The next day.

“According to your plan, we should have left already.”

Yi Soo reminded Ji Ho of their travel itinerary as she got up.

“What time is it now?”

Ji Ho, seemingly not intending to get up yet, turned to his side.

He asked while fiddling with Yi Soo’s hand as she sat.

“It’s past 10.”

“It’s still morning.”

“If we don’t get up now, the whole plan will be delayed.”

Given Yi Soo’s personality of needing to strictly follow plans, this situation was not to her liking.

She looked down at Ji Ho with a distinctly displeased expression, her lower lip jutting out.

“So what? If we can’t see it today, we can see it tomorrow.”

“Then why did we make a plan in the first place?”

“Alright, just for today. I’ll follow the plan from tomorrow.”

Ji Ho pulled the grumbling Yi Soo back down to lie beside him.

As always, Ji Ho’s embrace against her back was warm and comforting.

Lying on the soft bed with rustling sheets, Yi Soo’s enthusiasm also waned a bit.

Seeing the bright sunlight through the window made her feel even more reluctant to get up.

“Are you fully rested from yesterday’s fatigue?”

“Yes, I slept well last night.”

From behind, Ji Ho stroked Yi Soo’s shoulder down to her slender arm.

His large hand reached her hand, interlacing their fingers.

“When are you really going to get up?”

Yi Soo said with furrowed brows.

It was their first trip to Paris, and she felt it wasteful to spend time in the hotel.

Lying like this, it seemed they might not leave the bed all day.

“Just 10 more minutes.”

Ji Ho trapped Yi Soo, immobilizing her with both arms and legs, hugging her tightly.

“Ah, I can’t breathe.”

“What can I do, it feels so nice.”

Despite Yi Soo’s complaint of not being able to breathe, Ji Ho didn’t let go until the full 10 minutes had passed before getting up.

**

They left the hotel around 1 PM after having lunch.

To avoid the midday heat, they went to the Musée d’Orsay.

The plan was to spend time in the museum until the heat subsided.

Ji Ho guided Yi Soo, adding explanations here and there like a tour guide.

‘So this is the joy of seeing paintings I’ve only seen in books with my own eyes.’

Yi Soo lingered for a long time in front of each painting as she went through each floor.

When she discovered paintings she had seen in art books or ones so famous they were familiar, she was delighted as if finding a long-lost treasure.

“Ji Ho, I think we could stay here all day today.”

Whether because there were more familiar paintings or because of its relatively modest size, she liked it even more than the vast Louvre.

“Sure. If you like it, let’s do that.”

“I’ll take my time looking around.”

Until right before coming, she thought ten days would be extremely long, but visiting just one place a day like this, it wasn’t such a long time.

“Take as long as you want.”

“I don’t really know how to properly appreciate paintings, but as I look, I think this is why people view art. It calms my mind. And I’m even more excited because there are so many famous paintings.”

Ji Ho and Yi Soo walked around hand in hand, fingers intertwined.

Even after walking for over 4 hours, Yi Soo hardly felt tired.

She stood for a long time in front of works like Van Gogh’s self-portrait or “The Starry Night”, almost unable to move away.

At such times, Ji Ho would stand behind Yi Soo like a pillar, letting her lean against his chest.

“Won’t it be tiring for you if I lean on you?”

“Not at all. It feels nice holding you.”

Ji Ho, who said he had been here several times before, followed Yi Soo’s lead without showing any sign of boredom until the end, going wherever she went and staying as long as she stayed.

Yi Soo appreciated the paintings, and Ji Ho gazed at Yi Soo.

“I didn’t know when I was in Korea because I had never been to an art museum, but I think I really like paintings.”

“Then do you want to go to another museum tomorrow? Let’s see all three major Paris museums while we’re here.”

Yi Soo nodded enthusiastically at Ji Ho’s suggestion.

“We didn’t see everything yesterday, so let’s go to the Louvre again. It’s better to go late in the evening when it’s less crowded.”

Yi Soo’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

After finishing their long art museum tour, the two headed out to the streets where the heat had subsided.

**

Befitting its reputation as the world’s most romantic city, the streets of Paris were like a painting themselves.

No matter which place or angle you photographed, it looked like a postcard.

The entire city was well-preserved in its old-fashioned state, with beautiful buildings on every street creating a romantic atmosphere throughout the city.

It was while walking down the Champs-Élysées, lined with all kinds of luxury shops and boutiques, on the way to their next destination, the Arc de Triomphe.

“Yi Soo, come here.”

“Hm? Where?”

Ji Ho, holding Yi Soo’s interlocked hand, led her into a building that boasted a magnificent and grand exterior.

The interior was just as splendid as its imposing exterior.

Two staff members standing at the door greeted Yi Soo and Ji Ho with welcoming smiles.

It was a world-famous luxury jewelry store.

Yi Soo walked in looking around the interior of the store with a puzzled expression.

The jewels sparkling dazzlingly in the display cases were jaw-droppingly expensive.

Following the staff’s guidance, the two sat side by side on a sofa in the waiting area.

Yi Soo leaned back comfortably on the sofa.

It felt good to rest her legs that had been tired from standing for so long.

While waiting for the previous customer’s consultation to end, a staff member brought two cups of warm coffee.

After the staff member withdrew, Yi Soo asked Ji Ho:

“Why did we come here?”

“To buy souvenirs.”

Ji Ho answered with a grin, holding his coffee cup.

“Souvenirs? Here?”

Yi Soo’s eyes widened.

Had the meaning of the word ‘souvenir’ changed without her knowing?

