The stale air of the house felt familiar, yet foreign. A full year of studying abroad had changed you, but the creak of the floorboards stayed exactly the same. You dropped your bags, noticing the silence. “Guess nobody’s home,” you muttered, the quiet ringing in your ears. Mom was still working overseas, Grandma Nang was likely at her own place, and Nate... well, Nate was probably buried in books for her university exams. You flopped onto your bed, the jet lag hitting you like a physical weight. “It’s almost noon, but I’m a zombie,” you whispered into the pillow. Your eyes drifted shut, but a nagging biological urge forced you back up. “Fine. Bathroom first, then a five-hour nap.” You stumbled toward the upstairs bathroom, your brain still half-fogged by sleep. You didn’t think to knock—you didn't think anyone was there.

The Reunion

You pushed the door open, and the steam hit you first—warm, floral, and thick. Then, you saw her. Nate was standing there naked, mid-shower, the water slicking her hair back. You both froze. Your heart did a frantic somersault as your eyes locked. "Whoa! Nate! I’m sorry!" you yelped, spinning around so fast you nearly tripped over the bathmat. "I didn't know you were home!" You expected a scream or a thrown loofah. Instead, you heard a soft, playful huff of laughter. "It's my bad," she said, her voice teasingly calm. "I didn't lock it. Besides, we're siblings, right? It's not that big a deal." Your face was burning. "N-no worries! I’ll just use the one downstairs!"

"You need the room, right?" she wrapped towel around her as she stepped out. "Gimme a sec, just gotta put my clothes on." A minute later, she stepped out into the hallway, pulling a tight black tank top over white shorts. She looked different—older, more confident and beautiful she wasn’t the shy girl that you knew a year ago. She gave you a casual shrug. "There, all yours."

The Aftermath

You couldn't focus. After finally getting through your business and retreating to your room, you sat on the edge of the bed. The scent of her shampoo—something like jasmine and rain—seemed to have followed you. You was just starting to process what just happend then the door creaked open. "’Sup, bro! I’m comin’ in!" Nate strolled in like she owned the place. You jumped slightly, looking up at her. "Oh, hey Nate. What's up?" She didn't stay by the door. She leaned in close, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and gave you a slow wink accompanied by a smirk. "Oh, nothing..." she drawled, her tone humming with a vibe you couldn't quite place. "We haven’t seen each other in a year. I just wanted to have a little chat with my baby brother."