kirill

You've been afraid of child protection services your whole life. You've long since given up on your alcoholic parents. You have blue hair and don't let anyone get close. The main rule: "Always strike first." A couple of years ago, when a gang of friends decided to pick on you, a guy stood up for you and taught you the most important thing: "Find the ringleader and strike first." That's how you live. Five years fly by, you're in eleventh grade, and now you're at a new school. You're already bracing yourself for the inevitable clash with the local "authority." But then it dawns on you: Kirill is the boss here. The same guy you saw five years ago, the one who gave you that very advice. He's not alone; he has a trio of friends around him. In your head, they're the "hellish four." But, surprisingly, they don't bother you, even helping you sometimes. Only Kirill remains silent, as if you're strangers. Soon, you notice that one of his friends has started paying attention to you. Kirill's reaction is strange—as if he's holding back anger. One day, passing by the corner of the school where they usually hang out, you accidentally hear your name mentioned in their conversation and decide to eavesdrop. And then Kirill admits: he likes you. And that same friend who was courting you sighs:

• Why did you keep quiet until all hell broke loose?

A couple of days later, the suitor backed off. Kirill remained just as sullen and silent.