A Touch of the Wind:
My Perfect Twister by Anna Jane, Summary

The work immerses the reader in a series of youthful intrigues, student ambitions, and complex interpersonal interactions. The original manuscript was created in 2010, marking the beginning of the acclaimed book series. This book is a story about sincere youthful experiences, jealousy, and the unforeseen consequences of secret conspiracies. The romantic plot revolves around comical coincidences and attempts to control the feelings of others. The author pays special attention to the characters’ inner worlds, their fears, childhood traumas, and psychological defense mechanisms.

The events unfold within the walls of the university. Third-year student Maria Burundukova, studying in the art history department, has long harbored an unrequited crush on Nikita Klarsky. She associates her inner voice with a proud eagle, and her fleeting thoughts with fussy, colorful tadpoles. She lives in constant conflict with her older brother, Fyodor, and is distinguished by her lively, tomboyish nature. This familiar routine is disrupted on a warm May day. Denis Smerchinsky, a star of the foreign languages department, a basketball player, and an incredibly charming man known by the menacing nickname "Smerch," sits down next to Masha in the hallway.

An unexpected offer

Denis delivers devastating news. It turns out Nikita has started dating Olga Knyazeva, Maria’s quiet and inconspicuous classmate. This information triggers a strong emotional reaction in Maria — a powerful emotional outburst bordering on panic. Smerchinsky admits that he himself has unrequited feelings for Olga. He suggests that Masha join forces. The goal of their destructive alliance is to break up the newlywed couple. Denis dubs their team "Chip ’n’ Dale," jokingly dubbing Maria "Chipunduk."

Jealousy prevails over common sense. In the empty reading room, the students sign a written collaboration agreement. Smerchinsky learns from intercepted messages that the couple plans to spend the evening at the "Ray" shopping center. Masha and Denis hastily leave the library through a first-floor window and head to the meeting place on the guy’s red and black motorcycle. At the shopping center, the allies hide behind an architectural column. Smerchinsky hires a random homeless man named Ilyich to steal a bouquet of white roses given to Olga. Ilyich succeeds brilliantly in the theft, but the incident only brings the lovers closer together.

A series of failures

The targets of surveillance move to the Kino-Ray movie theater. Smerchinsky enlists the help of his informal friends. A green-haired punk nicknamed Cherry sits down next to Olga and Nikita, starting to make a loud noise. However, his violent provocations lead to a full-scale brawl with aggressive moviegoers. Security intervenes. Nikita and Olga leave the theater just in time, and Denis disappears into thin air. Masha is escorted out of the building by another of Denis’s assistants, an eccentric young man named Lande wearing a long red scarf.

Soon, Smerchinsky contacts Maria. He discovers that the couple has moved to the Porcelain Lily café. The allies occupy a nearby table, hidden behind a high wooden partition. Denis devises a sophisticated plan for a cognitive attack on Klarsky’s self-esteem. He asks a random patron to give Olga an expensive vintage wine and a gourmet dessert on behalf of a secret admirer. A colossal confusion suddenly arises, triggering a violent conflict between the strangers. The jealous man attacks Denis’s hired assistant. The date is ruined again, but Olga and Nikita manage to escape before a massive brawl breaks out.

The fortune teller and the police

Leaving the café, Masha and Denis encounter a street fortune teller carrying tarot cards. The stranger calls Denis flighty. She advises him to be himself and hints that the mysterious Azure Girl still loves him unconditionally. The fortune teller’s words deeply touch Smerchinsky. To prove his phenomenal luck, he suggests they visit an underground slot machine parlor located in an old building.

At that moment, the building is swiftly surrounded by an armed riot police unit. The boys narrowly escape inevitable arrest. In the crowd of onlookers, Maria accidentally encounters her father, a police lieutenant colonel. To avoid arousing suspicion, Denis introduces himself as Masha’s official boyfriend. Her father approves of his daughter’s choice. That evening, Masha communicates with Denis online, enduring the constant taunts of her older brother, Fyodor, who enjoys controlling his sister.

Incident on the bridge

On Sunday, Denis invites Masha to the Bridge of Lovers. Olga and Nikita are scheduled to have another romantic date there. Smerchinsky brings in new helpers — the flamboyant actress Alice Mimi and her companion, Sasha. Alice deliberately smokes directly in Maria’s face, triggering a panic attack related to a fire she experienced as a child. Denis abruptly stops his friend’s behavior, protecting Masha.

The plan is for hired actors to stage a jealousy scene, portraying Nikita’s former partners. This theatrical plan is intended to shock Olga with her betrothed’s unconventional sexual preferences.

The actors put on an unimaginably raucous performance. Nikita is profoundly stunned by the absurd public accusations. However, Olga quickly uncovers the hidden provocation. To prove Nikita’s sexuality, she passionately kisses him in front of everyone present. Smerchinsky’s latest plan fails miserably. Denis and a distraught Masha leave the bridge. The woman throws a minor tantrum, but Denis calms her with an unexpectedly warm embrace.

Public disgrace

The next day, Maria arrives at university and is confronted with startling rumors. The entire faculty is heatedly discussing her alleged romantic relationship with Smerchinsky. Her classmates, including her eternal adversary, Dmitry Chashchin, ask tactless and tricky questions. Masha’s best friends, Lida and Marina, are offended by her secrecy. It turns out that Denis’s overly proactive friends deliberately spread the rumors. They decided to throw him a massive surprise party to celebrate his new true love.

After a rigorous series of classes, the students take a bewildered Masha out onto the university steps. A huge crowd with colorful balloons has already gathered there. When Denis appears, the musicians, with genuine enthusiasm, sing songs of praise about their fictitious love. Smerchinsky is in a state of profound shock. The excited, cheerful crowd chants wedding slogans and demands an immediate kiss.

The massive flash mob is interrupted by the arrival of armed police. The students scatter in panic. Denis grabs Masha’s hand tightly and pulls her into the enormous university building. Using a secret electronic key, he calls the faculty elevator. The heroes enter the Large Chemistry Auditorium. They hide under massive tables, trying not to make a sound. Masha furiously accuses Denis of secretly orchestrating this shameful spectacle. Denis swears his absolute innocence. In the cramped, enclosed space, the heroes find themselves in dangerous physical proximity. Smerchinsky carefully blocks Masha’s attempts to break free, trying to smooth over the intense interpersonal conflict. Trapped in isolation, the students continue their emotional confrontation.