WHY DO YOU LOVE ME? - riki

✧ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 35 - ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ✧

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𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟯𝟱 - 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗

The spirit world was eerily quiet, a wide expanse of rolling fields bathed in a perpetual golden sunset. The light painted everything in hues of orange and pink, casting a serene glow that contrasted sharply with the tension in Hwayoung's chest. She stood alone, her feet sinking slightly into the soft, endless grass, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Time didn't seem to pass here. She wasn't even sure how long she'd been trapped, but her heart ached with a longing for Riki so profound it felt like it might break her.

When Konon appeared, her form shimmered like an illusion, stepping out of the light as if she had always been part of it. Hwayoung turned to face her, anger and desperation flaring in her chest. "Why are you doing this?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Why did you take me? Why couldn't you just let me go?"

Konon's expression was calm but tinged with sadness. "It is not as simple as you think, Hwayoung," she said. Her voice, ethereal and soft, echoed faintly, as though it carried the weight of countless years. "You are bound to this world in ways you do not understand."

Hwayoung clenched her fists. "Then help me understand! Why do I have to stay here? Why can't I go back to him?"

At the mention of Riki, Konon's eyes softened, and for a moment, her serene facade faltered. "Riki has already paid a price for your bond, one that cannot be undone. He has carried the weight of his choices for lifetimes."

"And I've forgiven him," Hwayoung said firmly, her voice breaking. "I love him. That's all that matters. So why can't we just be together?"

Konon turned her gaze to the endless horizon, her voice quieter now. "Because love is not enough to erase the laws of balance. For every action, there is a consequence. His life was entwined with yours because of a choice he made long ago. To undo that is to defy the very nature of this existence."

Konon continued, "Riki becoming Doom was his punishment for what he did to you in his past life. The only reason you are here now is because he's Doom. Every action of his causes Doom, including you, your cancer is the product of his existence. He is the reason why you died now. Would you still love him after that?"

"O-of course. He's changed."

"He wants to defy the laws of fate for you-"

Hwayoung took a step closer, her frustration giving way to pleading. "But isn't love worth that defiance? If he's willing to sacrifice everything for me, and if I'd do the same for him, doesn't that mean something? Doesn't that change the balance?"

Konon studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke, her tone soft but firm. "It is rare to find love as unwavering as yours and Riki's. Perhaps... perhaps you are right."

Hwayoung's breath caught, hope sparking in her chest. "Does that mean you'll let us be together?"

Konon hesitated before nodding. "Yes," she said, her voice steady. "But there will be a cost."

"What cost?" Hwayoung asked, her voice trembling. "What do I have to do?"

Konon shook her head. "Not you." Her gaze turned distant, almost wistful, as if she were already accepting a fate neither Hwayoung nor Riki could see. "You and Riki deserve the chance to live freely, without the shadow of your past hanging over you. I will ensure that you have it."

Hwayoung frowned, suspicion tugging at her. "What are you talking about? What are you going to do?"

Konon smiled faintly but said nothing. Instead, she raised her hand, and the air around them shimmered. The golden light grew brighter, wrapping around Hwayoung like a gentle embrace. "Go to him," Konon said softly. "Your love is stronger than any force in this world or the next."

When Hwayoung opened her eyes, she was back in the apartment. The golden light faded, leaving her standing in the familiar, cluttered room. She saw him immediately—Riki—sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking as if he had been crying.

"Riki," she whispered, her voice trembling.

His head shot up, and for a moment, he looked as though he didn't believe what he was seeing. But then he was on his feet, crossing the room in two long strides. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against him.

"Hwayoung," he choked out, his voice raw with emotion. "You're back. You're really back."

She clung to him, tears streaming down her face. "I'm here," she murmured. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

For a long time, they stood there, holding each other as if afraid to let go. Riki pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers. "Are you okay? Are you really okay?"

She nodded, her smile radiant despite her tears. "I am now."

"Wait why do I feel so different-"

"Your powers. Konon removed them, so you can be human. Your ultimate wish, now we can live together, until we grow old. No strings attached." Riki pulled Hwayoung into his arms and spun her around in pure bliss.

-

Days passed, and the couple's world slowly began to rebuild itself. The shadow of their past still lingered, but it no longer loomed. Riki and Hwayoung embraced the ordinary moments with a kind of reverence—sharing coffee in the mornings, watching sunsets from the rooftop, and laughing over burned meals. It was a life free of strings, of deals, of debts to pay. For the first time, they were just two people in love, and that was enough.

Neither of them knew the full truth of how it had come to be. Konon had vanished, leaving no trace, but Hwayoung felt a deep, unspoken gratitude. Somewhere, somehow, the spirit had chosen them over the balance it once protected.

Riki often caught Hwayoung staring out the window at the sky, her expression thoughtful. He'd join her, slipping an arm around her waist. "What are you thinking about?" he'd ask softly.

"About how lucky we are," she'd reply, leaning into him. "And how I never want to take this for granted."

Neither of them did. And for the rest of their days, they lived fully, fiercely, and entirely in love—just as Konon had sacrificed to ensure they could.

- 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐗 -

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AUTHOR:

did some of yall cry

i wont lie i wanted there to be a sad ending but all niki ffs have sad endings on this app so i switched it up

i hope you have all enjoyed this book guys

i love you all so much

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