Chemistry

10. Special Research: Venice Entropy(1)

At 3:30 in the morning, near his home’s intersection, Jeong-woo stood, waving his hand towards the modest sedan that had just arrived. The car came to a stop, and he climbed into the passenger seat, nodding respectfully.

“I apologize for contacting you out of the blue, doctor Moon”

“It’s alright, I wasn’t sleeping.”

Jeong-woo shifted his gaze to Doctor Moon, who had started driving, with his passport and bag in his lap. She appeared to have just come from the hospital, wearing a white gown.

As Doctor Moon turned the car, she spoke.

“There are documents in the back seat.”

Turning around Jeong-woo saw an envelope and picked it up.

“I’ve reserved the fastest flight for you. It’s a direct flight to Rome, and from there, you’ll go to Venice. Since you’ll arrive at night, it’ll be more convenient to take a night train than Italy’s domestic flights.”

Jeong-woo expressed his gratitude to her for not only assisting him immediatly but also making the reservation right there, because of Cheon Seung-guk’s request.

“Thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to handle this smoothly if I had prepared it myself.”

“I had a rough idea when I asked for Mr. Jeong-woo’s phone number. Feel free to ask for help like this anytime. It’s in the terms.”

Jeong-woo paused. He never expected this much help. He thought he should read the terms thoroughly at some point.

“Is this how Dr. Cheon usually assign tasks?”

In response to this question, Doctor Moon laughed lightly and increased the speed.

“He has a talent for surprising people.”

“And it’s for a trip to Venice. Quite a different scale.”

On a road where vehicles were scarcely passing due to the early morning hour, they were heading to Incheon Airport.

Jeong-woo felt a slight excitement, knowing that the familiar Seoul skyline outside the window would soon transform into a sight he had only seen in videos and photos somewhere in Europe.

‘I still can’t believe it.’

He searched on his phone for how to enable roaming and downloaded apps suitable for using abroad. In the meantime, they passed through Incheon Airport’s tollgate and arrived at Yeongjong Island.

Five minutes later, Doctor Moon stopped in front of Gate 7 at Incheon Airport.

“We have a little over three hours, so ticketing should be relaxed.”

“Okay.”

“Exchange currency moderately and use your card. Famous tourist destinations are no different from Seoul. They’ll overcharge you. Since this flight is an Italian route, immigration might ask a few more questions. How long you’ll stay and where you’re going. Be prepared to answer in English.”

“Got it.”

Listening to Doctor Moon’s advice, which sounded like she was worried about something precious, Jeong-woo continued to nod before getting out of the car.

“And one more thing.”

The passenger seat window opened, and Doctor Moon spoke again.

“Even if you end up doing something unexpected, stay calm. He’s not asking you to do something wrong.”

Her final advice was meaningful.

“I’m off. See you when I get back.”

With a face mixed with anxiety and anticipation, Jeong-woo shook hands with Doctor Moon and entered the gate.

The departure process was completed in no time.

In a dazed state from lack of sleep, Jeong-woo waited at the departure gate and then boarded the plane, surrounded by passengers conversing in Italian.

Alitalia Flight AZ 759.

Looking at the ticket information that indicated a flight duration of 12 hours and 5 minutes, Jeong-woo followed the guidance of foreign flight attendants and took his seat near the wing.

Late February. It wasn’t the peak tourist season, so there were plenty of vacant seats, and Koreans were hardly noticeable.

Shortly after, Korean broadcasting followed the Italian announcements.

-Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for choosing Alitalia Airlines. Now, for your safety…

The announcement continued with instructions to fasten seatbelts and turn off mobile phones. Jeong-woo took out his phone from his pocket. There were several messages, with the most recent one from Doctor Moon.

The message conveyed that her vacation request had been approved. Typically, after completing a long-term project, he would receive over a week of vacation, but this time, having completed Audrey’s project, he had received a three-day holiday and had already used it.

‘After spending a whole month, the reward is disappearing like this.’

Amidst the restless night, Jeong-woo also received a message from Yoon Yi-seol.

[The Paris performance is over. Once we finish shooting the cover for the album, I can go to the clinic this Saturday. How about you, Mr. Jeong-woo?]

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Yi-seol in a while.’

In just one day out of a month, and that too briefly at the clinic. Jeong-woo replied to Yoon Yi-seol’s message.

[I have a work trip-like thing, so I’m on my way to Venice right now. If it gets extended there, I might not make it on Saturday. I’m currently on the plane. I’ll contact you later.]

“Sir, could you please turn off your mobile phone?”

The only Korean flight attendant approached Jeong-woo as she passed by.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Jeong-woo pressed the end button and showed it to the flight attendant, who nodded with a friendly smile and continued down the aisle.

