The next morning dawned bright and early, with Htet dragging his feet to the classroom, half-convinced he’d left part of his brain back in bed. The chatter in the hallways was unusually vibrant, a telltale sign that today would be anything but ordinary.
As he slid into his seat, Liam bounded up like an overly excited puppy.
Liam (grinning):
“Htet! Did you hear about today’s lesson? We’re getting a live demonstration in chemistry! Explosions, my friend! Explosions!”
Htet (raising an eyebrow):
“Explosions or just you attempting to blow up the lab again?”
Liam (mock-offended):
“First of all, that was one time. Second, I call it ‘experimental genius.’”
Hana (from across the room):
“More like ‘disaster waiting to happen.’”
The trio shared a laugh, and for a brief moment, the weight of schoolwork seemed lighter.
---
Class scene: Chemistry Period
When the students shuffled into the science lab, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. Dr. Nakano, their ever-serious chemistry teacher, stood at the front with a tray of chemicals and a glint in his eye that suggested he enjoyed their collective fear.
Dr. Nakano:
“Good morning, everyone. Today, we’ll be exploring chemical reactions, specifically exothermic and endothermic processes. Let’s begin with a demonstration.”
He gestured toward two beakers on the desk.
Dr. Nakano:
“In this beaker, we have hydrogen peroxide. And in this small dish, manganese dioxide, which will act as a catalyst. When combined, they will produce oxygen gas and heat.”
As he mixed the two substances, a dramatic burst of foam erupted from the beaker, earning gasps and applause from the students. Liam leaned over to Htet, whispering loudly enough for half the class to hear.
Liam (whispering):
“Finally, something in school that looks like it belongs in an action movie.”
Dr. Nakano (without looking up):
“And, Liam, if you ever star in one, please refrain from attempting this without supervision.”
The class erupted into laughter as Liam gave a mock salute.
Dr. Nakano (continuing):
“Now, let’s discuss the science behind it. Who can tell me why this reaction is exothermic?”
Elena raised her hand.
Elena:
“The reaction releases energy in the form of heat because the bonds in the reactants break, and new, stronger bonds form in the products.”
Dr. Nakano:
“Excellent. Energy is released because the products are more stable than the reactants. This is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics.”
The lesson continued with students conducting their own experiments. Predictably, Liam managed to spill half his solution, causing a mild panic.
Liam (grinning sheepishly):
“Surely it’s not chemistry if there’s no chaos and explosion, right?”
Htet (smirking):
“Pretty sure Dr. Nakano would disagree.”
---
Class scene: Geography Period
As the class settled into their seats, the faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room. Mr. Schneider, the German geography teacher, adjusted his glasses with precision and stepped to the center of the room with an imposing air. The massive world map behind him stretched across the entire blackboard, dotted with flags, arrows, and markers that hinted at a meticulously planned lesson.
Mr. Schneider (with a heavy German accent):
“Now, meine Schüler, today’s topic is won't just be about geography, but the taste of geography! We shall explore how the land shapes not just what we eat, but how we live, how we think, and even how we celebrate!”
The students exchanged glances. Liam leaned toward Htet and whispered loudly enough for half the class to hear:
Liam (grinning):
“Do you think he’s going to hand out snacks? Please tell me there’s bratwurst involved.”
Mr. Schneider (without turning):
“Liam, do you think bratwurst is a suitable example of geographic influence on cuisine?”
Liam froze, blinking rapidly as the class erupted into laughter.
Liam:
“Uh, yes, sir. Definitely. Very geographic.”
Mr. Schneider finally turned, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Mr. Schneider:
“Then you shall enlighten us first. What do you know about bratwurst?”
Liam stood up, scratching his head (rustle-rustle).
Liam:
“Well… it’s sausage. And… Germans eat it. A lot.”
The class laughed again, and Mr. Schneider nodded.
Mr. Schneider:
“Ja, very insightful. Sit down, Liam. Now, let us dive deeper.”
He pulled down a screen over the map and displayed an image of rolling Bavarian hills, peppered with cows grazing lazily under a blue sky.
Mr. Schneider:
“Why bratwurst, you may ask? Bavaria’s lush green pastures, its temperate climate, and its abundant livestock are perfect for raising pigs and cattle. These natural resources influence the local diet, ja? And so, bratwurst became a staple.”
Htet found himself leaning forward, fascinated despite himself.
