Midnight Cafeteria

The cafeteria at Nobless Academy stays open until the early hours of the morning.

It makes sense, honestly. We’re put through the wringer every day, juggling standard academics with grueling training sessions designed for actual combat. Even the most elite students often find themselves studying until midnight or holing up in the Training Room until the sun starts to peek over the horizon.

The Academy understands the grind, which is why they keep enough staff around to run the cafeteria late into the night.

That being said, we are teenagers. Even in this world, the dreaded concept of "getting fat" is very much a reality.

Cynthia, for instance, refuses to touch a single scrap of food once the clock hits a certain hour. “Excess weight is unbecoming of a lady,” she says, her pride as firm as her resolve.

Lilith, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to care at all—though she claims she’s never gained a pound in her life.

Personally, I’ve never been much of a foodie. Fruit has always been my go-to, but that’s mostly because I hadn’t encountered anything truly spectacular in this life so far. But when you’re training late into the night at Nobless, you get hungry whether you like it or not.

Eventually, the students started calling it the "Midnight Cafeteria."

Rumor had it they served exclusive, late-night-only menu items, and some students even forced themselves to stay awake just to try them. As a student, I had my doubts about the wisdom of that, but I’d started to understand the appeal.

I finished my daily routine, washed off the sweat in the shower, and crept toward the cafeteria, praying Cynthia wouldn't catch me. She gets remarkably scary when she's angry. “I’m only doing this for your own good,” she always says, but hey, I’m a teenage boy. I have needs.

The cafeteria serves all three grades, but since the student body isn't that large, you tend to see the same faces at this hour. Just as I rounded the corner toward the entrance, something soft collided with my face.

Actually, "collided" is the wrong word. I was smothered.

Squish, squish.

Whatever it was, it was incredibly soft.

"Ah! E-eh?! S-sorry! Wait—Weiss-kun?!"

It was too close to identify the "object"—or rather, the person—at first, but as I backed away, I realized it was Elenor-senpai.

I see. So it was a "tayun."

And a high-quality "tayun" at that. Monsters' mana capacities change based on their volume; perhaps the same logic applied to the "tayun" as well? It was true for Carta, and certainly true for Tayunoa. Teacher Milk was also a prime example of the "tayun" theory, so it was a distinct possibility.

Wait, that wouldn't explain Sierra, though.

"Weiss-kun? Can you hear me?"

"—Ah, sorry. My apologies. More importantly, what’s the rush?"

"E-eh?! No, well, it’s just, you know...! —Gurgle."

Elenor’s stomach provided the answer for her.

I see. She’s here for the midnight specials.

I suddenly remembered she was a bit of a glutton, exactly like she looked. Since scenes without Allen aren't usually depicted in the Original Story, I hadn't realized how deep her character traits went.

Elenor glanced nervously from side to side, then leaned in to whisper in my ear. I have to admit, she has an incredible voice. In the Original Story, it was so good it drove fans to madness. I think there was even a limited edition ASMR release of her. Normally, her voice is quite high-pitched, but her calm whisper was… well, sweet is the only way to put it.

"—It’s a secret from my big sister, okay?"

The word "secret." Elenor, you really know how to lead a man astray.

—No, wait. She’s probably just a natural airhead.

"Are you… going to get in trouble?" I asked.

"Eh? Ah, yeah… she told me I’d get fat if I kept this up…"

I see. We’re in the same boat.

I gave a solemn nod, and we—the newly formed Darkness Alliance—marched toward the cafeteria. I wasn't crazy enough to challenge anyone to a fight at this hour. This was off-time.

Students scattered around the room started whispering as soon as they saw us. Well, as soon as they saw Elenor.

"O-oi, the Emperor of the Night is here."

"For real? Wait, who’s that with her?"

"Did she take Weiss as an underling? I guess Darkness users stick together."

I could hear every word, even if they were whispering.

Wait, "Emperor"? And since when am I an "underling"?

I briefly considered murdering them all, but I decided to chalk it up to the midnight vibes and let it slide.

The cafeteria was dotted with people. We stopped to scan the illustrated menu first; the selection changed daily, so checking was mandatory.

"Hauuu… they all look so good, Weiss-kun!"

Elenor was right. Today’s menu was a total hit. There was a fried food platter that was way too heavy for this time of night, a ramen-style noodle dish that only appeared once a month, and a curry with just the right amount of addictive spice.

If Cynthia saw this lineup, she’d lose her mind.

Apparently, Elenor and I were on the same wavelength. We both started scanning our surroundings like we were expecting an ambush.

"Are those two okay? They look terrified."

"Is that some kind of Dark Attribute training?"

"I get it. It’s probably a 'binding' where they have to feel like they’re being watched at all times."

Damn it. My reputation is tanking.

