Ivan Mirosnikov, a spirited young man navigating life during Gorbachev’s era, faces uncertainty as he approaches mandatory military service and remains uninvolved in college. Residing with his divorced mother, he works as a courier for a Russian newspaper. His encounters with the condescending Professor Kuznetzov and his defiant daughter Katya lead to unexpected developments. Seeking to irritate the professor, Ivan fabricates a romance with Katya, only to find that she playfully supports his claim. As their lives intertwine, Ivan discovers more about himself and the complexities of love and rebellion.