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"If you hate the Germans so much, why fight with them?"
It's a stupid, childish question, meant to irritate, and Lahtinen doesn't dignify it with a proper answer.
"They didn't give me the option to decline when they drafted me."
Salo is annoingly undeterred. "Why not desert? You don't like the politicians in charge; what do you care if the Russians rule us instead?"
"I'm a Finn." Lahtinen bares his teeth in warning and Salo backs down, a young wolf who has playfully challenged his elder and only too late realized his mistake. "Just becuase I abhor the chains of capitalism doesn't mean I'll roll over and let Finland be chained by Russia again. Our land is ours."
"Oh," Salo says. "I didn't think you, uh—that was well-put."
Lahtinen glares after Salo's hastily retreating back. "Someone's gonna shoot that kid for running his mouth one of these days."
"He only asks your opinion because he respects the strength of your convictions. He looks up to you," Koskela says.
Lahtinen scowls. "I never asked to be anyone's role model."
"Tell me about it." Koskela offers him a quiet smile. "He could stand to be a bit more like you, though."