“Well, we’ve seen all of the first and second floors, so how about we head back to the first floor for lunch?”
“That sounds good. It’s about time.”
“I was just starting to get hungry from all the walking.”
After looking around the sales floor, the three decided to have lunch as it was just past noon. There were places to eat on the first and third floors, but the third floor was for VIPs, so Kent and his companions went down to the first floor.
“There are so many shops. I don’t know which one to choose.”
Caro looked at the shops lined up along the wall, wondering which one to buy from.
“This looks like a food court,” Rachel said.
“It really does,” Kent agreed. Shops resembling street stalls were lined up along the walls, with tables and chairs for dining in the center. It was large enough to seat about 200 people. About 80% of the seats were already occupied, and many people were enjoying their meals.
“There’s a wide variety, from quick bites to more substantial meals. Like Caro said, it’s hard to decide,” Rachel mused, thinking about which one of the many shops to choose. Kent spotted one that caught his eye.
“I think I’ll try this one,” he announced.
“Huh? Older brother, you’ve already decided?”
“Kent, you’re too fast!”
Rachel and Caro said, looking surprised. After securing some seats, they immediately went to find their food.
“Excuse me. I’d like one of your special pasta dishes, please.”
“Got it. We’ll call out number 27, so please wait until it’s ready.”
Kent finished ordering and paying at the shop he had chosen and received a numbered ticket.
“Well, I wonder what it will be like?”
Kent was a little excited. Pasta didn’t originally exist in this town; it started being sold at Marie’s Bakery, and now it’s one of the popular menus in the dining space. He suspected it was a copy, and was very curious about how it had been adapted.
“Older brother, I bought some bread!”
“And I got some meat skewers!”
Rachel returned with a loaf of bread, and Caro returned with her hands full of meat skewers.
“What did you get, older brother?”
“Uh, well…”
“Number 27!”
Just as Rachel asked Kent, his number was called. Kent took his ticket and went to pick up his finished special pasta.
“Oh, they’re selling pasta? Let’s see… Hmmm, it’s… okay.”
“Hey, don’t eat it before I do!”
Rachel snatched a bite of the special pasta Kent had brought.
“It really is a bit… meh.”
“It’s mediocre,” they both agreed.
It wasn’t bad, and the pasta itself was well-reproduced, but the flavor was just… average.
“Still, it’s amazing that we can eat pasta so readily in town now,” Rachel commented.
“Yes. I’ve eaten it a few times myself. But what Kent prepares always tastes the best,” Caro added in agreement.
“All older brother does is boil it and put on retort sauce. Anyone could make it taste the same,” Rachel pointed out.
“You have a point there,” said Kent, giving a wry smile.
“So, how about the bread I bought? …Hmm, it’s pretty ordinary.”
“It is ordinary. It’s baked well and not bad, but…”
“It feels like something’s missing. Maybe the baking is inconsistent, causing uneven flavor?”
The three of them commented on the bread they had bought.
“Well, let’s try Caro’s meat skewers last. Mmm, this is pretty good, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know what kind of meat it is, but it’s grilled nicely and tastes great.”
“It’s lamb, apparently. It is delicious. It pairs well with this ordinary bread, too.”
The meat skewers turned out to be a hit. The three of them enjoyed them immensely.
“Huh? Older brother, isn’t that your phone ringing?”
“Oh, you’re right. It’s from Elnet.”
Amidst the general hubbub of many people talking, Kent hadn’t noticed his phone ringing, but Rachel pointed it out, so he decided to answer it.
“Elnet, it’s been a while. I heard you were away on official business? …I’m out with Rachel and Caro right now. Oh, and… you’re coming now? Let me ask them.”
With the surrounding noise, no one seemed to find Kent and his companions’ actions suspicious. Kent was casually chatting on the phone with Elnet.
“Elnet is asking if they can join us now. Are you two okay with that?”
“Sure, why not.”
“I don’t mind either,” Caro replied.
“Got it. You both are fine with it… The place is Bobby Prim Trading Company… Yeah, where Jastar Trading Company used to be. …It’s close by. Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
The call ended, and Kent put his terminal away.
“They said they’re nearby and will be here soon.”
“Is that so? It’s been about a week, hasn’t it?”
“I feel like it’s been about that long since I last saw them, too.”
Kent and his companions decided to wait for Elnet while continuing their meal.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. And sorry for imposing.”
Shortly after, Elnet joined Kent and his companions.
“Kent, it’s been a while. I actually intended to contact you, but I didn’t realize until later that I couldn’t make calls once I left the town.”
“Didn’t I explain that it wouldn’t work outside the city before?”
“I think I heard something about that, but I seem to have forgotten,” Elnet said, scratching his head.
“Elnet, have you eaten?” Rachel asked.
“Yes, I had something a little earlier,” Elnet replied.
“Oh, I see. We’re looking around here now, and we’ve pretty much seen everything on the first and second floors. We could go through them again, but…”
Rachel confirmed with Elnet.
“I see. I’m sorry to suggest going through the same places again… I believe this building was three stories high. If the system hasn’t changed since it was Jastar Trading Company, and since Caro is here, you should be able to access the sales floor on the third floor. Of course, I can go in too.”
“What? Really?” Elnet asked.
“Yes, if my memory serves me right, the third floor was a sales floor targeting aristocrats and VIP customers. A noble like Caro should have no problem entering, and as an escort, you should be able to bring up to two people regardless of their status.”
“But the owners changed, so the system might have changed too, right?” Rachel questioned.
“That’s true. In that case, it would be best to confirm directly. I believe you have to go back to the entrance and use a special entrance to access the third floor.”
With Elnet joining them, Kent and his companions decided to return to the entrance for a moment.
“I wonder if we can really go in. I’m getting a little nervous,” Rachel said anxiously as they approached a gate with luxurious decorations, clearly different from the others.
“Well, asking doesn’t hurt, so I’ll go and ask,” Kent said, and approached a staff member standing in front of the gate.
“Excuse me. May I have a moment of your time?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Can we go up to the third floor from here?”
“Yes, you can go up to the third floor from here. However, this is for VIP use only, and regular customers cannot enter. If you are an aristocrat, you should have been pre-registered, and you will be allowed through as soon as we confirm.”
“Caro, Elnet, we didn’t pre-register, did we?”
Kent asked Caro and Elnet after hearing the staff member’s explanation, but since it was a spontaneous visit, they hadn’t registered in advance.
“Also, customers who possess a Customer card may bring up to two companions with them.”
“Oh, that reminds me…”
Kent remembered the Customer card he had received from Prim and presented it to the staff member.
“Yes, we have confirmed it. However, as you can only bring two companions, one of your companions will not be able to enter. Is that acceptable?” The staff member said apologetically to Kent.
“Yes, yes! We have them too!”
Rachel said, presenting the Customer card she had received from Bobby. Caro also presented her Customer card.
“Yes, we have confirmed. That makes three customers and one companion. Please proceed up these stairs to the sales floor and enjoy your shopping.”
Kent and his companions passed through the gate and ascended the stairs, carpeted in red, heading for the third floor.