"I’ll take the noodles," I said, trying to move things along.

"Then I’ll get the fried chicken set and the curry! That way we won't overlap, right?"

Is it really better not to overlap? I decided to just let that one go.

The food came out instantly—perks of Nobless Academy.

I headed for my usual window seat. It was too dark to see much of the grounds, but the stars were stunning. For some reason, Elenor followed me, practically humming with joy.

Tayun, tayun, tayun.

"This seat is great! Thanks!"

"Ah, sure."

Wait, why does it feel like I just took her out on a date?

The surrounding students were already whispering things like, "As expected of the Darkness junior."

I gave a noncommittal grunt and focused on the noodles. A beautiful plume of white steam rose from the bowl, the faint, savory scent of soy sauce tickling my nose.

First, the soup. Only an amateur dives straight for the noodles. I slowly scooped a spoonful, savoring the way the soy sauce and the essence of the noodles played together.

Ah, yes. This is the one.

Everything tastes better in the middle of the night. I was genuinely moved by the richness of it.

Next, I meticulously assembled the perfect bite—noodles and a slice of chashu-like meat—on my spoon. I don't know why, but I always end up making "mini-ramen" on my spoon.

I slurped it down. The chewy, tender texture brought a sense of peace and happiness to my soul.

"Ish sho good! This is amazing!"

I looked up to see Elenor dual-wielding: fried chicken in her left hand, curry in her right. It was a terrifyingly skillful display of gluttony.

"Ah, sorry!" she chirped suddenly.

She scooped up a piece of fried chicken and brought it right to my face. If she had asked, "Do you want a bite?" I would have reflexively said, "No, I'm fine."

But she just said, "Here you go," while the food was practically touching my lips. My mouth opened automatically. I couldn't help it.

"...It's delicious."

"Right?! I knew it would be!"

She beamed at me. I turned and glared at the students watching us.

I did that reflexively, okay? It wasn't intentional!

Snitch and you die. That was the vibe I sent out. Message received—they all looked away instantly.

Still, looking at her harmless, happy smile, it was hard to believe she was the same girl who had been pummeling people's faces in during the tournament.

Then again, I knew the past of the Witch Sisters. When I considered that, I could see why she was so happy just to be eating.

"Ah! Hey, Weiss-kun, can I have a bite of yours too?"

Elenor was on full standby, practically wagging an invisible tail like a dog. Well, if I did her a favor now, I could use it as an excuse to demand a duel later… or something. I didn't really know.

I diligently prepared a mini-ramen on my spoon and held it out.

"Here you go, Senpai."

"It looks sho deliciousssss—!"

And then—

"My, you two certainly seem to be having a wonderful time. Elenor."

"Indeed. Isn't that right, Weiss?"

Two female voices drifted from behind us. I knew those voices. Elenor’s face immediately shifted to that of someone who had just realized today was their execution date.

"B-Big sister...? Why are you here...?"

"Intuition."

I timidly turned around. Of course, Cynthia was standing right there.

"W-What brings you here?" I stammered.

"Just a hunch."

I'm dead. I'm a dead man.

The two of them sat down next to us. Sierra let out a heavy sigh.

"Honestly, I suppose it’s exhausting if I’m constantly nagging you. Fine. Give me some of that."

"E-Ehhh?! Really?! Is it okay?!"

"In exchange, you’re on a strict diet tomorrow."

"Eh... that's a bit much..."

"The answer is 'Yes, Big Sister!'"

Sierra had a lot of presence for someone so small. Looking at them now, she really did feel like the older sister.

But more importantly—

"C-Cynthia? What’s going on?"

"Well, I have many things I’d like to say, but I’ll let it slide for tonight. You’ve been working yourself too hard lately, after all."

She gave me a radiant smile and forgave me. Based on the situation, I was totally "out," but she really is a kind girl.

"In exchange… may I have a bite as well?"

"Wait, you’re eating? But it's late!"

"Every now and then, such a thing is acceptable."

"...Yeah, I guess so."

We might spend our days in life-or-death battles, but we’re still students. A little bit of Sloth every now and then is probably good for the soul.

"Ah! I knew it! You’re all here! No fair!"

Lilith came charging through the entrance. I’d had a feeling she’d show up; her intuition is just as sharp. She immediately ordered a massive, heaped-up fried chicken set.

"Big sister! You're eating too much! There won't be any left for me!"

"I need the nutrition more than you do. It seems all of your nutrients go straight to that place, anyway."

Saying that, Sierra reached out and grabbed Elenor’s "tayun tayun."

Wow. Just... wow. Leave it to Nobless Academy to never miss an opportunity for a service scene.

"Weiss. I will not forgive you for looking."

"My apologies."

Still, a night like this isn't so bad every once in a while.