Because they were taking the ring road around the city, the dark scenery outside the window didn’t give off any special feeling that this was Paris.
Still, Song Hyunsoo pressed his nose against the car window, unable to take his eyes off the world outside.
He was busy marveling at every little thing—the signs written in French, the unfamiliar shape of the street lamps.
Pushed outside of Hyunsoo’s sphere of interest, Yoon Jooho had no choice but to rest his elbow on the window frame, his temple propped up by his hand, watching only Song Hyunsoo’s back as he faced away.
“Ooh, sunbae, now it really feels like Paris!”
Song Hyunsoo shouted in an excited voice.
As they left the ring road and entered a wide avenue marking the border between the 16th District and 17th District, the buildings around them began to exude a distinct Parisian atmosphere.
The Osman Style buildings with balconies, and the open-air cafes on the ground floor beneath them.
It was the classic image of Paris that outsiders often imagined.
Yoon Jooho replied in a less-than-thrilled tone.
“We’ve been in Paris for over two hours already, you know?”
But it seemed his discontented voice didn’t reach Song Hyunsoo at all.
“Sunbae, look at that café! That’s a real Parisian café!”
Song Hyunsoo looked about ready to leap out the window.
He pointed eagerly at a café, with green and white awnings and tables set up outside, and let out a cheer.
“It’s like taking a kid to a theme park.”
“Huh?”
Only then did Song Hyunsoo turn to look at Yoon Jooho.
“What did you say, sunbae?”
“I was starting to think you forgot I was here?”
“No way, that could never… Ooh, sunbae, look over there!”
Just when it seemed like he might finally be paying attention, it lasted only a moment.
This time, Song Hyunsoo opened his eyes wide and pointed straight ahead between the front seats.
His expression was just like a child who had spotted his favorite character at a theme park.
He tugged at Yoon Jooho’s sleeve.
“Sunbae, look!”
“What is it now?”
“It’s the Arch!”
The Etoile Arch was coming into view at the end of the broad avenue.
“Wow… incredible.”
Song Hyunsoo was so awestruck he didn’t even think to take a photo with his phone.
He just gazed in amazement at one of Paris’s most iconic monuments.
Yoon Jooho had visited this city dozens of times.
Not once for travel, though. In any case, this city no longer held any new excitement for him.
Watching his lover, who kept discovering new things, marveling, and getting excited without pause, was far more interesting to Yoon Jooho than anything outside.
Still staring at the Arch, Song Hyunsoo fumbled for Yoon Jooho’s hand.
Judging by the focused look on his profile, it seemed almost unconscious.
“Sunbae, I feel really moved right now.”
“That much?”
Song Hyunsoo turned to him, still wearing that dreamy expression, holding Yoon Jooho’s hand tight.
On his face lingered something that Yoon Jooho had lost, something he missed dearly.
A spirit of adventure toward the world, curiosity for the new, the pure thrill when something you wished for came true. All of that.
When I first came to this city for a photo shoot, I don’t think I was nearly as ecstatic as Song Hyunsoo is now… What was I like back then?
Even when I tried to recall, the memory was blurred, as if I were looking through fogged glass.
“To me, this isn’t just some overseas trip or just another business trip.”
There was an uncharacteristic emotional tremor in Song Hyunsoo’s voice as he spoke.
So Yoon Jooho felt he couldn’t probe any further.
But even without asking, somehow, he felt like he understood Hyunsoo’s feelings.
Sometimes, people can only realize how much their life has changed through a change in physical surroundings.
When you find yourself standing somewhere you once thought you’d never reach, it’s a moment when you feel your own growth.
Paris was a familiar city to Yoon Jooho now, but he couldn’t claim not to know that feeling.
Yoon Jooho gripped his lover’s hand tightly in return.
Looking into Song Hyunsoo’s deep, shining black eyes—unconcealing, sincere—he felt a nostalgia for some passion he’d lost, or maybe never even had.
As the car circled the Charles de Gaulle roundabout with the Arch at its center, Song Hyunsoo leaned forward to peek out the opposite side of the road.
“Over there, that’s the Champs-Élysées, right? Isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“It’s quiet on this side, but over there, it’s so dazzling.”
He looked like he wanted nothing more than to hop out of the car and walk those streets himself, to take in the sights with his own eyes.
Song Hyunsoo leaned on the rear armrest, craning his neck between the front seats. Yoon Jooho reached over and gave his cheek a gentle pinch.
