22 – Preparation Days — Scene 1 – Morning Rush The next morning…
Dhruv stepped out of House No.
7, adjusting the strap of his cricket kit.
His hair had grown long enough to fall into his eyes every few minutes.
Instead of fixing it, he simply blew the strands away.
Deep looked at him and sighed.
“Forget a haircut.” “We need a lawn mower.” Dhruv smirked.
“My hair is winning.” Mitsuri covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“It…
does look difficult.” Dhruv shrugged.
“I’ll cut it someday.” Deep whispered to Alya, “He has been saying ‘someday’ for a month.” — Scene 2 – Festival Committees The school corridors buzzed with excitement.
Each class received festival responsibilities.
XI-A’s class teacher announced, “Our classroom will host one of the art exhibitions.” “We’ll need decorations, welcome posters, and volunteers.” Hands shot up around the room.
Mitsuri raised hers.
“I can help with decorations.” “So can I,” Kabir added from the Literature Club volunteers.
The teacher smiled.
“Excellent.” She looked around again.
“Dhruv?” He shook his head.
“I have Cricket Club responsibilities after school.” “Fair enough.” — Scene 3 – Corridor After second period…
Dhruv was carrying registration forms toward the sports office.
As he passed the art room…
He instinctively looked inside.
Mitsuri stood on a chair, hanging paper lanterns.
Her pink ponytail swayed gently each time she reached upward.
Kabir stood below, making sure the chair stayed steady.
The sunlight coming through the windows reflected softly on the decorations.
For a second…
The entire room looked like a painting.
Dhruv stopped walking.
“…” She looked…
Beautiful.
Not because of expensive clothes.
Not because of makeup.
Just…
Beautiful.
“Dhruv!” A sports teacher called from the end of the corridor.
He blinked.
“…Coming, sir!” He walked away quickly.
But…
The image stayed with him.
— Scene 4 – Deep Notices Lunch break.
Deep sat across from Dhruv.
“You’ve been unusually quiet.” “I’m eating.” “I know.” “You’ve also looked toward the art room three times today.” Dhruv nearly choked on his food.
“I was walking past.” Deep smiled suspiciously.
“Of course.” Alya calmly took a bite of her lunch.
“Leave him alone.” Deep grinned.
“I absolutely won’t.” Mitsuri looked between them, confused.
“…What are you two talking about?” “Nothing.” Dhruv and Alya answered at the same time.
Deep laughed loudly.
— Scene 5 – The Paint Incident After school…
Students continued decorating.
Dhruv finished his Cricket Club work earlier than expected.
As he walked through the main corridor…
He noticed Mitsuri carrying two open cans of paint.
“Mitsuu.” She turned.
“Oh!
You’re done already?” “Yeah.” Before she could take another step…
A student accidentally bumped into her shoulder.
The paint cans tilted.
“Oh no—!” Without thinking…
Dhruv grabbed both cans before they spilled.
A few drops landed on his own shirt instead.
Mitsuri’s eyes widened.
“I’m so sorry!” He looked down at the blue paint on his white school shirt.
“…Well.” “There goes my uniform.” She looked guilty.
“I’ll wash it.” He laughed.
“You’ll wash my school uniform?” “…I didn’t think that far.” They both laughed.
Kabir walked over carrying brushes.
“Everything okay?” Dhruv nodded.
“Just saved the floor.” Kabir smiled.
“Good catch.” — Scene 6 – K-Drama Moment The three began walking toward the wash area.
The corridor floor had just been mopped.
Mitsuri took one step.
Her foot slipped.
“Dhr—!” Dhruv instinctively caught her around her forearm before she could fall.
The paintbrushes scattered across the floor.
For a brief moment…
She looked up at him.
Her cheeks slowly turned pink.
“…Thanks.” “No problem.” Kabir picked up the fallen brushes with a smile.
“I think the floor is more dangerous than the cricket ground.” Everyone laughed.
But…
Two girls watching from the opposite corridor whispered, “I told you.” “They’re definitely dating.” Again…
Dhruv and Mitsuri heard it.
Again…
They looked at each other awkwardly.
Neither denied it this time.
They simply continued walking.
— Scene 7 – Walking Home The four walked back through Sunrise Residency.
Deep stretched his arms.
“You know…” “I’ve noticed something.” Dhruv already looked tired.
“…What now?” “You and Mitsuri accidentally have at least one movie scene every day.” Mitsuri laughed.
“That’s not true.” Deep started counting on his fingers.
“Paint.” “Library.” “Riverfront.” “Treasure Hunt.” “Catching each other.” “Balcony.” Dhruv interrupted him.
“…Please stop keeping records.” “I refuse.” Alya smiled.
“He actually writes them down.” Dhruv stared.
“…You’re joking.” Deep proudly nodded.
“I call it…” “The Mission Pink Hair Archive.” Mitsuri burst into laughter.
Even Dhruv couldn’t help smiling.
— Scene 8 – Night Dhruv sat at his study table solving business mathematics.
He finished a question.
Started another.
Then…
Without warning…
The image of Mitsuri standing among the hanging lanterns came back.
The afternoon sunlight.
The colorful decorations.
The smile on her face.
He sighed quietly.
“…Seriously?” He leaned back in his chair.
“I’ve solved twenty questions…” “…and somehow that’s what my brain remembers.” He shook his head with a helpless smile.
Then returned to studying.
Though this time…
Every few minutes…
His mind wandered back to a girl with pink hair standing beneath paper lanterns.