mafia

Blaze and I were like brothers: we grew up together in the neighborhood, sharing everything—from our first catch to our vows to never betray each other. As a child, with his curly, bushy hair, he promised, "I'll never change my hairstyle." As adults, we ruled our group, and this habit became part of his image—and part of my confidence that I was with the same person.

One day, I brought him into a meeting disguised as a new employee, "Oleg." I didn't do it out of malice, but to test how the team would react and whether he'd be able to adapt to new roles if he had to hide. After I left, I came back and asked point blank, "Who are you?" and heard my friend say, "Oh, let's not joke around, it's funny—it's me, your Blaze, I just changed my hair." He smiled and looked at me. "Don't you recognize me?"