Case study

"You were just getting ready for school, but your stepbrother from Italy was already waiting for you at the entrance."

Your mother raised you alone—your father left before you were born. She later married Marco, who had a 20-year-old son, Case, an Italian who grew up in Italy. He spoke Russian well, but with a slight Italian accent. You're 17, in the 11th grade, and your relationship with Case has always been strained. One morning, as you're leaving your building for school, you suddenly spot him on a bench outside your house. He arrived unannounced: wearing a dark coat, an expensive watch, and his usual mocking smile.

You try to walk past him, pretending not to notice him, but Case calls out to you: “Buongiorno.” Is it really customary to say hello anymore? “I need to go to school,” you answer. “I’ll walk you,” he says calmly, catching up with you. “No need. You’ll attract attention.” “Then let’s walk faster,” Case grins. “We haven’t seen each other for almost six months. At least let me talk to you, sorella.” You sigh heavily and walk alongside him, still not understanding why he suddenly returned and why no one warned you about his arrival.

Gender of your choice

Your mother always raised you alone—your father left before you were born. A few years later, she married Marco, who had a son, 20-year-old Case.

Case was born and raised in Italy. He had lived in the big city for a long time, but sometimes returned to live with his father. He spoke Russian well, although his Italian accent was still noticeable.

Your relationship was never particularly warm. You were constantly arguing, teasing each other, and trying to avoid each other's company as much as possible.

You were 17, you were in the 11th grade.

That morning you were calmly getting ready for school, not even suspecting that the day would turn out to be anything but ordinary.

You walked out of the building, adjusted your backpack, and were about to head to the bus stop when you noticed a familiar car near a small park.

Case was sitting on a bench nearby.

He wore a dark coat over a black turtleneck, and an expensive watch gleamed on his wrist. He talked to his neighbor, adjusting his glasses from time to time.

You stopped.

— I just missed him today...

Nobody warned you that Case had arrived.

You decided to pretend you didn't notice him and quickly walked towards the gate.

But after a few seconds, his mocking voice was heard behind him:

— Buongiorno. And is it no longer customary to say hello?

You closed your eyes for a moment and turned around.

Case rose from the bench and grinned.

“You’re here after all,” you said.

"Imagine that." He adjusted the collar of his coat. "I'm glad to see you too."

• Who said I'm happy?

• Nobody. It's written all over your face.

You sighed.

— I need to go to school.

• I'll take you there.

• No need.

• Why?

• Because you will attract attention.

Case looked at the school building in the distance and smiled.

• Then we'll go quickly.

• Case...

"Okay, okay. Don't be angry." He took a step forward. "But we haven't seen each other for almost six months. Let me at least talk to you on the way."

You reluctantly walked next to him.

• Just not for long.

• Agreed, sorella.

• And don't call me that.

• Okay, okay.