Eli struggled to look at Julian's calm face.
He remained serene, not like a mental patient talking about hallucinations at all.
First Luna, now Julian.
Eli suddenly wondered if he was still dreaming.
But it was obvious; this wasn't a dream. Neither Luna nor Julian was mentally ill.
Just as Eli thought he was hallucinating, another customer walked into the café.
A familiar face, but this time with an iron eye emitting red light.
He pointed to the menu and complained.
"If I don't get some caffeine, this eye will ache! What's worse than a cyborg working in a nano-component factory?"
Eli mechanically smiled and handed him a milk coffee.
"How many times have I heard that? Have a good day, and stop threatening to quit."
If an iron eye wasn't challenging enough, how about a Medusa-like girl?
A snake on her hair hissed at Eli:
"Milk tea, full toppings! Add extra sugar!"
"We're not young snakes anymore; our nest needs to learn to appreciate black coffee."
Another snake countered:
"Milk tea!"
"Oolong is best!"
"No caffeine, I'll sleep all day!"
The girl seemed accustomed to the commotion, taking a warm milk tea from Eli.
Eli received eccentric customers with indifference.
The world view seemed shattered, reassembled.
Julian sipped coffee, intrigued by Eli's stunned expression.
"You look tired? Isn't today just another normal day?"
Yes, just another normal day.
Eli approached the café door and opened it.
The sky remained blue, the sun unchanged.
People flew overhead, alongside humans, animal-human hybrids, and unrecognizable creatures.
He had slept for just one night, and the world transformed.