It's easier to face the unknown when the person beside you feels like home.
---
š« Airport ā 11:46 PM
Aarav rolled his small suitcase behind him, eyes on the glowing departure screen.
His face looked calm. But Bunny could tell ā he was still somewhere else in his mind.
She walked beside him, gripping the strap of her bag tightly.
> "Still no update?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head.
> "My dad texted. She's stable. But they're keeping her under observation."
Bunny nodded, trying to be gentle.
> "We'll reach soon."
They passed through security, barely talking. Not because there was nothing to say ā but because sometimes, silence says enough.
---
āļø Boarding Gate ā 12:20 AM
> "Final boarding call for Flight 307 to Seoulā¦"
They walked toward the gate.
Right before entering, Bunny paused.
She turned to him.
> "Hey."
Aarav looked at her.
> "We're doing this," she whispered. "Like... actually doing this."
> "Yeah," he replied. "Kind of insane."
She half-smiled.
> "Thanks for letting me come."
> "Thanks for not letting me go alone."
---
š On the Plane ā Window Seat
They settled into their seats. Bunny took the window.
Aarav closed his eyes as soon as the plane lifted.
She leaned her head back, watching the tiny city lights disappear below them.
After a while, she glanced at him.
> "You don't have to act so strong, you know."
He opened one eye, smirking tiredly.
> "Who said I'm acting?"
She stared.
He sighed and looked ahead.
> "I'm just... trying to hold myself together. If I let it all out right now, I don't know what will happen."
> "Then don't hold it all," she said softly. "You're not alone this time."
He turned toward her again.
This time, he didn't smirk.
He justā¦ nodded.
---
š¬ Mid-flight ā Chatting Again
Bunny pulled out her phone and messaged Unknown again:
Bunny:
> "Made it on the flight. Tired, but safe."
Unknown:
> "So proud of you, bunny boss š"
Bunny:
> "I'm going to a whole new world. Everything is going to change."
Unknown:
> "Some things won't. Like the person you are."
She smiled at the message ā then stared at the boy beside her, asleep now, head tilted slightly toward her side.
She wanted to say something.
But she let it stay in her heart.
---
š¬ Arrival ā Incheon Airport, Seoul
The plane landed in pale blue dawn.
Bunny stepped off, the cold air biting her cheeks.
Everything looked different. The signs. The voices. The sky.
Aarav walked ahead, pulling his suitcase with confidence.
She stayed close behind, trying to match his pace.
> "Soā¦" she said. "Where are we going first?"
> "To the hospital," he said.
Then he paused.
> "And after thatā¦ to my place."
> "You live alone?"
> "Sort of," he said, not explaining much.
But something in the way he walked changed.
People nodded at him as they passed. One even whispered something in Korean behind a mask and bowed.
Bunny noticed.
> "Wait... Aaravāwhy are they looking at you like that?"
He didn't stop walking.
> "You'll see."
---
š TO BE CONTINUED...
š¢ Next: Chapter 5 ā " the apartment with too many secrets"