Epilogue: Realizing the Fine Man in Ju Ha
It was just another afternoon at school, but Do Yoon's mind was far from the usual distractions. He was heading to the library for their regular study session, but something felt different today. The air seemed heavier with thoughts, and for some reason, his thoughts kept circling back to one person—Ju Ha, his hyung.
Do Yoon had always respected Ju Ha, admired him in his own way. But lately, there was something about his hyung that had been gnawing at him, something more than just the usual brotherly affection. It wasn't that he hadn't noticed before, but something had shifted. Maybe it was the way Ju Ha had seemed to grow even more confident in his own skin, or perhaps it was the way he carried himself effortlessly, as if the world bent to his will without him even trying. But for some reason, today, it all came into sharper focus.
As he made his way through the school corridor, he passed a group of third-year students gathered by the lockers, laughing and chatting. Do Yoon had no real reason to stop, but then a phrase caught his attention. The conversation, light and casual, suddenly centered around none other than his hyung.
"Have you guys seen Ju Ha lately?" one of the girls asked, her voice filled with admiration. "I swear, he's gotten even more handsome this year. And his guitar skills? Man, he's top-tier."
Another student, a boy, chimed in eagerly, "I've heard that solo he did last month during the performance—insane! I don't even know how he does it. He makes everything look so easy."
The first girl nodded, eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "Yeah, and have you seen the way people look at him? He's got this... vibe, you know? Like, he's not even trying, but everyone respects him. It's no wonder people are scared of him."
The words, as casual as they seemed, hit Do Yoon like a wave. Ju Ha? His hyung, the one who used to mess with him, tease him endlessly, and drag him into mischief—he was the one being talked about like this? No, more than that. He was being admired. And not just by a few people—by everyone.
Do Yoon stood there, frozen for a moment, his mind racing. It wasn't as though he hadn't noticed Ju Ha's popularity, his undeniable presence. But hearing it from the third-year students, hearing them gush over how cool Ju Ha was, made him realize something he hadn't before. He'd always known Ju Ha was special, but now he was seeing him through the eyes of everyone else—everyone who looked at him in awe and maybe even fear.
"Isn't it funny how people are scared of him, but that just makes him even cooler?" the second girl said with a half-laugh. "I wish I could be like him, you know? He's got everything—good looks, talent, and this way of just owning every room he walks into."
Do Yoon's heart skipped a beat at that last part. Owning every room he walks into? Was that what his hyung was doing? Do Yoon had always seen Ju Ha as someone he could easily talk to, someone who would tease him or give him advice, someone who'd been there for him since the beginning. But in these students' eyes, Ju Ha wasn't just the guy with all the answers—he was the guy, the one who had it all and made it seem so effortless.
He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride swelling in his chest. This wasn't just his hyung anymore. This was a fine man—a guy who had earned the admiration of his peers, a guy who was more than just a senior, more than just a friend. He was someone everyone respected, not just because of his talent, but because of the way he carried himself, the confidence he exuded without even trying. It was like Ju Ha had turned into a symbol of coolness, of strength, and even mystery.
"Do you think he knows how much people respect him?" the first girl asked. "I wonder if he even cares."
"I don't think he does," the boy answered. "He's way too chill for that. But it's part of what makes him so impressive."
At that moment, it clicked for Do Yoon. All the teasing, the little fights, the hours spent in each other's company—they had all been part of something bigger. Ju Ha was more than just a hyung to him. He was someone who had inadvertently taught Do Yoon what it meant to walk with confidence, to own who you were, no matter how many people were watching. And in that instant, Do Yoon couldn't help but feel a strange new respect, a deeper understanding of just how special Ju Ha truly was.
It wasn't just his guitar skills—though those were definitely impressive. It wasn't just his looks or the way he carried himself. It was the whole package—the way he made everything look effortless, the way he made everyone around him feel like they were part of his world. Ju Ha had always been the cool guy, but now, Do Yoon realized just how much more there was to him.
Taking a deep breath, Do Yoon straightened up and made his way to the library, his thoughts lingering on his hyung. As much as he loved their playful rivalry, their teasing moments, there was something about Ju Ha that made him proud to be in his orbit. Ju Ha had earned his place, not through power or domination, but through quiet strength, confidence, and talent. And Do Yoon felt lucky to be able to call him his hyung.
As he entered the library, the weight of the moment still heavy on his mind, he grinned to himself. Ju Ha had become something of an enigma, someone who commanded respect without needing to ask for it. And while the world may have seen him as untouchable, for Do Yoon, Ju Ha would always be his hyung—the guy who had always been there, the one who had always known him better than anyone else.
"Yeah," Do Yoon muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a grin, "Ju Ha really is something else." And with that thought, he felt a sense of peace settle over him. He may have just realized it, but his respect and admiration for his hyung were deeper than ever before.
