"Seriously, why did you suddenly do something so scary?" Paimon folded her arms and glared at the red-haired young man with some displeasure.
Diluc did not answer. He took out a clean cloth and wiped the few ashes that had fallen onto the counter.
"Hehe, since Master Diluc is being so obliging, we'll look forward to hearing the good news." Venti, dressed all in green, chuckled, then said to the others, "Oh, I'd like to keep drinking here for a while. Let's meet up tomorrow."
"No problem. We'll head out first, then."
Li Qiuzhi nodded and left the tavern with Lumine and Paimon, stepping outside.
Since not much time had passed, the adventurers who had been discussing them before they entered were still chatting away. Jack, not far away at the neighboring table, seemed to have drunk too much and was slumped over the table in a daze.
A little farther out, another group was drinking and clinking glasses. It really was a lively scene.
"...Hmm, looking at them is making me a little hungry. It seems none of us has had dinner yet." Floating wearily along the street, Paimon rubbed her stomach as she spoke.
Lumine raised her arms and stretched. The yellow streetlight shone on her underarms and the sides of her chest, where the two pressed together to form a soft, snow-white crease.
She parted her lips to finish a yawn, then glanced at the young adventurer beside her and said with a smile:
"I treated you to lunch, so dinner is on you."
Li Qiuzhi stroked his chin in thought for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Uh, that's fine, but it's pretty late. How about eating at my place? Cooking ourselves is cheap and good value!
"Besides, my rented place is on the same street