Just before the screen went dark, it seemed like a message was about to arrive, but it turned off before he could read it.

The seatbelt sign blinked, and Jeong-woo leaned back in his seat.

‘At last, we’re departing.’

The plane ascended into the skies above Incheon Airport.

Feeling the sensation of floating, he admired the sky and clouds outside the window for a moment. Then, overwhelmed by fatigue, he rested his head on the seat and soon drifted off to sleep.

「Han Jeong-woo」 – Rome, Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

The sight of Rome’s night skyline outside the window made Jeong-woo’s heart start to flutter. Even though the aircraft’s air hadn’t changed, it felt as if a chemistry of excitement had been sprayed into his chest.

The plane’s distinct vibrations and deep noises intensified, and soon the wheels touched down on the runway.

“Ah, that was tiresome.”

Enduring 12 hours in cramped seats took more of a toll on his stamina than he had thought.

He retrieved his bag from the overhead compartment and, as he disembarked the plane, was greeted warmly by an Italian flight attendant waiting at the entrance.

“Buon Giorno, Italia!”

‘Buon Giorno? Was that a greeting like hello?’

Jeong-woo nodded with a smile.

As soon as they disembarked, signs directed them towards immigration. Unfamiliar surroundings and unfamiliar faces passed by from all sides.

Following sporadic English instructions and universal symbols, he eventually reached a long queue at immigration.

After a while of standing there, the awkward feeling of being alone in the midst of unfamiliar Europe started to settle in.

He yawned but didn’t expect the line to shorten.

It wasn’t until he had a strong desire to get out of there as soon as possible, rather than the excitement of arriving in Italy, that he finally reached the immigration officer.

“Hi,” he said, handing over his passport.

“tourism?”

“Yes, tourism. Maybe three days?”

The stamp landed with a loud thud, and the officer gestured to the next person.

‘Wow.’

After purchasing a ticket for the ‘Leonardo Express’ and standing on the platform, he realized that, apart from the passing Italians, the atmosphere at this Italian railway station was quite similar to Korean train stations.

Even the appearance of the airport railway resembled the KTX, so Jung Woo shook his head in amazement.

‘It still doesn’t quite feel real.’

As he struggled to place his luggage on the shelf, a fellow Asian traveler offered to help, a gesture of kindness born from a sense of familiarity due to their shared skin color. Jeong-woo thanked him and took his seat.

The train departed.

He looked outside, but as it was nighttime, there wasn’t much of an impressive landscape to behold.

Yawning for about 30 minutes straight, Jeong-woo arrived at Rome’s Seoul Station, Termini Station.

After booking a night train to Venice at the counter, he entered a store next to the platform with a plethora of pizzas on display and pointed at one with his finger.

He sliced a square piece right there, wrapped it in paper, and handed it to him. Jeong-woo paid the attendant and walked out.

‘They sell pizza like street food stalls sell hotteok.’

His first meal in Italy. He took a bite with anticipation, but it was just a strong cheese flavor that filled his mouth, nothing particularly special.

‘I need some soda.’

He grabbed a cola from wherever he was and gulped it down.

Jeong-woo confirmed the approaching night train he needed to board and dialed Cheon Seung-guk’s number on his phone. The call went through, but there was no answer.

“Is he asleep?”

It was 10:30 PM local time, not too late. But suddenly, he felt a bit lost on this journey he embarked on relying solely on Cheon Seung-guk.

‘Stay calm. You said you’d call when you arrive in Venice. This is Rome.’

Since he couldn’t reach him, he opened a map app and checked the route to Venice. Suddenly, he received several consecutive text messages.

It seemed that roaming wasn’t working properly, and these were late messages from Yoon Yi-seol.

[Venice? Really? Wow~]

[Well… I might go there for a shoot…]

[Let me know if you come! Shall we meet briefly?]

[Are you still on the plane? I’m about to depart.]

She had sent some before he left, and more had come after that.

‘Wasn’t Yi-seol in Paris?’

In this unfamiliar place, receiving messages from someone he knew made Jeong-woo feel a bit more at ease.

「Yoon Yi-seol」 – Paris, Lyon Station

Beside the night train with ‘Venezia’ as the destination, Yoon Yi-seol and manager Ji Seong-jae, who was carrying a bag, walked over.

“Yi-seol, why are you in such a hurry? We could have gone together tomorrow more comfortably.”

“I wanted to arrive early and do some sightseeing. I also wanted to try the sleeper car. It doesn’t feel like a vacation when I’m with the staff.”

Yoon Yi-seol smiled playfully at the worried look on manager Ji’s face.

“Do you know how much the overseas department manager and I worried when you went alone to the LA concert?”