What kind of travel souvenir would one buy at such a luxury store?

Thinking that rich young masters must have a different scale for souvenirs, Yi Soo shrugged her shoulders.

Ji Ho took a sip of coffee and set it down.

“Try the coffee. It’s delicious.”

The coffee taste matched the high-class ambiance of the store.

Yi Soo also took a sip of the fragrant coffee.

Stroking the warm coffee cup with her hand, she asked:

“What are you buying?”

“Our couple rings.”

Ji Ho smiled gently at Yi Soo, whose eyes had widened in genuine surprise.

“Why are you so surprised? I was going to buy them alone because I thought you might react like this, but I wanted to choose ones you like, so I brought you along. So don’t say anything and just pick ones you like.”

Just then, a staff member with a bright smile approached to let them know it was their turn.

Leaving their half-finished coffees, Yi Soo and Ji Ho got up and followed the staff member deeper into the store.

As they walked, Yi Soo’s gaze was drawn to the unimaginably expensive watches and jewelry on display in the store.

Perhaps in consideration of the Asian customers, the staff member assisting them was also of Asian descent.

The staff member, with impeccable manners ingrained in their entire being, greeted the two with a smile.

Upon Ji Ho’s mention of looking for rings, the staff guided them to a selection of various ring designs.

“This is our first trip together. I wanted to have something to commemorate it.”

Ji Ho turned his gaze to the displayed rings with a joyful expression.

The display cases showcased a range from simple styles suitable for daily wear to designs with large, dazzling diamonds, each flaunting its own luxurious and elegant appearance.

Yi Soo couldn’t easily speak due to the overwhelmingly expensive prices and designs.

“Yi Soo, pick one you like.”

“Why rings all of a sudden?”

Yi Soo asked Ji Ho instead of thinking about choosing a ring.

“We can talk about that later… The manager is waiting.”

Ji Ho nodded towards the staff member standing in front of them with the same unchanging expression, as if a kind smile was etched on their face.

It seemed that no matter what Yi Soo said now, the situation wouldn’t change.

As if pushed, Yi Soo turned her gaze to the numerous types of rings in the display case.

Until now, Yi Soo had never bought a necklace or ring with her own money.

The only accessories Yi Soo owned were three gifts.

One ring bought by her mother, a necklace given by her father as a birthday present, and a necklace gifted by Ji Ho.

Even the ring her mother had bought her before was kept safely in its case, rarely worn due to discomfort.

Yi Soo spread her long fingers wide.

‘Wearing a ring on these hands?’

“…”

Yi Soo just stared blankly, unable to promptly choose a ring.

She felt dazed by the suddenness and didn’t have a sense of what to choose for couple rings.

“What’s wrong? Nothing you like?”

Ji Ho asked, seeing Yi Soo not responding.

“No, it’s not that… They’re all so pretty, I can’t choose.”

“Then how about I pick a few and you choose from those?”

“Okay.”

Ji Ho, after briefly scanning the rings, unhesitatingly selected several designs, pointing them out.

The kind manager took out all the rings Ji Ho had chosen so Yi Soo could try them on.

Except for designs densely set with diamonds, most of the rings Ji Ho chose seemed like they wouldn’t be too burdensome to wear daily.

“Want to choose from these? If you like something else, just say so.”

Ji Ho personally put each ring the manager had taken out onto Yi Soo’s fingers, looking at them with satisfaction.

In fact, any ring looked good on her long, white fingers.

“They’re all pretty.”

Yi Soo looked at the rings on her fingers with a slightly awkward gaze.

The thought of sharing the same rings with Ji Ho gave her a strange feeling.

“Should I buy them all for you then?”

Ji Ho asked with a smile as Yi Soo’s deliberation dragged on.

His expression suggested he would really buy them all if she said so, making Yi Soo immediately shake her head.

She found his casual tone, seemingly unconcerned about the ring prices, a bit absurd.

“No need.”

Yi Soo let out a small laugh and rolled her eyes.

“If you can’t choose because they’re all pretty…”

“No, I’m choosing now, so just wait a moment.”

Cutting off Ji Ho’s words, Yi Soo began to seriously consider which ring to choose.

Since it wasn’t just for her to wear alone, she thought it would be good to choose one that would suit Ji Ho well too.

Yi Soo gazed intently at the rings in front of her, from ones with dozens of small diamonds set around the band to smooth rings without any diamonds.

In terms of beauty, the ring with dozens of diamonds sparkling brilliantly was undoubtedly overwhelming, but it also looked too expensive and the design seemed too burdensome to wear every day.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Is that really the prettiest to you?”

Ji Ho asked, looking at the ring Yi Soo had chosen.

Yi Soo had chosen the simplest design, leaving aside the rings that had made Ji Ho gasp in admiration when he put them on her finger.

Even during her deliberation, Yi Soo’s gaze had lingered longest on that ring from earlier.

“Yes. I like this one the best,”

Yi Soo answered with a smile.

Although it didn’t have sparkling diamonds, the clean design of white gold matched well with Yi Soo’s neat image.

Ji Ho, who had been looking at the ring Yi Soo chose with a somewhat regretful expression, slowly nodded.

They had each other’s names engraved on the inside of the rings.

The engraving service that would take 2 weeks in Korea was completed in just 20 minutes here.

When they left the store, the same rings were comfortably fitted on each of their fourth fingers.

Ji Ho raised his hand, spreading his fingers wide.

Yi Soo brought her fully spread hand next to his.

“They’re so beautiful.”

Ji Ho embraced Yi Soo’s shoulder with a satisfied expression.

“But, Ji Ho…”