amusement.

This is no doubt a demon's store!
It's dangerous!!
Sorry about her. She's just suprised by how affordable everything is.

This store's been around for decades, so don't you worry.

You can look it up on your phone...
That's true.

...Oh, you're right...

Sorry for getting the wrong idea...
She's like a mom who lets her phone be the judge of everything...

It sure is convenient having my own phone.
By the way, what do you do about your official documents?
You said you couldn't get a phone since you didn't have any...

Did you forge them after all...?
No.
I just paid a grim reaper I know to get a smartphone for me.

A grim reaper!?
Someone who does business for demons in the human world.

She created the app I met you through too.
I used the browser version.
Does she even do any actual reaping?

Learning I've been using a grim reaper's app has made me kinda scared.
Thanks for the food...
Weren't you the one who made a contract with a demon...?

Huh...?
But how did you get a phone without any official documents...?

I formally commissioned a "trader",
but I still don't exactly what they did.

That doesn't sound too different from forgery.
You just didn't do it directly.
It's fine so long as it more or less makes sense.
I'm a demon, after all.

More importantly, let's swap contacts.
I guess we should.

How do I do it again?
I'll do it. I'll just move next to you.

Adel
Friends (3)
Grim Reaper, Mahala, Rion

What's wrong?
Ah, erm...

p10

I'm not... your first friend...

Eh?
No, it's fine!

Grim Reaper-san arranged the phone for you, after all,
and you're good friend with Mahala-san too...
I'm just a little sad since I'm your roommate.

Wait, I sound like a kid.
Ryouko.

p11

Eh?

It's a pain how delicate humans are.
I'm sorry...

Here, look.
Wah, I'm not used to selfies.

...Huh!? You're actually in the photo, Adel-san!

What she normally uses

Fufu. I got it specially modded.

p12

...Isn't this phone good?

I paid someone else
to get this phone
for your sake.

So I'd like you to be happy rather than sulk about it.

Thank you...
Hmph. That's good.

Look.
I got lots of apps too.

For my sake, you say.
You just wanted them, didn't you?

--
Let's Make a Deal ch18: Summer Valentine

I'm home~
Welcome back... Oh?

You went shopping, huh?

I wanted to make some chocolate.
Why all of a sudden?
It's summer right now.

It just kinda felt like I need to make some...
I wonder why. How mysterious...
It's because this chapter is being published close to Valentine's Day.

So with that said, I'm gonna borrow the kitchen tomorrow.
It's not borrowing if it's your house.

You're going to make sweets, huh?
How unexpected...
It's been a while.

I used to make chocolate every Valentine up until high school, but when college came around...
This is what I think of your chocolate!
Ohoho
Haha
No thanks, Hitsuji-san.
Is it another painful memory...?

I started working part-time so I was able to buy the expensive and delicious stuff.
I see. That's good.
...?

So on the actual Valentine's Day, you give chocolate to people, right?

Do they not do that where you come from, Adel-san?
We don't celebrate Christian events.

I see... I wanted to get chocolate from you.
I can make you snacks any time you want.
...I'll give you some next year.

Eh? Are you sure?
Most people in Japan aren't even aware that it's a Christian event, so there's no problem.

The next day.
Okay, let's do this!
Do your best, Ryouko!

Erm, I need a bowl and spatula...
Here.

Ah... I don't think I have a sieve.
I bought one after you fell asleep.

Reminds me of my first time making chocolate...
Shall I chop up the chocolate for you?
With my mom, that is.

You're actually going about this properly.

Eyeballing it

Of course I am.

When making sweets, you gotta follow the recipe to a T.
To a T...!?

Make one small miscalculation and it won't bake properly.
Fufu...
Add one drop of water and the chocolate will split.
You can't stop mixing even if your arm falls off.
I think I can see the mistakes that led you here.

I've grown from making the same mistake once a year.
You could've just practised on a regular basis.

They're pretty much made out of obligation, so once a year is my limit...
Everyone makes them and the commercial stuff is expensive.
So it was obligatory chocolate, huh...

By the way, what are you making right now?
Brownies.

They don't melt, they don't break, they don't crumble.
They're perfect!
Just from her choice, I can see the failures she's had up until now.

Oh? You're going to wrap them too?

3 included

I feel like I need to hand them out...
I wonder why...
It's because this chapter is being published close to Valentine's Day.

Three...
Three included...

No doubt she's given some to Kodaka and Himawari.
She'd probably give Mahala some too...

Wait, does that mean there's none for me...?

Is something the matter?

Ah!
Is the pattern lame!?
Don't worry.
I'm just gonna go shopping.

Eh? Let's go together.
You need to focus on the baking.

