The Passive Income System

We spent the entire night finishing everything. Yes, the entire night—no rest, no breaks. Fortunately, I wasn't mentally drained, but my body was completely spent.

Mahiru looked even worse. Iori was fine, much like myself, probably because she was experienced in her work. She'd definitely handled similar situations before, just not on this scale. Izumi, on the other hand, had passed out…

Seeing her son sleeping on the floor, Iori glanced at me and Mahiru awkwardly, but I just waved it off.

'I mean, he had school, a girlfriend to deal with, and who knows what else.' I couldn't blame him.

My gaze shifted from the sleeping prince on the ground to the stacks of boxes and containers beside me. The damn bakery was overflowing with sweets and pastries.

"How are we going to transport this?" I muttered, staring at the sheer number of boxes. While a mountain was an exaggeration, the amount was still ridiculous.

Iori sighed. "I don't know either, but thankfully, it's only 6 AM. The delivery is for 12 PM, so we have time to figure it out."

"Haha, I like this version of you much more, Iori."

"…"

Hearing her silence, I glanced at her questioningly. She wasn't blushing, but she clearly didn't know how to respond. Her lips twitched, and she refused to make eye contact.

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything weird by that. Just saying, an optimistic Iori is better than the one who called me yesterday."

She nodded, and the awkward silence melted into something more peaceful.

"Mahir—"

I cut off mid-sentence as something heavy pressed against my back.

'Haha~, I guess this is fair!'

My lovely succubus-angel had passed out, her soft body pressing into me, face buried just below my shoulder blades. She was definitely not in a comfortable position.

"Iori, do you think we're good to go?" I asked, wanting to make sure everything was settled before I left.

She nodded and gestured toward her son.

"He can help me, and apparently, his girlfriend got permission to assist today."

"When did he have time to tell you that?"

"I'm not sure. Probably one of those times he went to the restroom."

I nodded. "Fair enough. If you need anything else, call me—after I sleep."

"Hehe~, I hope I don't. This wasn't fun by any means."

"At least you weren't alone, right?"

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean anything by that. The stress wasn't fun, but I enjoyed having you and Mahiru here."

I chuckled before turning around.

I picked up Mahiru, princess-style, and, after wishing Iori well, stepped out into the cold morning air. The crisp breeze hit me instantly, chasing away the last remnants of drowsiness. I knew it wouldn't last, but I savored the moment.

Mahiru, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable as hell.

'Damn cutie!'

Staring at her lovely, heaven-sent face, I set her down on a nearby bench. Slipping off my blazer, I draped it over her shoulders before picking her up again. She relaxed instantly, snuggling into my chest. The rising sun hit her golden hair just right, making her look even more angelic.

If I didn't know better, I'd never believe she was a succubus.

Walking through the city at 6 AM was peaceful. The crisp autumn air carried a gentle breeze, rustling the golden and crimson leaves clinging to the few trees lining the quiet streets. The rising sunbathed the city in a soft glow, bouncing off glass windows and making everything feel even warmer.

The streets were mostly empty—just a few joggers, some early commuters, and a couple of open convenience stores, their neon signs flickering to life. Some people stared at Mahiru and me, but most simply smiled.

Adjusting my grip on her, I made sure she was comfortable. She stirred slightly, her warm breath brushing against my collarbone. She looked so peaceful, completely at ease in my arms.

'What a morning!'

I enjoyed every step of the walk home. Thirty minutes of carrying her was nothing I couldn't handle. Sure, I didn't know where this extra energy came from, but I wasn't about to question it.

Before I knew it, I reached our apartments. The lobby was warm and familiar, the scent of freshly cleaned floors lingering in the air. I nodded at the security guard—since, well, I couldn't wave. He smiled and gave me an approving nod before pressing the elevator button for me.

I shot him a sincere thanks and stepped inside, pressing the button for the eighth floor.

"Woah!"

The sudden shift nearly made me drop Mahiru, but I adjusted quickly enough.

Ding~

The elevator chimed, opening its doors to my floor. I walked to my apartment, balancing Mahiru while fumbling for my keys. It took way more effort than it should have, but eventually, I managed to unlock the door.

Stepping inside, I kicked off my shoes, and fatigue hit me like a freight train. My entire body felt ten times heavier, every step dragging me toward the inevitable crash. Maybe it was because I was finally home, or maybe it was just pure exhaustion catching up all at once.

My bed came into view, and I carefully set Mahiru down before collapsing into the pillows. My body was so sore, so heavy, that if someone called me a brick, I wouldn't even argue.

The second my head hit the pillow, my vision went black. The last thing I saw was Mahiru's peaceful, sleeping smile.