I was peacefully sleeping in my comfortable bed.

  My blanket was warm.

  My pillow was cold.

  The bed was soft.

  The light was dim.

  Pin-drop silence surrounded the room.

  Then suddenly—

  The door burst open.

  Before I could react, my sister grabbed me and threw me off my perfectly comfortable bed.

  I opened my eyes.

  I was flying.

  “Wait… why is the wall getting closer to me—?”

  Then I realized.

  I wasn’t imagining it.

  My face and body slammed into the wall.

  I slowly turned toward my sister.

  “What happened?”

  She gave me an evil smile and started scolding me for sleeping so late. Apparently, some annoying people had been calling me from outside the house.

  My enemies of sleep.

  I dragged myself downstairs and opened the door—

  Gru and Sophia were standing in the doorway.

  Some people call those annoying creatures… friends.

  Gru was in his school uniform, neat and properly worn—though somehow he still looked a little funny.

  Sophia, as usual, looked cute and charming, blessed with every possible gift of beauty.

  And me?

  Messy hair.

  Dark circles under my eyes.

  Half-closed lids like I could fall asleep at any second if I saw a bed.

  An oversized double-sleeve hoodie hanging off me.

  With a blink—

  I was standing in front of the school.

  It was beautifully decorated for the festival.

  As usual, Gru and Sophia argued the entire way.

  A little distance away, Alex spotted Gru and waved.

  “Hey!”

  Gru turned to us. “Wait, guys. I’ll be right back, okay?”

  He walked toward Alex.

  Sophia slowly turned toward me.

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  This is perfect. No distractions.

  A mischievous smile formed on her face as she grabbed my hand.

  “Hey, let’s go enjoy the festival.”

  Her eyes shone like gold under the light.

  “But what about Gru—”

  Before I could finish, she placed a finger on my lips.

  “Forget about that annoying fox. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

  I looked at her.

  “Remove your finger.”

  She didn’t listen. She was too busy planning something in her head.

  I felt slightly annoyed.

  So I licked her finger.

  She reacted like she had been electrocuted, instantly pulling her hand back.

  “Wh–what was that?!” she said, embarrassed and slightly angry.

  I gave her an expressionless look.

  Though there was the faintest hint of a smile.

  After that—

  Sophia dragged me around the festival like I was some kind of object.

  I can’t blame her. My sense of direction is terrible.

  I’m the type of guy who gets lost on a straight path… like that one green-haired anime character.

  But anyway, as long as I don’t—

  I looked up.

  And realized.

  I was lost.

  I was on the school rooftop.

  “Well… it seems I’m lost. Damn it.”

  I started wandering.

  There was a shaded area with benches. I didn’t even know our school had a rooftop space like this.

  Maybe I’m just too lazy to know my own school.

  Whatever the reason, I don’t care.

  I walked to a bench and lay down, closing my eyes.

  Then I heard a voice from the next bench.

  “Man, some things never change. I’m right.”

  I opened one eye.

  “You’re right… Ishaan. Sometimes it’s good that things stay the same.”

  He smiled brightly, like a sunflower.

  “But do you ever think long-term?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  He laughed. “You never change, do you?”

  Silence settled between us.

  Then he asked, “So how are Gru and Sophia? Still fighting?”

  I didn’t answer.

  He understood from the silence.

  “Man, this world is so peaceful. And boring, don’t you think?”

  I said nothing.

  “You don’t know what real fun is,” he continued. “Because everything feels boring to you.”

  Then I asked, “Hey… did you awaken your inner demon?”

  He looked at me.

  He began to speak.

  But for some reason, I couldn’t hear him properly. I could see his lips moving, yet the words felt distant—like I was hearing them without understanding.

  He paused.

  “In my case—”

  His lips moved slowly. So slowly even the wind couldn’t carry his voice.

  “Yeah, yeah. I get it,” I cut him off. “So why are you here?”

  I opened one eye and looked at him, as if trying to see into his soul.

  “Nothing. I was just wandering and exploring.”

  He looked up at the sky, watching the clouds drift.

  “And you?”

  “Just got lost.”

  His eyes widened. Then he laughed.

  “You never go in the right direction. Man, you never change.”

  I sat up and looked at the ground.

  “Well… time can change anyone. And sometimes, it changes itself for that person. I know that sounds stupid. But I can’t blame myself. I’m just a stupid, lazy kid.”

  I chuckled.

  For some reason, we both started laughing.

  “Remember when we were kids, hearing stories about this festival?” he asked.

  “I don’t remember much. But one thing’s certain… life is cooking something. This festival could be a turning point. Or maybe not. Maybe I’m overthinking. Maybe I’m not. It’s confusing.”

  Then he asked, “By the way… how’s your sister? Is she still hot—”

  I looked at him.

  That was enough to shut him up.

  But the weird part is this…

  Who is Ishaan?

  Meanwhile, in the school backyard—

  Sophia sighed. “So… he’s lost again. I hate this part so much.”

  Gru adjusted his glasses. “Worse news. There are 48 possible locations he could be in. And currently 589 people here. And don’t forget, he’s probably sleeping somewhere.”

  Alex frowned. “Can someone explain why you two look so stressed?”

  “The only thing we can do is find him,” Gru said. “I have a plan.”

  Sophia crossed her arms. “Oh God… now I have to follow a nerd’s plan.”

  “Like I’m happy to include you, monkey,” Gru snapped.

  “What did you say, four-eyes?”

  A small fight started. Alex quickly stepped in to calm them down.

  They eventually stopped.

  Gru turned serious. “The plan is this—”

  The ground suddenly shook slightly.

  Like a small earthquake.

  Neel emerged from the ground like a mole, dust flying everywhere.

  Everyone stared.

  “What the hell were you doing underground?!” Sophia asked.

  “I was eating from the food stalls,” Neel said proudly. “Then I remembered my rival is here. So I tried to find him. I thought it was a test to see if I’m worthy of being his rival.”

  Gru and Sophia shared the same thought.

  Why can’t he be normal for once?

  Alex blinked. “Are all your friends like this?”

  “Only some,” Gru replied.

  Sophia sighed. “So what was your genius plan, nerd?”

  Gru looked at Neel.

  “So, Neel… since you’re here…”

  He handed Alex his phone.

  “This is who we’re searching for.”

  Alex looked at the screen.

  His eyes narrowed.

  The air felt strange.

  Even the wind seemed to pause.

  A strange thought rose in Alex’s mind.

  Why did he show me this?

  The picture was empty.

  Just a blank screen.

  Weird.

  ____

  stay healthy and safe.