WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty

Chapter 19: It’s the Same even in High School (3)

In the suddenly awkward atmosphere, Lee So-yeon frantically waved her hands in denial.

"It was a joke, a joke~ Why is everyone looking at me like that!"

So-yeon tried to laugh it off, making a bit more effort to manage her expression, clearly indicating it wasn't serious.

I knew, and probably Elli did too.

Her claim of it being just a joke carried both sincerity and insincerity.

So-yeon, who had initiated the chaos by using terms like "wife" and "boyfriend" from the start, seemed to have intended to continue the jest.

However, unwittingly, a spoonful—no, about five spoonfuls—of sincerity had been mixed in.

I could tell.

So-yeon's history of stirring things up dated back to our elementary school days.

Back then, she would openly provoke Elli by saying things like "I like Lee Do-yoon too~."

During middle school, aside from just boy-girl relationships, she played pranks even during incidents like the one in our third year.

With her cute and pretty face, and seemingly innocent smile, she enjoyed watching Elli and me react.

Given this history, I knew.

I was aware that So-yeon still liked me, and unlike in elementary school, she was now making an effort not to show it.

I knew as much as So-yeon liked me, she also liked Elli.

"Look at her trying to stir things up again. It's a bit much to do it all the way here at home."

I responded to her earnest prank as just that, a prank. Elli, seemingly sharing my thoughts, brushed her platinum hair back and said.

"Interesting. Bring it on. Just so you know, the evaluation category is cooking."

Accepting the challenge, yet without any seriousness.

Just like I did, responding as if it were all just a joke.

"Ah, come on~ You really think your cooking is great! That's so sneaky!"

So-yeon visibly relaxed, her face breaking into a wide smile.

Just when we were about to smoothly move past this little incident, our mom, who couldn't have grasped the nuance of So-yeon's accidental slip-up as well as Elli and I did, suddenly said.

"So, So-yeon would be an overqualified candidate for a daughter-in-law~ Oh, I had something to discuss with Yerin... I'll be at the next-door neighbor's. Call me if you need anything!"

With that, she fled to the neighbor's house.

The atmosphere threatened to become awkward again, but I quickly changed the subject.

"About the shopping we missed today because of me, you wanted to show me the hoodie, right?"

I had injured myself, preventing us from going shopping. In truth, I didn't even know what the hoodie was like since we hadn't gone to see it, but if Elli had wanted it, I would have bought it.

So-yeon eagerly responded.

"I'll show you! It's really famous these days! Seventeen's Seon-ho wore it..."

Her face still slightly flushed, she dived into the conversation, which seemed a tad pitiful.

Elli sighed softly, then pointed towards my room.

"Go to Do-yoon's room and check on the computer. I hate using smartphones for this; it's too frustrating."

"Ah, should we? Can we go in?"

"Elli, it's the same as before. Do-yoon, you go in first and change."

"Okay. Just wait a bit. I'll change quickly."

"Right! Hurry up... no, take your time! You're injured!"

"Ah, right... ow... I forgot I was hurt... ow, it hurts..."

"Do you want to die for real?"

After changing as quickly as possible, the three of us sat in my room, browsing various clothes on the computer, and we were soon laughing and chatting as usual.

"This! I wanted to see this T-shirt too! But the collaboration ends tomorrow... such a shame. It would have been perfect if we went today."

"It's Lee Do-yoon's fault. Should we just kill him? If I see him dancing that stupid dance again next week, I'm going to explode."

"Hmm... should I just die to atone?"

"Ah, don't be like that~ Even if we went today, there probably wouldn't have been many sizes left. Maybe?"

With the usual closeness and familiarity.

"Hey, depending on how Do-yoon's foot heals, shall we go next Monday? I really want to see you guys in those couple hoodies~"

"That could work."

-Screech...!

"Unless he makes a fuss again and injures his foot."

"I won't do it again... trust me."

"I've heard that line five times since last week."

"...Really?"

"Really."

"Alright then! Lee Do-yoon, you're okay with it, right?"

"Of course, I'm fine with it."

So-yeon had already planned our schedule for the next Monday with excitement, discussing where we would go, what clothes we would look at, and what snacks we would buy.

"Are you going to keep the S-curl perm for a while, Elli? Your waves came out really nice this time, right, Do-yoon?"

"Yeah. It's super pretty. Suits you well."

"...Hmph. Well... I like it too."

"You should know how lucky you are! Elli works so hard every morning to maintain that hair..."

"Hey, keep it down."

"Hmm... got it?"

"Got it, got it."

