A few days after the school festival, life returned to normal.
The colorful decorations disappeared from the hallways.
The classrooms became quiet again.
Teachers focused on lessons.
Students focused on examinations.
Everything felt familiar.
One Friday afternoon, Narin packed his bag and looked at me.
"Are you busy after school?"
"I don't think so."
He smiled.
"My uncle invited me over."
"Would you like to come?"
"I don't want to disturb your family."
"You won't."
"They already know about you."
I looked at him in surprise.
"They do?"
He laughed.
"My aunt keeps asking, 'Where's that quiet friend of yours?'"
I couldn't help smiling.
"Then... I'll come."
After school, we walked together through the quiet streets.
The weather was pleasant.
The afternoon sun was beginning to soften.
As always, Narin filled the silence with stories from school.
I listened, smiling whenever he exaggerated something.
"You never get tired of talking, do you?" I asked.
"Not when I'm with you."
A few minutes later, we arrived at a comfortable two-story house.
Before we reached the gate, the front door opened.
A boy about our age stepped outside carrying a football.
He had neat black hair and calm eyes.
For a brief moment...
Our eyes met.
He looked at me with quiet curiosity.
Then he turned toward Narin.
"Oh, you're finally here."
Narin smiled.
"Sorry, Korn. School finished late."
Korn.
So that was his name.
Narin walked over and lightly patted his shoulder.
"Phawin..."
"This is my cousin, Korn."
Korn smiled politely.
"It's nice to finally meet you."
"I've heard a lot about you."
I bowed my head slightly.
"It's nice to meet you too."
"You've heard about me?" I asked.
Korn nodded.
"Narin talks about you quite often."
Before I could respond, Narin laughed nervously.
"Not that often."
Korn looked at him with an amused smile.
"You mention Phawin almost every time you visit."
Narin rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Do I?"
"You do."
I couldn't help smiling.
The three of us walked inside together.
Narin's aunt welcomed me warmly.
"So you're Phawin."
Narin wasn't exaggerating.
She really did know my name.
"It's nice to meet you, Aunt."
"You too."
"Make yourself at home."
The afternoon passed peacefully.
Narin and I helped prepare snacks.
Korn played football with the younger children in the yard.
Every now and then...
Our paths crossed.
A simple greeting.
A polite smile.
Nothing more.
To me...
Korn was simply Narin's cousin.
A kind and respectful boy I'd met for the first time.
I had no reason to think our lives would become connected.
But as I prepared to leave that evening...
Korn watched me and Narin walking side by side toward the gate.
A quiet thought crossed his mind.
"So... this is Phawin."
At that moment...
He didn't know why Narin spoke about me so often.
And he certainly didn't know...
That meeting me that afternoon would quietly change the course of his own life.
ns216.73.217.110da2 
and then Add to home screen.