Welcome back, Adel-san.

I knew it. There's three...

I think they came out looking cute. What do you think!?
Y-Yes. They're well made.

It's for Kotaka-chan and Himawari-chan~ and Mahala-san to be safe.

Shock

p10

That Ryouko.
She should know Mahala would just scarf it down...

What's this...?

That's for you, Adel-san!
Let's eat them together later.

p11

I also bought some vanilla ice-cream for the finishing touch.
...Hey, Ryouko.

Is this perhaps heartfelt chocolate?

Yeah!
You're special to me, Adel-san!

...
I humbly accept.

p12

Kotaka
Eh? Handmade brownie!?
Thank you, Ryouko-chan!

She likes it.
Good for you.

I figured she'd say "It'd be a shame to eat it, so I won't!"...
Fufu...

I'm going to have it for teatime with some high-quality tea for the ultimate experience!!
High society...
How did such a well-raised girl wind up as a stalker...?

Let's Make a Deal ch19

A turbulent shota makes a move...

Wah... Looks delicious!
This is my thanks for the brownie the other day.
Thank you, Kotaka-chan!

I've actually ordered some good tea for today.
Should be here soon.
Fufu...
Really? I'm excited!
Ah.
Here it is!

...Ah, so you're "Ryouko-chan", huh?

Where's Adel?

What should I do. He seems to be a friend of Adel-san's but...
Not here, huh?

That's fine. I'll wait.
Eh? Wait...

Are you perhaps...
The grim reaper!?
Oh? You know about me?

Eh?
A grim reaper!?

He's apparently the developer of the matching app Adel-san and I used.
Helping demons meet humans is my specialty.
Eh? Is that so!?

Why would you use such a dangerous app...?
I had absolutely no idea when I registered...
Ma-Ku-A. Ma-Ku-A. New product!

Form a contract with a demon and make your dream life come true.
My dream life, huh...
Sounds neat.
You paid absolutely no attention to the demon part!

It was played on ad trucks.
But why hook demons up with humans?
What does a grim reaper get out of it?

My job is to collect souls who have met their end and bring them to the land of the dead.
The souls are then put back into circulation... but demons cut that cycle short.
We eat souls, after all.

In other words, if I get humans to make contracts with demons,
it makes my job much easier.
This grim reaper is a total scumbag!

So I went to programming school and made it from scratch.
Amazing.
So in the end, you just increased your work?

So.
How have things been going for you after you got matched, Ryouko-san.
I've been living a fun life thanks to you.

We promised that I'll get Valentine's chocolate next year.
Oh, you must be happy.
Yes!

With someone who'll someday take your soul, that is.

...Don't phrase it like that...
I'm home.
Oh, welcome, Kotaka.

Oh. You're here too.
I'm here to discuss payment for the phone.

...Kotaka-chan, can we step outside for a moment?

Good to see Ryouko-chan is happy.
!
How long are you gonna keep peddling for?

...What is it that you want to say?

If it's about paying for the phone, I'm already working on it.
It won't be for free.
Using your "job", shorten the number of people on this list as much as possible.
No...

The old you would've shortened it much faster!!

I don't wanna work.

Why don't you just quit being a grim reaper?

You're only working while Ryouko-chan's either at work or sleeping.
Not making the most of your talents is a negative for you
and I'm a pain for me.
So that's your real motive, huh?

Put simply, Ryouko-chan is a nuisance.
You can eat her at any time, so why don't you?

...Big talk from the one who made the matching app.
Matching app?
Put simply, it's a service that lets demons meet humans who want to make a contract.
Looks convenient.

First, you need to register, make a profile and add the terms of your contract...

Profile
Excellent and beautiful demon.
Grantable wishes
1 - 2 - 3

She's really confident in herself.

Then you just need to a human who fits your contract and match up with them.
Simple.

The basics of humans' wishes haven't changed, but...

I want to live the best life in the world<3
Desired wishes

A platinum house<3

To go viral with a beautiful wife

To become an influence

I wanna marry my fave!!
Desired wishes

I want confess to my fave<3

I want her to recognise my feelings!

Live happily ever after!

They've become a lot duller over the years...
Can demons even grant this?

I want more pocket money.
I wanna be the top of my class.
I want a girlfriend.

...Oh?

This girl...

Hitsuji Ryouko - I'm an office worker.
Desired wishes

I want to be happy.

Oh? You decided on one?

p10

I wonder if she understands what a contract with a demon is.
Now just click this button here,

and you're contracted~

Contract Established

Eh? Wait!

I never said I'd contract with her!!
She's only written one wish!
The fewer the better, right?

