After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Noon, the sun hung high above, providing a hint of warmth to everyone in the cold winter.

In a private room at a cafe.

Lin Da had changed into a dark cyan yukata, wearing the "Great Sea Clear Sky" brand watch gifted by Isa on his wrist, wooden clogs on his feet, and his hands tucked into his sleeves, giving off a relaxed and comfortable vibe.

He had managed to reserve this private room a month in advance.

The hall downstairs was bustling with people, so it was rare to have some tranquility in a private room.

This was the prearranged meeting spot for them.

Lin Da, wearing a smile, turned to his team members sitting on the couch. Read exclusive content at empire

Monica wore an orange yukata with a huge white bow-shaped hair clip in her brown hair; she was shyly clutching her purse with both hands.

She looked so pure and lovely that Lin Da felt a surge of protectiveness.

Then there was Lulu, in a mature blue yukata decorated with small white flowers that added a touch of charm, quietly sipping her coffee.

Kafni needed rest and hadn't come. But Tasya, why was there no sign of her?

Lin Da wondered to himself.

That morning, he had seen Tasya dressed in her maid uniform.

Had his first lesson been a failure?

Lin Da glanced at the watch on his wrist, with only about 10 minutes left to the agreed 12 o'clock.

Ice Flower and Snow Goose were still nowhere to be seen.

The latter he could understand, but Isa was usually punctual.

"Let's not wait for them, let's go on our own," Lulu suggested.

Lin Da shook his head, "Let's wait a bit longer, the roads must have been too congested."

With one minute to go until 12 o'clock, the door to the private room was abruptly pushed open.

"Huff, huff...I'm not late, right..."

"Made it, just in time!"

Two girls, one silver and one red, each leaned against a wall, panting heavily.

They were drenched in sweat, with their yukatas wrinkled as though they had been through a battle on their way to the cafe.

"What happened to you?"

Lin Da asked in surprise.

"Sorry, the traffic was worse than expected. After running into Lia, she insisted on seeing who could get here first, so we competed a bit...looks like it's a tie," Isa said with an embarrassed smile, looking at her somewhat dirty white yukata, and added sheepishly, "Lin Da, I've made a fool of myself."

Lia's little face was stern: "I wasn't late. Let's get going!"

"No rush, wait a moment," Lin Da said.

The members of Ice Flower and Snow Goose hadn't arrived yet.

Of course, Lin Da was unaware that Lia and Isa hadn't notified their team members at all.

At that moment, Lin Da's attention was on the two girls' attire.

Isa wore a white yukata, like a pure blossom unmarred by mud, while Lia's yukata was fiery red, adorned with many flame embroideries, her red hair pinned up, with a jade peony hairpin.

The girls revealed their snow-white necks, their faces lightly made up, pink lipstick shining with a jelly-like luster, and paired with that peony hairpin, they unexpectedly exuded a delicate charm.

Lin Da suddenly realized that Lia had grown into a fresh and vivacious young girl.

"You both look very pretty," Lin Da commented simply and sincerely.

Isa smiled graciously: "Thank you for the compliment."

But a flicker of panic crossed Lia's eyes, not expecting Lin Da to be so blunt.

She had intended to respond with a hard retort, but when the words reached her lips, it turned into a soft "Hmm," as her black-stockinged feet fidgeted.

Suddenly, Lia felt that today's sun seemed a lot brighter and even the bitter smell of coffee carried a hint of richness.

"That hairpin..." Lin Da hesitated, "looks familiar."

"It's one you gave me before," Lia said, "I figured I should use it instead of throwing it away."

The other three people in the private room turned in surprise toward the hairpin in Lia's hair.

It was a gift from Lin Da?

Aside from Monica, who had received a Magic Puppet, neither Lulu nor Isa had ever received a gift from Lin Da.

A wave of jealousy permeated the private room.

Lin Da, sensing the atmosphere was amiss, quickly added, "Actually, it didn't cost much, just 10 Gold Coins."

"Monica wants one too."

"So do I," Lulu looked at Lin Da with lingering dissatisfaction.

Isa, seeing her teammates from Phoenix Tail Flower Team having such an intimate moment, opened her mouth to speak but then swallowed her words back down.

"Then I want one as well," Lia bravely joined the ranks demanding gifts.

Seeing Lia's boldness, or rather 'shamelessness', in asking an ousted team member for gifts, Isa was astonished and felt a tinge of envy.

Sometimes, it's good not to be too well-mannered.

At least one doesn't have to be overly concerned.

If she had even a tenth of Lia's courage, she wouldn't be so conflicted.

"Buy, I'll buy them for everyone," Lin Da massaged his temples and turned to Isa, who stood somewhat out of place, jokingly adding, "Captain Isa, you're included as well."

This was the [Snack Theorem]—if you give to most people and only one person is excluded, even without any malice, it leaves a negative memory with the person left out.

And Lin Da certainly didn't dislike Isa.

Of course, everyone was to get a share.

Isa bowed her head shyly: "Thank, thank you," she said.

Seeing Isa's uncomfortable expression, everyone was puzzled. It seemed that the captain of Ice Flower was a bit off.

"By the way, where are your team members? Why haven't they come over yet?" Lin Da looked at the time; it was already several minutes past the hour.

"Team members?" Lia was confused for a moment, then said hesitantly, "You, you didn't just invite the two of us?"

"Huh?" Lin Da was startled.

This left Lia and Isa feeling extremely awkward.

So Lin Da had invited their entire adventure team.