The cooking room was supposed to be empty after class.

Still, Airi smelled soup when she opened the door. A pot sat on the stove, warm but not boiling.

“Did someone forget to clean up?” asked Nao, holding her notebook.

Airi lifted the lid. Steam rose into the afternoon light. For a few seconds, it formed the shape of vegetables, a bowl, and a key.

Nao dropped her pencil. “That is not normal steam.”

On the lower shelf, Airi found a red lunch box. Inside was an old recipe card with a name written at the top: Kana.

Kana had been the first president of the cooking club. She had disappeared from the club photo after graduation because someone had cut the picture.

The steam formed one more shape: the school garden.

Airi and Nao ran outside. Under the smallest tomato plant, they found a rusty key in a plastic bag.

The key opened a cabinet in the cooking room. Inside were letters from former club members, all thanking Kana for teaching them.

Nao read the last letter aloud. “You said recipes are promises we can eat later.”

The pot gave one quiet bubble.

Airi smiled and placed the recipe card beside the letters.

The steam rose again, but this time it made no shapes. It only smelled like home.