After parting ways with the ladies, Cain and his two other comrades entered the fourth floor. The escalator that carried his body up gave a slight sensation of weightlessness until he was presented with a view of an area full of restaurants.
He saw a restaurant with a wide exterior, even larger than those of others. Beside it were several small shops such as cafes, and places that sold small condiments made from processed flour.
Real food was rarely seen, especially for the lower class. The only food people could afford was processed flour, which could be easily mass-produced, and jelly, which was also produced in factories in the West.
As for the details, the boy didn't know much about it. His friends either.
Cain looked around, wrinkled his eyebrows, and turned to his other comrades.
"We're going to the biggest shop, right?."
What exactly was a luxurious cake shop? He didn't know what that was and followed only his instinct as he spotted the biggest shop with a cake plaque hung above it.
"Yes, that's right."
Peter nodded; his expression had returned to normal. He walked in front, approaching the shop. The moment they pushed the creaking door, a chime of bells rang in the spacious room. Its melodious sound attracted the workers inside.
A female clerk wearing a black-and-white uniform approached; she stopped in front of Peter, bowed, and expressed her trained smile.
"Welcome to Crème de Babylon. How many seats? Or what kind of room would you like, standard, VIP? Have you made a reservation before?"
Peter glanced to the side, seeing the spacious room filled with mostly empty round tables, and only a few people in formal attire were sitting in the corner, looking out.
"Can we book one private room that can accommodate ten people?"
The female clerk lifted the small terminal in her hand. Her index finger pressed the screen as she turned to Peter and Cain behind him.
"Alright, one private room has been prepared, may I know under whose name?"
"Peter."
A repeated 'beep' sound as the girl pressed the terminal screen in her hand. She looked up and flashed her white teeth.
"Thank you, are the people behind you with you?"
"Yes, that's right, we are waiting for the others too. So can we see the room first?"
"Alright, please let me escort all of you."
The girl turned and started walking past the neatly arranged chairs, which were clean because they were well-maintained.
Cain and the others were led past the front hall. They entered the back area, which was blocked by a wall, along with red curtains with gold lines at each end.
They were brought inside, and unlike the front, in this place, every corner was divided by a tall screen lined up like a barrier.
The three were brought to the very corner, and Cain widened his eyes as he was given a spot near a translucent window that stretched out, showing the view of the city of Babylon.
Then, instead of round chairs, in the private place they had reserved, there was a long rectangular table with ten or more untouched chairs.
The clerk turned, her smile widening as she raised her right hand.
"Does this place suit your taste?"
Peter was silent for a moment. He turned towards Cain, who nodded, and Abel, who gaped, his yellow eyes sparkled. The blue-haired boy glanced at the girl and nodded.
"Yes, we will take this."
"Alright, will you wait for your friends first or order something while waiting?"
Cain broke in, and on the long table, there was a hard, plastic book. The corner of his lips lifted as he opened the book and saw a menu list in the restaurant along with pictures.
He felt calm upon seeing something that felt very familiar, despite technological advances. Initially, he thought everything would be ordered through the terminal there, but all that was refuted when he held the laminated paper.
His black eyes swept through the menu until he stopped at a drink.
"Hmm, can I ask for black coffee and a slice of dark brownies?"
"My turn."
Abel, who was already standing next to him, started to scan the menu and opened his mouth.
"Can I order a whole strawberry cake, and for the drink, I want this strawberry juice."
As usual, Abel showed interest in whether it was regarding the red berry. Without looking at the menu, Peter raised a palm and spoke his choice.
"As for me, berry spark and orange tart."
The clerk typed something on her terminal and looked towards them, widening her lips.
"The order will arrive soon, please wait a moment."
Cain stared at Peter, who was somehow used to all this. It was not wrong, though, because he thought the blue-haired boy was born with a silver spoon. So, Peter might be experienced in visiting one or two luxurious shops like this.
He shook his head to discard the unimportant thoughts in his head. Cain pulled one of the chairs at the table near the window and sat on it. A small mat absorbed the weight of his body, causing his muscles to relax.
"Hehe, I can't wait."
Abel, who was sitting next to Cain, leaned his back and placed both hands on the table. His index finger tapped the cold, light-metal table continuously. The 'tak-tak' sound echoing in the silent room brought a calmness that removed the tension in their bodies.
Not long after, the same clerk came in pushing a silver trolley with several plates on it.
"Sorry for the wait."
One by one, the plates containing the cake were served. Cain looked down, staring at a slice of black cake with brown cream covering the top and two layers inside.
"Please enjoy."
The clerk left after serving the food and drinks. Cain glanced to the side, witnessing Abel gaping, barely holding the saliva dripping from his lips. Meanwhile, Peter immediately picked up his fork and cut the tip of his orange-looking tart.
Cain took his fork and pricked the tip to split a portion of the cake as he offered it to his mouth. The softness that enveloped his mouth melted with the sweet layer of brown cream, loosening his facial muscles.
He waited a few seconds to let the sweetness in his mouth linger. The boy then swallowed, split the remaining slice into two, and ate the rest briefly.
Beside his plate, a white cup containing a black liquid that was slightly fainter than he usually remembered. The distinctive smell of coffee filled his nose, making his hand move to reach for the cup. He brought it to his lips.
The warm steam that caressed his face was an invitation to blow it several times before taking a sip, allowing the warm, bitter taste to flow down his throat and settle in his stomach.
'Srrrp, it's a bit light. But.'
Suddenly, Cain's black pupils enlarged, his calm heartbeat echoed as if ready for heavy activity. He put the cup back in his hand and turned his face towards the window.
'My mind feels clear again.'
Next to him, Abel was eating a large piece. There was even cream on his lips, making him look like a child. Peter, on the other hand, was drinking a pink juice; inside was a tiny, fuzzy bubble that was refreshing when it entered his mouth.
The three of them enjoyed their relaxing time in silence, immersed in the sweet taste made from several ingredients synthesized by human hands and robots, although they were oblivious to it.
Cain, who was staring at the crowd below, saw a long, gray-haired woman who seemed to be walking on the sidewalk in a hurry.
His calm expression hardened, and the boy's eyebrow twitched as a hard throbbing in his head forced a forgotten old memory to rise, revealing a blurry image obscured by a void.
He shook his head, but the throbbing that felt like being hit by a blunt object repeatedly worsened. A jolt of adrenaline pushed his body up, and he stood abruptly, knocking over the chair with a 'thud'. It caused Abel to choke on his cake, and Peter widened his eyes.
"Mmm-mmm!?"
"Leader!?"
"Sorry, Peter, Abel, I will go out for a moment."
Without hearing an answer from his friends, Cain lifted his feet to leave the restaurant at a fast pace. He opened the entrance door, which rang a soft chime, but it had an opposite effect on him.
The throbbing sensation in his head increased with a loud 'ring' that turned into knives that sliced through his consciousness.
'Ukh, what is this!?'
Cain ran, passing a sea of people who looked at him strangely. Because he was running in a shopping place, the boy's expression was pale while clutching his head tightly.
'M-Mother!?'
His murmurs faded as he quickened his steps, fading into the crowds and toward the entrance, unaware that several eyes watched his back.