Friday - Home education period.
"Okay everyone~~ for this day we will be having a joint class with 6-A so everyone be nice and make friends with them~~"
The home ed teacher announced politely.
Some kids were excited, some also started chatting with others regarding their friends in the other class.
Shin, on the other hand, shrugged—not caring about the announcement—and started preparing to head to the school's home ed room for cooking, which only Shin seemed to care about.
Everyone in Class 6-B was already used to Shin's attitude and didn't mind. On the other hand, some students had already begun tailing him—since they knew the kind of meals Shin always prepared during home ed. Over time, they'd figured out that Shin's rule on food distribution was simple: first come, first serve, or the staff and cooking partners eat first.
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At the home education room
Standing on each side were Shin's class, Class 6-B, and the visiting students from Class 6-A. All waited patiently for the teacher's announcement.
"Okay guys, now we're going to form groups of three~ but you must pair with someone from the other class, okay~~"
The teacher from 6-B cheerfully instructed. While some students grumbled and others rejoiced, various reactions echoed across the room. Shin, true to his usual demeanor, remained calm and indifferent.
With the teacher's assignment complete, Shin was placed in a group with two girls who seemed familiar, though he couldn't quite remember why.
One of them walked with a dignified air uncommon at their age. She had long black hair tied neatly into a ponytail and sharp reddish-purple eyes. Her posture was impeccable, and every movement she made carried a sense of quiet precision.
The other girl had a bubbly, cheerful aura and radiated kindness with every smile she gave.
They were none other than Kaori Shirasaki and Shizuku Yaegashi.
On Shizuku's end, she felt a strange sense of familiarity the moment she was paired with him. She couldn't quite place it, but something about Shin felt... familiar. Like a faint memory just beyond reach.
"Takagi Shin, Class 6-B," Shin introduced himself softly, bowing his head in a measured gesture. "Please take care of me during this class."
Kaori stepped forward next, her bright eyes sparkling as she gave a playful salute:
"Shirasaki Kaori, Class 6-A!"
Her voice rang clear and cheerful, carrying the warmth she always exuded. "I'll be counting on you too, Takagi-kun—let's make something delicious together!"
Shizuku followed with composed grace, her tone calm and even:
"Yaegashi Shizuku, Class 6-A."
Her bow was precise, betraying none of the surprise she felt at seeing Shin again. "Please guide me as well, Takagi-kun."
They exchanged nods and bows—Kaori beaming at both of them—before turning to the cooking station, ready to begin their lesson.
At the corner of the room, a boy from Class 6-A peered at them with a furrowed brow, concern flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he saw Shin's plain, stoic expression and shrugged, dismissing his worries.
They then moved forward, ready to begin their lesson.
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The teacher clapped her hands to draw attention. "Alright, everyone! Today's goal is to cook curry rice together. This joint class isn't just about cooking—it's about cooperation and making friends with the other class. Now, let's get started!"
As the lesson began, Shizuku couldn't help but peek at Shin. He, in turn, carefully inspected the ingredients laid out before them—rice, potatoes, carrots, onions, curry roux, and an array of spices. When Shin slipped into his apron, there was a subtle shift in his posture: his shoulders squared, his movements became deliberate.
In an orphanage kitchen, Shin could lose himself entirely. But here, in a classroom, he'd learned to remember Akiha's gentle admonitions—"Don't overdo it, Shin-kun! Think of your teammates!"—and to consider others even when lost in his passion.
With a dignified tone, Shin spoke to Kaori and Shizuku:
"Shirasaki -san, could you please wash and peel the potatoes? Yaegashi -san, can you chop the onions? I'll handle the rice, spices, and pots."
Shizuku's eyes widened at the command. At first, she'd thought Shin timid—quiet and withdrawn. But now, behind his bangs, Shin's dim ruby eyes glinted with intensity. It was as if another presence flickered to life within him.
Kaori bounced forward eagerly. "Got it, Takagi-kun!" She washed the potatoes with energetic care, occasionally glancing at him with admiration.