"Now you just meet with the person in question," huh...
Coming.
Ah, are you... Adel-san?

p11

The plan was to just meet up with her and annul the contract.
I see. So you're a demon...?
What would make you happy?
Erm, having someone who'd feed me hot food after work and heal me...?
Is this girl okay...?

...How does it taste?

Delicious!! It's the best!!

However...
If you're gonna let your emotions sway you,
then I'll take Ryouko-chan's soul and give it to you.

p12

Wha-...

The job of a grim reaper is to circulate souls.
To end someone's life before their time is just...
Ryouko-chan's soul will become yours either way.
She doesn't seem to have that much time left anyway.

How long are you gonna keep playing roommates for?

You're just delaying the end of a relationship that has no future,
so let me give you a push on the back.

Let's Make a Deal ch20: A Day Without You

The roommate is absent-minded...

How long are you going to keep playing roommates for?

...san...
Adel-san!
How long...?

You're piling on too much.
Ah...

Recently,
I've been all out of whack...

...Adel-san, um... is something troubling you?
D-...
Does it look that way to you?

Should we go out tomorrow?
It might help take your mind off of things.
...I can't believe
I'm making Ryouko so worried about me...

...Sorry. I've got an errand to run tomorrow.
I'll likely be back Sunday morning.

The next day.

Did we make plans for today or something?

You lied to Ryouko-san?
I mean, I don't mind personally, but...

It kinda feels like you're cheating on her.
Yeah right.
Don't be silly. I wouldn't cheat with someone as ill-natured as you.
Absolutely never.
How cruel!

I see. The Grim Reaper.

I hate that kid.
Hey.
He's technically older than you.
It's the way he makes himself look younger that I hate.

...But it's good timing.
Even I can see you've been off your game lately, Senpai.

I'd be more than happy to see the cool Senpai again.

...Aren't you also living with a human?
That's because I like Yuruka.

But that's not the case for you, is it, Senpai?

Besides, what you said the other day...
...I haven't fulfilled her wish yet.
That was also a lie, wasn't it?

"Adel-san."
Senpai, what do you want to do with Ryouko?

...I'm not even capable of granting her wish.

There's no way a human can be happy living with a demon.
A human's happiness is to marry someone and have a white house with a white dog...

...At least, that's what the internet said.
I think the page you were looking at is a bit dated.
Things are more diverse in this age.

...Why don't you take this opportunity to think it over carefully?

Meanwhile.
It's been a while since I've had a day off on my own.

I should really be doing something that I can only do when I'm by myself...

Hmm....
...snooze...

Aah! It's evening already!
If you're by yourself...

Hah~...
Guess I'll go shopping...
I've wasted the whole day~
Ah, Ryouko-san.

Himawari-chan.
Out by yourself?
Yes! To the library!

Demon Exorcism Encyclopedia
How to Defeat a Demon
Conquering Demons for Dummies

...Did you have a fight with Mahala-san?
These are just in case a fight happens.
My life is on the line, after all.

When I see you and Adel-san,
...I get a little jealous

of how you're together because you like each other.
Eh?

I'm a child and can't do anything on my own.
I had no choice but to choose a demon.

I'd love to hear about you two next time.
Maybe I shouldn't tell her that was met on a matching app...
That I just kinda signed up for.

p10

Hmm...

I'm just not feeling it...

I used to be full of energy when my parents weren't around.
I'm gonna spend the whole day reading manga and eating snacks!
Since I worked hard, I'll stick a soft-boiled egg on my beef bowl and drink some beer.
Fufu...
I was even fine living by myself, and yet...

There's something missing "next to me".

...Was being by myself always this boring?

p11

...I ate too much and now I feel sleepy.
...Guess I'll sleep for a bit.

I hope she comes home soon.

Hah!

p12

W-Welcome back.
She's gonna be pissed...!

If you're gonna sleep, do it in the futon. Cover up your stomach. Clean up your food packaging too. Later we'll need to buy...

...Adel-san?
Ryouko.

Let's put an end to our contract.

Let's Make a Deal ch21: Living Alone

Their time spent living together feels like a fleeting dream...

My name is Hitsuji Ryouko.
Hitsuji-san.
Hitsuji-san, do these too.
Right!
Leave it to me.

Single. No hobbies. No free time.
I've got a lot of ingredients, so I'll make miso soup...

No lover.

I'm now back to living by myself.

Adel-san... She wouldn't tell me the details.
What's this all of a sudden...?
Oh?
You're happy, right?
You got your wish granted and you get to keep your soul. Consider yourself lucky.

Hey, wait...

Eh...
Eh...!?

She seems...

perfectly fine without me!?
Hey, move. I need to use that.

