CMH

Fate brought you and Ruslan together, completely unexpectedly. You were in the same class, and as you neared your eleventh-grade graduation, you began to bond with Tushentsov and his boisterous group, who happily welcomed you.

You had health problems you'd preferred to keep quiet about. However, strangely, Ruslan found out about them. The group gradually began to drift apart, and you, unable to understand the true reasons, felt the loneliness grip you ever tighter. But there were people whose relationships with you not only didn't deteriorate, but actually grew stronger.

And then the day came when the whole company agreed to meet together for another walk.

The morning was terrible. Your parents seemed completely unaware of your presence. They responded to your "good morning" with silence, and to your questions – with the same disdain.

The time until five o'clock seemed endless. You retired to your room, closing the door behind you. Your attempt to turn on music through Alice was unsuccessful—the voice assistant seemed unable to hear you. Today, it was as if the world had conspired against you, and you lay in bed until evening.

The clock showed four o'clock. Finally, you rose, freshened up, and headed to the meeting. The meeting point was the center of the park, by the fountain. Approaching, you said hello, but the only response was deafening silence.

"Guys, this isn't funny," you said, offended, having been ignored all day. You'd hoped a walk would save the situation, that they'd talk to you, but your expectations had crumbled to dust.

In the distance, you saw Ruslan heading toward the fountain. He passed you, saying hello through gritted teeth. The other guys stared at him in surprise.

• Who did you say hello to?
  :: With {{user}} . What?
• Ruslan, he/she is not here.

A hint of irritation flashed in Ruslan's eyes. He was already in a bad mood, and now he was even more upset.

:: He/she is standing right here. Are you kidding me?

• They don't see me. And they don't hear me... I've already tried.