Another day, another quiet moment in the corner of the classroom. I was finishing my notes when the sharp chime of the school bell broke the silence. The next class was about to begin, and I glanced at my schedule, expecting to see something familiar.
But instead of Advanced Mathematics, there it was: Cooking Class.
My eyes blinked once. Twice. Surely, this was a mistake. I checked the schedule again, tracing my finger over the words. No error. It was printed as plain as day. Cooking class.
I gathered my things with a sigh. This was unexpected, but I supposed I'd have to go to sort out the issue. After all, the logical thing to do was to confirm the mix-up and ensure it wouldn't affect my other classes.
The cooking room wasn't difficult to find. The rich scent of spices and baking bread wafted from the doors as I stepped inside. Students were already bustling around the large kitchen area. Stainless steel counters gleamed under bright fluorescent lights, and an assortment of pots and utensils hung neatly on the walls.
The teacher stood at the front, a cheerful-looking woman with short, curly hair and an apron adorned with floral patterns. Her warm smile faltered when I approached her.
"Excuse me," I began, keeping my voice even, "but I believe there's been an error. I'm not supposed to be in this class."
She tilted her head and gave me a knowing smile. "Oh, Reina, it's no error. We've decided to shuffle things up for a day. A little surprise for everyone. No harm in trying something new, right?"
I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself. It was evident she wouldn't budge. "It's only for today," she added, sensing my hesitation. "You'll be back to your regular schedule tomorrow."
Forcing back a sigh, I nodded reluctantly. It seemed I had no choice but to endure this.
The teacher clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Alright, class! Today, we'll be forming teams of four. I'll assign you to groups to ensure everyone gets a chance to work with someone new."
Teams? My stomach sank. It was bad enough being here, but now I'd have to work with others? Before she could assign me to a group, I raised my hand.
"I'd prefer to work alone," I said plainly.
The teacher's brow furrowed. "But Reina, this is a team activity. The goal is to foster teamwork."
"I understand," I replied, keeping my tone polite but firm. "But I'm more efficient on my own."
Her smile wavered, and I could see her weighing her options. Eventually, she relented. "Well, all the teams are already at four people each. If you insist, I'll have to add you to one of them, making it five."
Before I could argue further, she pointed to a group in the middle of the room. "Reina, you'll join Ayumi, Hana, Kaito, and Riku."
I glanced toward the group she mentioned. Ayumi was chatting animatedly with Hana, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke. Hana, ever calm, smiled at Ayumi's antics. Kaito, the quiet one of the class, was organizing the ingredients at the counter. And then there was Riku, whom I only vaguely recognized.
I hesitated but realized I had no better option. "Understood," I said, walking over to the group.
Ayumi beamed when she saw me. "Reina! You're with us! This is going to be so much fun!"
I offered a small nod in response and placed my bag down. The teacher began explaining today's task.
"Today, we're making curry!" she announced. "Each team will prepare their version, and at the end of the class, we'll taste each one. Remember, teamwork is key!"
Curry. Simple enough. I folded my arms and waited as my teammates began discussing their approach.
"So, Reina," Hana said gently, "do you have any experience cooking?"
"A little," I replied, though it wasn't entirely true. My experience in cooking was minimal at best, but my knowledge of chemistry and precision might come in handy.
"Well, let's make this the best curry ever!" Ayumi cheered.
The others quickly divided the tasks among themselves. I ended up in charge of the spice mix, which seemed fitting given my preference for precise measurements. As I worked, I couldn't help but notice the disorganized nature of my team. Ayumi spilled rice while chatting, Riku accidentally added too much water to the pot, and Hana had to constantly redirect their focus.
Despite the chaos, I stayed calm, carefully blending the spices. The earthy aroma of cumin and coriander mixed with the sharp scent of turmeric and chili powder. I adjusted the proportions instinctively, creating a balance that felt just right.
"Reina, that smells amazing!" Hana said, peeking over my shoulder.
"Thanks," I muttered, focusing on my task.
Midway through the cooking process, the rich scent of our curry began to fill the room. It was warm and inviting, with a depth that surprised even me. I glanced around and noticed other teams starting to falter. Their eyes drifted toward our station, drawn by the aroma.
"Is that… ours?" Ayumi asked, her eyes wide.
I nodded. "Yes."
The teacher wandered over, her expression one of curiosity. "Well, well, what do we have here?" She leaned in to smell the pot. "That's incredible! You've really outdone yourselves."
"It's all Reina!" Ayumi exclaimed. "She's a genius!"
I felt my cheeks heat but said nothing. It wasn't genius—just precision and logic.
The other teams, now determined to outdo us, worked even harder. The room buzzed with energy as everyone rushed to finish their dishes.
Finally, the time came for the tasting. Each team presented their curry, and the teacher sampled them one by one. When she reached ours, her eyes lit up.
"This," she said, taking another bite, "is phenomenal. The balance of spices, the texture, everything is perfect."
My teammates cheered, and even I felt a small flicker of pride. Perhaps this day hadn't been a complete waste after all.
As the class ended, Ayumi slung an arm around my shoulder. "You were amazing, Reina! Maybe you should join us in cooking more often."
"I'll consider it," I replied, though I knew it was unlikely. Still, as I packed up my things and headed to the lab, I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes, even the most unexpected days can surprise you.