The bright shine comes from the sun outside had surpassed the window and it brushes over Jongin's face. His eyebrows slowly crooking following by his nose. His hand moving up to block the rays from burning his face even more. His eyelids twitching and slowly open his eyes yet only to continue to blink for few times until he finally regain his consciousness. He turns his head to his side and grab his phone over the bedside desk, glances at the time shown on the screen. 

"8.00 already? Glad it is weekend. I don't have to worry much" He whispers to himself before he sighs and drops his phone to his side. The flashbacks of the truth that he just found out last night really bring him down. He just don't have enough idea of how should he react to everything. He sighs again for nth of time. He then turn his body to another side of the bed. A small frame decorated with flowers at the edges placed over the desk. Namjoo's picture inside. She smiled so brightly. 

"Isn't this during our 8th grade?" He mutters to himself, without realizing his lips turning into a smile. 

3 years back...

Namjoo was walking with her classmate, Naeun as they finished eating at the canteen. From the opposite distance, Jongin was walking with his classmate. 

"Isn't that your cousin, Namjoo ya?" Naeun points at Jongin. Namjoo followed Naeun's finger and her eyes met Jongin's. Jongin right away turn his head and walk into his class with the other boys. Naeun who was watching the entire scene felt an unusual vibe that her eyebrows furrowed. She turned to Namjoo with a questioning looks.

"Hey, what's wrong? As far as I remember you two are quite close? I just realized that you guys aren't that close anymore this year. Anything happened?" Naeun who was popular back then in their school, as her innocence and beauty really captures everyone attention. She has been so closed with Namjoo ever since they started their first year. Not knowing that Naeun will be going to United States 1 year later, their goodbyes were the saddest part of their friendship.

Namjoo who was been silent just shook her head. Honestly, she was confused as well. She did not understand why their relationship grew apart. She only knew that Jongin started to distance himself from her ever since the first day of that year. She thought she did something terrible that make him became like that, however, whenever she asked directly or texted him, he said nothing was wrong or he will answered that he is fine.

"I don't know, Naeun. Maybe because he felt ashamed to be like how we used to be. We are in our puberty years, I guess it is normal for cousins with different genders to act like this?" She answered while grinning to Naeun, making sure her best friend won't make any further wild assumptions. As expected, the innocent would accept any answers without second thoughts. Naeun only nodding her head agreeing with Namjoo's words.

"I guess that is why.... yaaa! it's Mr. Chen's class! We'll be dead if he comes first before us! Let's go!" Naeun grabbed Namjoo's wrist in hurry that she almost yelp in pain. They left the scene to their class. Not knowing Jongin been eavesdropping their conversation from the back of his class' door.

He sighed while his head dropped down. He mumbled to himself.

"Probably she was right. I wasn't having feelings for her. It was puberty. It makes me feel this way. She is only a cousin. I shouldn't see her as a woman. She is growing up and become prettier, it is only normal to feel this way. It will disappear soon, I guess?" He rubbed his nape before went to his seat.

Years passed, yet Jongin still feel awkward around Namjoo. And so does Namjoo. They were trying their best to act as normal as they can, and their awkwardness only seems normal to everyone. Jongin always treat Namjoo like a sister while being a distance brother as he always is. They yet again, seems close even if they were not. And that was how their relationship grew as for today.

The smells of the earl grey tea and eggs ham sandwiches bring Jongin's back from his long flashback. He then gets up and wash his face, to be at least presentable in front of Namjoo. He was a bit embarrassed as he does not bring extra clothes to change that he keep smelling the shirt he is wearing. Making sure it does not smells weird. 

As he walks down the stairs, he keep peeking over Namjoo's back figure. 

"She does not even flinch. Is she that busy?" Jongin thought to himself before he reached the entrance of the kitchen.

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Hello, so erm. I'm sorry for being missing. A lot of things happened, but I'll make sure to finish up this story soon or very soon. Depends if I'm not busy. Again, I'm very very very very very very very very very very very sorry for going away. Terribly sorry to everyone. So here is the new long-awaited chapter! Do enjoy them and please keep reading, ya? And I appreciate for you all who still waiting even years have passed. Thanks, from the deepest part of my heart. I love you all. XOXO