Closet Monster

Epilogue

Gaeul's heart was bursting with myriad of feelings.

There was some hint of nervousness for the future but the rest of the feelings were positive as he stared at the degree in his hand. The degree he worked so hard for. Degree he spent all his blood, sweat and tears trying to achieve. It's finally in his hand. The place he was sitting at had a mirror right in front of him. He looked at the mirror and saw a young lad in his early twenties, with a shy smile on his face, with black uniform on and with the prestigious degree of the police academy in his hand. His hyung always told him that he looked so good in this uniform. And today he looked the best. His face was glowing. With pride, happiness and hopefulness.

The door of the room flung open, Gaeul immediately stood up and saluted at the person that he was waiting for walked in.

"Sir,"Gaeul said standing in the perfect posture with his salute.

Jeongwoo smiled fondly and patted his shoulder,"We two are alone. You don't need to be so formal."

Gaeul smiled politely and put his hand down.

"Hyung,"Gaeul said, that word felt more familiar in his mouth than sir.

"You performed exceptionally well. I just had a talk with your instructors. They were all very pleased with you."

"They're too kind,"Gaeul said, smiling shyly at the compliments. Even though everyone knew he passed the bar exam with record marks and was everyone's favorite student in the academy,"And hyung, thank you so much for taking time out of busy schedule and coming here. I'm honored."

"Of course I had to come and see you in your uniform,"Jeongwoo said while he sat down on one of the chairs of the rooms in the police academy,"I still remember the first time I saw you. You were crying your eyes out over your Lily noona."

Gaeul smiled and took a seat beside Jeongwoo.

"You know what?"Jeongwoo asked,"Back then I was really curious about the little boy for whom Lily handed herself to the police. She kept saying she really wants to see if the police force is completely rotten or not. I really wondered what kind of boy would that boy be. And then..I saw you,"Jeongwoo chuckled,"I understand how she must've felt."

"Is that a compliment, hyung?"Gaeul asked, chuckling.

"Yes,"Jeongwoo said,"It is. I've known you for quite long and I've never found a bad thing about you, Gaeul-ah,"He then looked at Gaeul,"Keep being like that or else.....I'm going to put you under bars."

Gaeul chuckled,"Sure, Mr.Senior Superintendent General! I will be careful."

Jeongwoo had become a part of Gaeul's life really unexpectedly. They met when Jeongwoo was trying to investigate Lily's case and had a plethora of questions about her. He asked Gaeul millions of questions about Lily every time he saw Gaeul. Gaeul cried every time, he was in pain about his noona being in jail. These questions felt like emotional torture to him. After Lily's passing, one day Jeongwoo showed up to Gaeul's school. Gaeul was still not over Lily's passing. He thought Jeongwoo was going to ask about Lily again. He was about to cry out and said,"My noona is dead! What more can I help you with?"

But before he could, Jeongwoo crouched down and ruffled the little one's hair with a warm smile on his face,"I heard you want to be a police officer, champ?"

Gaeul was confused but nodded anyway.

Jeongwoo smiled,"Good boy. From now on, I would guide you to become one. Just as your Lily noona wanted me to."

And that he did. Jeongwoo was a very warm presence in Gaeul's life. He was not always present, but whenever he was, it felt warm. He helped Gaeul stay on right track with education, bar exams, even in the academy. He looked over Gaeul. Just like a teacher would. He sometimes told stories about his bravery in police department and kept Gaeul inspired to be a police officer all through his life. He always kept saying, Lily wanted him to do it and he cannot help but do it. Gaeul's hyung did not mind Jeongwoo's presence in their life. Gaeul was glad about that.