Faux Devotion | Nishimura Riki

XLVIII

RHAINE STOOD AT THE AIRPORT, her suitcase resting at her side, her eyes distant as she watched the people move around her. The hum of the bustling terminal faded in the background as her thoughts seemed to stretch endlessly, her gaze fixed on the gates ahead.

She barely noticed the soft step beside her, a familiar presence suddenly appearing. Garam's voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. "This is where we say goodbye, huh?"

Rhaine blinked, turning to find her best friend standing there, an arm casually draped around her shoulders, trying to offer some comfort. Garam always knew how to make her feel just a little less alone in the chaos.

"I guess it is," Rhaine said, her voice soft, her emotions thick in her chest. She looked up at Garam, her eyes heavy with everything left unsaid. "I didn't think it would feel like this."

Garam smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You're doing what's best for you. Don't second-guess yourself." She gave Rhaine a tight squeeze. "Just promise me you'll come back and tell me all about it when you do."

Rhaine nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I will. I swear."

They both stood in silence for a moment, taking in the bittersweetness of the moment before Garam let go, her arm falling from Rhaine's shoulders.

Rhaine turned to face her parents, who stood by the entrance, watching her with a mixture of pride and sadness. Her father stepped forward first, pulling her into a tight hug. His large arms wrapped around her as he whispered into her ear. "Be safe, honey. No matter what happens, remember we're always here for you. We'll support you, even if we don't fully understand."

Her heart squeezed in her chest, and she nodded, her own voice thick with emotion. "I know, Dad. Thank you. I love you."

Her mother joined the embrace, her arms wrapping around both of them. "We love you, Rhaine. Don't forget that."

Rhaine closed her eyes for a second, breathing in the familiar scent of home, the warmth of her family, and knowing that no matter where she went, she'd always carry this love with her.

Then, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted the moment, and Rhaine pulled away to see Jian running toward her, her face streaked with tears. The younger girl threw her arms around Rhaine, holding her tight.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, unnie!" Jian cried, still wearing Ni-ki's bracelet, burying her face in Rhaine's shoulder. "Please don't go..."

Rhaine could feel the bracelet against her skin, and it made her nostalgic for a moment. It reminded her of Ni-ki.

Her throat tightened, and she hugged her sister back just as fiercely. She whispered softly, "I'll miss you too, Jian. I promise to come back."

Jian pulled back slightly, looking up at her with watery eyes. "I'll miss you every day. But I know you'll be okay, right?"

"I will," Rhaine assured her, smiling through the tears. "I'll figure it out, I swear. You've always been my little rock."

They shared one more tight hug before Jian reluctantly let go, her eyes still red but trying to hold it together for her older sister.

"I'll text you every day," Rhaine added, wiping a stray tear from Jian's cheek. "And I'll be back before you know it."

Jian nodded, her lips trembling but a small smile starting to form. "Okay. I'll be waiting for you."

As Rhaine took a step back, she gave her parents one last look, smiling softly before turning to face the long hallway leading to her gate.

With one last glance, she turned and walked away.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

At the waiting area, she reflected. She had everything she thought she wanted—her future at McGill, the independence, the fresh start.

And yet, sitting there, staring at the gate she was about to walk through, it felt like a burden. Why was it so hard to accept it? To actually go?

She glanced at her phone, checking the time once again, and that's when the announcements finally went off. Her flight was ready to board. Her fingers trembled slightly as she stood, gathering her things.

No more waiting, no more wondering. It was time to take the step.

But just as she was about to move toward the gate, she heard it—a voice she never expected to hear.

"Rhaine."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze. That voice. Deep, familiar, and belonged to someone who gave her butterflies in her stomach.

She turned, almost instinctively, and saw Ni-ki, standing a few steps away, breathless and disheveled. It looked like he ran here.

She gasped, not expecting him at all. "Ni-ki, you're not allowed here. What are you doing?"

"You..." he ignored her question, his voice cracking slightly. "I can't believe you." He shook his head, stepping closer, his eyes locked on hers. "You're actually leaving? And I only find out through Twitter?"

She didn't know what to say. She thought about what her parents said earlier. She didn't know if she was ready to face him like this.

But she couldn't help but notice how different he looked.

The confident, almost untouchable Ni-ki was gone. There was no more anger in his face but desperation. He was skinnier, like he hadn't been eating properly. His eye bags were prominent, like he hadn't been sleeping.

"I—" He took a deep breath. "I can't lose you, Lee Rhaine." His voice wavered, and her breath caught in her throat.

She fet like giving into him already.

"I love you. I need you. I need you more than anything," he continued weakly. "I didn't know this then, but I know now—I am so hopelessly devoted to you. I know this with my entire body and soul, and I will devote it all to you. I thank God for this fake-relationship deal, because it brought you to me."

Rhaine wanted to drop everything at the sincerity in his voice, but she couldn't let herself fall for it. She couldn't give in now, not when she had already made the choice to leave.

Mr. Jin had already prepared everything for her: the scholarship, her accommodations, the fees, the housing... she couldn't just bail anymore.

"Ni-ki," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't. I have to go."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to her, almost desperate. "Please. I've been a mess without you, I can't even go to work anymore. I know I've made so many mistakes, but I can change. I'll do whatever it takes. Just don't leave me."

Tears streamed down her face now, and she shook her head, her chest tightening with each word he spoke. She couldn't. She couldn't stay. Not like this. Not when everything felt like it was being held together by fragile strings.

"I have to go," she repeated, her voice breaking as she stepped back. "I'm sorry."

Ni-ki's face crumpled as the words hit him, and he reached out for her one last time, but Rhaine backed away, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, Ni-ki," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she turned toward the gate, her heart aching with every step she took. "I have to go."

She heard his breath catch behind her, the sound of his voice barely reaching her as she walked away. But this time, she didn't stop. She couldn't.