Serendipity | SunKi Au

49: Why, why, why

PART 3

When all the boys were done with their goodbyes they all made their way down. Sullenly, they take each step down. Mrs. Nishimura and Mrs. Kang look up, stopping their conversation when they arrive. Both women's faces become sad as they look at the group of adolescents.

"When are we... leaving?" Riki questions, his voice full of sadness. 

His mom gives him a sad smile, "Mr. Kim instructed us to leave now. Our flight is at nine."

Despite the heaviness of his heart, the youngest nods before turning his head down to the floor. He only raises it when he feels a weight on his shoulders. Sunoo smiles at him contrary to the tears welling in his eyes, "I'll accompany you to the airport."

"I'm afraid you can't do that." At the sound of a new voice, all eyes turn to the entrance to the kitchen where Mr. Kim was standing as stoic as ever. Everyone that was already in the room could practically feel shivers run down their spine at the new addition.  "You have school, son. Say your goodbye to your," he grimaces in disgust, "friend here." 

"I'm going to the airport," the boy says firmly. 

The older raises an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"I said," Sunoo takes a step forward, glaring at his father. "I will be going to the airport with Mrs. Nishimura and Riki," he finishes off, unwavering. 

Mr. Kim's lip twitches in annoyance but doesn't say another word and instead turns around and walks away. 

"And that's what we call tension," Jungwon says, letting out a breath, breaking the silence.

Sunoo clears his throat, "We should get going," he states, looking directly at Mrs. Nishimura, not daring to look at the person he loves. 

"Will you guys come?" Riki questions his friends.

"Can I, Mrs. Kang?" Jake asks, his eyes full with hope as he looks at the woman. She sighs, gives him a sad smile, and nods at him as a response. 

"We'll come too," Jay says. "We're already missing first period anyway."

"I'm coming as well," Jungwon smiles sadly.

Riki sighs, "Then... let's go, I guess." 

Without waiting for any response, he grabs onto his luggage handle and drags it out of the kitchen through the service door. The women walk right behind him leaving only the other boys behind. They all glance at each other with worried gazes. They silently communicate through their looks but then Sunoo speaks up, "Let's just not cry because then he'll cry then it'll be harder to let him go on the plane," he sighs and then walks behind the others. 

The 02 liners plus Jungwon look at each other. "By that he meant he won't be able to let him get on the plane, right?" Sunghoon asks and the other three nod before following along.

---

As soon as the car hits the road, Ni-Ki casts his gaze outside, looking blankly at the roads. His head was stuck in a whirlwind of thoughts that he couldn't escape; School, the studio, his dream, the competition, his friends, and Sunoo. He was creating a path in Korea, one that he wanted and was proud of. It was unfair that it would be taken away just like that, just because of the person he likes... loves. Why? Why? Why? Was a reoccurring word that went through, circling around, and wouldn't get out. 

Why couldn't Mr. Kim accept them?

Why was it such a big deal?

Why couldn't they just be happy together?

Why did they have to be sad and shed tears just when they had found happiness?

Why, why, and why.

He felt someone's hand on his which was resting on his thigh making him immediately look down. He knew who it was and he couldn't find the courage to look up at his lover's face. Instead, he put his head on his shoulder and closed his eyes, hoping that this was all a dream.

---

They were all now at the airport, meters away from the gate. Sunoo and Ni-Ki sat side-by-side, the younger in the same position as earlier. Mrs. Nishimura was busy checking in. Jay was dozing off a few seats away from them. Jungwon and Jake had started bonding and were grabbing some coffee while Sunghoon wandered off to the airport's gift shop. 

"I wish we could just run away," Riki suddenly mumbles, breaking the silence. "I wish we didn't need to have a care for the world and we could just live carefreely. Weird I say that when I dream is being an idol, huh?" he chuckles dryly.

"You'll come back and we'll see each other again," Sunoo says confidently in a low voice, playing with the other's fingers. "And my dad can't stop me for too long. He won't always have control over me, especially when I take over the company. And we'll call and text every day at all times. At the end of the day, we'll be back on each other's side. We just have to believe it."

The younger nods on his shoulder, nuzzling further into him. "I love you, hyung," the boy whispers for only him to hear.

"I love you too, Riki," the other male responds with the same tone and a soft smile, kissing the top of his head. 

"Okay," a new voice said and when the two looked up they saw Sunghoon busily looking through a bag. "So, I bought you an eye mask, a travel toothbrush, candy, a hairbrush, a plushie, ramen, a neck pillow, and some other stuff."

Riki cracks a smile at this, a genuine smile. He laughs, "Hyung, the flight from Seoul to Tokyo is only two hours long. Why would I need all this?"

They make eye contact and Sunghoon lets his lips tug up into a smile at the way the younger looked, not happy but he had let the sadness go away for a while. He shrugs, "I just got carried away," he chuckles. "By the way, we called Heeseung-Hyung," he lets his eyes roam all around the place, "I don't know if he'll get here on time, though. There are only twenty minutes left until you have to go in," he explains, the last sentence coming out sullenly. 

"I don't think we have to worry about that," Sunoo says, looking behind Sunghoon where the said male was seen, running in their direction, his eyes cast directly at them.

The other two turn their eyes there and instantly laugh at the panic on his face. At that moment, the other boys arrive as well. In confusion, they follow their eyes and laugh as well. Heeseung glares at all of them when he arrives. "I didn't want to get here late," he pants. When his eyes land on the youngest he instantly softens up and offers him a smile. "Hey, Riki. How are you?"

"Really shitty, honestly," he laughs despite his eyes which were threatening to spill his tears. When no one laughs with him, he glances around to look at each one of them and so he sighs. "I'll miss you all," he gives a sad smile. 

"Riki, it's time to go."