“It’s not far from the hotel. Want to check in and then step out for a bit?”
“Can we?”
“As long as you’re not tired.”
“I’m not tired at all! I rode First Class, how could I be tired? I could stay on that plane all day and still not be tired!”
First Class, a luxury car, a trip to Paris, the Luminarie lights on the Champs-Élysées…
Things that had never impressed Yoon Jooho from the start were bursting like stars, sparking brand new excitement in Song Hyunsoo’s eyes.
And Yoon Jooho wanted to keep watching those tiny explosions. That sparkle, he felt, was something he could watch all day long.
Around eight o’clock, the car arrived at the hotel.
The Suite Room manager and the Hotel General Manager came out to the front entrance to welcome them and personally led them to the suite.
The check-in process was conducted in comfort, right in the living room of the room where the two would stay for five nights and six days.
At first, Song Hyunsoo thought maybe they were receiving such special treatment because Yoon Jooho was a top star.
But he soon realized it was more because Yoon Jooho was a VIP guest, having reserved a top-tier Suite Room.
“This is the Eiffel Suite you reserved. Please, come in.”
The Hotel General Manager opened the door and stepped aside.
From the moment they passed through the hallway and entered the living room, Song Hyunsoo had to fight not to shriek out loud.
Just beyond the wide L-shaped panoramic window, the Eiffel Tower glittered with its lights.
“This is one of our hotel’s prides. You won’t find a more spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower from any other room in Paris.”
There was pride in the Hotel General Manager’s formal tone as he followed them in.
With Yoon Jooho’s Manager and security chief also present, check-in proceeded in a warm and welcoming mood.
Champagne was opened in their honor, and warm towels and sweet desserts were served to help them recover from the flight.
Thanks to his recent English lessons, Song Hyunsoo could understand a few words and keep up with the conversation enough to smile at the right moments.
“It’s an honor to have a superstar like Mr. Yoon with us. You’re hugely popular even here in France. I heard you come to Paris two or three times a year to attend Louis Vuitton’s shows.”
Yoon Jooho nodded at the Hotel General Manager’s words.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I hope next Fashion Week, we’ll have the pleasure of hosting you here at our hotel.”
“I hope so as well.”
Yoon Jooho was perfectly composed. He didn’t act overly familiar, but was polite and sociable.
“This time, you’re here for a photo shoot, I hear.”
“Yes, I’ll be doing a winter shoot for <Once> Korea. With Mr. Song here, too.”
He gave a friendly introduction, draping his arm over Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder. Instantly, Song Hyunsoo sat ramrod straight.
“I thought so, Mr. Song is an actor as well. You look wonderful.”
The Hotel General Manager, dressed as stylishly as an actor or model, gave him a warm smile.
Yoon Jooho patted Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder, emphasizing confidently,
“He’s a rookie now, but he’ll be famous soon.”
And added,
“Next time we come to Paris, he’ll be a Superstar.”
The Hotel General Manager nodded at Song Hyunsoo with a face that said he believed it without a doubt.
“I’ll remember and look forward to it, Mr. Song.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Nice to meet you. Thank you for saying that.
Those were the only two English sentences Song Hyunsoo managed to say himself during the check-in.
If it weren’t for his recent lessons, he probably wouldn’t have been able to manage even that.
But when faced with a real conversation, all the sentences in his head seemed to evaporate, leaving nothing to say.
At least the lessons hadn’t been for nothing.
Listening to Yoon Jooho’s fluent, natural conversation and confident attitude was enjoyable in itself, but Song Hyunsoo was eager to properly see the Eiffel Tower.
Even as he sipped champagne, his gaze kept drifting toward the window.
Noticing this, Yoon Jooho turned back, covering his mouth with his hand as he let out a quiet laugh.
“All the check-in procedures are complete. Would you like me to show you around your room, or would you prefer to skip it?”
To the Hotel General Manager’s question, Yoon Jooho politely declined.
“Mm… We’re a bit tired after the long flight. If we have any questions, we’ll be sure to ask.”
“Your personal Butler is on call 24 hours a day. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
As soon as the hotel staff left, Song Hyunsoo hurriedly ran out onto the terrace.
Meanwhile, Yoon Jooho received the next day’s schedule from the Manager and security chief, then sent them off.
Finally, the two of them were alone together in peace… or so he thought, but the quiet didn’t last long.