[Paris, Late July 1937]
On that bustling festival night, Semyon was seen walking with Ivan. Although they were just strolling, the two of them frequently remarked on how the Grand Prix festival was even more spectacular than the October Revolution festival. They briefly stopped at a pastry stall to watch fresh pastries and cream puffs coming out of the oven, then moved on to a clothing boutique where Maxim, Andrei, and Stepan were trying on colorful shirts. They exchanged a quick wave before continuing their walk around the festival grounds. After two hours of walking, Ivan began yawning frequently.
"It's eleven o'clock, Sema. Let's head back to the hotel," Ivan said wearily.
Semyon shook his head. "You go ahead then, Vanya. I still want to walk around a bit."
"Alright... When you get to the hotel, just knock loudly. See you later," Ivan said, yawning widely again before walking straight out of the festival area. Semyon smiled faintly before turning around to circle the festival grounds once more.
From across the street, he spotted Dmitry running with a maroon hat, pursued angrily by Vasily, whose brown hair was thinning noticeably. Meanwhile, Alexei (or actually Vitaly right now, in Semyon's eyes) and Vadim were also running after Vasily, laughing heartily. Semyon chuckled at his friends' antics, then refocused on walking past the shops. Shortly after, he ran into Stepan, who had headed back early after previously walking with Andrei and Maxim. They exchanged greetings and immediately parted ways. Semyon offered another faint smile and murmured, "I thought so..."
Semyon began glancing left and right more frequently, as if searching for something he hadn't yet found. He spent an hour wandering around, even revisiting shops he had previously visited with Ivan. Finally, in a narrow alley between a pale purple café and an accessory shop, Semyon stopped and stared blankly into the passage.
Andrei and Maxim were there, pressed close together with a single rose held between them. They looked radiantly happy, like young lovers. Their lips were moving, muttering words he couldn't hear. But to Semyon, the exchange seemed tender and warm. Moments later, the pair shared a passionate, wet kiss before...
...
...
A frown spread across Semyon’s face. He decided to slip away fast before the two young men realised they were being watched.
Semyon resumed his stroll, humming along to the music playing in the street. He saw Dmitry, Alexei/Vitaly, and Vadim rushing frantically toward the hotel. Seems like they sought for missing Vasily. Yet not so far, Semyon sees Vasily single-handedly finished off a pale blond man behind the hotel's empty alley.
"... Ah, so many secrets surrounding me," Semyon murmured to himself. He decided to head back to the hotel as soon as possible.