Maxim sat on the couch, back against the wall, staring into the void. His gaze was fixed on a single spot, though there was nothing there—just white, slightly cracked plaster. The silence pressed down on him so heavily it felt like it could crush his skull. Lapin sat beside him. Silent. Whistling a tune Maxim couldn’t remember, yet somehow it pierced straight into his brain and made his heart beat faster. Every movement Lapin made unsettled Maxim, sending a small, sharp shiver through him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lapin slightly move his hand—and he flinched as if struck by electricity. Lapin noticed.
“Mmm…” he said softly, continuing to whistle, “too many nerves.”
Maxim didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to.
Lapin tilted his head, smiling, but there was no warmth or friendliness in it. It was as if he could see more than Maxim was willing to admit.
Lapin stood. Slowly. Without a sound.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFT9CYLbly
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqwicOF970
“I’m going to the other room,” he said, without looking back.
Maxim was left alone. And it got worse immediately. He had no idea what was happening. In fact, he might have been relieved if Lapin came back, because then at least he would know exactly what to fear. Maxim closed his eyes, trying to stop the whirlwind of thoughts spinning in his head. But as soon as he relaxed, the feeling of being watched ran shivers down his spine again. He opened his eyes and looked around, searching for the source of his unease, but the room remained empty and silent. Minutes stretched on endlessly.
Every sound seemed louder than usual, every rustle a warning signal. The air felt thick and heavy, pressing on his chest and making it hard to breathe freely. Suddenly, the door creaked, and Maxim’s heart froze. Lapin appeared again in the doorway, holding a cup of coffee. His face remained calm, but the way he looked at Maxim betrayed curiosity and interest.
“You look tired,” Lapin said, sitting down across from him.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekGmCG7w6u
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwMBFL0PhX
“Maybe you should rest a bit?”
Maxim stayed silent, trying to control his breathing and avoid direct eye contact. He felt like a trapped animal, cornered by its own fear.
“You know, sometimes it helps to let go of control,” Lapin continued, slowly sipping his drink. “It frees your mind from unnecessary worry and doubt.”
The words almost sounded comforting, but at the same time sparked irritation and distrust. Seriously? You’re saying this after yesterday? God, what’s wrong with you, damn rabbit! Maxim didn’t know how to react. Just yesterday, Lapin had torn him apart, leaving nothing but ruins and ashes, like a wild beast escaped from a cage. And now he was sitting calmly, drinking coffee, talking about controlling emotions? How was that possible? Maxim felt an urgent need to get up and run far away, to disappear from this place forever, to forget Lapin and the nightmare connected to him. But he couldn’t. He didn’t know how. Maxim felt bound hand and foot by this cursed system, cursed by fear, cursed… by Lapin. His legs wouldn’t obey, his body seemed paralyzed by terror. Panic built inside him, threatening to explode into hysteria. He had to do something, say something, act… Maxim opened his mouth, but the words got stuck in his throat. He gulped, trying to steady his breath, but with every inhale it only got worse.
“You’re trembling,” Lapin said calmly, keeping his eyes on him. “Again.”
Maxim lowered his gaze. His fingers clenched into fists—not to strike, but just to feel that he was still alive. That there was something inside him besides fear.
“Go away…” he rasped.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu96QaOElG1
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29SAGzf3Yt
“No,” Lapin replied shortly. His voice was quiet, but firm. No emotion. Only cold fact.
He leaned forward, put the cup on the table, and rested on his knees as if about to say something important—but changed his mind. For several seconds, they just sat in silence. The air between them buzzed with tension.
“Lapin… you… you’re just a freak… a moral freak…” Maxim finally muttered, covering his face with his hands. Really a rabbit… he thought.
Lapin smirked slightly, but not like a normal person laughs. Without sound, without spark, without any sign that it affected him. Just the corners of his lips twitched, as if testing whether the expression still worked.
“A freak, huh?” he repeated calmly, looking at Maxim. “Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”
Maxim sharply removed his hands from his face.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVFpLbSGkz
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcIeGRF27h
“What?” His voice cracked. “What… what are you talking about?”
“Honesty,” Lapin replied. “You call me a freak because it’s easier. Because if I’m a monster, you can stay good. Convenient, isn’t it?”
Maxim took a deep breath, filled with rage. How am I a freak? Did I mock myself in a moment of helplessness? I promised to always be there, and then almost drove myself to the edge of suicide! He raged silently in his mind, but didn’t dare speak.
“Well…” Lapin said quietly, as if reading his thoughts. “Silent again. You always go silent when it matters to say something worthwhile.”
Maxim clenched his jaw.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZNJn20OTL
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZmhGW37yP
“Shut up.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X3leJAMCZ
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEziKWlYkz
“I can’t,” Lapin replied calmly. “If I stay silent, you’ll have to listen to yourself. And you don’t want that, do you?”
