I have a younger cousin that when we were little used to be very touchy and always wanted my attention and to be close with me, I always hated it and told her off so many times, until I decided that if this way isn't working I would do the opposite, so I started to wholeheartedly accept her, so we hugged, crossed arms, she even sat on my lap multiple times, until a day a family member saw us and said that we were really close now, and I answered "I got tired of telling her off so I let her do whatever" after that my cousin gave me a look and never once approached me anymore.
We are 6y apart and I was 15~16 at that time, and my brain was pure and not corrupted already so I never thought any of it.
Looking back she 100% was taking advantage of the situation and thought we were turning into something and was disappointed when she heard my answer.