The air was unusually breezy that evening. The kind of breeze that felt like it knew secrets. Siya and Ren were walking side by side, their shadows long and soft under the dim Tokyo streetlights. Aarav had left earlier—college work or something, but Ren wasn't complaining. Finally, it was just the two of them. No twirling childhood friends. No mysterious secret handshakes. Just Ren and Siya.
Except Ren's brain was in earthquake mode. 🧠💥
He'd rehearsed this moment like five times in the mirror last night. Even practiced the "casual yet intense" face. Spoiler alert: he looked like he was solving a murder.
Now, as they walked, he kept side-eyeing her like he was about to confess to a crime. Siya, on the other hand, was happily humming and pointing at random rabbit like she was giving a wildlife documentary.
"Hey…" Ren finally said, voice dipped two octaves deeper than necessary.
Siya glanced at him, "Hmm?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. Okay, be cool. Just ask casually. Like a grown-up. Like a doctor. Like someone whose heart rate isn't 150 right now.
"So… do you… um," he paused dramatically, "like Aarav?"
Siya blinked. "Like him?"
"Yeah. Like him him. Like… in a not-just-friends way. You know…" Ren was already regretting every word leaving his mouth. He was mentally punching the air.
Siya stopped walking.
Oh no.
She froze.
Stared.
Did the Earth stop spinning? Why is she not saying anything?? Ren's brain started building its own fanfiction: She likes Aarav. She's going to say yes. I'm the fool. I'm the side character in my own story.
But then—
BAM. A LAUGH.
Not a shy chuckle. Not a nervous giggle. A full-on throw-your-head-back villain origin laugh.
"NOOOO!!" she said between gasps. "Oh my god, nooo!! Ren—what are you even saying?"
Ren blinked. "So… you don't?"
"Of course I don't! I mean, I love him, but like... love him like my personal potato. Comfort food. Therapy dog. Idiot sibling. Not in a kissy way."
Ren nodded slowly. Still in recovery mode. "But… he seems to care for you a lot."
Siya's eyes twinkled. "Yeah. He does. Because he's my best friend. But he's gay. There is nothing romantic between us."
Ren.exe has stopped working.
"Wait. What?"
Siya nodded casually, like she was telling him the weather. "Yeah, gay. As in has a boyfriend. A really hot one, actually. They make the cutest couple."
Ren blinked. His mouth said nothing but his soul screamed:
I was jealous of someone who is not even playing on my team.
I built a whole emotional drama in my head for no reason.
I need to go back. Reboot. Delete. Format.
He didn't speak the rest of the walk. Not a word.
Siya, of course, was still humming, still occasionally skipping like this was a fairytale park scene.
Meanwhile, Ren's inner monologue was hosting a TED Talk on "How to Recover from Public Emotional Damage Without Anyone Noticing."
His brain:
Note to self: next time, ask questions BEFORE creating jealousy trauma.
Also, never wear your heart on your sleeve unless you want it mocked by the universe.
Siya glanced at him once, nudged him with her elbow. "Why so serious, Batman?"
He gave a half-smile. "No reason."
Inside? Screaming. Crying. Throwing metaphorical medical books at walls.
But he said nothing. Because in the end, even geniuses have dumb moments.
And Ren's? Was today. Maybe everyday after meeting her . Love make people to do dumb things.
🦋🦋🦋
Ren's Room – 11:47 PM
The room was silent. Except for Ren's brain, which was throwing a rave.
He laid on his bed, one arm behind his head, the other flopped dramatically over his face like a Shakespearean prince who just lost a battle—except the only thing he'd lost was his entire sense of logic.
He whispered into the void, "I am… a clown. A certified, award-winning emotional disaster. Congratulations to me."
He rolled over, groaned into his pillow. "Gay. The guy is gay. All this time I was ready to pull a dramatic Bollywood heartbreak scene—and the man's not even in the match. Uff."
He turned again. Now lying flat on his back, staring at the ceiling like it had the answers.
"I swear I should get my brain checked. Who gave it the right to overanalyze two hugs and one forehead flick and turn it into a full-blown K-drama twist? I literally thought I was the side character in a romance novel… turns out I'm just the side character in my own overthinking."
Then suddenly... silence.
And then… he smiled.
Not a sarcastic one. Not the smug 'I know everything' Ren smile. But the quiet kind. The small, stupid smile you don't even notice creeping up on your face.
