Who's she? -1-

The conflict between the two came to an end, and the matter was settled, with the excitement that had enveloped the entirety of the Black Lotus Center subsiding after Yuriy's definitive victory.

Vasyl admitted to Yuriy, saying, "I never imagined you possessed such strength and cunning, Yuriy. How were you able to control the bear with such ease?" Yuriy replied, "I'm not exactly sure. Everything happened swiftly. It's a sensation that can't be described."

Vasyl's expression seemed to concede defeat, but it also carried a grudging acknowledgment of Yuriy's superior skills. The respect for Yuriy's impressive display during the bout was evident. Overwhelmed by the moment, Vasyl, in a burst of his characteristic silly enthusiasm, grabbed Yuriy's arm. "I really like you, Yuriy," he exclaimed, "From now on, you're my best friend, Bahahaha!" Yuriy tried to wriggle out of Vasyl's grip, a mix of amusement and annoyance evident, but soon gave in, knowing that there's no escaping Vasyl's goofy moods.

Shaking off the peculiar bonding moment, Yuriy continued to converse with Vasyl and Vladyslav. It wasn't long before a new face approached him. Joy was evident on the countenance of the individual responsible for escorting newcomers to their quarters and showcasing the center's facilities. Now, it was his turn to guide Yuriy to the accommodations for the new recruits. Offering a warm, welcoming smile, he introduced Yuriy to the soldier's quarters.

"Hello there, I'm Sial," he introduced himself. "Now that you've finished trying out the new device, how about resting in your new room? Oh, and of course, I'll show you around all the center's rooms! Nyahaha!" Sial had a youthful appearance that belied his age; even though he was in his twenties, he looked much younger than Yuriy, who was 17. Sial grabbed Yuriy's hand and started pulling him along. Yuriy protested, "Wait... just a moment!"

The duo wandered through the center, exploring various rooms. Military installations usually encompassed a wide range of spaces: command rooms, meeting halls, storage facilities, laboratories, barracks for soldiers, gymnasiums, training areas, security rooms, and more. They moved from one room to the next, leaving Yuriy feeling utterly fatigued by the end.

"Lastly, we've reached the residential quarters, your new home," Sial announced. However, he quickly turned around, realizing that Yuriy was struggling to keep up due to exhaustion. Yuriy was nearly stumbling, gasping for breath, as he tried to match Sial's energetic pace.

Yuriy paused for a moment, standing atop the small bridge that separated the backyard from the residential side. Suddenly, something caught his attention from afar. He turned to his right and spotted a girl sitting alone under a pine tree. She seemed almost unnoticed, like a ghost. She sat there by herself, absorbed in her book, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. Her reading was carried out with an air of uncertainty.

Yuriy gazed at her with an expressionless face for a few moments, until Sial called out to him again, "Yuriy, what are you up to?" Yuriy replied casually, "Oh, I'm coming."

After his long day, Yuriy entered his dorm room. A faint scent of cleanliness lingered in the air, as the room was meticulously organized. A single bed with pristine white sheets was placed against one wall. A dark wooden wardrobe stood in the corner, holding the official military uniform.

Amidst the tranquil silence, the military dorm room revealed its intimate details. Uniforms for different occasions adorned the room—daily wear, formal attire, and even the distinctive school uniform. On the small table by the window, a closed laptop rested beside a colorful book filled with pages that seemed to dance with knowledge. Across from the bed, an open military bag displayed an array of personal equipment. A picture of Yuriy's family hung on the wall, its presence evoking a soft smile as memories flooded back. Sunlight filtered gently through sheer curtains, casting a warm touch upon the room.

In this gentle hush, the soldier found moments of quiet contemplation, rejuvenating from the fierce confrontation he had endured against Vasyl.

He approached the window, using both hands to open it wide. A deep inhalation and exhale were enough to curve a smile on his face. However, his attention was drawn once again to the enigmatic element that had stirred his curiosity before: the girl sitting near the pine tree. The tree, it turned out, was right beneath his dorm building. He stared at her for a few moments, then mustered his courage and took his first step, uttering, "Hey there, what are you doing under the men's dormitory?"

Yuriy noticed the girl's gaze fixed on the ground. Even though he was sure she could hear his distant calls, she remained silent, leading him to wonder, "Is she ignoring me?"

Compelled to confront her, Yuriy walked towards her. He felt justified in questioning her presence there. After all, she was in the vicinity of the boys' military dormitory, seemingly overlooking its boundaries. If a male soldier were found near the women's dormitory, he'd likely face accusations of inappropriate behavior. As he approached her, Yuriy, with a hint of irritation, remarked, "You know, I tend to be noisy when I sleep. If you stay near that tree for too long, you might get an earful."

She remained deeply absorbed in her book, seemingly oblivious to his approach. It wasn't until his shadow fell over her that she finally acknowledged his presence. Lifting her gaze, their eyes met. "Hmm? What do you want?" she inquired with a collected demeanor. However, a continuous stream of tears from her eyes hinted at an underlying distress. Yuriy hesitated for a moment, taking in her features.

The girl’s hair flowed like a cascade of golden silk, catching the sunlight and casting a soft halo around her. The hue of her eyes was a mesmerizing shade of blue, akin to the expanse of a clear summer sky stretching endlessly. Her eyebrows, gracefully arched and thick, framed her visage in a way that accentuated her allure. A delicate beauty mark adorned her right cheek, a subtle punctuation that set her apart from the ordinary.

As the girl wiped away her tears, Yuriy found himself grappling with indecision. Should he continue the conversation? Perhaps it wasn't wise. She might shift the narrative to elicit his sympathy, or attempt to win him over, as some do in such moments. Another part of him suggested retreating to his room, letting the situation resolve itself. After all, if the guards noticed her being out of place, they'd intervene.

Yuriy muttered an apology, hesitating for a moment before taking deliberate steps back. He intended to exit discreetly, pretending he'd never encountered the situation. Yet, a nagging thought halted him. "What if she genuinely needs someone right now?" Not wanting to be hasty, he paused to reflect. "Why does this have to be so complex?" After a moment of contemplation, he chose to address her, despite his usual reluctance to intervene in others' affairs.