“Back then, I sneaked away secretly. Now I’m telling you openly.”

“You’re saying it with such confidence, Yoon Yi-seol, the escape artist.”

She laughed, and manager Ji took the bag from her.

“You’re flying there, right? I’ll try to create as much ‘Yi-seol TV’ content as possible during your one-day stay.”

“Venice will provide beautiful scenery wherever you go. Somewhere like a market or a good restaurant. It’s best when fans can experience your sightseeing together.”

“How many views did you say we got from the Japan concert?”

“2.7 million.”

“Wow, that’s a lot. We can’t disappoint those fans. I’ll work hard to film everything.”

Just before Yoon Yi-seol boarded the train, manager Ji gave her a word of advice.

“Tomorrow, when the album jacket shooting team arrives, please refrain from any impromptu actions. It’s a relief that it’s the off-season. We almost couldn’t book accommodations.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

“And don’t trouble Jeong-woo too much.”

“Yes! Uh, what do you mean… I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m going now!”

After shaking hands once, Yoon Yi-seol boldly boarded the train. Manager Ji watched her, and after she playfully shouted the French phrase “À bientôt,” he sighed in relief.

“Well, she spent time with Han Jeong-woo and composed the title track together. I can only wish her a good time. That friend surprisingly handles the manager’s work well.”

Even though Yoon Yi-seol excelled at writing songs when she was full of emotions, the rule was to take care of her with a laissez-faire approach as much as possible.

But safety measures were still necessary. Manager Ji sent a message to several overseas staff members on his phone before walking out of the station.

“Eutcha~”

Druruk.

Yoon Yi-seol, who entered the single-bed compartment, sat down and checked her phone. She had been sending messages to Jeong-woo since she heard that he was coming to Europe, but there had been no response.

‘What am I even expecting?’

She might not have had time to meet him if he had work. In that case, tomorrow might be spent shooting tourism videos for fans all day while wandering around Venice.

“Idiot, idiot. What kind of plan leaves you so clueless.”

She contemplated sending more messages but ended up just lying on the bed.

Part of the reason she impulsively decided to depart after the Paris concert and ended up in Venice was due to her sister, Sora, who had barged into her hotel room.

-Hey, Yi-seol. You have to go and make your move. What’s with this half-hearted show of interest? You didn’t even confess your feelings properly. Why are you acting so flustered? I’m just teasing you.

-Am I supposed to confess first?

-What’s up with you, trying to be picky about every little thing? What if another girl shows up? You’re in a romantic atmosphere in Europe. You have to seize the opportunity. He’s a good guy, right? Well, there are plenty of women looking for a catch.

How often in a lifetime would someone carry someone in their heart like destiny? That’s why she made up her mind, changed her schedule, and chose to go to Venice.

“But he’s not contacting me…”

While pouting and dragging her feet, the departure announcement came over the speakers.

Now it was an irreversible commitment.

That’s when it happened.

A message alert sounded from her phone, which she had tossed aside. She grabbed it like lightning and checked the message, her face brightening.

[I’m in Rome right now. I’m on a night train to Venice. Are you really going to Venice too? Wow, what a coincidence.]

‘It’s not a coincidence.’

They were juggling their already packed schedule, trying to fit me in and take someone else out. The train began to move slowly.

She contemplated what to reply, a smile filling her face. It seemed like she would stay up all night today because of excitement. Even though she shouldn’t.

「Han Jeong-woo」 – Venice, Santa Lucia Station

The train that departed from Rome made repeated stops throughout the night, winding its way through several cities in central Italy.

Jeong-woo, struggling with the fatigue of the flight and the issue of jet lag, tossed and turned in his semi-conscious state. He woke up when he saw the dawn breaking outside the window.

After a quick wash in the communal washroom, he returned to find the train conductor offering a tray with coffee and croissants.

“G-Grazie.”

He thanked in Italian, and the conductor smiled. Since he was in a 4-person compartment, the tray contained four cups of coffee and four pieces of bread.

“I’ve cut down on caffeine, but I guess I’ll need it today, given the weather.”

As the tray was placed on the table between them, the aroma of strong coffee began to fill the air, gradually waking up the other passengers.

About 20 minutes passed as they savored the soft bread and looked outside. The outside scenery started becoming more distinct.

“Wow.”

The world outside was entirely unfamiliar.

A railway extending over the turbulent blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, elegant Gothic buildings rising gradually beyond the horizon – all of this captivated Jeong-woo’s gaze in an instant.

‘This is a foreign country.’

The realization hit him strongly. Everything, from the salty smell carried through the window to the views, felt different. Before he knew it, the train had arrived at its final destination, Santa Lucia.

