"Opportunities to meet an Adeptus are rare and fleeting. Make the most of it."

______________

"Xiao..." your mouth remained agape, unable to answer the question he just asked. "I... you came..."

The Adeptus sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I could not bear seeing you embarrass yourself any longer," he says bluntly, staring you right in the eye with his piercing gaze. 

Your eyes widened. 'So he was here the entire time?!'

"I-I wasn't embarrassing myself!" you exclaim, feeling your cheeks heat up. "I just needed to see you again so I can thank you properly." 

You take a deep breath in an attempt to calm yourself. Xiao watches intently, a glint of intrigue in his amber eyes. 

"Anyways, here you go!" You hand him the Almond Tofu with a smile and a small bow. "I helped chef Yanxiao make this. I heard it was your favorite!"

In silence, he stretches out his right arm, taking the plate and fork from your hands. 

As his gloved hand brushes against yours, your breath hitches. 'It's warm...' you thought, glancing up at Xiao, who was too focused on the Almond Tofu to return the gaze. Instead, your eyes trail down to his arm, and you immediately notice the elaborate tattoo decorating his skin. 

You tilt your head to get a better look. 'Hey, that looks like–'

But before you could, Xiao already pulled his arm back with the plate in his hands. 

"...Not bad," Xiao remarks, taking a big bite out of the Almond Tofu.

Your eyes brighten up at the comment. "You like it? Thank the Archons! I was scared I might have ruined it by helping Chef out!" you chuckle.

Xiao continues eating in silence, seemingly more relaxed than before. A smile makes its way to your face as you watch. 'He looks so satisfied eating it. I'm glad...' 

"I'll bring you more of this next time!" you continue as he finishes eating. "Actually, maybe I should bring two, so we can eat together..." Your lips curl up into an excited grin. 

Xiao hesitates as he sets the empty plate down. His eyes narrowed, eyebrows furrowing deeply as buried memories resurfaced in his mind. "Don't."

"Hm?" You tilt your head in confusion, unable to see the look on Xiao's face. "Why not?"

"Do not get yourself involved in the world of the Adepti. All that awaits you is regret."

"H-Huh? What are you talking about?"

Xiao faces you, face as stern as ever. "It's for your own good, (Y/N). You've already said your thanks. Leave. Now." 

Your eyes widened as you stretched out an arm. "Wait–"

In a puff of black and green smoke, he was gone, leaving you alone once more. 

As you stare at the spot where he previously was, your arm drops back to your side. "You..." you mumble, eyes still as wide as ever. "You... know my name?"

_ _ _

'Just as I thought. She remembers nothing.'

_ _ _

"Ah, (Y/N). You're back," Verr calls out as you come downstairs. "I heard that you gave Xiao some Almond Tofu." She smiles. "So, how did it go?"

You make eye contact with her, and she immediately notices your sad smile. "Didn't work either? How odd..." 

"No... I was actually able to meet him this time," you say, making your way to Verr. 

Her eyes widen ever so slightly. "Oh?"

"I gave him the food, and he ate it! But... he basically told me to stay away." You chuckled awkwardly as you looked down at your feet. "He said something about me regretting it or something..."

Verr sighs heavily. "Of course. It makes sense considering his position among the Adepti," she says. "Even so, he can be quite stubborn at times."

You lift your head to meet her gaze. "Stubborn?"

She gives you a small smile. "It can get quite lonely up there. I'm sure Xiao wouldn't mind you sticking around a little longer."

"...You think so?" you wonder, doubt written all over your face as you chuckled. Suddenly, the sound of his voice echoed through your head.

"(Y/N)."

You paused, remembering the look on Xiao's face as he said your name. 

'But I never told him my name...' 

Finally, you look at Verr with widened eyes. She gave you a small nod. "Visit him when you can. He appreciates it." 

You found yourself nodding. "...Alright. Thank you, boss," you say, turning around and leaving with a dazed expression on your face.

Verr watches you from behind the counter, a curious gaze in her eyes.

______________

The next day, you somehow convinced Smiley Yanxiao to lend you the kitchen for a while, much to his annoyance. 

"Look, if you need more Almond Tofu, just let me make it!" He argues, crossing his arms over his chest. 

You shook your head profusely. "I really want to try making them myself this time. It's... super important!" 

Yanxiao sighs. You guys have been at it for a while now, and you showed no signs of backing down. 

"Please!"

"Alright, alright. Fine." Yanxiao finally gives in as he sighs in exasperation. "Just make it quick, and don't burn anything down." 

Your eyes immediately lit up. "Thank you so much!" you exclaim, dipping your head into a deep, 90-degree angle bow. 

As Yanxiao trudged out of the kitchen, a sharp exhale leaves your lips as you put on a determined face. You immediately set to work on making Almond Tofu again. This time, however, you were all by yourself.  

_ _ _ 

"Why do you insist on getting involved? Too much contact with our world is breaking the rules."

Your eyes widen, seeing Xiao standing right there on the balcony as if waiting for you. "Oh, Xiao!" Your lips spread into a warm smile. You never thought he'd show himself again. 

Xiao merely glares at you. "You're a lot more hard-headed than you look."

You chuckle. "I've been told," you say, giving him a plate of Almond Tofu. "Thanks for waiting! I brought another one for myself just like I said yesterday." A grin makes its way to your face as you gestured to another plate you held in your other hand.

His eyes widened for a split second, somehow taken aback by your words. "I–" he clears his throat, averting his gaze. "I was not waiting." 

"And thank you for... calling me by name. Even if I never told you!" you continue on, accompanied by a tiny giggle this time.

Xiao tenses up ever so slightly. "–With the number of times you've come up here. It was impossible not to know."  He crosses his arms over his chest, keeping a neutral tone of voice. 

But the genuine smile you wore threatened to break through that facade of his. 

He clears his throat again, before finally looking down at the Almond Tofu you offered. "Quite the persistent one, aren't you?" he scoffs, but gently takes the plate into his hands nevertheless.

You laughed sheepishly as you took a seat on the floor beside him. "I just want to keep you company. It can get lonely here all by yourself after all," you said.

'Foolish mortal. Adepti don't concern themselves with feelings of loneliness.'

Despite that, he watched you enjoy the sweet snack with a gentle gaze in his eyes. 

"Oh!" Your eyes widened as you tasted it. "It turned out a lot better than I expected! Though it's nowhere near as good as Chef's..."

He sighs at your simplicity, finally taking a seat and eating the Almond Tofu by your side. For some reason, the pain from his karmic debt was less excruciating to bear today.