Mr. Schneider (pointing to the screen):
“Now compare this to Japan. What do we know about traditional Japanese food?”
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Hana raised her hand confidently.
Hana:
“Japan’s geography is mountainous, with limited farmland, so rice became a staple crop. The surrounding seas provide fish, which is why seafood is so prominent in Japanese cuisine.”
Mr. Schneider (nodding):
“Sehr gut, Hana! Japan’s geography dictated its reliance on the ocean, leading to culinary treasures like sushi and sashimi. And, of course, fermented foods such as miso and soy sauce preserve resources for the long winters. Geography is not just a map; it is the story of survival!”
He then flicked to an image of Sri Lanka, a tropical paradise of lush tea plantations and golden beaches.
Mr. Schneider:
“Now, who can tell me how a tropical climate might influence cuisine?”
Leila hesitated before raising her hand.
Leila:
“Well… tropical climates have a lot of fruit and spices, right? So the food would probably use a lot of those.”
Mr. Schneider:
“Ja, excellent! In tropical regions, fruits like mangoes, coconuts, and bananas thrive, along with spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Sri Lanka, for example, is famous for its tea and curry. Both are deeply influenced by the land and climate.”
As Mr. Schneider continued, he displayed images of dishes from around the world: Italian pasta born from wheat fields, Indian curries rich with spices cultivated in the subcontinent, and Peruvian potatoes grown high in the Andes.
Mr. Schneider:
“Do you see, meine Schüler? Food is a mirror. It reflects the land, the climate, and the people. Geography is not just about borders and mountains..it is about culture, history, and connection.”
Liam raised his hand hesitantly.
Liam:
“So… if I eat bratwurst, sushi, and curry in one meal, does that make me international?”
The class burst out laughter, and even Mr. Schneider chuckled softly.
Mr. Schneider:
“Perhaps, Liam. But remember, understanding is more important than just consumption. Now, open your textbooks to page 42. We shall learn about the Silk Road and how it connected cuisines across continents.”
---
~Group Discussion~
After the lecture, Mr. Schneider divided the class into small groups and assigned each one a region of the world to research. Htet’s group was given Southeast Asia, which included his own home country, Myanmar.
Hana (flipping through the textbook):
“Look at this, Myanmar has over 100 ethnic groups, each with their own unique dishes. That’s amazing!”
Htet (nodding):
“Yeah, like Mohinga. It’s a fish soup with rice noodles, and we eat it for breakfast.”
Amara (from another group, leaning over):
“Breakfast soup? Interesting. We do spicy rice and plantains in Nigeria for breakfast.”
Hana:
“It’s so fascinating how geography and tradition shape meals. Like, my mom is Korean, and we always have kimchi at every meal. It’s a tradition that started as a way to preserve vegetables for the winter.”
The group shared more stories about their home cuisines, and by the end of the period, even Liam managed to contribute a fun fact about haggis from his Scottish ancestry.
---
Ding! Ding! Ding! As the bell rang, Mr. Schneider called for attention.
Mr. Schneider:
“Before you leave, remember: geography is not just about maps. It is about understanding the world and your place in it. And, if you are like Liam, it is also about international meals.”
The class bursted out laughing one last time, and Mr. Schneider nodded, satisfied.
Mr. Schneider:
“Sehr gut. Dismissed!”
As they packed up their things, Htet couldn’t help but think about how much more there was to learn—not just about geography, but about his classmates and the world beyond.
---
Lunch Break: A “Quiet” Meal
By lunchtime, Htet was ready for a break. He joined Hana, Liam, and Leila at their usual table, only to find Liam attempting to juggle oranges.
Hana (sternly):
“If one of those hits me, I’m throwing it back and I'll make sure I take you down in one hit.”
Liam (grinning):
“Relax, woman. I’m a pro.”
A moment later, an orange slipped from his hand and landed in his curry.
Htet (deadpan):
“A pro at ruining lunch, maybe.”
The table dissolved into laughter, and even Liam couldn’t keep a straight face.
---
Afternoon Classes: Drama Unfolds
After lunch, the students returned to class for literature, where Ms. Saito had prepared an unusual activity.
Ms. Saito:
“Today, we’ll be analyzing character development. I want each of you to write a short monologue from the perspective of a historical or fictional figure.”
Htet chose to write as a samurai reflecting on his duty, inspired by the morning’s history lesson. As he read his piece aloud, he felt a surge of confidence.
