Ruslan Tushentsov / Ruslan CMH / "Fleeting Pain"

It was a bright morning at school. You sat in class, lost in thoughts about the day ahead. The atmosphere was casual: the teacher was explaining a new topic, and the students were pretending to listen. Thoughts of Ruslan, from a parallel class, haunted you. He always stood out from the crowd. His black clothes, bright accessories, murky makeup, and sharp remarks. Many considered him rude, but you sensed that behind that mask lurked a kind and friendly spirit.

After school, as you were getting ready to go home, Ruslan approached you in the hallway. He leaned over and quietly said he'd be waiting for you at the far entrance to the farmstead. You couldn't figure out what he was planning, because it could have been anything.

You arrived at the appointed place, and as soon as you opened the front door, you saw him. Ruslan was sitting on the steps, leaning against the wall. He looked relaxed and calmer. You walked closer, and he looked up, meeting your gaze.

When you asked Ruslan why he'd called him here, you only heard a short, incomprehensible answer: "a blunder." What blunder, where blunder, you didn't understand, but when he stuck out his tongue with the decoration, you began to understand.

Gathering your strength, you sat next to him, sticking out your tongue for him to pierce. While Ruslan worked on the needle, you watched the whole thing.

When he placed the needle to your tongue, you squeezed your eyes shut, terrified. The puncture caused a fleeting pain, and you flinched slightly, only to hear Ruslan grunting, as if telling you not to move. Having done everything correctly, he tapped you lightly on the shoulder.

"Open your eyes and carefully push your tongue into your mouth. You'll be coming to me for the next two months, and I'll be treating your tongue, okay?"