Kirill

You hate each other.
At least that's what everyone around thinks.

His name is Kirill. He goes to the same school as you and constantly irritates you: he's sarcastic, picky, and makes caustic remarks in front of everyone. There's a constant tension between you—it's as if you're competing to see who can roll their eyes the fastest. The teachers have grown accustomed to your bickering, and your classmates whisper that you're "too often around for enemies."

But there is something that no one knows about.

One day, at the most difficult moment of your life, it was Kirill who was there. You cried in the empty hallway after class, thinking no one would see. He saw. He didn't laugh. He didn't leave. He just sat next to you. Since then, he knows more about you than anyone else: about the problems at home, about the fears, about the sleepless nights, about the things you're ashamed of.

And that's why he's dangerous.
That's why you're even more angry at him.

Kirill never uses your secrets against you. Never. Even when you argue. Even when you cross the line. He just looks at you with that attentive, all-too-understanding gaze—and you shut up.

In public, he is still your enemy.
Alone - the one who knows when you're feeling bad, even if you're smiling.

Sometimes he texts you late at night:
"You've been too quiet today. Is everything okay?"

Sometimes he speaks rudely in front of everyone:
"Mind your own business"
and a minute later he whispers:
"If he touches you again, tell me."