Chapter 100 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum


    I am currently stered against the airne window, my face filled with awe as we take off.


    I can''t believe I''m actually on a ne.


    I thought it would feel like a ride at an amusement park, but surprisingly, my body felt heavy during takeoff for a moment, and then it was no different than riding in a car.


    As we ascended and gained altitude, the buildings appeared like dots, and I could see the whole of Seoul from Incheon.


    I couldn''t take my eyes off the tiny airne window during the entire ascent.


    Monica''s voicees from the seat next to me.


    "Ban, it takes over 12 hours and 30 minutes to Mn, you need to manage your stamina well. This is your first long-haul flight, right?"


    It''s not just a long-haul flight; it''s my first flight ever.


    I even got a new passport for this trip - it''s brand new.


    Embarrassed about being a novice, I memorized all the tips for passing through immigration, items not allowed in luggage, and Italian etiquette. But I didn''t know that first-ss passengers don''t have to queue and can board early, unlike economy passengers.


    And what''s with this seat?


    Even if I stretch my legs, they don''t reach the front seat.


    On TV, I only saw nes with narrow aisles, two seats on each side, and either four or three seats in the middle. But here, there are spacious areas with only two seats on each end. It''s like the private jets I''ve seen in dramas used by chaebols. I didn''t know regr airlines had such seats.


    Ignorance isn''t a crime, but I was too shy to ask about everything and just silently followed Monica. However, I couldn''t take my eyes off the scenery outside the window during takeoff.


    Monica opens a magazine and says,


    "We don''t have a direct flight to our vige. We''ll stop in Mn and then go see the site chosen for the store. There''s still a long way to go before the opening, but for now, go there, take photos, and start nning."


    I am on my way to Monica''s hometown, Roseto Valfortore.


    The very ce I drew as a background when I first drew Monica. It''s her hometown that she dreams of reviving. The thought of going to such a fairytale-like vige excites me. And even more thrilling is the fact that we will stop in Mn, the city of fashion, first.


    ''I wonder if it''s true that models walk around with their clothes fluttering, and actors like Jang Dong-gun and Won Bin are begging on the streets?''


    I''m slightly worried about being treated like an outsider when I arrive in Mn.


    The flight to Italy is exciting.


    But my first flight was so tedious.


    Damn, I''ve never sat in one ce for twelve hours before.


    My whole body aches. I woke up seven times to check the time. The endless view of the ocean from the flying ne tires me out.


    Finally, the screen attached to the seat in front lights up, showing our current location near Mn Linate Airport, and an announcement ys.


    I wriggle in my seat with a bit of excitement, eager to grab my luggage and disembark.


    Monica looks at me andughs.


    "Ban."


    "Yes?"


    "We still have about 30 minutes before we can disembark. Calm down."


    "Ah."


    Embarrassingly enough.


    Then why start the announcement so early?


    I try to sit still and cross my legs, but my restless heart won''t settle. As the outline of Italy starts to appear outside the window, my excitement grows even more.


    ''I''m really in Italy!''


    **


    Wow, I thought the climate would be quite different since it''s such a distant country from ours.


    But Italy is also hot, simr to Korea''s July, around 31 degrees Celsius.


    Upon disembarking at the airport, a chauffeur who was waiting for us opens the car door.


    Monica, who got into the luxury car, smiles continuously, pleased to see her hometown after so long.


    "Mn isn''t exactly a city with a lot to see. However, thanks to its strategic location, it''s a frequent stop for travelers in Europe. To the west is France, to the north, Switzend, southwards Rome, and eastwards Venice. It''s a city that connects all these regions, making it a must-visit for train travelers."


    I know, I''ve already checked the map before leaving.


    Mn is located near the northernmost part of Italy. It''s a must-visit for travelersing from France or Switzend to Italy.


    I look at the cityscape with curious eyes and ask,


    "Where''s Monica''s store going to be?"


    "In the center of the Quadrtero."


    What''s that, some weird name? Sounds like a quattro cheese pizza.


    "Is it a famous ce?"


    The driver nced at me through the rearview mirror, understanding my question in English. Hey, it''s not a crime to be ignorant, right?


    Monicaughed and exined,


    "It''s in the heart of Mn''s fashion district, known as the ''Sanctuary of Fashion''. That''s where the potential site for my store is."


    Wow, the Sanctuary of Fashion? What kind of ce is it to have such a name?


    Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi


    .