courage dear heart | Yuki Ishikawa

58

As we stepped out of the airport, the cool air hit my face, but it wasn't refreshing. The moment our group was outside, a sea of photographers and journalists seemed to materialize from nowhere.

Flashes of cameras went off like fireworks, blinding me as microphones were shoved in my direction.

"Kim Na-bi! Over here!" one voice shouted.

"Are you with Kunitake Kaito now?" another asked, the question laced with insinuation.

"Is it over with Ishikawa Yuki?" a particularly loud journalist demanded, pushing forward with his camera practically in my face.

I felt my chest tighten as more questions piled on, all laced with judgment and assumptions.

My heart raced, and I instinctively tried to cover my face, my hands coming up as if that could shield me from the storm of voices and flashing lights.

The crowd of reporters pressed in closer, their cameras clicking incessantly, invading my space.

"Na-bi, don't hide from the truth! Are you and Kunitake official now?" someone shouted from the back.

I tried to push through the throng, but I was surrounded. Their comments were becoming sharper, more invasive.

"Is Ishikawa jealous of Kunitake?"

"Come on, why are you avoiding the questions? Is this a love triangle?"

I kept my head down, desperately looking for a way out, but no matter which direction I turned, there were more of them. The weight of their cameras and questions felt suffocating.

I couldn't even see Yuki or anyone from the team. I was completely alone in this mess, and the panic was starting to rise in my throat.

Just as I thought I wouldn't be able to take it anymore, I felt a hand on my shoulder, firm and reassuring. I glanced up and saw Hanbin, his face serious, stepping in front of me to shield me from the photographers.

"Get back," he barked at them, his voice cutting through the chaos. He motioned to the bodyguards nearby, who quickly surrounded me, forming a barrier between me and the relentless crowd.

With their help, I finally started to move, the journalists' voices fading as we made our way towards the car.

Hanbin kept close to me, guiding me through the frenzied mob until we reached the black SUV waiting nearby. The door was flung open, and one of the bodyguards gestured for me to get inside.

I slid into the seat, my hands still trembling, and let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Hanbin followed closely behind, making sure the door was shut securely before turning to me.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice calm but concerned.

I nodded, even though I didn't feel okay at all. Outside, the flashes continued, but I was safe now, shielded from the chaos.

The car pulled away from the airport, leaving the shouting reporters and their cameras behind, but their words still echoed in my head.

As the car sped away from the airport, I tried to steady my breathing, feeling the tension slowly ease from my body. The chaos of the reporters was left behind, but the confusion in my mind remained. I glanced at Hanbin sitting beside me, his expression calm as always.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice still shaky from the overwhelming encounter.

He looked at me, his lips curling into a small, reassuring smile. "We're going to see dad."

I blinked, surprised. "Dad? Why?"

Hanbin shrugged, keeping his eyes ahead as the city blurred past us. "He thought it would be better for you to stay with him for a while."

I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat.

When we arrived at out father's office, the atmosphere shifted.

The sleek, modern decor and the quiet hum of the air conditioning made the room feel like a sanctuary compared to the chaos of the airport.

Hanbin led the way, and as soon as the door opened, I saw my father rise from behind his desk, his face softening with concern.

"Nabi," he said, his voice low and full of warmth. Without hesitation, he walked over to me and wrapped me in a firm hug. I closed my eyes, letting myself melt into the comfort of his embrace. It felt safe, like everything would be okay.

He pulled back slightly, resting his hands on my shoulders and looking me over, as if checking to make sure I was really alright. "Come, sit with me."

He led me to one of the two plush, leather sofas in the corner of his office. I sank into the seat beside him, feeling the tension in my body slowly unwind.

"I heard what happened at the airport," he said, sitting close to me. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

I nodded, but stayed silent, still processing everything. He placed a reassuring hand on mine, his presence steady and calming.

"You're safe now," he added softly, his eyes filled with a father's quiet strength.

As we sat on the sofa, my father sighed and leaned back, rubbing his temple with one hand. There was a pause before he spoke, as if he was carefully choosing his words.

"Nabi," he began softly, glancing at me with a serious but gentle expression. "Something came up today... It seems the photos from the photoshoots you did with Kaito Kunitake for the sponsors have been released."

I furrowed my brows. "And?"

"Well, people are starting to talk," he continued, watching me closely. "There's already some speculation about you two, and it's gaining traction quickly."

He shifted in his seat, pulling out his phone and scrolling through a few pages before showing me the screen. It was a flurry of images—pictures of me and Kaito at the mall, laughing together over dinner, and even the ones of us getting into the car to return to the dorms.

"These photos were taken while you two were out yesterday. They're all over social media now," he explained, his tone remaining calm despite the gravity of the situation. "And it didn't stop there. There are also pictures of you two at the café this morning at the airport."

My heart sank as I stared at the images. I hadn't realized we were being photographed so closely. But what really hit me was the growing frustration and anger in the comments from fans of Yuki. I could already see their accusations—things like "Why is she with Kaito when Yuki was right there?" and "She's playing them both!"

"People are upset," my father continued, as if reading my thoughts. "Especially Yuki's fans. They saw him at the airport too, and yet you were photographed getting a coffee with someone else."

I blinked, feeling my chest tighten as he went on.

"And it's not just gossip. It's having a real impact. The company's stock prices have started to fluctuate because of all the buzz online. But I don't want you to worry about that, alright?" He looked at me firmly, giving my hand a squeeze. "I don't care about the company or the stocks. What matters to me is you—how you're feeling, and if you're okay."

I sat there quietly, absorbing his words. My mind was spinning from everything—the photos, the comments, the pressure.

"I'm just... overwhelmed," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

He nodded in understanding. "I know. But remember, Nabi, you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together."