Huweol High's festival was in full swing, and one of the most anticipated events was the student cooking contest. Classes competed to showcase creativity and culinary skills. Hwang Siyeok strolled toward the kitchen area, calm as ever, with Shy Suya following closely.
"Are you entering?" she asked, curious.
Hwang Siyeok smiled faintly. "It could be interesting."
The rules were simple: prepare a dish within thirty minutes using a set of ingredients provided. Teams of two were allowed, but Hwang Siyeok chose to go solo, confident in his abilities. He quietly observed other students scrambling, their hands clumsy and rushed, while his mind calculated timing, temperature, and technique.
Kang Jae-Hoon noticed him again and smirked. "Let's see if he's actually human," he muttered, signing up with a friend.
As the contest began, chaos erupted around him. Students dropped utensils, spilled sauces, and argued over measurements. Hwang Siyeok moved with smooth efficiency. Ingredients were prepped perfectly, ramen boiled to exact texture, bread with banana assembled without flaw. Every chop, stir, and seasoning adjustment was calculated.
Shy Suya watched, impressed. Even under time pressure, Hwang Siyeok remained composed, calm, and precise. His hands moved like a conductor's, orchestrating every motion seamlessly.
Kang Jae-Hoon tried to sabotage subtly, spilling a container of sauce near Hwang Siyeok. But with a slight shift and a gentle tap, Hwang Siyeok redirected it harmlessly, unnoticed by anyone else. Kang clenched his fists, realizing that even his attempts to disrupt would fail.
The judges approached, tasting each dish carefully. When they reached Hwang Siyeok's station, they paused, impressed. The ramen was perfectly cooked, the bread with banana flawless, and the overall presentation immaculate. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"You… you're unbelievable," one judge murmured.
Hwang Siyeok bowed slightly. "Thank you. It's about attention to detail and understanding ingredients. Cooking, like life, requires observation, balance, and timing."
Kang Jae-Hoon's attempt at a flashy dish looked messy in comparison, and his friends groaned quietly. Defeat was inevitable. Hwang Siyeok didn't gloat; he simply moved on, cleaning up his area with efficient precision.
After the contest, Shy Suya approached him, notebook in hand. "How do you do it? Even when someone tries to mess things up, you… control it."
Hwang Siyeok's green eyes met hers calmly. "Control comes from awareness, understanding, and adjusting. Strength isn't just physical. It's knowing what to do and when."
The crowd slowly dispersed, talking excitedly about Hwang Siyeok's flawless performance. Even Kang Jae-Hoon remained silent, hiding frustration and growing admiration.
For Hwang Siyeok, it was another day — another subtle victory, another demonstration of skill without revealing the full depth of his abilities. Shy Suya followed him as he walked through the festival grounds, realizing once more that he was extraordinary, yet fully human, hiding mastery in plain sight.
The school festival continued around them, but Hwang Siyeok moved calmly, always aware, always in control, and always hidden.
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