"Ugh... I'm dead."

"Kyaa~ Sorry!"

We also gossiped and praised Elli in a sudden bout of adoration, setting aside all other emotions. After all, So-yeon and I couldn't help but be followers of our precious platinum princess.

Before we knew it, a couple of hours had passed, and it was evening.

As it grew dark outside and So-yeon was about to head home.

"Oh my, So-yeon. It's been a while, hasn't it? Why don't you stay and have dinner with us?"

"Ah, yes! I'd be happy to..."

Elli's mom and my mom, who were in the kitchen, invited So-yeon to stay for dinner as she emerged from the room.

And somehow.

"Have some more of this. My, how can you be so skinny?"

"Right. Eat up~ And keep being close with our kids."

"Yes... Th-Thank you."

So-yeon ate her meal with a slightly awkward expression under the direct care and attention of Elli's mom and my mom, who pushed all the delicious side dishes her way.

After finishing her meal, So-yeon quickly got up to leave. It was getting too late to linger.

"Thank you for the meal! It was delicious! I'll come to play again!"

"Come anytime~"

"Sure, sure. Lee Do-yoon would have walked you out... oh, right, he's injured."

"I'll walk her out to the front. It's close to the bus stop anyway."

"Okay. Take care, So-yeon."

"I can go alone... See you tomorrow, Lee Do-yoon!"

Elli and So-yeon, still in their school uniforms, left the house, and I saw them off from the entrance.

Then, heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I could hear Elli's mom and my mom talking.

"Really, Lee Do-yoon messed up~"

"It's our son's fault... Sigh, having a son who's too handsome is also a problem."

"Hehe, Elli said that before. That it's hard to manage because of that."

"Elli might seem not interested, but she's quite the fox."

"It's even better because she's a fox~ Wouldn't it be fun if Elli came to live with us?"

"It would be fun... I guess we wouldn't be bored."

"Right?"

They were talking loudly, as if they wanted me to hear. I ignored them and entered the bathroom.

It would be awkward to join in anyway.

After So-yeon left, I ended up working on a commission drawing I had planned to do today, given my injured foot.

[McDonald: Yes! For the overall hairstyle, please use Nano's short hair style from the Six Divisions character, just change the color, and make the pose as similar as possible to the photo I sent. And for the clothes...]

I started with rough sketches, considering the rather detailed requests from a web novel author.

Reviving my experience from countless commissions and feeling a sense of responsibility for the significant fee, I moved the stylus across the tablet.

After about an hour or two of focused work, when the flow momentarily halted, I found myself thinking about So-yeon.

About our precious friend, who had liked me since elementary school and still does, and also likes Elli, continuing to be with us as a friend.

I was profoundly grateful for So-yeon.

For liking me but making an effort not to show it, and yet continuing to stay with us as a friend.

In fact, it was quite common for someone to be attracted to me or Elli, trying to get close, only to end up getting hurt and distancing themselves.

Thus, Elli and I didn't have many close friends beyond a certain level.

While I was slightly better off, Elli, due to her nature of not easily opening up and the jealousy and hostility from both boys and girls, had it tougher.

In such situations,

So-yeon was always there as a close friend, and even secretly managed our image from behind.

She might think she's doing it secretly, but I've picked up on it through the boys.

So-yeon always says she's lucky to be at the same school as us.

But I think we're the lucky ones to be able to attend the same school as So-yeon.

She's that good of a friend.

And I'm sure Elli, who just entered my room, feels the same.

However, that doesn't mean I can reciprocate So-yeon's feelings, nor can Elli make any concessions.

So, we never bring up her delicate kindness, maintaining our relationship as it is, simply treasuring So-yeon as a dear friend.

"Did you go far?"

"No, I'll finish up now."

Elli, who had already changed into her pajamas, leaned against the door, waiting for me to finish my work.

Lost in thought and drawing, I didn't realize it was already 10 PM. I hurriedly wrapped up my work and sat on the bed.

It was a bit uncomfortable to stand and hug Elli with my foot like this.

As soon as I sat on the bed, Elli approached me and said,

"Spread your legs."

"Huh?"

"Your injured foot is the left one, right?"

"Yeah, but why my legs?"

Elli didn't answer my question but took a step closer.

Then, between my spread legs, on top of my right thigh,

"…!"

She sat down directly. My right knee and thigh were pressed down by Elli's weight and a peculiar coziness.

Elli, sitting on my knee, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me… not exactly a kiss, but a 'bisou', and I instinctively hugged her back and lightly pressed my lips to hers.

