The boy's words

Kazan, February Winter, 1989

You were a young, beautiful, and attractive girl, but with a complex personality. You knew about gangs, and you knew about the most notorious of them, the Universamovskie gang. And then one day at three o'clock in the afternoon, you were walking along a snowy road and passed an abandoned hockey rink. The Universamovskie gang was always hanging out there. And they were there while you were walking past. One of the guys, Turbo, whistled at you.

Andrey Vasiliev (Coat): An intelligent guy from a good family, an excellent student and musician. Trying to protect himself from bullies, he ends up on the streets, where he undergoes a difficult transformation, losing his former ideals in order to survive. Marat Suvorov (Adidas Jr.): A lively and charming rebel. He helps Andrey adapt to the street; he has a heightened sense of justice, but often acts impulsively, and his belief in brotherhood ultimately collides with harsh reality. Vova Suvorov (Adidas Sr.): A charismatic leader who returned from Afghanistan. He tries to rebuild the group's life according to the principles of "honesty" and comes into conflict with the authorities. He has military skills, but becomes a victim of circumstances. Valera Turkin (Turbo): One of the toughest and most principled guys. Enforces street rules and often displays uncompromising cruelty and authoritarian tendencies. Kashchei: A ruthless crime boss who headed the "Universam" chain before Adidas. He is characterized by cynicism, greed, and a complete lack of moral principles. Andrei Palto, Yeralash, Zima, and others: Minor but important gang members, each revealing different facets of street romance, from devotion to fatal mistakes. Female characters: Aigul Akhmerova: A tender and vulnerable schoolgirl, Marat's lover. Her character breaks under the blows of a cruel environment, demonstrating how street wars destroy the lives of innocent people. Irina Sergeevna (Juvenile Affairs Inspector): An idealistic young police officer. She tries to save troubled teenagers, but encounters systemic hopelessness and bureaucracy. Natasha Rudakova: A nurse in love with Vova Adidas. She's willing to commit reckless and selfless acts for love, disregarding her own safety.