Here's the cleaned-up version without bold text:
---
"Let me get this straight,"
Ruby leaned forward, silver eyes wide.
"You and Yang met when she passed you on her bike. You chased her, then raced to Juniors, got into a brawl… and now you're a couple?"
"Yep,"
Yang smirked, twirling a spoon in her parfait.
"I feel like it's been moving too fast"
"SO YOU JUST MET TODAY?!?!"
Ruby's voice cracked, rattling the café's teacups.
Altair sipped his iced strawberry milk, unfazed. "Yes. Our first encounter occurred precisely 53 minutes ago."
"Ugh, Yang! What's Dad gonna say?!"
"We don't tell him," Yang winked.
"I'll introduce myself formally when the time is right," Altair added, his tone as calm as the moonlit night outside.
"How are you even driving with a blind fold on?"
"He's sensitive to light"
"I'm sensitive to light"
---
The trio sat on the café balcony, the shattered moon casting pale light over Vale. Ruby's outbursts pierced, the otherwise serene, atmosphere.
"Seriously, Yang—this is bad."
Ruby massaged her temples. Stress chewed her psyche, trying to digest the absurd sotry she just heard.
"Relax, sis. Just a peck on the cheek. Nothing…intimate"
Yang nudged Altair, who nearly choked on his drink. Altair gave a side-glance. Seeing her smirking face, he flicked her nose causing her to flinch.
"I prefer to respect relationship milestones incrementally," he clarified, avoiding Ruby's laser-like stare.
'Not her. Not Ruby-sama. But… is this a test?' Altair's thoughts churned. Gods loved their games, and cosmic debt was not his only problem:
1. Accommodations
2. Money
3. Beacon Admission
'Priorities. Breathe.'
"Hey, Al." Yang's voice snapped him back. "You said you're in debt?"
"80 Lien. Courtesy of the Swear Jar."
Ruby tilted her head confused.
"Fuck."
The jar materialized on the table with a clunk. Ruby squealed, poking it like a science project. Yang stared, baffled.
Ruby's eyes sparkled. "SWEAR JAR?! HOW'S IT WORK? WAS IT HERE THE WHOLE TIME BUT CLOAKED? OR DID IT TELEPORT? CAN IT—"
Yang flicked Altiar this time, but it earned no reaction from him.
"Language"
[ Account Balance : - 90 Lien ]
"HOW DID IT APPEAR THERE I HAVE TO KNOW" Ruby in fervor, asked excitedly, leaning over the table jumping up and down.
"Ruby," Yang interjected, tapping her wrist. "Curfew. Go wait at Bumblebee."
Ruby's enthusiasm went away, replaced with suspicion as she narrowed her eyes. "Yang Xiao Long… you're not planning mischief, right?"
Altair remained silent, sipping his drink.
' Like anyone eill believe that '
Sweat beaded on Yang's temple. "Nope! Just… grown-up talk. Hahaha—" letting out a nervous laugh.
Altair smiled. "I'll ensure she behaves."
"Hmmmmm." Ruby stomped off, casting a final suspicious glare. "I'm watching you".
---
Alone, silence settled in the balcony, the chill air flowing through the wind. Yang tapped the table rhythmically; Altair studied the moon.
The atmosphere between them was awkward. A little strange, as the absurdity of it all began to sink in for the couple.
"So… where're you staying tonight?" Yang finally asked.
"Undecided. The forest's good for camping"
Casually, he reached over and ruffled her hair. She stiffened—then melted, leaning into his touch.
No words. Just the night breeze, the distant hum of Vale, and the warmth of two strangers…not-so-strange anymore.
"You can crash on the couch if you want" she muttered playing with her spoon.
"I'm afraid of your father. I'm still enjoying life you know" he said playfully, continuing to calmly ruffle her hair.
"Ughhh. Seriously why did you just appear now"
Yang sat up properly turning to face Altair, puffing her cheek up. He let out a chuckle, as he began to squeeze her cheeks. His thumb pressing just enough to grip her cheeks. His demeanor playful, his hands squishing her cheeks up and down.
"You're...not...taking this...seriously...at all"
"I feel like you worry too much" he let go of her cheeks. His lips held a calm, composed smile; as he stared at her eyes.
