That day, the weather was cold, but not cold enough to keep Alexei at home.

Alexei never really liked days off.

Having nothing to do gave his mind too much space to wander—

to think about things he shouldn’t think about.

But today, he had no choice but to go outside.

Because his younger brother had been whining again.

His brother’s name was Alyosha.

“Hey, big bro, why do you never smile? Even when you ate ice cream, your face looked grumpy.”

Alexei frowned.

“Maybe because this world isn’t exactly a beautiful place.”

Alyosha burst out laughing.

“Oh my God! You’re a poet now? We should send you to the theater!”

Alexei bit his lower lip hard to stop himself from laughing.

But he said nothing.

They walked along the stone-paved sidewalk.

People around them were going about their usual lives.

And Alexei… felt calm.

Until—

Someone hurried past them and bumped shoulders with Alexei.

Alexei immediately spun around, ready to draw his gun.

But…

A young man stood before him.

With golden hair, pale gray eyes, and a smile that—

was strangely warm.

“I’m so sorry! Really… I didn’t see you. It was totally my fault…”

Alexei didn’t say a word. His gaze was locked on the boy.

Alyosha looked at his brother in disbelief.

Alexei was… stuttering?

Alexei: “B– be… careful.”

Alyosha thought to himself:

“What? Did someone finally manage to melt this guy’s frozen brain?”

The boy laughed and raised his hands.

“You’re right. I’m really absent-minded. Sorry again. It was nice meeting you.”

Alyosha said, “My name is Alyosha! And this is my brother. Alexei.”

The boy looked at Alexei.

His smile softened.

“Your names are beautiful.”

Alexei said nothing. He just blinked.

“I… should go. But it was nice meeting you. Sorry for bumping into you…”

Alyosha shouted, “You didn’t tell us your name!”

The boy laughed.

“Maybe next time.”

And he left.

A few hours later, at Alexei’s home…

Alexei was standing in front of the mirror.

Saying loudly:

“Idiot. Idiot. What the hell was that?”

Alyosha was sprawled on the couch, laughing.

“So you liked him? At first sight?! Did you see that smile? Damn, he was really gorgeous.”

Alexei scowled.

“Shut up. It was just… a smile. A normal one.”

Alyosha grinned.

“Sure. Because after a normal smile, you always spend three hours talking to yourself in the mirror.”

Alexei exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

But his mind was still stuck on those eyes, that warm voice, and that crooked smile.