The ship's horn let out a final, mournful blast as it docked at the mainland harbor. The ramp lowered with a mechanical groan, and the small group of passengers disembarked, their feet finding solid ground once more. Rin walked down the ramp, her body feeling strangely light, as if she were still swaying to the rhythm of the ocean. She reached the bottom and stopped, turning to look back at the way they had come. The vast expanse of the sea stretched out before her, a calm, endless blue that seemed to whisper of the island she had left behind.
She stood there for a long moment, lost in thought, until a voice broke through her reverie. "Rin!"
She turned to see Hayate walking towards her, a faint smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I won't be taking you home," he said, his voice soft. "Kazehiro will bring you back."
Just then, a sleek, black car pulled up beside them, its engine a low hum in the bustling harbor. A tall, serious-looking man with a kind face got out. He walked around the car and opened the back door. Hayate helped Rin inside, his hand lingering for a moment on her arm.
"Till we meet again," he said, his voice a quiet promise.
He closed the door, and the car pulled away, leaving Hayate standing alone at the edge of the harbor. As they drove past the entrance, Rin couldn't resist turning back one last time. She saw him, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the sea, and then a flash of black as three more cars pulled up. She watched as a young woman with a sharp bob and an even sharper suit got out of the first car. It was Hana, Hayate's childhood friend and the acting CEO of his company. She walked up to him, a smile on her face that seemed to mask a million questions. Rin watched as Hana opened the car door for Hayate, and he got in. Hana then entered the front passenger seat, and they drove off in the opposite direction. The sight made an unexpected pang of emotion strike Rin's heart.
As their car sped away, Hayate leaned his head back against the leather seat, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings. The noise, the lights, the sheer overwhelming presence of the city felt like a physical weight after the quiet simplicity of the island. He found himself thinking of Rin. Hope she isn't overthinking how she will face her family? What would her parents say in reply to what she explains? A small, genuine smile touched his lips, and he let out a soft laugh "Nahh she's fine". The thought of her fierce, independent spirit facing her family made him happy.
At the same time, Rin was doing the exact same thing in her own car. She tried to focus on how she would face her family, how she would explain her disappearance, but every time she did, Hayate's face would pop into her mind. Memories flooded her thoughts: his laugh, the feel of his hand on hers, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The recollection of him helping her into the car, his touch, made a sudden heat rush to her cheeks. Shocked at her own reaction, she slapped her face lightly.
Kazehiro, who was driving, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Are you alright, Lady Nishina?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"Yes! I'm sorry," she said, her voice a little too loud. "Just... you know." She looked away, her face burning, and tried to hide her nervous smile.
Kazehiro chuckled softly. "Don't worry," he said. "He's fine." He then added, "Looks like we're almost there." Rin took a deep breath, composing herself. She looked out the window, at the towering gate of her family's home. "I can do this," she whispered to herself.
Kazehiro drove the car through the gate and parked in front of a grand mansion. It was an imposing structure of white marble and glass, with a sweeping front lawn and manicured gardens. The house looked like something out of a magazine, but to Rin, it felt cold and uninviting. The front doors opened, and her family—her mother, father, and two older brothers—came out, their faces streaked with tears.
Kazehiro exited the car first. He walked to her side, opened the door, and offered her his hand. Rin stepped out and saw her family, their faces a mixture of relief and overwhelming emotion. Kazehiro gave her a gentle push. "What are you waiting for? Go on."
Rin looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
He nodded, got back into the car, and drove away, leaving her to face the world she had left behind. Her parents rushed towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Her brothers wrapped their arms around her as well, and for the first time since she had left the island, Rin felt the overwhelming, comforting presence of her family.
Meanwhile, in his penthouse, Hayate stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over the city lights. Hana's voice broke his silence. "Kazehiro just finished dropping her off," she said. "He's on his way back now."
Hayate let out a long, slow sigh of relief. He looked out at the city, a soft smile on his face. "At last," he whispered to himself. "You finally made it home."
He then let himself fall onto his bed, a profound sense of exhaustion washing over him. Hana, sensing his need for rest, spoke softly. "I'll tell your parents you'll see them tomorrow."
Hayate simply nodded. Hana left the room, leaving him in a silent sanctuary of his own. The city lights twinkled below, but Hayate's eyes were closed. He finally felt a sense of peace. He was home, and so was she.