"Uh-huh. 80 Lien in debt. Sleeping in the forest. You're trying to make me worry"
She began to squish his cheek, kneading it like dough. Her eyes narrowed, voice dripped mock sternness, though her amythyst eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Priorities...shift...when one...accrues cosmic fines"
Yang released him from her grip, laughing as pink bloomed across his pale white skin.
"Your crashing at my place no questions, and no protests"
"Unwise. Your sister already suspects that—"
"—That your weird?" She leaned in, her voice softening. "Good, that means you'll fit right in"
"Not now" before she could go any further, he grabbed her face and pulled away. "Your father will disapprove of any intimate partners in your home"
She smiled mischievous, her face filling his hands, as he closed his eyes shielding himself from the adorable sight.
"Don't worry I know a thing or two about being sneaky" she said with confidence.
———
"I think I'll just stay in the shed"
"Come on, you're already here. Might as well share the room with your now girlfriend"
Altair deadpanned stared at Yang's mischievous smile, as she teased him
"I told you—save it for when I formally meet your father"
He flicked her head, refusing to fall into the seductress' trap. "You shall not tempt me. Go before your dad and sister get suspicious".
"Fine, fine. I'll bring you some pillows and blankets later. Make yourself comfortable 'kay?"
"Yes, yes. Now out. I'll see you later"
"Better count on it"
With peck on the cheek, Yang went back to her house to freshen up and get Altair some pillows and blankets.
"Seriously, it's bad for heart to be with her"
Taking a breath of relief, he sat down on [ Panthera ].
' I'll get a job tomorrow. Then work on my papers '
He laid down, exhaustion setting in. He went through a lot today. First he got reincarnated. Then he got hit in the noggin multiple times. He had to fight some Grimm. Raced, almost getting hit by a truck. Then a huge brawl, and an interrogation by Ruby.
' How exhausting. But I kinda like it.
To accomplish so many things in one day, what an achievement. Good job me '
He began to reflect on his experiences so far. It still felt surreal, he was afraid that it was all a dream. Well maybe not, but still.
' I have a wholeday ahead of me tomorrow, so let's rest for now '
Groaning as he stretched, crackig his joints along the way.
Altair took the Swear Jar from his inventory, along with the 100 Lien Card he got from Yang.
' Let's pay our cosmic debt first '
With the determination of a lazy guy in a saturday, he paid his cosmic debt from the Swear Jar. It was hard, the cap was very stubborn, but with some effort, he got the Lien Card in the Jar.
[ Account Balance : 0 ]
[ Debt Successfully Paid. Issuing Reward ]
[ Loading ]
Looking at the system notifications with shock, he sat up, waiting for the reward to be distributed.
' Does this mean I have to swear to get more rewards? '
[ Reward Issued ]
[ Congrats For Getting :
Multi-Tool | Sig. Weapon |
3000 Lien
Divine Voice Aria : Scourgify
Mysterious Admission Paper
Grand Cross
Lord of Slaughter
Black Thorn]
[ Rewards Upgrade and Multiplied ( 1st spin bonus ) ]
[ Take care of my sister. -R ]
"...Who do you take me for. Of course I will"
[ Revealing Hidden Trait/Drawback :
• Swear Jar Curse
- All swearing becomes penalized with pain and a 10 Lien charge.
- Upon paying your debt, gain rewards in proportion with your debt.
- Cursing with intention to exploit the curse inflicts the user with [ Silence ] ]
' Loop holes are plugged up '
"Still what a haul"
Altair laid back down as he closed his eyes.
' Let's rest for a while '
—————
Squeak!
"Al you awake?"
Inhale—
Exhale—
"Down for the count huh"
Yang lifted his head slightly, tucking a pillow under him, and drapped a blanket over his shoulders.
"Night, Al"
She kissed his lips lightly. With a satisfied smile she slipped out the shed.
Not noticing Altair removing his blindfold, revealing his silver eyes. And a blush across his face.
"Goodnight to you too. Xiaobao"
——————————————————————————————End
A/N: Comment. I KNOW I MADE MISTAKES COMMENT PLEASE!
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