Epilogue: The Bold Declaration
The basketball court had grown quieter as the sun began to dip behind the horizon, casting long shadows over the game that was slowly winding down. Ju Ha's team had won again, as usual, but it wasn't the final score or the satisfaction of victory that kept Do Yoon's attention. His mind was still on the new student—the one who had been eyeing him earlier, challenging him in subtle ways. There was something about the guy's presence that still irked him, but Do Yoon tried not to let it bother him too much. What mattered now was that he had Ju Ha by his side.
As the game wrapped up, the players started to disperse. Ju Ha tossed the ball over to one of his friends and walked over to Do Yoon, a playful smirk on his face. The tension from earlier had seemed to dissipate, but there was still an undeniable electricity in the air—something that had been building between them for months, though neither of them had quite addressed it.
The new student, still lingering by the sidelines, watched as Ju Ha and Do Yoon conversed. He had been quiet during the rest of the game, but there was something about his gaze that made Do Yoon uneasy. It felt like he was trying to figure something out. Do Yoon didn't know why, but it made him self-conscious. That was when Ju Ha, noticing the lingering tension, did something that left everyone speechless.
Without a word, Ju Ha turned to face the new student, who was still standing a few feet away, observing the two of them. Ju Ha's expression shifted from casual to something more serious, his eyes locking with the new guy's. Do Yoon couldn't help but feel a wave of anticipation, unsure of what Ju Ha was about to do.
"Do Yoon," Ju Ha said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "is my boyfriend."
The words hung in the air for a moment, sharp and clear, leaving no room for doubt or confusion. Do Yoon's eyes widened, and before he could process what had just happened, Ju Ha took a step closer, cupping Do Yoon's face in his hands, tilting his head gently, and pressing his lips to Do Yoon's in a slow, deliberate kiss.
The kiss was soft but firm, full of unspoken feelings that had been building for a long time. It wasn't some playful peck or a fleeting moment—it was a kiss that said everything they had been holding back, a kiss that told the world what they had kept private for so long. Do Yoon's heart raced, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he let himself sink into the moment, savoring the warmth of Ju Ha's lips against his, feeling the world fall away for a brief, blissful instant.
When they finally broke apart, Do Yoon was breathless, his cheeks flushed. He couldn't even find the words to say. His mind was spinning, but all he could focus on was the intense gaze Ju Ha gave him—a look that was both possessive and protective, yet so incredibly loving.
The new student, who had been watching from a distance, stood frozen in place, his mouth slightly agape as the reality of the situation set in. Ju Ha's declaration had been clear. And the kiss? Well, that left no room for any more questions.
"Now, do you understand?" Ju Ha asked, his voice calm but with a touch of challenge, as if daring the new student to say something. "Do Yoon's not just anyone. He's mine."
The new student, clearly caught off guard, shifted awkwardly on his feet. There was no response, no snide remark or challenge this time. He seemed to have lost his boldness in the face of Ju Ha's unwavering certainty.
With that, Ju Ha turned his attention back to Do Yoon, his expression softening. "You're not just my hyung's shadow, you know?" he whispered, his fingers brushing lightly against Do Yoon's cheek. "You're my everything."
Do Yoon, still trying to catch his breath, smiled, the corners of his lips curling up in a mixture of surprise and happiness. He had never expected this moment to come so boldly, so publicly. But here it was. Ju Ha, always confident, had made sure that everyone knew the truth.
As the new student walked off the court in silence, clearly having understood the message, Do Yoon felt a sense of calm wash over him. Ju Ha had just claimed him in front of everyone, but more than that, he had done it with pride. And for the first time, Do Yoon realized just how much Ju Ha cared about him, how much he wanted the world to know they were together.
For a long moment, they stood there, just the two of them, with the fading light of the sunset casting long shadows around them. It felt like the world had shifted in the best way possible. Do Yoon didn't need anyone else to validate his feelings for Ju Ha. He didn't need to prove anything to anyone. All that mattered was that Ju Ha had chosen him—and that was more than enough.
As Ju Ha pulled him in for another kiss, this time a little softer, a little sweeter, Do Yoon couldn't help but smile against his lips. No words were necessary. The kiss said it all.
And for the first time in a long while, Do Yoon felt like everything was exactly as it should be.