Because somewhere in all that mess, one thought bloomed, simple and bright:
"She's not in love with Aarav."
He whispered it again, just to feel it fully. "She's not in love with Aarav."
And like magic, the world felt slightly better.
He didn't know what that meant for him. Or what he was going to do. But just knowing that the ache in his chest didn't have to stretch into jealousy anymore—it was weirdly peaceful. Even exciting.
And of course, his brain, chaotic as ever, had to add:
^ "Don't get too happy. You're still the idiot who called her sweetheart and tried to be Mr. Mafia yesterday."
He facepalmed. "Let's... never talk about that again."
But the smile stayed.
He rolled over, buried his face in the pillow, heart still being annoying, still doing its soft little dance.
In the quiet of his room, without anyone watching, Ren allowed himself to hope. Just a little.
Just enough to fall asleep smiling.
🦋🦋🦋
Classroom – 10:07 AM
Sam leaned back in his chair like a detective who already knew the answer.
Sam: "Okay. Start talking."
Ren: (raising an eyebrow) "Talking about what?"
Sam: "You. Siya. Last evening. The way you two were walking together like you were the final scene of some romantic anime? Don't play innocent."
Ren dropped his bag on the desk, unimpressed.
Ren: "Dude, it was about the fest. We're seniors, we're responsible, we plan things—remember?"
Sam: "Oh sure. The 'fest'," he said, making air quotes so dramatic they deserved their own OST. "You, the king of excuses, suddenly walking under Tokyo skies talking about event budgets? I've known you too long. You're definitely dating her."
Ren looked at him like he'd just suggested earth was flat.
Ren: "No. What. NO. Why does everyone assume that when a guy and a girl breathe the same oxygen, they must be in love?"
Sam: "Bro, you've ghosted me all week. Refused ramen, skipped basketball, ignored memes—memes, Ren. This is serious. If you're in love, just admit it so I can emotionally move on."
Ren: "Oh my god, I'm not in love. We're just planning the fest—head boy, head girl stuff."
Sam: "Then why haven't I heard anything about this so-called fest, huh? Not a single whisper. No flyers. No group chats. No budget leaks. You're faking it."
Just then—
Enter Siya. Clipboard. Determined face. Slightly out of breath.
Siya: "Ren! The principal wants to see us. Right now."
Sam (stunned): "Wait. This is actually real?"
Ren (cool as ice): "Told you. Professionals."
As Ren walked past Sam, he threw him a smirk. Sam was left speechless, blinking in disbelief.
Sam: "There's no way the universe just bailed you out."
Principal's Office – 10:30 AM
Principal: "We need a full fest plan. Go class to class, collect ideas, cost breakdowns, and make sure you give us an estimate of what each group needs from the school."
Ren and Siya nodded like elite agents on a mission.
Classroom – Later
Back in class, Siya clapped to get everyone's attention.
Siya: "Okay, people! The principal's orders—give us your fest plan. Group, performance, budget. No chaos allowed this year."
Ren (shooting a smug look at Sam): "Told you it was real."
Sam (grumbling): "I still feel like I'm in a scripted prank video."
Sam (muttering to himself): "But if you do end up dating her—Nina's number. I'm not letting you dodge that."
Ren: "Still no."
🦋🦋🦋
Class 11-B – A Dance Rehearsal That Went... Somewhere
Siya: "Okay, Class 11-B! We're here for your fest plan. Performance, budget, team names—"
Ren (cutting in, deadpan): "—And no spontaneous breakups or confessions while we're here. We don't have tissues."
The classroom was in complete disarray.
One group was attempting what looked like a traditional Japanese dance fused with aggressive hip-hop. Another was arguing over who gets to be "center" even though it was a group performance.
Suddenly—
THUMP!
Someone fell mid-spin, a paper fan flying across the room like a weapon.
Random student: "Sensei said we should feel the performance!"
Another student: "Yeah but not with our kneecaps!"
Siya looked both overwhelmed and fascinated. Ren just raised his eyebrows.
Ren: "So... interpretive chaos. Love the concept. How much money do you need to fund this emotional explosion?
Leader of the dance team (earnest): "Around 15,000 yen, but if you let me wear a dragon costume, it'll be 20,000."
Siya (writing): "Noted. 'Dragon of financial doom.'"
