The Unexpected Guest

Min-jae sat behind the wheel, watching silently as Ha-eun walked up to her house.

Her eyes narrowed when she noticed something — the door was slightly ajar.

Ha-eun paused too. Her steps slowed. Her brows furrowed.

That’s strange… I always lock it.

Min-jae tilted his head, watching from a distance. He could tell something wasn’t right… but he didn’t ask.

Maybe she forgot, he thought, shifting his gaze away.

He was just about to drive off when—

A scream.

Ha-eun’s voice.

Sharp. Terrified.

In a flash, Min-jae jumped out of his car and sprinted toward the house.

He burst through the door, ready to defend — but stopped short.

Inside, Ha-eun was struggling with a guy — yelling, pushing, almost childishly fighting.

“What the hell—?” Min-jae muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

He grabbed both of them by the arms and pulled them apart.

The guy looked Min-jae up and down.

“Yah. Who are you?” he asked. “Ha-eun, did you get a new boyfriend without telling me?”

Ha-eun slapped him on the shoulder.

“Why should I tell you anything? Who are you to ask?”

The two instantly launched into another argument.

Min-jae stepped back, blinking in disbelief.

He snapped, “Will you both just shut up for a second?”

Then he turned to the guy.

“Who are you? Her boyfriend? Ex?”

The guy scoffed. “Me? Pfft. As if. Her boyfriend?”

Ha-eun crossed her arms. “Do you really think he is my type? Ew.”

The argument restarted like a broken radio.

Min-jae had had enough. He suddenly placed his hand over Ha-eun’s mouth.

“Shut up. Just… for one minute. You’re like kids.”

Ha-eun gave him a shocked look, but didn’t move.

He asked again, “Then why did you scream if you know him?”

Ha-eun pulled his hand away.

“I wasn’t prepared to see him. He just… barged in!”

Min-jae turned to the guy. “Should I call the police?”

Before either could process, they both shouted in unison—

“NO! NOO! We’re cousins!”

Min-jae blinked.

“…You two are what now?”

“We’re cousins,” Ha-eun confirmed again, rubbing her temples.

“He’s just… annoying.”

Min-jae stood there, speechless for a moment.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, muttering to himself,

“Unbelievable…”

⸻

Inside the House

Ha-eun and her cousin sat on the couch in tense silence.

But suddenly, all her emotions came crashing down. She broke into sobs—loud, heartbreaking, echoing through the house.

Her cries even reached Min-jae outside as he sat in the car, staring at the steering wheel.

He winced.

“Is she a crybaby or what…”

⸻

Inside, Ha-eun glared through her tears.

“Why did you come so late?!”

Her voice cracked. “Why didn’t your mom and dad show up? Huh?! Is their love life more important than Halmeoni’s funeral?!”

Her cousin sat in stunned silence.

Then finally, he spoke quietly.

“…My mom and dad got divorced. I’ve been living with my mom in the UK. I don’t even know where Dad is anymore…”

He lowered his head. “I came to surprise you, but… I didn’t know. I didn’t know she passed away. I’m sorry.”

Ha-eun’s tears slowed. She looked at him — really looked at him.

“…Are you okay?” she asked softly.

That was all it took.

Her cousin broke down. The walls he’d built crumbled. Tears streamed down his face as he covered it with his hands.

Without hesitation, Ha-eun pulled him into a hug — her arms wrapping around his shoulders tightly.

In that quiet living room, two broken hearts clung to each other — bound by shared grief, regret, and the painful love of family.

⸻

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