The morning at Mizuhara International Academy began innocently enough, but everyone knew better than to trust a peaceful start..it never lasted long.
—
During homeroom, Mr. Nakamura stood at the front of the class with a cryptic smile.
Mr. Nakamura (calmly): “Mina-san! Today, you’ll be working on a group project. The topic is… creating a skit about cultural diversity.”
A collective groan rose from the students.
Hana (whispering): “A skit huh..Why do teachers love making us do embarrassing things in front of the class?”
Liam (grinning): “Because they secretly enjoy our suffering.”
Mr. Nakamura (raising an eyebrow): “Liam-kun, care to share with the class?”
Liam (innocent): “Just saying how excited I am, sensei!”
Htet leaned back in his chair, already regretting his life choices.
Htet (muttering): “This is going to be a disaster.”
---
Later after the groups are assigned.
Htet’s group included Liam, Hana, and unluckily for them, Leila, who had never acted in her life. The classroom quickly devolved into chaos as groups brainstormed their skits.
Hana (determined): “Okay, we need a script that’s funny but educational. Something that stands out!”
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Liam (excited): “Let’s make it a superhero story! Diversity Avengers!”
Htet (skeptical): “That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.”
Leila (hesitant): “Um, maybe we can keep it simple? Like a cooking show?”
The group stared at her in silence before breaking into laughter.
Hana (grinning): “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. We could highlight foods from different cultures.”
Liam (nodding): “And I’ll be the flamboyant host!”
Htet (deadpan): “This is definitely going to end in tears.”
---
In the afternoon, the group gathered in the communal area to rehearse. Liam, dressed in a ridiculous makeshift apron, introduced himself as the host of Cultural Kitchen Chaos.
Liam (dramatic): “Welcome, my dear audience, to the greatest show on Earth! Today, we’ll explore the wonders of food from around the globe!”
Leila shyly held up a bowl of Poutine, representing Canada, while Hana attempted to explain sushi in between bouts of laughter.
Hana (choking on laughter): “And… this is sushi… made with care and… okay, I can’t do this with a straight face!”
Htet, assigned the role of a stern judge, tried to maintain his composure.
Htet (serious): “Presentation… zero. Taste… minus five. Creativity… ten out of ten for how bad it is.”
The group burst out laughing, their rehearsal descending into chaos.
Liam (offended): “Excuse me, Judge Htet, my ramen is a masterpiece!”
Htet pointed at the cup noodles Liam had prepared.
Htet (mocking): “You call that a masterpiece?”
---
Midway through their rehearsal, the fire alarm suddenly blared. Everyone froze.
Hana (panicked): “What did you do, Liam?!”
Liam (defensive): “Nothing! I swear! I didn’t even use the stove this time!”
The dormitory’s communal kitchen was in chaos as students scrambled to evacuate. Outside, they discovered that someone had burned toast in the toaster oven.
Htet (exasperated): “How do you even burn toast?!”
Leila (quietly): “It happens more often than you’d think…”
The culprit, a sheepish first-year, apologized profusely while the rest of the students groaned.
Liam (joking): “See? I’m not the only one who’s dangerous in a kitchen!”
---
The next day, it was time to perform their skit in front of the class. The classroom buzzed with anticipation as each group presented their skits. Some were heartfelt, others unintentionally hilarious.
When it was their turn, Liam strutted onto the makeshift stage.
Liam (dramatic): “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Cultural Kitchen Chaos! Today, we’ll be exploring cuisines from Myanmar, Japan, and Canada!”
Leila nervously introduced her dish, while Hana took over with a confident explanation of sushi. Htet, playing the role of the unimpressed judge, delivered his lines with such exaggerated seriousness that the class couldn’t stop laughing.
Htet (deadpan): “The rice is too wet. The sushi is too raw. Where's my cheese in the Poutine??....and the ramen is just sad.”
Liam (offended): “Sad?! How dare you insult my instant noodles!”
By the end of the skit, the class was in stitches. Even Mr. Nakamura was smiling.
Mr. Nakamura (clapping): “Well done. That was both educational and entertaining.”
As the group returned to their seats, Htet sighed in relief.
Htet (muttering): “I can’t believe we pulled that off.”
Hana (smirking): “You’re welcome for carrying the team.”
Leila (shyly): “You did great, Htet.”
Htet (grinning): “Thanks. You weren’t bad yourself.”
—(End of Chapter 12)---