For the Build A House! Challenge on the Ministry of Magic Discord.
"We're going to help her with her choux pastry. You should help."
Kashino rolls his eyes. Because of course Andou wants to help the new girl. It doesn't matter that she's clumsy, loud, and has no discernable skills whatsoever. Hanabusa has declared her a damsel in distress, and Andou has been the first to volunteer his services.
"And why would I do that when I don't actually have to do anything?" Kashino asks. "When I could use that time to work on my skills? My own work?"
"Because she's part of our group," Andou says simply. "If she can't make a choux, your grades will drop too."
"If she can't make a choux, she shouldn't be at this school, let alone in our group."
At that, Andou fixes him with a glare. But Kashino can't find himself to apologise (because it's not as if he's wrong), so he only shrugs.
"All right." Andou gives a disappointed sigh. "We'll be in the kitchens this evening if you change your mind."
Kashino doesn't change his mind. His time is too valuable to be spent helping someone else succeed. But he's curious by nature, so he can't help but stroll past the kitchen windows later that night to take a quick peak.
The kitchen is a mess. Pots and pans are sprawled across the benches, cracked egg shells are all over the floor, and he can see dough splattered in Amano's pigtails. Andou and Hanabusa have long since given up—both hunched over in chairs and fast asleep. But Amano continues to work, piping dough into small dollops onto several pieces of parchment paper.
It shouldn't be captivating, watching someone fumble over the most basic of pastry skills. But Kashino can't tear his eyes away. For all her flaws (and Kashino is sure that she has many), it seems that this new girl is at least willing to learn. Kashino only hopes that she does so quickly. After all, she has an awfully long way to go.