"Bachpan ke rang… hamesha seedhe dil pe girte hain."
"The colors of childhood always fall straight on the heart."
— Akari Fujiwara
It had been a week since the fireworks festival.
Things weren't perfect.
But… better.
Aryan and Akari had begun sitting together again — in the library, at the café, sometimes in silence, sometimes exchanging gentle jokes.
But the tension hadn't vanished.
It had only softened — like fog instead of storm.
That Saturday, Aryan was invited to Akari's house — for the first time.
Not for a date. Not for business.
Just… to help Haru with his homework.
"Are you sure I won't scare him?" Aryan asked at the door.
Akari smiled. "You fight in the ring, not in living rooms."
He chuckled.
"Fair point. Unless he gives me kanji homework."
Inside, Haru was on the floor — crayons, sketchbook, and one serious expression.
He looked up.
Stared at Aryan.
Then asked, "Are you Akari-neesan's… boy?"
Akari choked on her tea.
Aryan blinked.
"Boy?"
Haru tilted his head. "Like… boy who brings her flowers or fights monsters?"
Akari groaned, "He's watched too much anime."
Aryan laughed. "I do both, honestly."
While Akari cleaned up in the kitchen, Haru kept drawing.
Aryan helped him color.
Then… Haru quietly passed his latest sketch.
A tiny drawing of three people.
One girl with glasses, one boy with bandaged fists…
and one small kid in between, holding both their hands.
Aryan stared at the drawing.
For a long time.
"What's this?" he asked softly.
Haru said proudly:
"Our family."
Aryan froze.
And something… broke gently inside him.
Not out of pain.
Out of how much he wanted that to be real.
When Akari came back, Aryan silently showed her the drawing.
Her eyes shimmered.
She looked at Haru.
"Why did you draw this?"
Haru shrugged.
"Because when he comes here…
you laugh softer."
Akari didn't reply.
But she sat down beside Aryan.
For the first time — she leaned her head gently on his shoulder.
No fireworks.
No storm.
Just warmth.
And a child… who had unknowingly drawn the beginning of their future.
[End of Episode 23]
📝 Next: "Paper Cranes and Promises" – Aryan makes a handmade gift for Akari after discovering something painful from her past. Not all gifts are bought. Some are folded… with the heart.