With a tilt of his head, the boy gulped down the slightly pungent milk. Other uniform-clad employees also had similar beverages, while some ordered tea or sweet beverages laced with sugar or fruit juices.
Noone ordered alcohol, not even light beer.
Should it be said that these big kids rigorously follow the adult rules of not drinking alcohol when away from home, or is it a top-down effect? Their conversational volume was controlled to not disturb neighboring tables, even occasional bouts of laughter were subdued. Meal times were strictly limited to 20 minutes—V.E. Company's employees had a marvelous time-tracking tool in their jacket pockets and on their wrists. Without needing Mana-driven delicate instruments, once 20 minutes passed, they immediately stacked their cutlery and stood up to leave together.
