25 – One Photograph — Scene 1 – Class Photo Preparations Wednesday morning.
The class teacher entered XI-A carrying a clipboard.
“Everyone, listen.” “Since the Summer Festival starts tomorrow, we’ll be taking our annual class photograph today.” The room buzzed with excitement.
“After lunch, everyone should report to the central courtyard.” Students immediately began fixing their uniforms.
Deep looked at Dhruv.
“…You should probably wear your blazer.” Dhruv looked down.
“…Why?” “Because this picture is forever.” “It’ll still be forever if I don’t wear it.” Alya sighed.
“I’ve never met someone who argues with basic logic.” Mitsuri laughed softly.
— Scene 2 – Before the Photo During lunch…
The courtyard was crowded.
Students checked mirrors.
Straightened ties.
Adjusted hairstyles.
Dhruv leaned against a tree, eating the last bite of his sandwich.
Mitsuri walked over.
She looked at his tie.
“…Can I?” Dhruv looked confused.
“Hm?” “Your tie.” He looked down.
“Oh.” “It escaped again.” She smiled.
“It always does.” Very naturally…
She stepped closer.
Her fingers gently straightened his tie.
Smoothed his collar.
“There.” Dhruv stood still.
“…Thanks.” She smiled.
“Now you actually look like a Devison student.” He laughed.
“Barely.” Just then…
Deep walked past.
He stopped.
Turned around.
Looked at them.
“…” Without saying a word…
He quietly walked away with the biggest grin imaginable.
— Scene 3 – The Photograph Students gathered on the school steps.
The photographer began arranging everyone.
“Tall students in the back.” “Shorter students in front.” Teachers moved everyone around.
Then…
“Dhruv.” “You stand here.” He stepped into position.
The photographer looked toward Mitsuri.
“And you…” “Stand beside him.” “Perfect.” Neither of them reacted.
They simply stood where they were told.
The photographer smiled.
“Everyone…” “Three…” “Two…” “One…” Click.
A single photograph.
One that none of them knew…
Would be looked back on years later.
— Scene 4 – Festival Decorations The afternoon passed quickly.
Students rushed around hanging lights and banners.
Kabir walked over carrying a box of fairy lights.
“Mitsuri.” “Can you help me with these?” “Sure.” She followed him toward the stage.
Dhruv noticed.
For just a brief moment…
His eyes followed them.
Then…
He smiled to himself.
“They’re just decorating.” He picked up another box.
And continued his own work.
Deep watched from across the hall.
He whispered to Alya.
“…Did you see that?” She nodded proudly.
“He didn’t get jealous.” “He trusted her.” Deep smiled.
“Our boy’s growing up.” — Scene 5 – K-Drama Moment Late afternoon.
The decorations were finally complete.
Students stood back to admire the auditorium.
Mitsuri looked upward.
“…It’s beautiful.” Dhruv stood beside her.
“It is.” The hall lights suddenly turned on.
Hundreds of warm fairy lights illuminated the room.
Golden reflections danced across the ceiling.
The colorful decorations shimmered.
Mitsuri’s pink hair glowed softly beneath the lights.
Dhruv looked toward her.
And…
Forgot about the decorations entirely.
“…” The lights reflected in her eyes.
She slowly turned toward him.
“…Dhruv?” He blinked.
“Hm?” “Were you saying something?” He realized he had simply been staring.
“…No.” “I…” “…Nothing.” She tilted her head curiously.
“…Okay.” Deep quietly facepalmed from the stage.
“He did it again.” Alya smiled.
“The ‘wow, she’s beautiful’ face.” “I’ve started recognizing it.” — Scene 6 – Walking Home The evening breeze felt cool after the long day.
The four walked home together.
Deep stretched.
“Tomorrow.” “The festival begins.” “I can’t wait.” Alya nodded.
“I’m excited too.” Mitsuri smiled.
“So am I.” Dhruv looked ahead.
“…It’ll be fun.” Then…
Without realizing it…
He looked at Mitsuri again.
She was talking animatedly with Alya, smiling about something.
He quickly looked away.
“Seriously…” “How does she keep doing that?” — Scene 7 – Journal Night.
Mitsuri sat at her desk.
She opened today’s page.
> July 27 We took our class photo today.
The teacher happened to make us stand together.
When I fixed Dhruv’s tie…
It felt strangely natural.
Like I’ve done it before.
…
I wonder why.
She smiled unconsciously.
Closed the journal.
And placed it beside her bed.
— Scene 8 – A Sleepless Thought Across Sunrise Residency…
Dhruv lay in bed.
He wasn’t thinking about cricket.
Or studies.
Or tomorrow’s festival.
Instead…
One completely ordinary moment kept replaying in his head.
Mitsuri standing in front of him…
Quietly fixing his tie.
He touched the knot of his tie lying on the chair beside his bed.
Then laughed softly at himself.
“…She fixed it in five seconds…” “…and I’m still thinking about it.” He turned off the lamp.
Closed his eyes.
Yet…
The last thing he remembered before falling asleep…
Was the gentle smile on Mitsuri’s face as she said, > “Now you actually look like a Devison student.” Outside…
The school festival was ready to begin.
And so…
Without either of them realizing it…
Was the next stage of their hearts.