The Mixed Portfolios

The Fine Arts building was louder than usual.

Students rushed through the corridors carrying canvases, sketchbooks, and portfolios. Some looked nervous, some excited, while others were still adding the last few strokes to their artwork before the annual portfolio review.

Among the crowd walked Dev, a second-year Fashion Design student.

His clothes were simple—a neatly ironed white shirt, faded blue jeans, and worn-out sneakers that had been stitched more than once. Slung over his shoulder was an old canvas bag. It wasn't new, but it was clean. Dev always took good care of the things he owned because replacing them wasn't easy.

He tightened his grip on the portfolio in his hands.

"Don't lose it," he reminded himself. Every sketch inside represented weeks of hard work, late nights, and sacrifices.

As he turned the corner toward the submission hall, someone came running from the opposite direction.

"Move! I'm late!"

Before Dev could react—

Thud!

The two collided.

Large sheets of paper scattered across the floor like autumn leaves. Fashion illustrations mixed with paintings, charcoal sketches, and colorful landscapes.

Dev sighed and immediately knelt to gather them.

"I'm sorry," he said calmly.

"So am I!" the other person replied, crouching beside him.

For a moment, neither spoke.

They silently picked up the papers until Dev noticed something strange.

"This isn't mine."

The other boy looked at the sheet in Dev's hand.

"...Neither is that."

They exchanged confused glances before looking at the pile between them.

Their portfolios had completely mixed together.

A faculty member called from inside the hall.

"Portfolio submission closes in five minutes!"

Dev frowned.

"We won't have enough time to separate everything."

The stranger scratched his head before smiling.

"Then let's identify each other's work."

Dev looked at him as if he had suggested something impossible.

"You think we can?"

"We have to."

Without wasting another second, they spread every sheet across the floor.

The stranger picked up a fashion illustration of a formal jacket.

"This one's yours."

Dev blinked.

"How do you know?"

"The stitching details are too precise. Whoever drew this understands fabric."

He was right.

Dev looked at him with quiet surprise.

He picked up a watercolor painting of a rainy street.

"This one's yours."

The stranger tilted his head.

"Why?"

"You paint the feeling before the background."

The boy laughed softly.

"You figured that out from one painting?"

Dev simply nodded.

For the next few minutes, they worked together without another argument.

One by one, every sketch found its rightful owner.

When they finally submitted their portfolios, the faculty member checked them and smiled.

"Perfect. Nothing is misplaced."

Both let out a sigh of relief.

Outside the hall, the stranger stretched his arms and grinned.

"Looks like we make a good team."

Dev adjusted his bag.

"It was just coincidence."

"Maybe."

The stranger extended his hand.

"I'm Arjun. Fourth-year Fine Arts."

Dev hesitated for a second before shaking it.

"Dev. Second-year Fashion Design."

"Nice to meet you, Junior."

"You too... Senior."

They let go of the handshake.

Neither of them knew that a simple mistake with two portfolios had just begun a story that would change both of their lives.

As Dev started walking toward his next class, a voice called out from behind.

"Hey, Dev!"

He turned around.

Arjun smiled brightly.

"See you tomorrow!"

Dev stared for a moment before replying with a small nod.

"...Maybe."

Then he walked away.

Arjun watched him disappear into the crowd and chuckled to himself.

"What an interesting guy."

Meanwhile, Dev thought the exact opposite.

"What a strange senior."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***