TLVGAJ 42

~Chapter 42~

“Wow!”

I looked around with an emotional gasp.

In front of me was the Trevi Fountain — the most famous fountain in the world, right in the middle of Rome.

‘Wow… just like before, this teleportation ability is amazing…’

I’d experienced it the first time I met Fabian, but it was still incredible.

When Fabian swirled his cloak once, it felt like stars poured toward me — like I was being pulled into the Milky Way.

Then my vision went dark, and I heard the bustling sounds of people.

Soon, the mixed scents of the city reached my nose…

When I opened my eyes, I had arrived in Rome — the Rome I had missed before.

“Is this really Rome? I’m not dreaming, right?”

I poked my head out from Fabian’s cloak to ask.

I was really back in Rome!

Even though I was almost in Fabian’s arms, I didn’t care.

Fabian opened his cloak to let me out and checked his watch again.

“We decided to return before the train reaches the next station… so we have up to ten hours for sightseeing.”

“Perfect! Really, this is great.”

Ten hours was longer than the train’s original stop in Rome.

Total win.

“Travel however you want. I’ll quietly follow.”

“Alright. Hehe.”

I smiled at Fabian and began my real Rome trip.

The first destination was, of course, the Trevi Fountain.

When we got closer, I saw people sitting all around it.

It seemed newly completed in this world’s timeline — cleaner than the photos I’d seen in the modern world.

‘Audrey Hepburn threw a coin here, right?’

I reached into my pocket for a coin… then realized I’d brought nothing with me.

Since Sophie usually carried important items like money and IDs, I hadn’t thought to grab anything before teleporting.

I scratched my head and glanced at Fabian.

“Fabian, sorry… but do you have a coin?”

“Coin?”

“Yes. You have to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain.”

“…?”

Fabian tilted his head, as if he had never heard of such a thing.

‘Right, this being a fictional world, the coin-throwing custom might not exist here…’

But this was one of my travel bucket list items!

Throwing a coin at the Trevi Fountain in Rome!

‘I’m doing it no matter what.’

Fabian reached into his pocket and, surprisingly easily, handed me a few coins.

“Oooh, thank you!”

I clapped my hands and took them.

“…Why do people throw these?”

“Oh, there’s a legend about the Trevi Fountain.”

I explained kindly.

“See? Hold a coin in your right hand, then throw it over your left shoulder.”

“…”

“One coin means you’ll return to Rome. Two coins means you’ll come with someone you love, or succeed in love.”

Fabian looked even more doubtful.

“I’ve never heard such a legend.”

“…Okay, I just made that up. Just go with it.”

After walking around the fountain once, I prepared to throw my coin.

I decided on just one throw.

‘If it were my past life, I might throw two…’

Two coins for love? No thanks — I’d just managed to keep some distance from the male leads.

If I could return to Rome someday, that was enough.

‘Please, no sudden-death ending. Let me live long enough to come back to Rome.’

Closing my eyes, I made my wish and tossed the coin behind me.

Plop.

The sound was small, lost in the fountain’s water.

I stared at the coin lying in the clear water, then smiled at Fabian.

“Let’s go.”

We had other places to see in Rome.

After that, Fabian and I toured Rome’s famous spots — the Vatican City tour, the Pantheon, the Mouth of Truth, even museums.

Time was too short to see everything, so we used Fabian’s teleportation when needed for a fast-track visit.

‘Still… I’m satisfied. Very satisfied.’

I sat on the Spanish Steps, smiling with contentment.

The last stop of my short but full Rome trip — eating gelato on the Spanish Steps.

‘This scene became famous because of an Audrey Hepburn movie.’

Of course, most people around me weren’t eating gelato.

‘In my past life, too many people copied the movie scene, so sitting here or eating gelato was banned…’

Thanks to being in this novel’s world, I could copy Audrey Hepburn freely.

While smiling, I noticed my cone was almost gone.

Darn. Already finished…

As I pouted at the empty cone, Fabian, sitting quietly beside me, asked:

“So, was coming back to Rome worth it?”

“Yes. I loved it. Really, really loved it.”

It was like a dream, visiting a place I’d always wanted to see.

“Thank you, Fabian. Thanks to you, I had such a great time.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Fabian shrugged like it was no big deal.

I smiled at him. Maybe… Fabian really was the best travel companion for me right now.

He checked his watch and said:

“We should start heading back.”

“…Right.”

I nodded.

We still had a bit of time, but I needed to rest before the next stop on our journey.

I stood up, brushing off my skirt.

“Come to think of it, we didn’t really eat much today. You must be hungry too. When we get back, want to order room service together on the train?”

I wanted to repay Fabian for such a wonderful trip with good food.

Fabian nodded quietly, seeming fine with the idea.

I smiled at him and started to go down the steps—

Thud!

I bumped into someone coming up.

“Ah!”

I nearly tripped on my dress hem, but Fabian caught my arm.

The man I bumped into cursed irritably.

“Hey, watch where you’re going!”

“…”

Oh no.

I bit my lip and frowned.

That familiar feeling — my heart was pounding fast.

Another outburst was coming.