They moved on to the next group, where students were arguing over matching outfits. One wanted all-white, another suggested neon. Someone shouted "glitter crop-tops or we quit."
Ren was visibly regretting everything.
Ren (to Siya): "At this point, I think we should pitch a silent fest. Everyone just stares at walls and reflects on their life."
Siya (giggling): "We'll call it 'Zen Fest: Crying Inside but Politely.'"
Corridor – After escaping the dance jungle
As they walked out of the class, Siya was still holding her clipboard, but now it was covered in random glitter and a sketch of a dragon with a money bag.
Siya: "Well... that was educational."
Ren (dramatic sigh): "I've learned that teenagers with creativity are more dangerous than wild animals."
Siya (grinning): "And yet, you're the one who volunteered to be head boy."
Ren (mocking): "I was blackmailed. Probably."
Just as they rounded the corner, two underclassmen passed by and whispered loudly.
Girl 1: "Look, it's Ren-senpai! He's so serious and tall and—"
Girl 2: "—and he's with Siya-senpai. Maybe they're dating!"
Ren (under his breath): "Again with this rumor. Am I not allowed to walk in hallways anymore?"
Siya (teasing): "Well you did do that dramatic hair flip in the last meeting."
Ren: "I was brushing off a fly!"
🦋🦋🦋
Class 11-D – "The Overachievers
Siya: "Okay, 11-D, please tell us what you're planning for the fest. And no, a human pyramid of 15 students on a rickety table is not an option."
The classroom was eerily quiet. Too quiet.
Ren (whispering): "Why does this feel like we just walked into a secret cult?"
Suddenly—BAM! The class rep stood up with a dramatic pose, pushing her glasses up like she was in an anime fight scene.
Class Rep: "We're doing a musical drama set in space with live sound effects, hand-built props, and a moral message about deforestation."
Ren (blinking): "...In space?"
Class Rep: "Yes. On a forest moon being destroyed by evil humans. But with tap dancing."
Siya: "...So how much are you thinking for the budget?"
Class Rep (seriously): "100,000 yen."
Ren (choking on air): "Are you buying the actual moon?!"
Student in the back: "We already started building a cardboard spaceship. It makes real smoke."
Ren (turns to Siya): "We need to start carrying emergency fire extinguishers."
Back in the Office Room – Sorting the Madness
Ren and Siya sat at a desk in the staff room with a mountain of notes, glitter, and mental scars.
Siya (grinning): "You know... for all the chaos, this is kinda fun."
Ren (fake shocked): "Did glitter poison reach your brain?"
Siya: "No, but watching you trying to be patient with space tap-dancers is healing my soul."
Ren: "I should be paid in snacks for this."
Just then, a teacher walked by with a raised brow.
Teacher: "You two seem to be enjoying the responsibility."
Ren (sitting straighter): "Absolutely, sir. We're committed to making this fest... unforgettable."
Teacher (walking away): "Good. Just don't let anyone build real rockets this year."
Siya: "...'This year'???"
Teacher : don't remind me of 2021 . That was a mess ."
Teacher: "By the way, apart from managing the fest… what are you two contributing creatively? Performance? Activity?"
Ren opened his mouth, about to deliver a well-crafted speech about "responsibility over participation"—but Siya beat him to it with the brightest grin.
Siya (sweetly mischievous): "We're dancing!"
Ren (snapping his neck towards her): "We're what now—?!"
Siya (still smiling at the teacher): "Yup! Maybe salsa… or a dramatic group dance with turns and lifts. We haven't finalized it yet, but it's gonna be iconic."
The teacher's brows shot up in pleasant surprise.
Teacher: "That's the spirit! Ren, I didn't know you danced."
Ren (dying inside but smiling like a corporate intern): "Haha… well, you know… flexibility builds leadership…"
As the teacher walked away, Siya turned to him, absolutely beaming.
Ren (horrified whisper): "Dancing? Salsa? You just sold me like I'm the last gulab jamun at a wedding buffet."
Siya (shrugging playfully): "I wanted to see if the great Ren can move like he rules the stage. Come on, where's your coordination?"
Ren: "In my physics notes where it belongs."
Siya: "Too late, partner. We're dancing. The teacher's expecting fireworks."
Ren (muttering as he stares into the void): "She's trying to kill me. Slowly. With sequins and humiliation."
Siya: "At least you'll look sparkly when you die..."
Both laugh....