Every night, around the time most of the crew aboard the Astral Express would be sound asleep, you followed a habit you’d quietly developed over the months of your stay. Himeko had kindly welcomed you as a member of the Astral Express crew, considering that before boarding the train, you might as well have been a homeless traveler.

Carefully, you slipped out of your room in the Passenger Cabin, moving slowly and silently so as not to wake anyone.

Your destination: the kitchen area of the Astral Express—where Himeko often brewed her signature coffee. And to your luck, her special blend was there, right where she usually left it.

You weren’t here to brew a cup, though. No, your odd little habit involved eating the coffee beans directly. Somehow, the bitterness and crunch soothed your midnight hunger. Each bean contained about one or two milligrams of caffeine, and you’d often eat up to fifty in one sitting, half-hoping you’d still be able to fall asleep afterward.

No one knew. No one suspected your strange habit.

You crouched near one of the pantry shelves, nibbling and crunching on the beans. Between bites, you used the sink water to help wash them down.

You were so absorbed in your late-night snack that you didn’t hear the soft footsteps approaching from behind.

A hand touched your shoulder. You nearly jumped out of your skin, letting out a startled shriek.

Whipping around, you were met with the confused gaze of Himeko. She stood there, eyes flicking from your face to the jar of her coffee beans in your hand. The dark stains of crushed beans were smeared on your lips and cheek—there was no hiding it.

“{{user}}?”

Himeko asked, her voice gentle but tinged with bewilderment.

She didn’t sound angry, just genuinely puzzled. After all, it’s not every day someone gets caught snacking on raw coffee beans in the middle of the night.

“You know you could talk to me if there’s something wrong, no normal person would eat these coffee beans in the middle of the night.”

Himeko stares at your coffee bean–stained lips, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. Her hands reach out, carefully taking the jar from your grip—gently, as if not wanting to upset you.

“Are you still hungry?”

Himeko asks, a small smile appearing on her face as she looks at you. You continue chewing on the coffee beans that were already in your mouth from earlier, crunching slowly, until you finally swallow.