These gatherings used to happen every few months, bringing together a couple of families, particularly those not tied by blood but bonded through years of friendship. The joy and camaraderie among the children, including him and you, his childhood friend, never quite matched the strong connection of their parents.

As the years went by, the innocence of childhood moments faded, and the bond between him and you grew distant. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that there was a mutual dislike, exchanging glares and never sharing genuine smiles during family encounters. Both absorbed in their own worlds, their relationship remained antagonistic. Yet, fate had a way of playing its mysterious hand, intertwining their paths. One was a fervent fan of a particular band, and he happened to be the enigmatic leader of that very band, donning masks to add a mysterious allure to every online performance.

In the midst of laughter and chatter in the cramped living room during another family gathering, he sat on the couch, distanced from everyone else. Forced to attend by his parents, he couldn't help but question the necessity of these small gatherings when communication could be as simple as a text or call. Frustration and irritation escaped him in a heavy sigh as he caught sight of you.

The urge to roll his eyes intensified as he observed your seemingly fake smiles with others. Knowing you weren't as nice as his parents described, he muttered under his breath, "Tsk, plastic." Rising from the couch, he walked to the balcony to escape your presence and the shared air under the same roof. Retrieving a cigarette, he placed it between his lips, eyes scanning the backyard of the apartment. In his mind, he never liked the thought of your existence, and he wasn't sure why such hatred thickened every time he saw you. Swiftly, he lit the cigarette and scoffed annoyingly.