CH 99

However, the tragedy struck around sunset, at the Trevi Fountain.

There were crowds everywhere, but it was especially packed around the fountain. People from all over the world crowded around the massive fountain. Heewoon, busy keeping an eye out for pickpockets, gripped his bag tightly with his right hand as he admired the fountain. Kangwoo stood close behind him, which gave him some reassurance.

The crowd occasionally jostled him from side to side. Once, he turned his head and Kangwoo wasn’t there.

“Kangwoo?”

Heewoon raised his head, clutching his bag tightly. Yet, Kangwoo was nowhere to be seen. Heewoon felt anxious, but he didn’t leave that spot and waited. He vaguely remembered hearing Kangwoo say, “Wait here.” So he wasn’t too alarmed.

After some time had passed, he felt warmth behind him.

“You stayed here.”

Heewoon turned his head in relief at Kangwoo’s voice.

“Where have you been?”

Slightly irritated, Heewoon asked, and Kangwoo laughed with his eyes curved.

“Did you miss me?”

“Because you suddenly disappeared…”

“I had something to do. No one bothered you, right?”

Kangwoo asked while touching his cheek, and Heewoon nodded. He then grabbed Heewoon’s hand. Heewoon also wanted to leave this crowded place quickly, so he hastened his steps, getting out of this place. When he felt relieved that he had protected his bag in that dangerous place, Heewoon felt strange. Even though he confirmed that his passport and money were still there, the uneasy feeling didn’t disappear.

He realized where that feeling came from when they arrived at the hotel. Heewoon’s eyes widened as he absentmindedly looked at his hand.

It was gone.

The ring was gone.

He even felt like a fool, checking his right hand with a bewildered expression. Was there a pickpocket? When did it disappear? Since he never took off the ring, pickpocketing was the most likely explanation. He hadn’t even noticed someone taking the ring amidst the crowd at the fountain.

“What’s wrong?”

As Heewoon stopped abruptly, Kangwoo turned his head and asked. Meeting Kangwoo’s gaze, Heewoon felt his heart pounding heavily.

It was difficult to predict how Kangwoo would react to him losing the ring. While Kangwoo usually didn’t hesitate to spend money on Heewoon, the ring seemed more precious than that. Moreover, with how Kangwoo was strangely fixated with Heewoon wearing the ring on his finger, it was even harder for Heewoon to tell him.

“It’s… nothing.”

Even if they went back, there was no way they could find the ring. What should he do? As they went upstairs to the room, Heewoon’s expression changed constantly. Although Heewoon had hidden his left hand behind his thigh so it wouldn’t be visible, it was only a matter of time before Kangwoo found out.

If they returned to Korea, he could probably order a ring with similar design. When Heewoon entered the hotel room, he looked up places where they could make the ring while Kangwoo was showering. The design was no problem since he had taken pictures of it. The problem was how to hide the fact that he didn’t currently have the ring.

“Go take a shower.”

Heewoon was startled by the sudden voice. Seeing Heewoon’s reaction, Kangwoo raised an eyebrow.

“Did you do something wrong?”

“No!”

“Should I order room service? Do you have anything you want to eat, Sunbae?”

“I… Anything is fine.”

Heewoon hesitated as he passed by Kangwoo. Watching him enter the bathroom in a hurry, Kangwoo tilted his head.

Should he just tell Kangwoo that he’s going to sleep first? He could hide his hand under the pillow while he slept. He didn‘t have any sleeping habits, so he might be able to hide this problem from Kangwoo.

No. Let’s just tell Kangwoo. He could show a little annoyance, but he probably wouldn’t get too angry. After all, he didn’t lose it, it was pickpocketed.

While showering, Heewoon resolved to confess to Kangwoo. However, when he saw Kangwoo sitting on the terrace, his courage disappeared.

“Why did you take so long? The food is here already.”

It was because of Kangwoo’s affectionate gesture and smile. It had been a truly enjoyable trip, but feeling like he had ruined everything, Heewoon felt a little melancholy.

“I’ll just sleep.”

“Stop talking nonsense and come here quickly.”

“Yeah.”

At Kangwoo’s words, Heewoon obediently headed towards the terrace. Just as he was about to step out, Kangwoo’s hand suddenly stopped him.

“Come out wearing clothes.”

For a second, Heewoon felt his heart sink, but it was just Kangwoo telling him to dress properly. Letting out a sigh of relief, Heewoon changed into comfortable clothes and went out to the terrace.

