Chapter 3: Smith's Surprise

Where should we go for our date?

So many places to choose from.

Think I'll just ask if she has anything in mind already.

I make a turn onto the street where my house is.

Once the wall is fixed, everything's going to be norm-

"WHAT THE HELL," I yell, seeing my house.

It's not the small place that it was this morning.

It's somehow gotten bigger!

There are even trucks parked on the curb with people walking in and out of my home, putting new stuff like furniture inside.

I didn't call anyone yet and I certainly didn't want an expansion or a renovation!

I quickly park my car and get out.

What's going on?

Who called for this?

"Oh, I forgot to mention that too," a woman says, suddenly beside me.

"S-Smith? Where did you come from," I ask, surprised.

"Same place as you," she answers.

I look behind my car to see her's is somehow magically behind mine despite not hearing her pull up behind me.

"You know what I meant. Care to explain this," I say, pointing at my home.

"We have to remodel your house so it will be suitable for your homestays and liminals in general," she explains.

How do you forget about something as major as this?

"So it's just more rooms and bigger space then," I question.

"More like things have been drastically changed. All the new bedrooms including yours are on the second floor now as well as the bathroom is an example," she says.

Oh no! My dresser!

"Please tell me you didn't mess with my bedroom dresser," I ask nervously.

"It was moved upstairs as well. We didn't replace it or anything. Nothing to worry about," she says.

Thank God! My toys are safe!

"How long until the remodeling is finished? Like a few weeks to a month," I question.

"Actually, it should be done right… about now," she says.

"That's not how remodeling works. It just started today," I say.

All of the workers come out of my house and one of them walks up to us.

"Ma'am, it's all done," the worker says.

HOW?

"Excellent work," Smith says.

With that, all of them leave and drive off.

"Told you it would get done. Now let's go inside so you can see the changes," she says.

I'm just going to stop trying to put logic into things that don't make sense because clearly it's a losing battle to do so.

"Let me get those two books out of my car first," I sigh.

With the books in hand, we walk in.

The front door is as tall as Tionishia now.

That even goes for the ceiling as well.

"So how are you digging the first floor," she asks as I look around.

"This is all free, right," I question.

"Of course," she says.

"Then I love it," I say.

"Good to hear," she says.

I'm not gonna complain about having an expensive renovation when it's free.

"You're finally back," Polt excitedly says, standing at the top of the new stairs with her tail wagging.

"Would've taken longer without your help," I say, giving her a smile.

She runs down the stairs and glomps me, almost knocking me down.

"It was boring without you here," she says.

"W-Well, I'm here now," I say, not so smoothly.

She kisses my lips which I wasn't honestly expecting.

"Polt! Not in front of others," I mutter, blushing.

She simply giggles.

"Awww, how cute," Smith says.

"So anything else you forgot to tell me," I ask.

"No, but I do have a surprise," she says.

Don't know how I feel about that given everything so far.

"Ooh, a surprise," Polt asks, enthused.

"Mhmm, I just have to go get it from my car," Smith says, walking out.

"So how did registration go," Polt asks.

"Pretty well," I say.

"So that means you're a host now," Polt questions.

"I didn't want that to be the case but that's how it turned out," I say, rubbing the back of my head.

"How come," she says.

"It's complicated," I sigh.

She pulls me close and nuzzles her face against mine.

"Tell me what's wrong, Ryuta," she says softly.

"I'm kinda excited about this. However, I keep thinking that I'll be an absolutely awful host. Smith tried to reassure me but I just don't know," I say.

"Nonsense! You're going to be amazing," she says, rubbing my back.

"You really think so," I say.

"I know so," she says.

I kiss her.

"Thanks for that," I say.

"You're welcome," she says.

A few seconds pass in our intimate silence.

"Hey Polt," I say.

"Yes," she says.

"You were aware of what you gave approval to Smith for, right," I question.

"Of course I was. Was it fun," she says.

So Zombina wasn't lying.

"That's certainly one way to put it," I chuckle uneasily.

"You don't have to hide it from me. Zombina told me everything," she giggles.

Goddamn it, Zombina!

I immediately turn away from Polt.

"S-She told you," I say, embarrassed.

"I almost doubted her but then I saw the toys in your room and realized she was telling the truth. You're quite the kinky one," she teases.

She looked in my dresser?!

"I don't want to live anymore," I lament, my face in my hands.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. It just means that we certainly have quite a few different exercises to choose from," she whispers seductively in my ear.

She smacks me on the ass more specifically the right cheek and I immediately kneel from the pain.

Why not… the left?

"R-Ryuta, are you okay," she asks, worried.

"S-Still… sore! Why did you put so much power behind that," I say, slowly standing back up.

That was so much harder than Zombina's smack!

"I'm sorry! I was just trying my hand at it to see how you would react! Do you need an ice pack," she says.

"D-Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it," I say.

"I'm back, you two," Smith announces herself.

Looking her way, I notice a little girl in a jacket with her hood on holding Smith's hand.

If I didn't know any better, I would say Smith has a daughter.

What is she about to do now?

"W-Who's the little girl," I ask cautiously.

"After some transgressions, she had to do some community service and since she was being transferred already, I decided she should live with you. This makes her your very first homestay," she says.

…

WHAT? ALREADY?

I literally just got back from registration!

"Are you being serious," I ask, trying to see if she's joking.

"Dead serious. Would you like to introduce yourself to your new host," she asks the girl.

This is actually happening right now.

The girl nods and walks up to me.

She takes her hood off, revealing her face.

She's honestly really cute.

"My name is Lilith and I'm a Lesser Devil. Also, I'm required to say I'm an adult because of my appearance. Nice to meet you," she says.

Duly noted but shit now it's my turn!

I'm so severely unprepared because I thought this wouldn't be happening for a while!

I clear my throat.

"It's n-nice to meet you too. M-My name is… R-Ryuta and it's… an honor to have you," I stammer.

I'm surprised that came out as clearly as it did.

As we shake hands, Lilith looks at Polt and narrows her eyes at her as if she's angry.

"I gave it the benefit of the doubt but it actually is you," she says, pointing at her.

"Long time no see, Lilith. Isn't this quite a coincidence," Polt chuckles.

"Wait, you two know each other," I say, shocked and taken aback.

Learning so many things.

Life changing so much.

All in a single day!

I just wanted to relax, man!

And have my date with Polt too!

Please let me breathe after I handle all of this today.

It's all I'm asking for!