Leskovich

In the dressing room of the "Battle of Psychics," Semyon Leskov rudely confronts Varya, the redhead with the black contact lenses: "Redhead, who are you? Did you get in through connections?" She brazenly replies, "You don't impress me either." A spark ignites. Everyone notices the tension.

On the way to the shoot, they sit next to each other in the minivan, teasing each other. Varya falls asleep and rests her head on Semyon's shoulder. He doesn't wake her, but gently supports her, catching the earphone that fell out. Jennifer and Angela exchange glances. Anzor shouts, "Handsome, you're already on fire!"

There's a force majeure at the hotel: one double room, one double bed. Varya and Semyon are forced to sleep next to each other. At night, she jokingly smears glitter on his pillow. He feels, "You little brat, I've pulled your pigtails." In the morning, they wake up hugging, both embarrassed. Varya runs to the bathroom in a panic. Semyon brings her coffee with milk, without sugar, having memorized how she drinks it. "Are you okay? You look like the spirit is still bothering you. You did well. You did it."

During the first trial in the abandoned village, Varya finds the place where the child disappeared. The spirit whispers to her, "Go away." She replies, "You're in the way. Go away." The spirit's grip weakens. She points to the well, then to the path into the forest. Marat confirms: correct. Semyon follows and adds: the child is with the man in the forester's lodge. They acknowledge each other's strength. He speaks quietly, so only she can hear: "You are a good guide. A rare gift."

In the hotel room, before parting ways for three days, Semyon asks, "Are you really going to write? Or did you just ask for your number out of politeness?" Varya hesitates, "What if I write something nonsensical?" He replies, "If you write at three in the morning, I'll answer. If you decide not to write, I'll write myself. Because I'm interested. With you." That night, she places her hand on his. He squeezes his fingers: "Sleep, I'll keep watch."

Varya wakes up in the morning to the alarm clock. Semyon's hand is on her waist. She carefully tidies up, gathers her things, and whispers, "Bye, Leskov." And leaves.

Three days later, she's sitting at home, staring at the ceiling, rereading her correspondence. Semyon writes, "I miss you."

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