21 – Summer Festival Begins — Scene 1 – A Big Announcement Monday morning.
The four walked through the gates of Devison High School together.
Dhruv wore his usual uniform.
His white shirt was neatly washed but slightly untucked on one side.
His black tie was loose around his collar, and his blazer rested over his shoulder instead of being worn.
His black hair was beginning to grow longer, falling over his forehead.
Deep looked at him.
“You seriously need a haircut.” Dhruv shrugged.
“I can still see.” “That’s not the point.” Alya laughed quietly.
“It really isn’t.” Beside them, Mitsuri wore her school uniform perfectly.
Her long pink hair was tied into a neat low ponytail with a black ribbon.
She glanced at Dhruv.
“…It is getting long.” Dhruv sighed dramatically.
“Not you too.” The four laughed as they entered the building.
— Scene 2 – Assembly Hall The principal stood on the stage.
“Students…” “I’m happy to announce that our annual Summer Festival will begin next week.” The entire hall erupted with excitement.
“There will be club exhibitions…” “Food stalls…” “Sports demonstrations…” “Music performances…” “Art displays…” “And inter-class competitions.” Students immediately began whispering.
Deep leaned toward Dhruv.
“This is going to be amazing.” Dhruv smiled.
“…Or exhausting.” — Scene 3 – Club Responsibilities After assembly…
Every club held a short meeting.
The Cricket Club.
Captain Aditya stood before everyone.
“Our club will organize the batting challenge.” He looked toward Dhruv.
“Vice-captain.” “You’ll handle registrations.” Dhruv nodded.
“Got it.” — Meanwhile…
Inside the Literature Club…
Kabir smiled at the members.
“We’ll be creating a reading corner and a story wall.” He looked at Mitsuri.
“You have good handwriting.” “Can you help with the decorative quotes?” Mitsuri smiled.
“I’d love to.” — Scene 4 – Lunch Under the Neem Tree The four reunited.
Deep dramatically dropped three different club schedules onto the table.
“I’m doomed.” Alya looked through them.
“…You’re the one who joined three clubs.” “I was ambitious.” “You were overconfident.” Dhruv laughed.
“I told you.” Mitsuri giggled.
“You did.” For a moment…
Everything felt exactly like before.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Natural.
— Scene 5 – After School Preparations Classes ended early.
Students stayed back to begin festival preparations.
Colorful paper decorations slowly filled the corridors.
Teachers supervised every classroom.
Dhruv carried a stack of cardboard boxes toward the auditorium.
As he turned a corner…
Someone else carrying decorations approached from the opposite direction.
“Mitsuu.” “Dhruv.” They both stopped.
She held several rolls of colored ribbon against her chest.
A few loose strands of her pink hair had escaped her ponytail after working all afternoon.
There was a tiny streak of blue paint on her cheek.
Dhruv smiled.
“You’ve got paint.” “…Where?” She tried wiping her cheek.
“The other side.” “This one?” “No.” She looked completely lost.
Dhruv laughed softly.
“Wait.” He carefully took a tissue from his pocket.
“Don’t move.” Very gently…
He wiped the small streak of paint from her cheek.
“There.” Mitsuri blinked.
“…Thanks.” She smiled.
“So…” “I looked silly?” “A little.” She puffed her cheeks.
“You could’ve told me earlier.” “I just did.” Both laughed.
— Scene 6 – K-Drama Moment Just then…
A group of first-year students walked past.
One girl whispered just loudly enough…
“Aren’t they dating?” “I think so.” “They look so cute together.” Dhruv and Mitsuri both heard it.
They looked at each other.
“…” “…” Almost simultaneously…
“We’re not dating.” The juniors immediately apologized and hurried away.
Silence.
Deep had witnessed everything from down the corridor.
He slowly turned toward Alya.
“…Phase Three has begun.” Alya smiled.
“I was wondering how long it would take.” — Scene 7 – Walking Home The sun was beginning to set.
The four walked back toward Sunrise Residency.
Deep couldn’t stop grinning.
“So…” Dhruv already knew.
“No.” “You don’t even know what I was going to ask.” “It doesn’t matter.” “The answer is still no.” Mitsuri tried not to laugh.
Deep sighed dramatically.
“My dreams…” “…Destroyed.” Alya shook her head.
“You create your own problems.” — Scene 8 – Journal Night.
Mitsuri sat at her desk wearing comfortable pink pajamas.
Her journal lay open.
She slowly wrote: > July 22 Today someone thought Dhruv and I were dating.
It was embarrassing…
But…
For some reason…
I wasn’t really upset.
That’s strange.
She stared at the sentence.
“…” Then quickly closed the journal.
Her cheeks had turned pink.
Across Sunrise Residency…
Dhruv lay on his bed watching the ceiling fan spin.
The words of the junior echoed in his head.
“Aren’t they dating?” He covered his face with one arm.
“…Ridiculous.” A few seconds later…
A small smile appeared despite himself.
“…” “…Why am I smiling?”