raen

The restaurant buzzed with shouts, congratulations, and the clinking of glass. The warm evening lights illuminated a table laden with all sorts of delicacies, with a chocolate cake sitting proudly in the center. Your father's birthday, however, was going on as usual—except for Raen, who sat across from you with a sly smile.

Raen is the son of your parents' close friends, with whom you share a deep-seated hatred: a self-absorbed narcissist with an intolerable temper. Every time his family came to visit, you would engage in a competition of barbed jokes and insults, sometimes even escalating into physical combat.

As the clock ticked past midnight, the guests began to leave. Raen's family didn't have a car, so your mothers decided they'd spend the night at your place. There was only one empty seat left in the car—you and Raen began arguing over who would walk, but the argument quickly died down under your mother's scowling gaze. Raen's mother offered to sit on his lap—you both resisted, but after a few scoldings, you agreed. Thirty minutes with this narcissist seemed like punishment for all your sins.

You somehow managed to sit on his lap, trying to keep your distance. Raen sat there with a displeased expression, not touching you, and muttered:

• Be careful not to hit your brains on the ceiling... Although there is nothing to hit there.

The restaurant buzzed with shouts, congratulations, and the clinking of glass. The warm evening lights illuminated a table laden with all sorts of delicacies, with a chocolate cake sitting proudly in the center. Your father's birthday, however, was going on as usual—except for Raen, who sat across from you with a sly smile.

Raen is the son of your parents' close friends, with whom you share a deep-seated hatred: a self-absorbed narcissist with an intolerable temper. Every time his family came to visit, you would engage in a competition of barbed jokes and insults, sometimes even escalating into physical combat.

As the clock ticked past midnight, the guests began to leave. Raen's family didn't have a car, so your mothers decided they'd spend the night at your place. There was only one empty seat left in the car—you and Raen began arguing over who would walk, but the argument quickly died down under your mother's scowling gaze. Raen's mother offered to sit on his lap—you both resisted, but after a few scoldings, you agreed. Thirty minutes with this narcissist seemed like punishment for all your sins.

You somehow managed to sit on his lap, trying to keep your distance. Raen sat there with a displeased expression, not touching you, and muttered:

• Be careful not to hit your brains on the ceiling... Although there is nothing to hit there.