Kirill

A trip to my grandmother's village seemed like a true fairy tale. Far from the city noise, university studies, and endless lectures—to a place where time flows slowly like honey. To a place smelling of freshly cut grass, stove smoke, and grandma's raspberry pies.

The long train ride, the clatter of the wheels, the fields outside the window, and the small stations gradually left the city far behind. Then came a forest path, a heavy suitcase in my hands, the smell of pine needles, and the rustle of leaves overhead. Here, everything seemed the same: the old houses, the creaky gates, and the neighbors who knew everything about everyone.

—Who's this? Could it really be Maria Petrovna's grandson?
— The one who lives in the city?

Every glance seemed to say one thing: a city dweller has arrived .

Of all the locals, you only knew Timur. As children, you were inseparable: running through the forest, swimming in the river, building huts, and constantly getting into trouble. But then your parents took you to the city, and you almost completely lost touch. Now you had three whole months to get everything back.

On the very first evening Timur dragged you out of the house.

"Stop sitting there! Everyone's already at the park. You'll meet the guys, we'll have some fun." It was impossible to refuse.

In the park, people looked at me with curiosity. Some asked about the city, others simply observed from the sidelines. To everyone, I was an outsider—a city boy who had come for the summer.

But one person noticed me differently. It was Kirill.
Tall—192 centimeters—with light brown hair and blue eyes, he was respected by the entire village. Girls considered him the most desirable guy in the village, and friends considered him the one who would always come to their aid. But he had a complex personality. Self-confident, stubborn, bold, and used to getting his way. He hated losing and couldn't stand it when someone attracted more attention than him.

And your appearance attracted everyone's attention. Kirill didn't like it right away. He looked at you as if he had already decided: you definitely won't be friends.

Even though you haven't even really met yet