"Noel, you're going to love meeting Team RWBY. They're a great bunch," Makoto said, her ears twitching with enthusiasm.

"I hope they like me," Noel replied softly. "I really want to make a good impression."

As they approached the designated meeting spot, Makoto spotted the unmistakable red cloak of Ruby Rose, along with the rest of Team RWBY. Ruby was chatting animatedly with her sister Yang, while Weiss and Blake stood nearby, each absorbed in their own conversations.

"Hey, Team RWBY!" Makoto called out, waving her hand. "I want you to meet someone special."

Ruby turned around, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "Makoto! Who's your friend?"

"This is Noel Vermillion," Makoto introduced, placing a reassuring hand on Noel's shoulder. "She's a fantastic fighter and an even better cook."

Noel blushed and gave a small wave. "Hi, it's nice to meet you all."

Yang stepped forward with a friendly grin. "Nice to meet you, Noel. Any friend of Makoto's is a friend of ours."

Weiss nodded politely. "Welcome, Noel. Makoto mentioned something about your cooking?"

Noel's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes! I love cooking. I was thinking of making a special meal for you all, if you'd like."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Really? That sounds awesome! What are you going to make?"

Noel glanced at Makoto, who gave her a subtle nod. "I was thinking of making my special curry. It's a recipe I've been perfecting for a while."

Yang rubbed her hands together. "Count me in. I love trying new food."

Blake, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow. "Special curry? That sounds interesting."

Weiss, always the skeptic, crossed her arms but couldn't hide her curiosity. "I suppose it couldn't hurt to try."

As Noel began preparing her ingredients, Makoto pulled her aside, whispering urgently. "Noel, are you sure about this? Remember what happened last time you made curry?"

Noel nodded confidently. "I've improved the recipe, Makoto. Trust me, it'll be fine."

Makoto sighed, knowing there was no turning back. "Alright, just… be careful with the spices, okay?"

Ruby and Yang watched eagerly as Noel cooked, the tantalizing aroma of the curry filling the air. Even Weiss found herself drawn closer, her nose twitching with interest.

"This smells amazing," Ruby said, her mouth watering. "I can't wait to try it."

Yang grinned. "Me neither. I love a good spicy curry."

Noel beamed with pride as she served the steaming bowls of curry to each member of Team RWBY. "Here you go! I hope you enjoy it."

Ruby took a big spoonful and, without hesitation, popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened, and her face turned bright red. "Hot! Hot! Hot!" she exclaimed, fanning her mouth.

Yang followed suit, and soon she was gasping for air. "Wow, Noel, this is… intense!"

Weiss, ever the cautious one, took a small bite and immediately reached for her water. "This is… certainly unique."

Blake, who had been the most skeptical, took a hesitant bite. Her eyes widened as she struggled to keep her composure. "It's… interesting."

Makoto watched in horror as her friends reacted to Noel's special curry. She quickly grabbed a spoon and tasted it herself, her face contorting in shock. "Noel, what did you put in this?"

Noel looked confused. "Just my usual spices. I thought everyone liked spicy food."

Ruby, still trying to cool her mouth, managed a smile. "It's… definitely memorable. Thanks, Noel."

Yang, tears streaming down her face, gave Noel a thumbs up. "It's the spiciest curry I've ever had. You've got talent, Noel."

Weiss, trying to regain her composure, nodded. "It's certainly something I won't forget anytime soon."

Blake, her eyes watering, managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Noel. It was… an experience."

Noel, oblivious to the true extent of their suffering, smiled brightly. "I'm so glad you all liked it!"

Makoto, trying to salvage the situation, laughed nervously. "Well, Noel, I think you've definitely made an impression. Maybe next time we'll try something a little less spicy."

Soon a few familiar faces approached the group.

"Noel, there you are!" Hyde called out, his expression turning wary as he noticed the bowls of curry. "Wait, is that...?"

Platinum's eyes widened in horror. "Noel's cooking! Run for your lives!"

Before Noel could react, Hyde and Platinum turned on their heels and bolted in the opposite direction. Noel, not one to give up easily, grabbed a bowl of curry and started chasing after them.

"Wait! Come back! You haven't even tried it yet!" Noel pleaded, her voice trailing off as she sprinted after them.

The sight of Noel chasing Hyde and Platinum around the venue brought a new wave of laughter from Team RWBY.

Yang, still recovering from her own spicy encounter, chuckled. "Looks like Noel's curry has a reputation."

Ruby grinned. "I don't blame them for running. That curry was intense."

Blake, her composure somewhat restored, nodded. "I think 'intense' is an understatement."

Amid the chaos, Yukiko approached the group with a curious expression. "Is Noel really that bad of a cook?"

Makoto, trying to suppress her laughter, shook her head. "It's not that she's a bad cook, Yukiko. It's just... her curry is an acquired taste."

Weiss, her voice dry, added, "A very, very acquired taste."

Despite the warnings, Yukiko's curiosity got the better of her. "Well, I'm known for my spicy dishes. How bad can it be?"

Noel, having given up the chase, returned to the group with a determined look. "Yukiko, you want to try my curry?"

Yukiko nodded, taking the offered bowl. "Sure, why not?"

As Yukiko took a brave bite, the group watched with bated breath. For a moment, Yukiko seemed fine, her expression contemplative. But then, her eyes widened, and her face turned bright red. Steam seemed to emanate from her mouth as she struggled to speak.

"It's... really... spicy," Yukiko managed to say before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Makoto couldn't help but laugh. "Noel, your curry claimed another innocent soul."

Noel looked genuinely concerned as she knelt beside Yukiko. "I thought she could handle it. I didn't mean to... oh no."

Ruby, trying to keep a straight face, patted Noel's shoulder. "It's okay, Noel. Yukiko will be fine. She just needs some time to recover."

Yang, wiping away tears of laughter, added, "Maybe next time, we can help you tone down the spices a bit."

Weiss, ever the practical one, suggested, "Or perhaps we can stick to less adventurous recipes."

Blake, smirking, said, "Either way, this is one meal we won't forget."

As Yukiko slowly regained consciousness, fanning her mouth with a hand, the group helped her to her feet. Noel, still feeling guilty, apologized profusely.

"I'm so sorry, Yukiko. I didn't mean to knock you out," Noel said, her voice filled with remorse.

Yukiko, despite the ordeal, managed a weak smile. "It's okay, Noel. It was... an experience."

Makoto, still chuckling, said, "See? Yukiko's a good sport about it."