Trapped in his Maestoso || 엑소 백현

epilogue

⚠️ Warning: Mature content ahead  (in a while hehehehe) ⚠️

As the hall was filled with loud cheers and shouts of pride, you silently bowed at your batch mates with a smile. They just smiled back and bowed as well before going to their own groups to take pictures.

Ah, it sucks to end my college life without any close friends, huh? Well, at least we're civil.

"Lee Saejin-ssi."

You turned to the person who called you, and instantly smiled. It was Mr. Lee, one of the nicest professors you've encountered in the past four years. Your eyes went to his hands that held a single rose.

"Mr. Lee! I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again after the thesis week." You said as you grabbed the side of your graduation robe to walk easier. "I didn't manage to tell you how grateful I am to be under your care. Even when I did my thesis, I've received your help often. I'd like to repay your kindness—"

"You haven't changed a bit, Saejin-ssi." He smiled, the wrinkles under his eyes were apparent, as he held out the rose in front of you. You widen your eyes in surprise. "You're still as quiet and intelligent as the first time I've met you in your sophomore year. I was really proud to see you take the highest honor on stage, and looking at what you've become now, I could see how far you'll go in your journey. Take this," You carefully turned your palms up to receive the rose. Fortunately, the stem was trimmed off of its thorns. "I just took one of the roses from the stage. I don't think they'll know."

You laughed at his mischievous comment, feeling a bit lighter than earlier.

"Thank you for this, Mr. Lee. I'll surely take all your lectures in mind in my journey ahead."

"Did anyone come to celebrate with you? It was Kim Jiwon's aunt who went on stage with you, right?" Mr. Lee looked around as if expecting someone behind you. You looked down on the rose in your hands with a small smile.

"Jiwon's taking her time to take pictures with her friends, and Aunt's probably the one who's taking them. I'm just waiting for them to finish." You ran your thumb on the stem, your nail slightly scratching the skin.

"Have you taken pictures? I think it would be best to capture this moment, hmm?" He said while smiling at you. "It would have been great if you had someone to take them with too."

Someone. I don't have anyone right now other than Jiwon and aunt Jinah.

"Saejin-ah! Let's take the pictures now! Sorry for taking so long!" Jiwon ran towards you with a huge grin on her face, her aunt trudging behind her with a frown. "Oh, Mr. Lee! Let's take one with him too!"

"Smile, honey!" Aunt Jinah said as she took the pictures. Mr. Lee was in the middle of you and Jiwon. "One, two, say cheese!"

"Cheeseeeee!"

"I'll take your pictures as well then." Mr. Lee kindly took the camera from aunt Jinah and replaced her spot. Jiwon quickly hugged her waist, and aunt Jinah hugged both of you to her side. You smiled at the warmth that they gave you at this moment.

This is an important part of my life with the most important people.

"One, two, say cheese!"

"Cheeeseee!" You grinned big as Jiwon and aunt Jinah loudly said. After a few shots near the stage, aunt Jinah and Mr. Lee talked on the side about business while you and Jiwon continued taking selfies with the roses nearby.

"Congratulations, Saejin-ah! You've worked your ass off so hard, I salute you!" Jiwon giggled as she squeezed you to her side, her phone raised up to take pictures. You giggled as she took the photos endlessly.