23 – A Different Look — Scene 1 – An Intervention Saturday afternoon.
Deep burst into Dhruv’s room without knocking.
Dhruv was sitting cross-legged on the floor in a faded black T-shirt and grey shorts, sketching a cricket stadium.
His hair had become long enough to cover part of his eyes.
Deep stood in front of him.
“We’re leaving.” Dhruv didn’t even look up.
“No.” “We’re going to the barber.” “No.” “Yes.” “I like my hair.” Deep stared at him.
“You can’t even see.” “I blink harder.” Urvi, who was passing by with a basket of folded clothes, laughed.
“…He’s been saying that all week.” Deep pointed dramatically.
“See?
Even your sister agrees.” Dhruv sighed.
“…Fine.” “But only because both of you are annoying.” — Scene 2 – The Barber Shop Twenty minutes later…
The barber gently combed Dhruv’s hair.
“So…” “How would you like it?” Before Dhruv could answer…
Deep spoke first.
“Short.” “Clean.” “Make him look human.” Dhruv glared at him.
“I was already human.” The barber chuckled.
“Don’t worry.” “I’ve got an idea.” Nearly thirty minutes later…
The haircut was finished.
The sides were neatly trimmed.
The top remained slightly longer, falling naturally instead of covering his eyes.
It wasn’t flashy.
It simply suited him.
Dhruv looked into the mirror.
“…” “…This is actually nice.” Deep folded his arms proudly.
“I know.” — Scene 3 – Sunday Evening Back at Sunrise Residency…
Dhruv stepped out to buy milk.
He wore a plain navy blue T-shirt and black track pants.
His fresh haircut made his face look sharper.
Just then…
Mitsuri returned from the grocery store carrying two bags.
She looked up.
“…Dhruv?” He smiled.
“Hey.” She froze for just a second.
“…” His haircut…
Changed his whole appearance.
He somehow looked…
Older.
More confident.
More…
Handsome.
She immediately looked away.
“Oh…” “You…
got a haircut.” “Yeah.” “Deep kidnapped me.” She laughed.
“I can believe that.” But…
Even after the conversation ended…
She found herself glancing at him again.
And again.
— Scene 4 – Journal That night…
Mitsuri sat at her desk.
She opened her journal.
Her pen hovered over the page.
Then she wrote: > July 24 Dhruv got a haircut today.
It suits him really well.
…
I almost didn’t recognize him.
…
Why did I notice something like that so quickly?
She stopped writing.
Read the page once.
Then quietly hid her face in her hands.
“…What am I doing…” — Scene 5 – Monday Morning The next morning…
Dhruv walked out of House No.
7.
His school uniform hadn’t changed.
His habits hadn’t changed either.
His tie was crooked.
His blazer was still hanging over one shoulder.
But…
The haircut made a surprising difference.
Deep grinned.
“Now that’s my work.” Dhruv rolled his eyes.
“Our barber’s work.” Mitsuri arrived a moment later.
Her long pink hair was left open today, reaching almost to her waist.
The morning breeze gently moved a few strands across her face.
She looked at Dhruv.
“…” Again.
For just a second.
She forgot to speak.
Alya noticed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
“Good morning.” Mitsuri blinked.
“O-Oh.” “Morning!” Dhruv tilted his head.
“You okay?” “Yeah!” “Just thinking.” “About what?” “…Nothing.” Deep silently looked toward Alya.
“Mission Pink Hair is progressing.” — Scene 6 – School Corridor As Dhruv walked through the corridor…
A group of girls from Class XI-C passed by.
One whispered, “Isn’t he the vice-captain?” “The cricket one?” “And…” “He actually looks pretty good.” Another girl nodded.
“I never noticed before.” Dhruv didn’t hear them.
He was too busy looking for the sports notice board.
Mitsuri…
Unfortunately…
Did hear them.
She looked toward the girls.
Then toward Dhruv.
Then quietly continued walking.
For some reason…
The conversation stayed in her mind.
— Scene 7 – K-Drama Moment Festival preparations continued after school.
The auditorium stage lights were being tested.
Suddenly…
The electricity went off for a few seconds.
The room became completely dark.
A few students gasped.
Someone accidentally bumped into Mitsuri.
She stumbled backwards.
Before she lost balance…
A familiar hand caught her wrist.
“It’s okay.” Dhruv’s voice.
A second later…
The lights returned.
They were standing surprisingly close.
Mitsuri smiled sheepishly.
“…Thank you.” He smiled back.
“I think the school wants us to stop tripping.” She laughed.
“Maybe.” From the stage…
Deep whispered to Alya, “I swear the universe ships them.” Alya nodded.
“It definitely does.” — Scene 8 – Night Dhruv stood on his balcony after finishing his evening workout.
Across the society…
Mitsuri was hanging freshly washed clothes.
The breeze gently moved her open pink hair.
She looked up.
Their eyes met.
She smiled.
He smiled back.
This time…
Neither looked away immediately.
The silence wasn’t awkward anymore.
It was…
Comfortable.
Then Urvi stepped onto the balcony carrying a basket.
She looked at Dhruv.
Then across at Mitsuri.
Then back at Dhruv.
A teasing smile slowly appeared.
“So…” Dhruv immediately knew that smile.
“…Don’t.” Urvi pretended to look confused.
“I didn’t say anything.” “Exactly.” “That’s what worries me.” Mitsuri, unable to hear their conversation, waved goodbye before going inside.
Urvi watched her leave.
Then looked at her younger brother.
“You smiled differently.” Dhruv blinked.
“…What?” “You’ll understand one day.” She walked back inside before he could ask another question.
Dhruv stood there alone.
Thinking…
“Smiled…
differently?”