Htet (reading):
“Honor is not just in the sword I carry but in the choices I make. Each strike must be for a purpose greater than myself.”
The class applauded, and Ms. Saito smiled warmly.
Ms. Saito:
“Beautifully written, Htet. You captured the weight of responsibility with elegance.”
---
Extracurricular Scene: Acting Club Mayhem
After a long day of lessons, Htet trudged toward the auditorium, dragging his feet along the tiled floor. He was still reeling from Mr. Schneider’s relentless questioning on European food geography, but he didn’t dare skip acting club.
As he pushed open the auditorium doors (creaaak), he was greeted by Max’s booming voice.
Max (dramatically):
“Ah, there he is! The man, the myth, the legend, HTET! Welcome back to the stage, my little chrysalis. Ready to become a butterfly?”
Htet (blinking):
“Did I miss a memo? What’s with all the metaphors?”
Max threw an arm around Htet’s shoulder and pulled him into the room, which was already alive with activity. Students were scattered across the stage, practicing lines, miming dramatic gestures, or just laughing as they tried....and failed to keep up with Max’s energy.
Max (grinning):
“Today, we rehearse! But not just any rehearsal—no, no, no! We’re doing improv!”
The group groaned collectively (ugh), but Max clapped his hands (clap, clap, clap) and silenced them with a comically exaggerated glare.
Max:
“Improv is the heartbeat of acting! The bam, the pow, the zwoosh of creativity! Now, pair up!”
Htet found himself partnered with a tall, confident girl named Amara, a transfer student from Nigeria.
Amara (grinning):
“Hope you’re ready for this. I take my improv very seriously.”
Htet (nervously):
“Define ‘seriously.’”
---
~Game 1: The Wacky Interview~
Max explained the first game: one student would play a clueless interviewer, while the other played a ridiculous character.
Max (snapping his fingers):
“Htet, Amara, you’re up first! Htet, you’re the interviewer. Amara, you’re… hmm…”
He twirled dramatically and pointed at a random prop, a cowboy hat.
Max:
“You’re a spaghetti-loving cowboy trying to convince people that spaghetti can replace water!”
The group burst into laughter, and Htet’s face turned red.
Htet (clearing his throat):
“Uh, okay. Let’s do this.”
Htet picked up an imaginary microphone and put on his best “serious journalist” face.
Htet:
“Good evening, viewers. Today, we have a very… unique guest. Please welcome Cowboy Spaghetti!”
Amara tilted her hat dramatically, pretending to twirl a lasso.
Amara (with an exaggerated Southern accent):
“Well, howdy there, partner! Y’know, I reckon spaghetti is the future of hydration!”
Htet (raising an eyebrow):
“Hydration? Are you suggesting we… drink spaghetti?”
Amara (grinning):
“Not just drink it, son! You can bathe in it, swim in it, even fill up your car with it! Spaghetti, it’s the noodle for all your needs!”
The group was howling with laughter as Amara continued her absurd pitch, complete with wild gestures and exaggerated expressions. Even Max wiped a tear from his eye.
Max (applauding):
“Brilliant! That’s the kind of unhinged creativity I love!”
---
~Game 2: Freeze Frame~
The next game involved students acting out a scene, with others yelling “Freeze!” to jump in and change the scenario.
Htet found himself in a “supermarket robbery” scenario with a French boy named Pierre, who was playing a dramatic shopkeeper.
Pierre (waving his hands):
“Non, monsieur! You cannot steal ze baguette! It iz sacred!”
Htet (brandishing an imaginary baguette):
“It’s mine now! This bread will feed my family for days!”
Voice from the side:
“Freeze!”
A Japanese girl named Aiko jumped in, transforming the scene into a zombie apocalypse.
Aiko (groaning):
“Baguette… brains… same thing!”
The chaos that followed was a mix of zombie chases, dramatic deaths, and Liam (who had snuck in to watch) shouting, “Use the baguette as a weapon!”
---
By the end of the session, everyone was collapsed on the stage, exhausted but grinning from ear to ear.
Max (standing dramatically):
“My fellow thespians, today we laughed, we cried, we… well, mostly laughed. But that is the essence of acting! To connect, to express, to feel!”
He turned to Htet, who was sprawled on the floor.
Max:
“And you, my dear kouhai, have potential. I see it in your awkwardness, your confusion, your absolute terror. You will be great!”
Htet (groaning):
“Thanks… I think?”
(End of Chapter 28)