After months, Yaroslav and Sokolov had finally become more comfortable around each other. Yet, even as Yaroslav found himself falling for Duong — the tiny, innocent girl who seemed to embody pure sweetness. There was a stubborn part of him that couldn't quite let go of his lingering feelings for Sokolov.

  For months, Yaroslav had harbored quiet affection for Duong, drawn to her light like a moth to a flame. Still, the echoes of his old emotions for Sokolov refused to completely fade, haunting the corners of his heart.

  Meanwhile, the puppy-love romance between Ivan and Duong wasn’t going quite as smoothly as one might hope .... thanks to the unwelcome presence of another one.

  Wang Wei

  A Chinese international student, one year older than Ivan and Duong.

  Ivan couldn't stand him.

  He absolutely loathed the way Wei always seemed to glare at him — or at least that's what Ivan thought. (In truth, Wei’s eyes were just naturally small, but to Ivan, it looked like he was constantly being given the stink eye.)

  Flashing back to a week earlier:

  Ivan and Duong were sitting behind the school, sharing snacks and laughing. Ivan, with his messy hair and slouched posture, couldn't have looked more Russian if he tried.

  They were chatting about everything from racism and Jewish communities to a girl in their class who had become a mother at sixteen.

  The conversation inevitably drifted to their dull, soul-sucking history class, causing both of them to groan in unison.

  Then, in a sudden burst of energy, Duong began ranting passionately About dog breeds of Vietnamese origin raised in the California (Republic of Vietnam).

  She cursed loudly and colorfully. She looked, in that moment, completely wild and unapologetic.

  And to Ivan, sitting there with wide, admiring eyes, it was as if little pink hearts had started floating all around Duong.

  He could hardly hear her words anymore All he could see was her, furious and beautiful, like some tiny, swearing angel sent straight to turn his world upside down. (idk ??)

  The only thing that shattered Ivan’s little daydream at that moment was Wang Wei!

  Wei suddenly appeared out of nowhere and cracked a joke straight at Duong:

  Wang Wei: You know, some of them must have really strong arms… after all, they probably had to cling onto airplane wheels for a pretty long time just to make it to California.

  Both Duong and Ivan froze, startled by Wang Wei’s sudden presence. But Wei, looking perfectly casual, plopped down next to Duong as if they had been close friends forever. Duong blushed slightly, embarrassed. She only ever dared to show this rough, foul-mouthed side of herself in front of Ivan and Nastya. Even Yaroslav hadn't really seen this side of her yet.

  But Wei’s easygoing confidence and mischievous smile... it caught Duong’s attention.

  It was hard not to be drawn in by him.

  I mean, seriously, who could resist a smart Asian guy with adorable dimples that popped out every time he smiled? (Not even me, lol >_<)

  From that day on, Duong and Wei started talking more and more. Wei always waited for her outside her classroom — his classes were near the entrance, while Duong’s were all the way up on the third floor... and soon, rumors started flying around.

  "Are they dating?"

  "A cute Asian girl and a clever Asian guy falling for each other in Russia? So sweet!"

  The whole school seemed enchanted by the idea.

  Everyone — except Ivan.

  Every time someone mentioned Duong and Wei together, Ivan felt like grabbing them by the throat.

  He hated it.

  But, lucky for Ivan, Duong and Wei weren’t dating.

  Not yet, anyway.

  Ivan convinced himself there was still hope.

  He would have a chance.

  Right?

  RIGHT?!

  ...Surprise!

  The answer was a big, fat NO.

  It happened on a beautiful day. Duong and Wei officially announced they were dating. And shockingly, it happened after just a week!

  That morning, Ivan arrived at school as usual. But as soon as he walked into the hallway, he saw it — Duong and Wei sitting side by side, surrounded by classmates from both their classes, all teasing and laughing about their "new relationship."

  Ivan stood frozen at the classroom door, utterly speechless.

  He had heard the rumors about Duong and Wei, sure. But seeing it with his own eyes? It hit like a punch to the gut.

  Without a word, Ivan walked past Duong, his chest tight with emotions. Wei noticed him and, being his usual cheerful self, waved at Ivan,

  then casually leaned over and planted a light kiss on Duong’s cheek.

  Ivan glared at him, furious.

  Look at that smug Asian guy — he’s glaring at me with those squinty little eyes, thinking he’s won!

  How could Duong possibly like someone like him?!

  So what if he’s good at computer science, fine arts, literature, math, physics, and history, and oh, also just happened to win the "Best Student of the Year" award?

  Big deal. Any Asian kid could do that. Why him?! (thoughts in Ivan's head)

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  Ivan’s raging thoughts were interrupted when the teacher walked in.

  The crowd quickly dispersed, and Wei and his friends returned to their classroom.

  Ivan reluctantly shuffled to his seat... right next to Duong.

  Once, he had thought sitting next to her was the greatest blessing.

  Now? It was pure torture.

  But to his surprise, Duong turned to him, smiling, the same sweet, radiant smile that had stolen his heart the very first time they met.

  Her gaze was just as bright, just as warm.

  And in that moment, despite everything, Ivan felt a tiny, stubborn spark of hope light up inside him.

  Maybe... just maybe... he still had a chance.

  Gathering his courage, Ivan turned toward Duong and said

  Ivan: You and Wei? How did that even happen? Why did you choose him and not someone else? How did you two even become a couple?

