Chapter 102 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 102 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

5:30 in the morning.

I stopped by Milan, but I just can't seem to get used to this time difference.

Since Italy is 7 hours behind Korea, it would be around lunchtime there. I tried to go back to sleep, but my eyes were wide awake, so I got up and called Youngju first.

-Is that you, Junghoon?

It's quiet early morning here, but where Youngju is, it sounds busy.

Hey, any issues at the office?

-What issues would there be? Were handling the orders well, no problems. Where are you?

Oh, Im in Monicas hometown village.

-Not Milan?

No, came here yesterday.

-Its not rural, is it?

Yeah, why?

-Are there hotels?

No, Im staying in a separate house. There are many empty houses here.

-Dont tell me youre staying with Monica?

Nah, Monicas place is quite far from here. Theres no parking. She often has to go to the factory.

-Really?

Yeah.

Hmm, she seems relieved for some reason.

-What time is it there?

5:30 in the morning.

-You crazy, go to sleep.

ci vediamo, e stato un piacere conoscerla.

What did he say?

He waved his hand, probably a greeting.

The man drove off with the boy, probably taking him to school. Something like see you later, I guess.

Phew, at least its not a ghost town.

What's with this strange sense of relief?

As I was about to head back to the square, I stopped seeing a cute little girl, about five years old, toddling out of the house and squatting on the ground.

She wore a pink T-shirt, red pants, and sneakers. The girl sat on the steps, looking at the ground. I saw white stones scattered around, and there were drawings on the ground.

She had rosy cheeks, chubby, blonde hair, and blue eyes.

Having learned not to touch children's heads in foreign countries, I squatted beside her, met her eyes, and greeted,

Bon giorno.

The girl, searching for stones to draw with, turned her head at my greeting and looked like she was about to cry. I panicked and waved my hands,

No, I'm not a weird uncle, just saying hello.

The girl, teary-eyed and pouting, ran back into the house.

Sitting crouched, I watched her leave and then stood up, licking my lips.

First time seeing an Asian person?

She looked about five, so that might be possible.

I probably would have been scared too if I saw a Westerner for the first time at that age.

Scratching the back of my head, I looked down at the child's scribbles and smiled.

Brings back memories.

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