As Jeong-woo walked out of the station into the bustling square, he encountered fellow travelers and water buses that carried them.

The transportation means in this city constructed over the sea consisted solely of boats. There were canals in every nook and cranny. Although he had looked up information beforehand, seeing the city in person left him in awe.

As Jeong-woo was absorbed in taking in his first impressions of Venice, he noticed a young woman not far away, gazing beyond the square, seemingly lost in thought.

‘Huh?’

Long, flowing hair that reached down to her back, lips that appeared even redder against her sun-kissed white skin, and a warm-looking knit cardigan. She was a captivating young lady who seemed to command attention no matter where she went. It was Yoon Yi-seol.

She carried a small bag on her back and held a booklet in her hand, scrutinizing something intently.

“Yi-seol.”

At Jeong-woo’s call as he approached, Yoon Yi-seol turned her head abruptly.

“Wow…”

Yoon Yi-seol couldn’t help but exclaim when she saw Jeong-woo.

“It’s fascinating to see it like this in a foreign country.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Amidst the exotic backdrop, Jeong-woo couldn’t help but think of a scene from a European-set movie. Was the actress in those scenes more beautiful than usual because of her natural beauty or the ambiance?

“Mr. Jeong-woo, did you see it? Riding a train on the sea?”

“I did.”

Jeong-woo couldn’t help but smile as he watched Yoon Yi-seol’s cheerful laughter amidst the crowd of fellow travelers from different countries. Then, he suddenly regained his composure.

“I actually have to meet someone first. If you have something to do, you can go ahead, and we can meet later…”

“No!”

Yoon Yi-seol’s abrupt response surprised Jeong-woo.

“Wasn’t there a shoot scheduled here today?”

“Well, yes. But it’s not urgent. I came a bit earlier than the staff.”

After answering like this, Yoon Yi-seol buried her face in a travel brochure called ‘Let’s Go Italy’ and mumbled to herself, “Where should I explore?”

“I’ll make a quick phone call.”

After getting Yoon Yi-seol’s understanding, Jeong-woo raised his phone and dialed Cheon Seung-guk’s number.

Ding.

This time, the call was answered promptly.

-Han Jeong-woo?

“Yes, Doctor. I’ve just arrived at Santa Lucia Station.”

A sound like a yawn could be heard, and then Cheon Seung-guk spoke.

-Why did you arrive so early? Isn’t it around 8 AM there now?

“Well, yes. I was afraid I might be late, so I just took the earliest train available to sync with the appointment time.”

-There seems to be more to this story.

Laughter emanated from the other end of the phone.

-It’ll take me about 4 hours. I’ll be resting at the lab during that time.

“The lab?”

-Yeah, it’s my private research lab. It might be hard to find. It’s an old neighborhood, and the address system is a mess compared to Korea. Do you speak Italian?

“Me?”

Could he possibly speak it? In response to Jeong-woo’s question, Cheon Seung-guk asked, sounding a bit surprised.

-Have you not taken ‘AF-12’? I didn’t think I’d have to explain this roughly; you should too… Ah, I see. You must have set the sudden neural shock precaution.

“A neural shock precaution?”

It was all too unclear what he was talking about.

-Anything related to language can sensitively affect the brain’s neural pathways. When you go to the lab, there should be active agents.

Jeong-woo grinned at Yoon Yi-seol, who was looking at him curiously, then covered his mouth and asked in a hushed tone.

“An agent that makes Italian possible?”

-More precisely, it’s a molecular switch that activates existing language knowledge. You’ll need to make some combinations since the G-protein stored there is quite old. You’ll receive the address. Once you arrive safely, contact me.

“By the way, Doctor, can I bring a friend with me to the lab?”

Jeong-woo looked at Yoon Yi-seol, who was engrossed in the travel brochure.

-Did you come with Dr. Moon by any chance?

“No way.”

-Do as you wish.

After ending the call, Jeong-woo shook his head. No matter how much he had taken the medicine to acquire abilities similar to Cheon Seung-guk’s, he couldn’t quite grasp the concept of activating language.

‘I’ll figure it out when I get there.’

Jeong-woo turned to Yoon Yi-seol and asked.

“Do you want to go directly to the place I need to visit? You don’t have to wait for the staff, right?”

“It’s fine. They might be late. While we’re here, we can catch up on the checklist we’ve fallen behind on.”

“In Venice?”

“Well, why not? There’s no one we know here, and it’s quite free-spirited.”

Her laughter filled the air as usual. In a place like this, Jeong-woo felt like they could quickly become friends despite their usually reserved relationship. It was the European magic that had found them since they were intoxicated by the air of Venice.

And so, Jeong-woo took his first step in the city above the sea, unexpectedly accompanied by a fellow traveler.