  Ivan asked, his voice filled with confusion and despair, as if someone had just thrown a banana peel under his feet and he slipped in slow motion.

  Duong blushed slightly at Ivan's sudden and blunt question but still answered honestly:

  Duong: Well... he was the only one who actually liked me. He's smart and easy-going. I never really thought about dating him, but when he told me he liked me, I guess... I started liking him too. Or maybe... I just liked that someone liked me. Either way, there wasn’t exactly a long line of people romantically interested in me.

  Inside Ivan’s mind, chaos exploded like a raging hurricane:

  Just because he liked you?? So what was I then?? Just some lamppost standing next to you?? If I had told you that I liked you first — before that damn Wei came into the picture, would you have agreed to date me too?? Would you???

  Ivan's thoughts spun around like a blender on full speed, but Duong had absolutely no idea — because in her mind, Ivan and Nastya were obviously a thing.

  She had no clue that Ivan’s "type" wasn’t "Russian girls"... it was literally just her.

  Duong continued, sweetly unaware of the mental breakdown happening right next to her:

  Duong: Wei just... told me he liked me yesterday when we were walking behind the school. No love letters, no cheesy flirting, just one honest confession.

  Ivan’s brain went into full panic mode:

  YESTERDAY???

  Yesterday, Ivan had been stuck after school, punished by a teacher to clean up the classroom and... the third-floor bathroom — because, somehow, he had broken the school’s toilet. (Yeah, the whole damn toilet. Nobody really understood how he managed that either.)

  That was exactly the cursed moment when that sneaky Asian boy Wang Wei swooped in and stole the girl Ivan loved.

  Ivan’s heart screamed:

  If I hadn't been stuck scrubbing toilets yesterday... if I had walked home with Duong like I always did... maybe, just maybe, she would be mine now...!!

  So, we now have some school rumor flying around:

  Duong is dating the upperclassman Chinese guy...

  And meanwhile, somewhere else, Ivan Minh pooped so hard and he broke the school toilet. (Yeah, Legendary.)

  In another part of the story, Yaroslav and Sokolov had tried to get back together — emphasis on "tried". But it only made Yaroslav realize one painful truth:

  They really weren’t meant for each other anymore.

  He had tried to be a better man since the breakup, but their differences old issues, different worldviews, were still there, still sharp, still unsolvable.

  Yaroslav also came to a very dark, very depressing realization:

  At this point, the chances of him becoming a creepy old man dating a girl like Duong were higher than the chances of him and Sokolov ever having a serious relationship again.

  It made sense though.

  Yaroslav was getting older, or at least, he thought so.

  He wanted to settle down, get married, have a cozy little family.

  Meanwhile, Sokolov still felt young, wild, and absolutely not ready to be anyone’s spouse.

  Yaroslav sighed to himself: “I'm handsome enough for girls to flirt with me, but not enough to find real love. What a joke.”

  That day, Yaroslav sat alone on a park bench, slouched and sulking, when suddenly, he felt a familiar warmth behind him. He immediately knew who it was... but decided to pretend he didn't.

  Duong, playful as ever, snuck up and placed a handmade paper flower crown right on top of Yaroslav’s head.

  Yaroslav couldn't help it a small, genuine smile crept onto his face.

  He still liked Duong, he really did... but after a month w Sokolov is full of arguments, breakups, makeups, and everything in between, he was... just tired.

  Duong noticed the exhaustion in his posture. She sat down beside him on the bench, offering him her signature soft, comforting smile.

  Duong: What’s wrong, big tank?

  she still called him that, with so much affection

  Yaroslav let out a deep sigh, looking up at the sky for a moment before glancing back at her with a tired but fond smile.

  Then he lazily flopped backward against the bench.

  Yaroslav: Nothing... just some romance problems.

  Duong: Oh? Miss Sokolov again?

  She teased gently.

  Yaroslav: Yeah. She dumped me again. And I’m pretty sure... this time it’s the last.

  Duong: Come on. Maybe she wasn’t the one for you — but that just means someone better is out there waiting for you.

  Despite everything, Yaroslav and Duong had grown genuinely close. They shared everything with each other now, the good, the bad...

  Duong: That flower crown actually suits you, you know. Just think of it as a little love charm, it might not instantly get you a wife,

  but at least you’ll smile every time you look at it.

  Yaroslav gently lifted the paper flower crown from his head and stared at it for a moment.

  Then he looked up at Duong again and smiled, soft and warm.

  Yaroslav: Thank you, little flower.

  His words were surprisingly gentle, almost delicate, which felt hilariously out of sync with his tough, intimidating appearance...

  Duong giggled, brushing her hair back shyly, then stood up and dusted off her skirt.

  Duong: I should head home now.

  Yaroslav: Want me to walk you back?

  he offered, his voice casual but earnest.

  Duong: No need, sir. I think... today I’d like to walk home alone.

  She smiled sweetly, tilting her head.

  Yaroslav waved her goodbye, watching his little paper flower walk away. Maybe he didn’t need Sokolov after all. Maybe... he would be just fine.

  Feeling lighter somehow, Yaroslav stretched, stood up, and got ready to head home himself. When suddenly, his phone buzzed loudly in his pocket.

  It was a call from Ivan.