Maxim turned away, staring at the floor.
He felt something tremble under his skin—not his body, but something deeper, as if reality itself inside him was cracking. His temples throbbed. The air felt heavier.
“I hate you,” he whispered, barely audibly.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZefiZsVIJy
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ2i2IiGWW
“No,” Lapin said, standing. His voice almost gentle. “You hate yourself. You’re just projecting. It’s convenient. And safe.”
Maxim jumped up.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjSAIAflAi
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3NMRdOKF
“Enough of this psychological crap!” he shouted. “You don’t even understand what I’ve been through!”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJMHRzBv4X
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur76UEN5uY
“Well, I do. I know your mother died,” Lapin said, feigning surprise, as if it really affected him.
Maxim went pale. Was he really going to bring it up again? Really remind him of that day? Anger and pain fused inside him, and he didn’t even notice that he suddenly threw Lapin onto the couch and leaned over him.
“Shut up!” he growled into Lapin’s face. Lapin whistled in astonishment and delight, staring into Maxim’s furious eyes.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS69dmiIuX
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuZ9bE7VOT
“You can do that?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ohmZYlya
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlR0YgKpnI
“Shut up, Bunny…” Maxim said firmly, using the name he had given Lapin. Lapin shivered and slowly smiled. “As your master, I command you to be silent.”
The system didn’t hesitate.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRE4fvY1cx
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6tHwciKBY
[Assistant silence mode activated.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN4OYAWQlW
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlkmDCV6b1
Influence level: 1. Some functions temporarily restricted.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt8Di6EEOM
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcCZL35m5K
Subject Bunny is forbidden to insult, offend, or command.]
Maxim breathed heavily, feeling his body gradually relax, though his mind remained on edge. Lapin lay under him on the couch, eyes wide open, not resisting. Even the rabbit seemed surprised by his courage.
“Hm…” Lapin murmured quietly, smiling slightly. “Well… that’s unexpected.”
Maxim clenched his fists on the couch, bracing on Lapin’s shoulders to keep from shaking. His heart pounded so hard it felt like the whole room could hear it.
“You… you understand?” Maxim exhaled, looking straight into Lapin’s eyes. “I… I can stand up to you…”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6fZF2iA38
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5kK0pKC90
“Stand up to me…” Lapin repeated, tasting the words. “Oh, you surprise me.”
Maxim gritted his teeth. Inside, panic, anger, and fear raged, but also a strange relief: finally, he could say something, do something.
“And don’t… remind me… about her…” he growled.
Lapin nodded slightly. His smile was calm, almost respectful.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHNM3XPmte
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYUEhuydYe
“Of course, master… I wouldn’t want to be punished by you,” Lapin purred, making Maxim cringe in disgust.
Maxim twitched, trying to pull away, but Lapin’s hand, weightless, barely touched his wrist, holding him in place. His heart raced, and his mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts—anger, fear, relief, distrust.
“Are you sure you can handle more?” Lapin asked quietly, keeping his eyes on Maxim. “Or is it easier to hide inside yourself again?”
Maxim clenched his teeth, feeling ready to give up, let go, fall silent—but a small voice inside whispered: don’t give up, don’t lose control.
“I…” he began, but the words got stuck in his throat. Everything inside him trembled, as if the very air was stretched tight.
“Shh…” Lapin leaned closer, smirking. “Don’t rush. Breathe. Control. This is your game.”
Maxim inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. His heart calmed a bit, though tension remained. He knew this was only the first step—the first act of resistance—and it infuriated him that the one helping him do it was the very being he opposed. Maxim was furious. He felt he had no real control. Lapin didn’t hide it either, staring at him with red eyes that glimmered with a sick pleasure. He was enjoying it. Maxim felt like vomiting. The system didn’t even signal his internal state, forcing him to defend himself against a creature of unknown origin, supposed to protect him, not torment him.
He didn’t even notice tears sliding down his brown eyes. One drop fell on Lapin’s lips, and Lapin didn’t miss the chance to taste it. Maxim jerked back as if struck by a new wave of panic. His heart pounded wildly, his lungs burned, his palms were sweaty.
“Goddammit, what the hell!?” he shouted, bouncing to the opposite corner of the couch.
Lapin suddenly laughed loudly, clutching his stomach.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq9kNL8FdA
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmagloG3V0h
“What’s the matter, master? Didn’t you put us in this situation? I thought you wanted it.”
Maxim didn’t know what to do. He had never faced something like this before. What normal person would lick someone else’s tears off their lips with that expression? It was strange. Even stranger, Maxim’s ears were burning. He decided to do nothing about it. He just got up and ran to the bathroom.
70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWAUl6TDQm
and then Add to home screen.