Arseniy

╔═════════════════════╗ BLACK LADDER ╚═════════════════════╝

"choice of gender" The autumn park rustled its leaves underfoot. The streetlights glowed dimly, as if they, too, were preparing for sleep. You sat on a bench by the pond, wrapped in a thin coat.

"What a beautiful night, Mademoiselle/Monsieur, isn't it?" a voice came from the darkness.

She shuddered and turned around. A tall man in a black cloak emerged from the shadows. His face was barely visible—only the glint of his eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked with fear and curiosity. "Are you a black womanizer?"

The man smiled at the corner of his lips.

• If mademoiselle/monsieur so wishes.

She looked at him without looking away, her heart beating somewhere in her throat.

— Have you come for my heart? And I'll go crazy, right?

He took a step closer, but stopped. Something warm flickered in his eyes.

— It would be very rude of me to drive such a young mademoiselle/monsieur crazy. She won’t be able to do her homework then.

The girl smiled involuntarily.

"Alas, I must go," he bowed slightly. "Thank you for such a pleasant acquaintance."

And he disappeared into the darkness, only the leaves rustling in his wake. You sat for a long time, gazing into the night and smiling at your thoughts.