Friend {SoonHoon}

Epilogue

-One Year Later-

"Congratulations, Writer Lee, you're about to have a best-seller!" Wonwoo cheered as he slid a book across his desk. "As tradition, you get the first printed copy."

Jihoon smiled as he took the book off the desk and gazed at it fondly. He had only had two other books published, but they had been stories he didn't care about. He just followed the formula of what normally passed through the eBoard and got published. Now, he finally had one of his own go through, one he actually loved.

Wonwoo smiled as well at Jihoon's excitement and pride. He had been his editor for years and saw the immense talent Jihoon held. The same talent the board never saw because they couldn't get over the darkness and bleakness of his stories. Wonwoo saw past that. He saw the hope and undiscovered happiness hidden underneath it. He always believed in him and now, all their efforts were paying off.

"I can't believe it's finally here," Jihoon murmured as he traced the cover with his finger.

The cover was simple with a drawing of a man outlined with a white shadow, but it held so much significance to him. It was his story,

"I know." Wonwoo agreed. "It feels just like yesterday when you told me you were writing again."

For the past eight months, Jihoon had been cooped up at home. At first, it was because of his crushing and suffocating grief, but then he shifted that into his writing. After the night he lost he lost Soonyoung, he began writing. At first, it was just minor retellings of what happened, but then things started to have more detail and more emotion. Before he knew it, he had his first draft after eight months.

"We're having the party for the launch tonight. Is that alright?" Wonwoo asked.

"Yeah, that will give me time for an errand."

"Great, I'll text you the details."

Jihoon nodded as he got up and headed to the door. Before he could even touch the doorknob, Wonwoo called after him. He returned and looked at the other expectantly. He noticed Wonwoo fidgeting as he messed with random things on his desk. Normally, he was calm, polite, and put together. Nothing like the mess of the person in front of him now.

"When this is all over, do you maybe, wanna get dinner?" Wonwoo finally asked.

For the past year, Wonwoo and Jihoon had grown closer. When Jihoon wasn't holed up at home writing, he was making plans with Wonwoo. They had done a lot together and learned more about one another. Of course, there were still parts of himself that Jihoon kept private such as his part-time job with the supernatural, but other than that, Wonwoo was the only person who knew him and the only one Jihoon was most comfortable with.

Jihoon grinned widely. "I'd love to."

Wonwoo seemed surprised that Jihoon agreed so easily and he found himself blushing. "So...it's a date?"

"It's a date," Jihoon confirmed.

Jihoon headed home first. He needed to change for the party and put his new book in a safe place. He decided to put it in the center of the shelf near his desk. That way, he could see it every day and it would serve as a reminder of what happened and who he had become. He changed and as he turned the corner to leave, he found himself to be face to face with a ghost. She was no older than fifteen or sixteen. She had short brown hair and wide eyes that were confused and sad. She stared at Jihoon in anticipation, clearly asking him for help. After Soonyoung, he started paying more attention to spirits and tried to be more patient with them, but he was only human. He still got annoyed from time to time, especially when he was pressed for time.

"Listen, I have an important meeting to attend and then a thing for work. I don't have time today, but if you come back tomorrow, I might be able to help." He told her.

The ghost seemed to understand and went to disappear but Jihoon remembered something else to add.

"I know it's hard to perceive time, but please don't come back before noon." He pleaded.

The ghost nodded and disappeared leaving Jihoon alone once more. He shook his head before leaving his apartment. He took the bus downtown and then took a taxi for the rest of the way. He searched for the place a million times and knew it by heart, but going there was different and overwhelming. The taxi took a left indicating that they were leaving the city. Jihoon hugged the present he brought closer to his chest as his mouth went dry and his heart rate increased. It was finally happening. The driver stopped at the end of the road and turned to Jihoon.

"This is as far as I can go." He told him.

Jihoon nodded and paid the driver. He then handed him a few extra bills. "Can you wait for me?"

The driver looked skeptical. "How long?"

"No longer than ten minutes." He promised.

The driver counted the bills before nodding. Jihoon thanked him as he exited the car. He took a deep breath as he stared ahead. He promised he would do it, but it was harder than he anticipated. The wind blew past him and he shivered, feeling as if he was being ushered forward. He took long calculated steps until he reached where he was supposed to be. He set the flowers down first and then stared at the stone in front of him.

"Hey, Soonyoung." He said finally.

He cringed at himself afterward. He standing there talking to stone. He supposed though, that was better than his usual habit of talking to the air, but at least the air had a face and body he could see. He eventually got over the awkwardness and continued, He promised to visit Soonyoung's grave and he intended to keep his promise.

"I hope the afterlife is good, especially after all the work it took to get you there," He joked. "Tell, Geyongsuk, Seokmin, Seungcheol, and Chan I said hi." He felt the tears coming but he pushed through.

"I haven't been doing too bad. I wrote a book and it's releasing worldwide tomorrow. It's about you." He admitted to the stone. "Consider it a thank you for what you've done for me."

He stared at the stone a little longer before talking again. "Also, you were right about Wonwoo. He asked me out today. Thanks for that tip. It would have blindsided me otherwise."

He smiled at the stone as he wiped the tears that fell when he blinked. "I have to get going. Wonwoo will be upset if I leave him at a party alone. I'll try to come here often." He promised. "I hope you're doing well in the afterlife."

He gave the stone one last glance before walking back to the taxi. The wind blew once more and he felt a hand on his shoulder, but when he turned, he saw no one. As he got into the taxi, the driver looked at him through the rearview mirror.

"Did you get what you needed?"

Jihoon smiled as he remembered the warm hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, I finally found my peace."