Alice, Joe Walker, and Maria returned to the same bookshelf elevator. They decided to prepare for continuing their journey.
However, since Alice was the only one who could drive, they decided to stay there for a while.
The place was environmentally friendly and cool due to the abundance of trees. The numerous lights illuminating the area kept it from darkness.
With sufficient food supplies, fertile land that could be properly utilized, it was the perfect place for a group to survive for years.
Currently, they were in a room in that place. The room contained essential supplies and daily necessities, although there was only a little left in each part. It was as if someone had used the place before them.
Joe Walker was not surprised by this, instead, he knew who had used it before them.
"Alice, do we need soap?" Maria asked while sorting out items to bring on their journey.
"I don't think so. What do you think, Joe?" Alice said, picking some oranges near that place.
"Hiks... Hiks...mmmhh," Joe Walker seemed to be holding back tears while eating a cheese-flavored cake given by Alice.
"What's wrong with you, why are you pondering like that?" Maria asked, glancing at Joe Walker, who seemed strange.
"Maria is right, what's the matter, Joe?" Alice asked, hearing it from a distance.
Not wanting to worry the two girls further, Joe Walker smiled and said, "I'm fine, it's just that this cake is so delicious that it moved me."
"Haha, that's great if you like it," Alice said, feeling happy.
Joe Walker smiled again, this time realizing the peace he felt. He felt free but a bit scared of that freedom. He was grateful to be with the two little girls, so he didn't feel lonely anymore.
However, suddenly, he felt sad again, remembering his problems.
Oh damn... I can't enjoy eating this cake with these two little girls. They left me alone and ate first.
I want to eat together... Eating alone like this makes me feel very hurt.
Joe Walker covered his face with one hand, thinking he might cry. But in the end, no tears came out because he had an idea.
"Maria, do you want some of this cake?" Joe Walker asked.
"Ehh? Can I?" Maria asked back, putting down some packaged snacks she brought.
"Yes, I'm starting to feel full."
"Yayy!!!" Without hesitation, Maria immediately devoured some parts of Joe Walker's cake.
After that, Maria left the place to find a source of drinking water.
Joe Walker was satisfied with that; he then turned to Alice, who was selecting good oranges to eat.
Without any hesitation, Joe Walker asked, "Do you want some too, Alice?"
"No."
"Come on, just a little bite, just take a nibble."
"I'm already full."
"Come on, Alice, just a little bit, take a bite."
"I'm full, Joe."
"Come on, Alice, you must be lying, there's no way you're full, you've only been eating fruits and cheese cake since this morning."
"You're lying too, right? Especially since your stomach is bigger than ours. You must need more food to get full."
Joe Walker was slightly surprised by that. He didn't expect Alice to be so clever in trapping him.
I just want to share, why are you so good at avoiding, Alice?
But Joe Walker didn't give up; he said, "Remember I ate a lot of fruits last night? I ate almost all kinds of fruits. That's why I'm still full."
"It's almost evening now. It's impossible for you to still be full."
"Come on, Alice... Please."
"Why are you so insistent? It's yours, Joe... I saved it for you. Maria and I already ate our portions earlier."
"Alice... I just want to eat together. You left me alone eating without a friend like a lonely person..."
"Ugh... Hearing you speak like that makes me think you are the lonely one."
"Please, just one bite, okay? Will you?"
In the end, Alice sighed and said, "Fine! Just one bites, okay?"
"Yes!" Joe Walker looked enthusiastic.
Alice graciously chewed the cheese cake in her mouth.
Joe Walker also started eating his cheese cake with a smile on his face.
Suddenly, Joe Walker said, "Isn't it delicious?"
"Of course, Maria loves the taste of cheese, whatever Maria likes must be delicious."
"I didn't mean that... The cake is also delicious, but what I meant is the feeling of eating with someone. Somehow, it makes me happy when someone accompanies me."
Alice, hearing this, smiled and said, "You are indeed a lonely man, Joe."
"Do I look like that? I don't think so, because I have you both with me," Joe Walker's smile was wide.
Joe Walker's smile made Alice feel strange, and she said, "for some reason, your words make me feel disgusted."
"Ehh? I-I'm sorry...," Joe Walker felt guilty.
Alice, realizing this, also felt guilty, "no! I mean, not like that! It just sounded exaggerated."
Joe Walker fell silent after hearing that.
Exaggerated? Am I really exaggerating?
But, compared to the dark room with many floating monitors in that room. I feel happier here.
Even though there I can watch random memories from various universes and dimensions as much as I want. But there is no one there except an angel who accompanies me with his monkey mask.
Oh right! He changed the mask.
What is Sebastian doing now?
Joe Walker turned his attention back to Alice, who looked sweaty while picking some oranges.
I didn't expect life to be more enjoyable than the boring daily routine I did in that limitless dark room.
Joe Walker smiled and quickly devoured his cheese cake before approaching Alice.
"Alice, what can I do?" Joe asked.
"Eh? Never mind, finish your food first!" Alice replied.
"It's finished!"
"Eh? Why So fast?"
"My mouth isn't as small as yours, Miss Alice."
"My mouth isn't that small! And also, stop calling me miss!"
"Ehh? Why? It sounds cute though."
"Cute from where?"
"Ehehe, okay i stop, but I'll help you."
"Fine, do whatever you want."
"Thank you."
Joe Walker began to hold the place where Alice put the oranges she picked.
They finally picked the oranges together while chatting about many things.
And Joe Walker always seemed to be smiling at that moment.
As I suspected, life feels very enjoyable and beautiful.