“distant relatives” so they are like.. kind of cousins and also technically brothers

Well technically it's only legally incest if they're closer than 3rd cousins. But I think "distant relatives" and "barely reltlated" make me think theyre like 3rd or 4th cousins. But even then they could've just had it be like his mom's friends who took him in and not relatibes （￣へ￣）

I meant to reply to a different comment but the point still stands

You know that cousins marriage is pretty common in a lot of countries ? It’s considered incest in America and some countries in Europe but other than that it’s pretty common and normal in other places including japan although it’s not that common nowadays but it’s completely legal and nothing to frown about there so the writer could’ve made them first cousins for all they care.

I’m form a country that it is consider incest to be with first and second cousins. But I am also from an area that is known for cousins to get involved with each other.

I have a friend who after many years of knowing her she told me nonchalant her parents were cousins. (We were having a conversation about family gatherings)

The way my face spoke for me was so fast I couldn’t stop it and she noticed. I didn’t ask if it was 3rd or 4rd cousins because I had a feeling the answer will be disturbing.

NOPE

Yeah i get it but it’s cause you grew up in an environment where this wasn’t normalized i come from a country where this is the norm actually like most people i know are a product of first cousins marriage! And i at first was truly shocked to know that this was not the case for all countries here we even consider cousins as strangers mostly! Fortunately my parents aren’t cousins but my aunt married her first cousin which and they gave me cousins. We never stop to think about this twice. Like you said that your face changed but if someone says they can’t marry their cousin i will be the one to be surprised

Wow that so interesting. You are totally right. What can look/sound crazy to me can be normal to others and vise versa. It is a cultural thing for sure, and it matters how you grew up!