Geh... How many cameras did you install?
...It's fine, right? I'm just waiting and seeing.

You're totally obsessed with Ryouko-chan!

Hitsuji-san.

Endou-san.
Want to eat lunch together?
Sure!

Huh?
We're not going to the cafeteria?
The weather's nice, so let's eat outside.

Is this your roommate's bento?
...No. I made this one...

...We stopped living together.

I guess it would be more accurate to say she ditched me...
She probably hates me.
Maybe because I'm worthless...

If it were Adel-san...
Like Adel-san...
Adel-san wouldn't give up on me...

...So lately, my shoulders have been really stiff.

Sorry. I'm still full of motivation to do my work.
That's no good. You look like when you had a cold.

You don't realise how weak you actually are.
I don't catch colds!!
I caught a cold.
Take care.
*See chapter 5

You shouldn't be hung up on "maybes" and "probablys".

There must be another reason.
...This person's always thinking about you, right, Hitsuji-san?

...It's just as Endou-san says.
I need to hear the truth.

A few minutes ago.
Senpai? She hasn't been here.
She left? Eh~ Maybe she hated you after all. lol
Waaaah! No, no!

Adel-san... I'm borrowing your phone...!

Grim Reaper
I'm counting on you.
Kay.

p10

...Adel? Why are you calling me?
It's Hitsuji!!
Geh!

Hitsuji? ...Ah, Ryouko-chan, right?
Ow~
Um...
Is Adel-san...

Perfect timing.
Could you come pick Adel up?
Eh?

p11

She's more troublesome than I expected.
She won't go home herself because of her pride.
I thought Adel-san hates me...

Ah, no. It's just cos I...

Ah.
...Ryouko.

Adel-sa-
My contract with you is over.
...Don't get involved with me again.

p12

Eeeh~ Hey, now...

You're really not honest with yourself!

I'm sorry, okay?
I won't do anything to Ryouko-chan anymore.

You were right.
That girl shouldn't get involved with a demon like me.

--
Let's Make a Deal final chapter: Let's Make a Deal

The rejection echoes in her head...

Hitsuji-san.
It's quitting time, so please get up.

Eh? But there's still work to...
Just go home.

Hitsuji-san looks like an empty husk.
I wonder what happened to her...?

"Don't call me again".

Hah...
Hah...

Adel-san!?
Hya...

K-Kotaka-chan...?

You're home early today.
Mahala-san too!?

We came over because we were worried about you.
I unlocked the door.

Your seat is here, Ryouko-san.
...?

...What are Mahala and the others doing inside my house!?
Just go home already~

Mahala must've noticed the cameras, right?
Ah, geez. I can't see Ryouko's face.
She's not gonna do anything unnecessary, right...?

Adel-san... Adel-sannn....
Don't just drink.
You're the one making her drink!

Poor Ryouko-san.
Have you been crying like this every day?

I don't have time to be crying.
I need to do things properly
even on my own...
What a diligent girl.

But you should show your loneliness a little more.
Senpai's pretty dense, after all.
Hey, um...

Are you sure about this?
That was your chance to seperate Ryouk-san from the demon.

All I want is for Ryouko-san to smile.
I like Senpai when she's foolish yet energetic too~

Mm...

Did I fall asleep... I shouldn't have done that.

Oh, she's finally awake.

...? What's wrong with her? She's not moving.

Eh?

Ryouk...!?

Ryouko!!

Her complexion is terrible...
I couldn't tell through the camera.

No! She's going to die!

If I knew this would happened, I would've never annuled that contract...!

C-Caught you!!

Y-...
You tricked me!?
Same to you, Adel-san.

You were watching me this whole time, weren't you!?
Hey, um...
There's cameras all over this place.

What's the meaning of this!?

If you were that worried about me,
why are you staying away from me!?
Why push me away!?

...There was no other choice!!
You can't become happy if you're with a demon like me!!

Besides, you seemed to be living just fine
even without me!!

p10

So you didn't hate me...?
I never said anything like that.

Hah~...
Wh-What the!

Having someone waiting for me when I get home to cook me warm food and heal me.
Welcome home, Ryouko.
That's what I thought happiness was.
...But it wasn't just that.

...Adel-san, do you love me?

p11

...I love you!

Why do you think I tried to get away from you...

If you want me to be happy,
then let's make another contract.
My happiness is living with you forever until I die, Adel-san.

p12

...Foolish girl.

I probably won't let you go even if you die.

What are you saying?
My soul has been yours since the day we made our contract.

I'll follow you to Hell or wherever!
You really are a foolish girl...

Thank you for reading! Please look forward to Hashimoto Rideon-sensei's next work!