Holding Elli, still warm from her bath, in my arms and enjoying the softness of her lips, the initial excitement hadn't faded even now.

After the bisou, Elli didn't immediately get up but stayed on my knee, forehead against mine, and called my name.

"Lee Do-yoon."

"Yeah."

"…"

"…?"

For a moment, Elli was silent.

Just staring into my eyes with her beautiful pupils, she eventually released her arms from around my neck and brought them to my face.

Gently, she stroked my cheek.

Though I didn't understand why she was doing this, I quietly accepted her touch.

Then, she murmured,

"Yeah. But you're still mine."

And said to me,

"I'll come to pick you up tomorrow, so wait in your room."

"Okay, got it."

"If you need help with anything, let me know."

"I don't really need help... Oh!"

I was about to dismiss Elli's offer as mere kindness since I wasn't badly hurt, but then,

"Actually, there's a bit of pain. If you could give me one more bisou tonight, I think I could endure the pain and sleep well. Is that okay?"

I laid bare my true desire.

At my request, Elli simply smiled, her lips curling up in amusement, her blue eyes filled with satisfaction.

Then, her face moved closer to mine again.

With another gentle touch of Elli's lips, the bisou was returned, and I reciprocated in kind.

Then, the weight and warmth on my knee, and the strangely pleasant sensation, disappeared.

"Good night."

"Yeah. You too."

With that last bisou and a goodnight wish, Elli went home.

I stayed in my room for a while, basking in the lingering scent of Elli, before quietly lying down on my bed.

Though there were minor incidents at school and at home today,

Still, I consider it a fairly ordinary day, not much different from usual.

Two hours earlier.

So-yeon, bidding farewell with a slightly complicated expression on the face of her stunningly beautiful friend, couldn't help but smirk.

She knew that look was due to the mistake she had made earlier.

But it was truly just a slip of the tongue while joking, and So-yeon had no intention of taking Lee Do-yoon away from Elli. She had no such desire.

She wanted to forever witness the two of them standing side by side, talking earnestly.

However, So-yeon couldn't help but feel a bit pleased.

'If it had been any other girl, she would've glared and chased her away immediately.'

Because it was her, and knowing Elli felt sorry, So-yeon felt a strange joy.

Until her first year of middle school, she was also one of Elli's targets for suspicion.

But now, she's become someone Elli can't help but forgive, even knowing she likes the same boy, more of a friend than a rival.

'She's worrying about me liking someone and getting hurt all by myself?'

Elli had said something similar last year.

Despite those words, So-yeon could see how much Elli cared for her.

Finding this amusing and sometimes tempting to tease, So-yeon knew this situation was due to her own blunder, so she said to her gorgeous platinum-haired friend,

"Hey, Elli."

"What."

"I'm going to get a haircut this weekend, want to come with me?"

"……"

"I'm really struggling with my hair every morning. I can't take it anymore."

"How short are you going?"

"Maybe like in the first year of middle school? A slightly long bob? I've been looking at wind perms and see-through bangs for a while. They're so pretty."

"…It would suit you."

"Right? It's perfect for me, isn't it?"

It was true she started growing her hair because she liked Lee Do-yoon, but cutting it wasn't just for that reason.

Really, it was too much hassle and effort every morning. She had newfound respect for Elli, who managed her beautiful platinum hair every day.

Of course, there was also a desire to clearly show her feelings to Elli.

"Let's go early if we're going. We'll have lunch together afterward."

"Then I want mala-tang!"

"Something other than that. I don't like it."

"You really can't handle spicy food, huh? Can't even eat level one?"

"Let's eat something else."

"Hmm... then..."

So-yeon hoped Elli would truly understand her intentions.

Like this.

She cherished Lee Do-yoon more than she liked him, hoping their relationship, where they could laugh and chat together, would continue just like this.

On Monday.

With her freshly cut hair and newly styled waves,

When her friends swarmed her, asking what happened,

Lee Do-yoon, unlike the others, didn't ask for a reason.

He just smiled brightly, as usual, and with a twinkle in his eye,

"You cut your hair? It suits you. Pretty."

He praised her as if it were the most natural thing.

At that, So-yeon,

"Why doesn't it seem like Do-yoon is the problem? Shouldn't someone stop him from being so honestly complimentary?"

"Exactly."

"Huh? Why?"

Well, still.

That's Lee Do-yoon, and that's why she liked him.

So, just like she did in elementary and middle school,

So-yeon responded with a bright smile, "No, thank you!"

As a high schooler, she remained unchanged, cheerfully expressing her gratitude.

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