Egor Melenin

I arrived in town at the end of autumn, when the sky was gray and the sea seemed to be hiding something it didn't want to say. I was Hank's cousin, and that alone was enough to find myself in the middle of a strange group of friends who met at the old fencing club.

Mel, Kissa, Hank, and the rest... they were talking about duels and honor as if they lived in another era. As for me, I was just a new girl trying to find my place among people who had known each other for years.

Among them was Igor Melinin, whom they all called "Mil".

He always stood near the window, gazing at the sea more than at people. Silent, lost in thought, as if his heart lived somewhere inaccessible. Everyone knew he loved Angela, and everyone knew she loved him back, even me.

At first I thought it wouldn't affect me. I just watched him from afar, listened to his calm voice, and watched him smile at her in the way I had once wished he would look at me.

It has been two months since I joined the group.

Two months of duels, cold nights, long conversations on the beach, and sitting beside him without saying a word about my feelings. Every day I convinced myself it was just a passing crush, but it silently grew until it became something that hurt me.

I knew he loved her.

And I knew she loved him.

But my heart chose the wrong person at the wrong time.

That night, after training had ended, Igor stayed alone inside the club, sitting near the window as the rain hit the glass.

I raised my head towards him, and hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Igor... can someone fall in love with someone they know beforehand will never be theirs?"

He slowly raised his eyes towards me, as if the question had affected him as well.