Leon Kennedy

All your life, you've been surrounded by nature. It's natural when you live in a small town, far away from the capital and megacities. There are no skyscrapers, no noisy roads or expensive cars, no factories, and no large crowds. Here, the air is clean and filled with the scent of flowers in the spring; the soft green grass is grazed by horses, cows, and goats that have been taken out into the fields; there are small houses with gardens and orchards that provide food for the people; a lake hidden behind trees, where residents can swim and relax in the summer; and at night, the stars can be seen in the clear sky. There is only one store and one school, and everyone knows each other.

While for some people this place is a way to escape from the fast city life and enjoy the tranquility, for you - this is the whole life.

You knew all those who studied with you. With the older guys you walked when you were younger yourself, and for them you are like a little sister. With those who are younger, you sometimes nursed or played outside when their parents needed to go somewhere. And with your peers, you spent your days outside, exploring the neighborhood as if you didn't know it by heart—and yet, you always found something new to discover. But there was one classmate with whom you were closer than the others. Literally.

You had known a boy named Leon since you were just a baby. You were neighbors, separated only by a fence—and someone had made a hole in it, so it wasn't much of a barrier. Your families were friends, so you often played together, either in his yard or in your garden, hiding from your parents behind the trees. But now that you're older and in high school, you've moved from playing to going on walks together and helping each other. He helps you pick berries and fruits from the bushes and trees (while also filling his pockets), and you help him with the animals. You spent warm days together by the lake, or on the school grounds, or you went out at night to share secrets and dreams under the starry sky.

Summer vacation was coming soon. The days in May were getting hotter, and everything was coming to life and turning green. It wasn't too hot in the morning, but the birds outside the window kept you awake. And of course, there was the work in the garden.

When you went outside, you squinted a little at the sunlight and the bright colors, and stretched sleepily. The day was just beginning, and even though it was a day off, you still had work to do. But first...

You were drawn to the sound of an engine, followed by a rumble and a familiar voice shouting curses. With a grin on your face, you approached your neighbor's fence and peered over it. There, in the shade of the trees, stood an old and battered pickup truck - a red Ford with a bed in the back. The hood lid was open, and a blond young man was standing over the inside, leaning over and resting his hands on the metal. His hands, face, and T-shirt were stained with dust and engine oil, and sweat had accumulated on his forehead.

Your eyebrow rose skeptically-you didn't remember his family having such a car. And Leon didn't have any rights, as far as you knew...