Htet woke up feeling victorious. For once, his alarm didn’t ambush him, and he managed to get dressed without any accidents. But his moment of peace ended abruptly when Liam barged into his room.
Liam (excited): “Htet! Emergency! I think I made my laundry pink!”
Htet turned to see Liam holding up what used to be a white shirt but now looked like it belonged in a bubblegum commercial.
Htet (deadpan): “Dude! You are supposed to be separating whites and colors. What a Revolutionary idea to make these shirts, you planning to start your own merch or something?"
Liam (panicking): “I did separate them! The red sock snuck in somehow. You gotta believe me, I’ve been sabotaged!”
Htet end up nitpicking Liam for the whole morning and Liam couldn't retaliate, looking defeated.
---
Class Scene: Science Period
~The Scientific Saga Begins~
In class, Dr. Nakano stood at the front of the room, her lab coat as pristine as ever, ready to lead the day’s science experiment.
Dr. Nakano (calmly): “Today, we’ll be learning about chemical reactions through a simple acid-base experiment. You’ll be working in pairs.”
The room erupted into murmurs as students paired up. Htet found himself with Liam, while Hana and Leila teamed up at the next station.
Hana (teasing): “Try not to blow anything up, you two.”
Htet (sighing): “Heh! No promises if Liam handles the chemicals.”
Liam (grinning): “Hey!!! I’m a natural-born scientist!”
Htet (dryly): “Yiddy Yadda, you turned your shirt pink this morning.”
---
~The Experiment: Baking Soda and Vinegar~
Dr. Nakano walked around, ensuring everyone followed the instructions. Htet carefully measured the baking soda while Liam hovered over the vinegar, looking far too excited.
Liam (dramatic): “Behold!! The power of science!”
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He poured the vinegar in all at once, causing the mixture to foam up rapidly….and spill over the edge of the beaker.
Htet (alarmed): “Liam! It’s an experiment, not a volcano eruption! At least hold your horses when dealing with experiments.”
Nearby, Hana and Leila’s experiment went perfectly, their foaming reaction controlled and precise.
Hana (smirking): “And that’s how it’s done.”
Leila (kindly): “Don't Worry! You can still fix it, Htet.”
Htet (grumbling): “Yeah sure, If I survive working with Liam, I can survive anything.”
---
Dr. Nakano paused to explain the reaction.
Dr. Nakano (informative): “When baking soda, which is a base, reacts with vinegar, an acid, it produces carbon dioxide gas. That’s the foam you see. This reaction is used in many applications, including cleaning and even in baking.”
Htet jotted down notes, realizing the lesson wasn’t just about pouring chemicals, it was a practical concept he could actually use. Liam, however, seemed more fascinated by the foam.
Liam (excited): “So basically, we’re making cleaning bombs? Awesome!”
Htet (sarcastic): “You’re the reason safety equipments were invented.”
---
Scene: Lunch Break
~The Art of Chopsticks~
At lunch, the group sat together in the communal dining area. Htet noticed Leila struggling with her chopsticks, her hand awkwardly twisting as she tried to pick up a piece of sushi.
Leila (frustrated): “Urghh, Why is this so hard?!”
Hana (helpful): “Here, let me show you.”
Hana perfectly demonstrated the proper grip, patiently guiding Leila until she managed to pick up a piece without dropping it.
Leila (smiling): “Woah, I did it! Thanks, Hana.”
Htet watched, amused, until Hana turned to him with a mischievous grin.
Hana (teasing): “What about you, Htet? Are your chopstick skills up to par?”
Htet (confident): “I’m a pro.”
Hana handed him a slippery piece of tamago (egg omelet).
Hana (smirking): “Prove it.”
Htet’s confidence crumbled as the tamago slid out of his chopsticks repeatedly, drawing laughter from the entire group.
Liam (grinning): “Hahaha! Looks like we’re all beginners today!”
---
Class Scene: History Period
~Learning Through Drama~
In the afternoon, Mr. Suzuki introduced a creative twist to their history lesson.
Mr. Suzuki (excited): “We’ll be reenacting scenes from historical events today. This will help you understand the perspectives of the people involved.”
The class divided into groups, each assigned a historical event. Htet’s group got the Meiji Restoration.
Hana (joking): “So who wants to play Emperor Meiji?”
Liam (dramatic): “Me, obviously. I have the regal aura.”
Htet (skeptical): “Nah you have the aura of chaos.”
During the reenactment, Liam’s over-the-top acting stole the show.
Liam (proclaiming): “I, Emperor Meiji, declare the modernization of Japan! Bring me the finest ramen in the land!”
Mr. Suzuki (laughing): “That’s… not historically accurate, but I appreciate the enthusiasm.”
The class clapped and laughed, the lesson leaving a lasting impression on everyone.
---
Back in the dormitory, Htet and Liam found themselves in yet another predicament this time, trying to figure out the laundry system.
Liam (curious): “Okay, so I put the clothes in here, but what’s this button?”
Htet glanced at whichever button Liam is pointing at.
Htet (exasperated): “That’s the start button, genius.”
Liam pressed it, only to realize too late that he had forgotten to add detergent.
Htet (facepalming): “Congratulations. You just gave your clothes a water bath.”
Htet (monotone): “ Dear Customer, We have launched a new product where you can jump into the washing machine and get a water bath for just 100 yen”
Liam (annoyed): “Sure, just keep on bullying me, you arrogant bastard”
Htet (monotone): “Dear Customer, if you ever feel like waking up in the morning, walking towards the shower and cleaning yourself is an irritating process. We offer you a special product where you can sleep in the washing machine and water bath yourself as you wake up. All for 300 Yen. Prefers aromatic soap bath? Worry not, we also have a special formula infused detergent for all use. All for 500 Yen”
The sound of Hana’s laughter echoed from the hallway as she passed by.
Hana (grinning): “Seriously, you two are a walking sitcom.”
Liam (still annoyed): “Tell me about it. I now have a new thing that can annoy me. It's htet's Monotone Salesperson Mode”
Leila (softly): “It’s kind of impressive how much trouble you can get into.”
Htet sighed, realizing his days at Mizuhara International Academy would never be boring and he wouldn’t have it any other way. What initially seems to be something unknown and scary but fortunately for Htet, he had made friends with genuinely good people. Htet for sure realized that he will always look back to these days in future and be grateful for such moments.
—(End of Chapter 13)---