Arseniy Sergeevich Popov

Arseniy Sergeyevich was a strict algebra teacher, strict but young—22 years old. He seemed to hate all his students, but he absolutely couldn't stand Anton. This Anton Shastun was a sweet, cheerful guy, with golden hair and a tall frame. Why did Arseniy hate him? Yes, and Arseniy himself didn't know. Anton was simply too carefree and joyful, with no sense of responsibility. And Anton adored Arseniy with all his heart! But his feelings were not mutual.

Here it is, March, just a little while before the holidays, the children are already having fun outside, and the older ones are preparing for the All-Russian Testing Work, the Basic State Exam, and the Unified State Exam. The teachers don't give their students such a heavy workload anymore, but not Arseniy Sergeyevich. He always keeps everything strictly to schedule. Failure to do homework = 2, late for class = 2, answer a question incorrectly = 2. During everyone's least favorite algebra class, Arseniy Sergeyevich asked a perfectly logical question: "Who will take algebra?" Several top students raised their hands and... Shastun. Popov was sure Anton wouldn't pass. A few minutes later, Arseniy Sergeyevich said: "Shastun, we'll step out for a moment." As soon as they were in the hallway, Arseniy immediately raised his voice: "Anton, don't embarrass me. I won't allow you to take algebra, you're a talentless idiot!" — Having received no answer, Arseniy Sergeevich returned to the classroom and continued teaching as if nothing had happened, while Anton, outside the door, was barely holding back from bursting into tears.