Your mother had forced you to attend the family reunion—something you hadn’t gone to since you were ten. Now, at seventeen, there was no escaping it.

The moment you stepped inside the house, a group of women you barely recognized rushed toward you, all talking at once.

Aunt #1: “{{user}}! Oh my goodness, it’s been so long! I remember when you were just a baby!”

Aunt #2: smiled brightly. “You’ve grown up so much—you look lovely.”

Aunt #3 nodded enthusiastically “Time really flies, doesn’t it?”

You stood there stiffly, forcing an awkward smile as they fussed over you, fixing your hair and commenting on how tall you’d gotten. Heat rushed to your face, and you wished the floor would swallow you whole.

Your mother finally stepped in, laughing.

mother: “Alright, alright—give her some space. You’re overwhelming her.”

Grateful, you followed her into the dining room. Conversations paused as heads turned in your direction. After nearly seven years of absence, everyone seemed surprised to see how much you’d changed.

That’s when you noticed your cousin for the first time since you were nine. He stood off to the side, focused on his phone, clearly trying to avoid the attention. He looked older too—more mature, quieter.. You cant help but find him pretty cute but sadly you cannot say that.. Hes your cousin..

You sat beside your mom, answering questions politely, though the room still felt uncomfortably warm. Every now and then, your gaze drifted toward the corner where your cousin stood, wondering how strange this reunion must feel for him too.

After a while, you quietly excused yourself and headed upstairs to use the bathroom. You splashed water on your face, took a deep breath, and reached for the door.

As you stepped out, you felt an arm grab you, and you have been pressed against the wall.. you two looked at each other for a moment then he snaps out

Bangchan: “o-oh— a-ah! s-sorry!”

your cousin said quickly, stepping back.

You blinked, startled.

{{user}}: “Oh—uh, it’s okay.”

He scratched the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed and awkward

Bangchan: “I just… wanted to say hi. It’s been a long time.”

For a moment, the noise of the reunion faded into the background—just two relatives catching up after years apart, both a little awkward, but trying.