Feeling Brew

~Epilogue~

"Do you have to leave?" Mi Ran sniffled.

Irene shouldered her duffel bag. "The International Environmental Science League wants us. This has been my dream since I was five."

Jooheon pulled up the handle of his suitcase, cocking an eyebrow. "When I was five, I was outside playing freeze tag with my bros."

"Nevertheless, we're sad to see you go," Johnny sighed. "You have to remember to eat three meals a day and take care of each other."

"Of course. We'll be back before you know it. Love you guys!" Irene made a heart with hands before they disappeared into the security line of the airport.

Mi Ran wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks. Four years ago, Mi Ran had despised her twin. Every second of the day, she tried being someone else to be liked. At school, she had to compete with Isla, and at home, her parents only saw Irene. But now that she was living as her authentic self, all the resentment had dissipated. She and Irene developed a strong bond that no one could shake. She was devastated watching her sister go.

"Soon, we'll be leaving, too," Isla reminded her.

That seemed to lighten the mood. Taeil, Johnny, and Mark were a part of boy group NCT, and soon, they'd be departing on their world tour. But every good show had an opening act or two. Mi Ran's indie-style along with Geo's powerful vocals fit the bill.

Isla squeezed her boyfriend's hand. They had created so many memories together since they had first met at the coffee shop. They even gave their university graduation speech together. And now, they'd be performing across the globe hand-in-hand.

"Someone looks happy," Mark snickered.

They all turned to look at the new couple. Johnny was holding Mi Ran's phone high above his head, and the girl was trying everything possible to get her device back, but she was no match for the six foot giant.

Taeil giggled. "This world tour is really going to be something. We need to start filming a behind the scenes video."

"Won't your dad miss you?" Johnny asked. "Will he be okay on his own while we perform?"

Taeil grinned. "Don't worry. My father has a whole plan of his own."

~~~

"Yes, come again soon!" Dr. Han wished the patient before they left.

He reached for his mug, savoring the taste of the Brazilian coffee in his mouth. Ever since people discovered superstars Geo and Taeil were linked with the doctor, sponsors poured in money to help him achieve his dreams and open clinics around the world to help those in need. Each year, he would relocate to a different country until he had established operational and friendly clinics where people could freely talk about their problems.

Everyone was finding their place. It was okay to be sad and upset, but what they realized was even in those dark moments, they had at least one person standing by their side, wishing them well and giving them the courage to pick themselves up and start over.

Mi Ran thought back in college when she had cracked from the pressure, everything was over. She would have to transfer schools where no one would know her name. But Isla and Taeil had given her the confidence she needed to just be her and leave her facade in the past.

Irene had lived as a studious girl, even going as far as to consider studying a hobby. But even someone so put together and focused could go off the rails. In that moment, someone who had seemed so cold and distant reached out a hand and helped her to her feet. And now she and Jooheon would be working on a project with some other scientists in Iceland.

Johnny had finally scored the girl he had been crushing on for as long as he could remember. Mi Ran and him ended up spending so much time together that whenever they were apart, she felt empty inside. But both of their personalities clicked well. And oftentimes, their dates consisted of tea nights where they talked about everything and anything, spilling tea about their lives under the night sky.

Taeil was glad his friends were happy. He was thankful someone like Isla had magically brought them all together. Mark, Jooheon, Mi Ran, Johnny, Irene, Isla, Taeil- they were a weird combination. Definitely a combination no one would expect. But together, they learned to love themselves.

That night, Taeil sipped a cup of tea he had steeped and stared up at the sky. Isla had fallen asleep on the chair beside him, and he reached over to cover her properly with her blanket. The tours and schedules would soon consume his life, and he'd get swept up in interviews and variety shows. The chaos seemed overwhelming, but he would manage. Isla had helped him through worse.

So as the stars twinkled like diamonds in the night sky, he decided to smile a little brighter and love himself a little more. Feeling brew was not about being sad. It wasn't an emotion that he could put into words. It was a feeling. Sometimes warm, sometimes hot. Sometimes so cold, he felt like he was in Iceland with Irene and Jooheon. But Taeil believed, every cup of coffee was different, and he would enjoy each sip. That was his secret to feeling brew.

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A/N: I can't believe Feeling Brew has come to an end.  Thank you for showing this book so much love!  Writing this book was nearly a 2 year journey, but I don't regret spending that much time with these lovely characters.  If you have any questions about the book, the characters, or the writing process, feel free to ask away!  I'd be more than happy to answer everything :D

**You may have noticed already, but some of my books are connected.  To experience the full effect, read the books in this order:

1. Something I Can't Have

2. Tear

3. Feeling Brew

4. Coming Soon ;)