Love So Strong ~Hueningkai~

Chapter 8

Ari ended up staying in Alaska for 3 months, not that she minded. Her training improved immensely.  She was able to get her time down to 20 seconds for shooting and reloading a gun and was able to hit the moving manikin right through the middle. Kudos to Beomgyu. Ari took both Yeonjun and Taehyun down to the ground with the moves that she learned. Yeonjun was complaining about his back for a week. Taehyun had a bruise on his butt. Soobin was impressed with how strong and fast she became. Knives and daggers were her weakness, or it was just because Kai was a boss at it. When the two did combats against one another with a knife, she would fail. He always got the upper hand, even when he was easy on her. She nicked him once on the leg, which made him fall to his knees, but while he was kneeling, he was able to swipe his good leg under her and she landed on her back, her knife flying out of her hands and into his. 

"You'll beat me eventually." He smirked. She would just roll her eyes at him. 

Tess, unfortunately, left after staying for two weeks. She had to return to school in Seoul. Beomgyu was depressed, so the two had spent the last few days together. 

Ayno had messaged her weekly to let her know what was going on. There was no sign of Dmitri. Not even a word. Her father thought it would be okay if she came home, but Ayno convinced him to give her another month. That month went by fast. She was heading home. Ari had her suitcases all packed and in the car. She took one last walk through the house, loving the memories that she made here. TXT would be returning to Seoul. Kai, though, was going to escort her back to Romania. Their flight would be leaving at 8 pm that night. Soobin, Taehyun, Beomgyu, and Yeonjun had left the day before. Jung-hoon would be driving the two to the airport. 

"You okay?" Kai came walking up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder. 

Ari was staring out the window. She nodded her head and turned to look at him. "I don't want to leave. I"m looking forward to seeing my family, but I won't be able to see you." 

Kai placed his hands on her face and leaned his head against hers. " I know. Maybe I'll convince Soobin to let me visit you more often than waiting a couple of years. Just remember, I love you so much, no matter how far we are from one another. You will always be my Ari, and I'll always be your Kai." He kissed her forehead. 

Tears ran down her face. "I love you too, Huening Kai." 

The car ride to the airport was quiet. Kai held her hand while she had her head rested on his shoulder. She was dreading the flight. When they finally arrived, Jung-hoon parked the car in the drop-off area and helped get their suitcases. Ari decided to leave things at the safe house, so she was down to two suitcases instead of three. She gave Jung-hoon a hug. Kai shook his hand, and they walked into the airport. Checking their bags and going through security was smooth. Now, they sat in the waiting area, waiting to board the plane. 

An hour later, they were on the plane and taking off. Ari put her earbuds in and turned on music, helping her fall asleep. Kai played games on his phone until his eyes hurt. He turned off his phone and looked over at Ari. Her head was leaning against the window. He took his hand and gently wrapped it around hers, pulling her head over to his shoulder. She didn't flinch. Kai got himself comfortable before he rested his head on hers, falling asleep. 

After 20 hours of being in the air, they finally landed. Ari and Kai went through customs and immigration and then got their suitcases. Ayno was waiting at the baggage claim, wearing a mask. Two other guys were there, Yujun's men. Ari easily spotted her brother and walked over fast, wrapping her arms around him. 

"It's so good to see you oppa!" 

"It's great to see you too! How are you?" He pulled back.

"I'm good." She replied. 

Ayno and Kai greeted one another. Ayno thanked him for watching over Ari. Ayno grabbed her suitcases. "I'll give you a few minutes to say goodbye. I'll be right outside." 

Ari was confused. She turned to Kai. "You're leaving now?" 

Kai nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yeah , Soobin was the one that set up our flights. My next flight leaves in two hours." 

Ari nodded, looking down, trying to keep her tears at bay. Kai caressed her face with her hands, lifting her face to look at him. They stared at one another, both their eyes watering. He bent down and kissed her lips. She placed her hands on his and kissed him back. 

"I'll miss you, Kai."

"I'll miss you more, Ari. I love you." 

"I love you too." 

Ari watched as Kai made his back into the airport. He turned his head back to look at her one more time. He smiled at her and then turned back around, walking through the crowd. She had her hands to her chest, playing with the necklace he gave her. 

"Goodbye, Kai. Until we meet again." She watched him until she couldn't see him anymore. She wiped her face and turned to walk outside. Ayno was waiting for her at the door. When he saw her, he embraced her, holding her tight while she cried. Ayno signaled one of the guys to open the car. Ayno walked them over and motioned for her to get in. Once they were all in, the driver started the car and off they went. Ayno hated seeing his sister this way. Ari had stopped crying and stared out the window the whole way home. Ayno would rub her back once in a while, giving her the comfort that she needed. 

Yujun, Seri, and Ho-sung were standing on the front steps when Ayno and Ari arrived. Seri ran over to the car and opened the door, a big smile on her face. Ari got out and gave her a small smile while being pulled into a hug. Her father came over and patted her back. 

"Welcome home, darling!" Seri cheerfully said. 

"It's nice to be home." She forced out. She gave her father a hug. Ayno grabbed her suitcases and hauled them inside and up to her room. Yujun and Seri followed behind. 

"I have your favorite meal all planned for dinner!" Her ma shouted out. 

Ho-sung was standing to the side, looking at his sister. Ari made eye contact with him. 

"Annyeonghaseyo." She bowed to him.

"Annyeonghaseyo." He bowed back. He offered his arm out to him. 

Ari stared at him before slowly wrapping her arm around his. They walked into the house. Ho-sung knew that Ari was dying inside, and he felt sorry for her. They never had that good of a relationship, but he wanted to change that. He felt guilty for being a shit brother to her while growing up. With her being a target for Markoff, Ho-sung decided that he needed to step up and be the big brother that he should have been.  With Kai not here, he and Ayno would do their very best at protecting her at all cost, even if it meant dying for her. It would be worth it.