Shizuku, controlled and precise, began peeling and slicing onions in neat, uniform pieces. Every slice was exact—her training showing through.
Meanwhile, Shin measured rice and water with steady hands, then sprinkled spices into a small bowl, smelling each one before adding it to a custom blend.
Together and Shin's instructions, they worked in harmony: Kaori's warmth, Shizuku's precision, and Shin's quiet mastery. While they are working somethings are happening without noticed.
Unnoticed by Shin or his immediate partners, students from Class 6-B quietly shifted small portions of ingredients away from their own stations, slipping them toward Shin's workspace. The teacher from Class 6-B merely smiled at their antics—this wasn't the first time they'd done so—and even joined in, discreetly ensuring Shin had more than enough to work with. Meanwhile, Kaori and Shizuku exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why their shared ingredients never seemed to diminish despite constant use.
The trio moved as one: Kaori's warmth, Shizuku's precision, and Shin's mastery. The classroom kitchen hummed with productive harmony.
Meanwhile, unseen by the three, fellow Class 6‑B students and even their teacher discretely passed small portions of ingredients to Shin's station—trusting his skill to elevate the dish and also secure their portion. Kaori and Shizuku shared puzzled glances as their supplies never seemed to dwindle.
Realizing Shizuku and Kaori is at their limits, Shin quietly took charge, allowing the two a brief rest while he swiftly processed the extra ingredients. His efficiency only increased—pots multiplied, and ingredients vanished in the blink of an eye.
Shizuku stared, captivated by how Shin's knife work resembled a sword master's precision—every cut executed flawlessly. A startled nudge from Kaori brought her back to reality.
By the time Shizuku returned, Shin had begun stirring the simmering curry. A rich, gut‑clutching aroma filled the room, drawing curious glances from both classes.
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Once every student's curry rice was plated, the Class 6-A teacher began her evaluations, moving from table to table with a clipboard in hand.
To her surprise, she noticed a neat line forming at the back of the room. Class 6-B students—usually occupied with their own dishes—were quietly filing past a large, sealed pot, standing patiently in line. Even the Class 6-B teacher, Ms. Yamada, joined them, her expression unreadable.
Nearby, some Class 6-A students watched in confusion as their peers diverted from the curry they had just cooked, instead following the mysterious queue. A few friends tugged at their classmates' sleeves, urging them to join the line.
Curious, the Class 6-A teacher continued her rounds. Finally, she arrived at Shin's table. His curry was covered under a transparent cover. With a professional nod, she lifted the cover—and was immediately struck by a powerful, mouth‑watering aroma.
Her eyes widened. The presentation was flawless, but it was the scent that drew her in. Despite herself, she leaned forward.
"May I... taste this?" she asked, voice trembling.
Shin nodded as a sign of his approval.
The class teacher on the other hand started to scoop the curry rice. ATt the first bite she was memerized.
One spoonful led to another. The teacher's clipboard was forgotten as she savored the curry—each bite more intoxicating than the last. She closed her eyes, utterly absorbed by the rich flavors.
Suddenly aware of her surroundings, she looked up, cheeks flushed. The Class 6-B students and Ms. Yamada all watched expectantly. Shizuku and Kaori was also surprised on their teacher's reaction.
"I... I'm so sorry," the teacher murmured as she put down her spoon. "I got carried away. This is... really good."
Shin merely shrugged, expression unreadable, and began cleaning gathered the used dishes. Then
he proceed to walk towards the large pot with a seemly long line of students from class B and even Yamada-sensei is on the front line.
Kaori and Shizuku followed as Shin walked to the large pot. The students parted like a river giving way to shin.
With the sealed pot of curry, Shin oppened it unleashing the sealed aroma. The aroma travelled through out the room.
Shin swiftly prepared portion for his teamates first.
"Thanks for the help, Shirasaki-san and Yaegashi-san"
The two thanks shin and sat at the near table to eat. The first bite they have also became similar to the teachers reaction.
As the the others got their portion, instead of load declaration of how good it was, it was silence due to them focusing to eat rather than make noices, the only noice can be heared a the sound of spoon scopping their plates.
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