My daily life is not peaceful
Chapter 19 - Alone in an Empty Room

Chapter 19: Alone in an Empty Room

“Welcome.”

As Sakurajima Mai pushed open the door, the bell above jingled, its gilded bead striking a small pendulum. If one looked closely, ripples could be seen vibrating across the metal surface.

In the summer evening, the western sky glowed with the fading sunset, while the rising moon in the east cast a faint shimmer.

One light waned, another grew brighter.

Humming an unfamiliar tune, Kirishima Touka was wiping down coffee utensils in the cabinet. Hearing the bell’s soft chime, she set her task aside and greeted the guests with a smile.

“Two cappuccinos, please.”

Luo Yun said, not particularly fond of coffee but ordering it for convenience.

“Two… is it?”

Touka paused, then nodded with a smile upon seeing the girl behind Luo Yun.

“Please take a seat, and it’ll be ready shortly.”

“Um… if you noticed me earlier, could you not act like I’m invisible?”

As Luo Yun’s gaze drifted to a window-side corner, a clear, slightly resentful voice sounded beside him.

Compared to Mai’s tone, this new voice was softer, more alluring.

Turning, Luo Yun saw a girl in a thin white coat over a light purple wrap dress, a white headband in her hair, arms crossed. She raised a hand lightly when he looked, as if masking her embarrassment.

Since spotting Luo Yun earlier that day, Kasumigaoka Shiyu had been observing him from afar. Though the events of that night had deepened her fear of demons, during the day, she preferred the lively bustle of crowds, and sunlight gave her a sense of security.

While wandering the streets, she happened to see Luo Yun out with Asagi.

Recalling how she’d been left alone in a hotel that night, spending it in an empty room*, Shiyu couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation.

Though grateful to Luo Yun, she still resented his dismissive attitude.

“Damn scumbag-kun! He was so cold to me that night, yet today he’s laughing and chatting with other girls. Am I not charming enough?”

Known as a goddess at her academy, she had no shortage of admirers*.

But she wasn’t interested in romance, and her writing often hit bottlenecks. Her snarky attitude stemmed purely from Luo Yun’s differential treatment.

On the other hand, she was curious about his secrets.

“Mind if I sit here?”

Though Shiyu was mentally cursing Luo Yun, she put on a meek facade.

After all, no one could act tough in front of their savior.

Noticing her behavior, Luo Yun was puzzled, then realized she couldn’t see Sakurajima Mai either.

He shrugged at Mai, who leaned back in her seat, looking mildly annoyed.

Shiyu sat next to her, oblivious to the other girl’s presence.

“You shouldn’t go out at night for a while. I told you that, right?”

Luo Yun said, glancing at Mai to signal her to wait.

“Yes, I’ve kept that in mind.”

A thousand words rushed to Shiyu’s lips but were swallowed back. In front of Luo Yun, her usual confidence faltered, her tone stuttering.

“You left so quickly that night, I didn’t get to properly thank you.”

Luo Yun shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I was just heading home and helped in passing. No need to dwell on it.”

But Shiyu insisted stubbornly, “Even so, if it weren’t for you, I’d probably have ended up a corpse on the morning news. So please, accept this token of gratitude.”

As she spoke, she pushed a few shopping bags toward him.

“I… I’m not sure what guys like, so I looked online and got these as thanks… I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Luo Yun glanced inside: men’s clothing, a belt, a watch, and the like.

As a successful light novelist, Shiyu could afford such gifts.

“Thanks.”

Luo Yun didn’t refuse her kindness, adding, “The situation isn’t over. Fallen Demons are still rampant, but don’t let it consume you. Others will handle the rest.”

A breeze from the window stirred Luo Yun’s slightly permed black hair. The sunset’s glow bathed his face, highlighting his striking, resolute features. His all-encompassing aura made both girls’ hearts race, their cheeks flushing.

Even Mai, momentarily forgetting her annoyance, blushed as she gazed at his profile.

“Your two coffees, sir… Oh? Another guest?”

Touka, carrying the coffees, looked surprised upon seeing Mai seated further in.

Footnotes

• • alone in an empty room (dú shǒu kōng fáng): Pinyin: dú shǒu kōng fáng. An idiom meaning to be left alone in solitude, often with a sense of loneliness or abandonment. Here, it refers to Shiyu being left in the hotel by Luo Yun after he saved her, emphasizing her frustration and lingering resentment.

• • admirers (tiǎn gǒu): Pinyin: tiǎn gǒu. Literally “licking dogs,” a Chinese internet slang term for overly devoted or fawning admirers, often used derogatorily to describe people who chase someone unattainable. Here, it highlights Shiyu’s popularity at school despite her disinterest in romance