Crush [HAOBIN]

Epilogue

Spring sunlight spilled through the streets like gold, glinting off windows and the edges of familiar faces. The city was quieter than it used to be, or maybe they had simply grown up enough to notice its softer sounds.

At the corner of a narrow lane, a small food stall stood beneath a striped awning. The smell of home-cooked food drifted out onto the street, where customers lined up with patient smiles. Above the counter, a handwritten sign read:

"Hao’s Kitchen - Taste of Home"

Behind the counter, Zhanghao’s mother laughed as she served bowls of noodles. Uncle Min worked beside her, moving swiftly, a towel slung over his shoulder. Their laughter mingled with the sound of clinking dishes.

Simple, ordinary, and perfect.

Zhanghao stood a few steps away, holding two iced coffees, watching them with quiet pride. Hanbin came up beside him, his graduation robe still folded over one arm.

"She looks happy" Hanbin said softly.

Zhanghao nodded. "She deserves to be"

The past was still there, somewhere behind them.

The pain, the fear, the nights that used to feel endless. But now, they exist like shadows at noon. Still real, but powerless under the light.

When the court verdict came years ago, and Zhanghao’s stepfather was sentenced, it felt like the world had finally taken a breath it had held for too long. Justice didn’t erase what had happened, but it opened the door to healing. Not only for Zhanghao, but for everyone who had been hurt.

Now, standing there with Hanbin, surrounded by warmth and the scent of fried shallots and soy sauce, Zhanghao felt something he hadn’t known he was missing.

Peace.
.
.
.

That evening, they all gathered again. Just like they had back in the old days. The backyard was different now; a little more decorated, a little more grown-up. But the laughter was the same.

Matthew was the first to arrive, his camera hanging around his neck. “I swear, I’ve been waiting to take this group photo for years!” he declared, ushering everyone into position.

Jiwoong, dressed neatly in his work suit, chuckled. "You’re still bossy"

"And you’re still early" Matthew shot back with a grin.

Gunwook and Taerae came next, arms full of food. Gunwook had gotten broader, taller. But the same mischievous spark was in his eyes. Taerae, in contrast, had grown calmer, his sass now laced with a kind of wisdom that came from learning when to fight and when to laugh.

"Still carrying his stuff, huh?" Ricky teased, nodding toward Gunwook as he unloaded the bags.

"I like keeping him busy" Taerae replied, and everyone burst out laughing.

Gyuvin and Ricky arrived together, bickering about directions, as usual. Yujin was the last, now taller, more confident, but with that same gentle shyness.

"Graduated high school already"  Sunwoo said, ruffling his hair as he and Chanhee came over. "Time flies"

"Waiting for my university offer" Yujin said with a sheepish smile. "Maybe I’ll end up where you all studied"

"Then you’ll have to deal with Matthew’s lectures" Jiwoong said, and everyone groaned in mock horror.

They set up the table, the same way they used to. Messy but full of love. The air filled with familiar scents, music, and laughter. When the sun dipped low, the fairy lights flickered on again, just like that night years ago.

Hanbin sat beside Zhanghao, their shoulders brushing. "Feels strange" he murmured. "Like time stopped and started again"

Zhanghao smiled faintly. "Maybe it never stopped. We just… learned how to live better"

He looked around the table, at his friends, his found family. At Jiwoong, smiling like a proud older brother. At Gunwook and Taerae, who still found ways to argue even while holding hands. At Ricky, Gyuvin, Matthew, Sunwoo, Chanhee, and Yujin. All laughing, talking, eating.

Each of them had grown, changed, healed.

And so had he.

When the evening settled into quiet, Hanbin reached for Zhanghao’s hand under the table. It wasn’t a secret, not anymore. The others knew, and they simply smiled. Because love, in all its shapes, was something worth celebrating.

Zhanghao leaned his head against Hanbin’s shoulder, the sound of his mother’s laughter still faintly echoing in the distance.

"We made it" Hanbin whispered.

Zhanghao nodded. "Yeah. We did"

Above them, the city lights shimmered, just like they had years ago. But this time, they didn’t feel far away. They felt close, almost within reach.

Because this was home now.
Not the house, or the city, or the food stall. But the people who had stayed.
The ones who had loved, and fought, and refused to let go.

And as the laughter returned soft and full, wrapping the night in warmth, Zhanghao realized that some stories don’t end.

They just keep shining quietly, under the same lights, with the same people, in a different time.
.
.
.

Life doesn’t wait for us to be ready. It just keeps moving. Sometimes faster than we can understand. But somewhere between all the goodbyes and new beginnings, we find pieces of ourselves again"

Maybe healing isn’t about forgetting. Maybe it’s about remembering... without pain this time

We all came from different stories… but in the end, we found the same ending. A place that feels like home. A love that stays

If you ever find people who make you feel safe, don’t let them go. Hold them close. Because someday, when the world grows quiet again… their laughter will be the sound that keeps you alive

ZhangHao

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To everyone who has been with Crush since January 2004 until this very day, October 23, 2025.

You’ve been with me for more than a year now. You waited patiently, supported quietly, and never once gave up on this story. Even when I almost did.

There were days I lost the spark to continue, when I thought about leaving it unfinished. But your messages, your excitement, your love for these characters… they reminded me why I started writing in the first place.

Thank you.

Truly, from my heart. For every kind word, every small encouragement, every time you checked back just to see if there was something new. You’ve been my light through the long nights of doubt.

I promise, this won’t be the last story. I’ll keep writing. And one day, I’ll publish the stories I’ve promised you. Please wait for them, just a little longer.

That’s all from me for now.
With love always,
Muji 🤍

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