The canteen looked just like any other she had seen—spacious and quiet. It was completely empty, which was expected. It would have been strange if someone had been there at this hour.
Nikhil scanned the surroundings before speaking. "I don't think it's a good idea to eat the cooked food. You should pick something from the packed items." He gestured toward the shelves. "You might find something in the fridge too."
Luna nodded and began looking for anything she could eat. She found a few packets of cake, some biscuits, and a bottle of water. She also grabbed a bottle of juice and a few packets of chips. Gathering her selection, she walked over to a nearby table, placed everything down, and sat on a chair.
The whole time, Nikhil quietly observed her. He found her actions... cute.
Luna noticed his gaze and tilted her head. "Do you want some?" she asked innocently.
He let out a small laugh. "No, you start eating."
Still, she offered him some of the food, but he politely declined. She felt a little guilty about eating without permission, but she had no other choice. Taking her time, she ate everything, satisfying the hunger she had ignored for hours.
Throughout it all, Nikhil didn't eat a single thing. He simply sat beside her, watching over her in silence.
Once she was done, they decided to continue exploring.
Climbing back out through the window they had used earlier, Luna dusted herself off and glanced around. In front of her stretched a long hallway. At the very end, faintly illuminated in the dim light, she could make out a few words...