"Do I have any need to answer that question?"
"It's the bank's procedure. We need to know your occupation, annual income, and other proof of your earnings. Otherwise, there will be problems later on," they responded.
"Actually…" Reina stepped forward and said, "As you know, my parents left the two million dollar debt on me, and it was impossible for me to pay after the stacking up of interest and the time limit.
So the only way for me to earn money was to reopen the pool, and I had to perform maintenance of the whole place. While I was doing that, I found this money with a note from my parents.
It turned out they had the money ready to pay, but after the apocalypse and everything, they never got a chance and passed away before they could do that."
Rudy had used telepathy to share this plan with Reina, and she executed it perfectly. Sure, Rudy could just tell the truth that he won a gambling tournament, but then he would have had to pay tax. Even if he had spent the tax, he would be under the radar of the tax department, especially when more gambling tournaments were coming up this week.
"Even if that's the case, you have to provide the source of the money. Where did they get this much money?" the agent calmly asked.
"From running the pool, of course. I have lost many things in the apocalypse, so, unfortunately, I can't provide you with any proof. Not only that, but they hadn't spent all the money they had loaned," Reina responded as Rudy asked her to.
"But these notes are new. So how do you explain that?"
"I exchanged it for the new bills."
"Hmm." The agent hummed in wonder and said, "Congratulations. Your loan has been paid off. It will take up to a week or two for you to get the new documents of the property. We will let you know if anything comes up or we need something for a process."
"Thank you."
After that, Rudy and Reina left and casually walked out of the gate.
Reina stopped after walking for a while and lowered her gaze in the middle of the street. But it was an uphill area with mountains and forest on the side, where only luxurious people lived, so there was no one around.
"What's wrong?" Rudy asked.
"I have finally paid off the loan…"
"Yeah."
"I was bearing that pressure for all these years, but now… it's all gone. I feel so relieved and relaxed. It's like I have gained freedom," she stated in a low voice.
"However, it was you. I didn't do a thing. You paid the loan. It was your money, yet you used them on me. I don't know how I can ever repay you for your kindness."
Rudy scratched his cheek and looked at the side while saying, "We already discussed it the night I took your virginity. You gave yourself to me, and that was enough. I don't want anything else.
And besides, I have already told you that I didn't do this, especially for you. It was a part of my plan. I want to become this world's richest person within a year, and we… just took the first step."
"..."
He moved his hand towards Reina and said, "Now, let's not be gloomy and emotional, okay? It's our first ever date, so let's enjoy it together, shall we?"
Reina nodded and grabbed Rudy's hand.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"I don't know… I don't have knowledge about this stuff. Since you have dated so many girls, I thought you would know where to go."
"Don't say it like that…" he sighed. "In my past life, I went to amusement parks, movies, and libraries for dates. But there are no amusement parks around yet, and you own a pool. We can go to the movies if you want."
"Let's go there."
"I can't teleport there as I haven't been there in this life. So we are flying our way there."
"Wait, what?!"
Rudy grabbed Reina by her waist and soared into the sky.
"No!" Reina closed her eyes and hugged Rudy tightly before saying, "Put me down!"
"Relax. Nothing will happen."
"But I am scared of heights!"
"Technically, everyone has a natural fear of heights. But you will get used to it. I was also scared until Rias took me to the sky."
"Well, I am not you. And if you don't put me down, I will get really angry and hate you forever!"
"Now I am tempted to see you angry. I don't think I have ever seen you angry, to be honest. What do you do when you are angry?" he asked with a grin.
"Hmph! I won't talk to you for the entire day now."
"Oh? So I guess we should cancel our date then."
"No!" She hugged Rudy even tightly and said, "I will stay quiet and keep my eyes closed. Let me know when we land."
Rudy wanted Reina to enjoy the experience of flying, but he didn't want to force it on her. He knew better than anyone how it felt like to face his fear.
After around thirty minutes, they reached a theater in the next city, which was newly opened after the pandemic.
Normally, Rudy would have reached there within five minutes by flying with the speed of light, but since Reina was with him, he flew slowly.
They landed near a construction site where no one was around and made their way to the theater.
"Have you ever been to a theater?" Rudy asked Reina with a hint of curiosity on his face.
"Only once with my parents when I was a kid," Reina responded. "What about you?"
"In my past life with Elise. I was baffled by the prices of popcorn and drinks there," he scoffed softly.
Rudy walked to the ticket window and asked, "What's the show time?"