There were four chairs around the circular table. As Heewoon sat across from Kangwoo, Kangwoo raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to sit closer.

Pretending not to notice, Heewoon took a bite of his sandwich. He accidentally held it with both hands, then realizingly withdrew his left hand and hid it against his thigh. However, it seemed that Kangwoo had noticed in that brief moment.

“Where’s your ring?”

Heewoon’s face turned pale. Clenching his left fist tightly hidden under the table, he turned his head away.

“Sunbae.”

At that moment, he heard Kangwoo’s indifferent voice. When Heewoon looked up, Kangwoo rested his chin on his hand and spoke.

“Think carefully before you answer.”

It was a gentle warning.

Heewoon swallowed nervously. It was impossible to hide it now. He just needed to somehow resolve Kangwoo’s mood. Since Seo Kangwoo wouldn’t get too angry about something like this.

“I think I was pickpocketed…”

Despite his determination to tell Kangwoo, his voice trembled slightly. Heewoon couldn’t hide his anxiousness as he cautiously looked at Kangwoo. Surprisingly, Seo Kangwoo’s expression remained unchanged.

“When?”

Resting his chin on his hand, Kangwoo blinked slowly as he asked. Heewoon gained a little courage, but he didn’t let his guard down. Seo Kangwoo would still beat people while having that kind of expression.

“I noticed it was missing on the way back to the hotel. It must have happened at the fountain.”

Terrifyingly, Seo Kangwoo just stared at him without saying a word. Heewoon fidgeted nervously, his body felt like twisting. What should he do? How much was it worth? Would it be better if he told him he would buy the same thing himself? That kind of statement might have the opposite effect though…

“I’m sorry, Kangwoo.”

Heewoon said with a helpless expression.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Uh? Because I lost the birthday present you gave me…”

“Hmm, that’s not it.”

As Kangwoo ambiguously smiled, Heewoon became even more despondent. Watching Heewoon’s perplexed face, Kangwoo straightened up and extended his fist.

“…”

Heewoon stared blankly at the large fist extended towards him. Kangwoo probably didn’t mean to have a fist bump.

“Your hand.”

As Heewoon reached out his hand, Kangwoo opened his fist above it. Heewoon’s eyes snapped open wide. On the palm of his hand where Kangwoo’s fist had brushed over, lay the ring he had been longing to see.

“You didn’t lose it.”

Heewoon looked at the ring in confusion as he heard Kangwoo’s reassuring words. Alternating between Kangwoo’s faint smile and the ring, Heewoon furrowed his brows and asked.

“Did you take it?”

Kangwoo chuckled unbelievingly at Heewoon’s rather sharp tone. Heewoon quickly muttered, feeling sheepish.

“So you didn’t… Then, how did you find it?”

“I caught the pickpocket.”

Heewoon’s eyes widened in surprise. Seeing Heewoon’s face that showed no sign of noticing the commotion, Kangwoo sighed.

When a stranger’s hand grabbed Heewoon’s finger, pretending to bump into him in the crowd, Seo Kangwoo forcefully twisted it. While the ring was immediately retrieved, Kangwoo chased after the pickpocket who had disappeared into the crowd, breaking all his fingers before returning to Heewoon.

Kangwoo wondered when Woo Heewoon would find out, but from the moment they arrived at the hotel, Heewoon made it quite obvious. How could Kangwoo not notice when Heewoon was practically stomping his feet, moving awkwardly, almost as if he were about to cry? It was absurd how he would complain about everything usually, but become scared at times like this.

He watched Woo Heewoon, wondering how far Heewoon would go. Since Heewoon had shown a disappointed expression he hadn’t seen for days.

“How did you feel when you held hands with someone else?”

“We weren’t holding hands.”

“That’s still holding hands.”

When Kangwoo teased him for no reason, Heewoon once again didn’t know what to do. He clutched the ring tightly in his palm. And Kangwoo asked in a slightly softened tone.

“What were you planning to do?”

“I was going to tell you…”

“Don’t lie.”

“…I did consider ordering the same design, but I really was going to tell you.”

Seo Kangwoo chuckled dryly.

“Why do you always choose stupid things to do, Sunbae?”

“That’s true…”

Heewoon agreed. Kangwoo sighed, looking at Heewoon’s downturned lips. You’re such a loser, really. Kangwoo’s lips twitched slightly as he muttered.

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