WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty

Chapter 2: Becoming Best Friends with the Aloof Princess of Platinum Blonde (2)

On the fifth day of attending daycare,

I had started calling Alicia "Elli," and every day was spent playing with the beautiful princess of platinum blonde, who made me happy just by being around.

Aside from the nickname, in truth, not much had changed.

"Alicia!"

"Lee Do-yoon, are you stupid... an idiot?"

"Why am I an idiot? Uh... oh, Elli!"

"If you don't call me correctly, I won't play with you anymore."

"Sorry. Are you okay, Elli?"

"Hmph."

"Then, today, let's draw a pictu..."

"I wanna swing."

"Drawing..."

"Swing."

"Got it."

Each time I timidly tried to resist Elli, I would eventually nod and follow her.

Although I regretted not being able to draw together, doing what Elli wanted was enjoyable for my young self.

Moreover, eventually, Elli compromised a bit while playing... well, it seemed similar even when we grew up...?

Anyway, we roamed around the daycare just as much as any other group of kids, exploring every nook and cranny.

Elli especially loved playing outside. Even when it was crowded and hard to play on the playground equipment, she preferred sitting under a tree playing with dirt but always outside.

Invariably taking me along.

Seeing us play together for several days, the daycare teachers were moved to tears.

"What should I do? I feel like crying..."

"Never mind that, Min-ah, just take more pictures and send them. Seeing them this close, it's about time we made a fuss."

"Right? I was so worried Do-yoon would play with other kids and be disappointed... Alicia's parents must be relieved too."

"It was obvious she wasn't mingling with the other kids..."

They couldn't help but worry.

It was frustrating to see such a doll-like child visibly struggling, yet there was nothing they could do to help her make friends.

"But they're both really cute... Alicia's beauty is one thing, but isn't Do-yoon incredibly adorable too? He could be a child model."

"That's true. He might break a lot of girls' hearts when he grows up."

"But... um..."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing... forget I said anything."

"Come on, that's anticlimactic."

While they smiled warmly at the adorable kids, Kim Min-ah, in charge of the Sun Class, harbored another worry.

At first glance, it seemed like a beautiful sight of best friends playing joyfully together, but a closer look revealed the reality.

"Träd."

"Tree... huh?"

"This, träd. Tree."

"Tree?"

"Here, it's Annie's house."

"I'm good at drawing Annie! Look, I'll draw her with..."

"Judy lives over there."

"Uh... this is Judy's house? Hello?"

"Hallå (Hello)"

Do-yoon loved drawing, as evident from his immediate suggestion to draw pictures upon their first meeting. He was always lively and enjoyed art-related activities during class.

On the other hand,

It was a wonder how Alicia managed to stay put with just a fairy tale book until now, as she was too active, constantly moving around outside.

Her personality was the complete opposite of Do-yoon's.

As a result, it was clear that Do-yoon, who had fallen for Alicia at first sight, was being led around by her desires.

And it wasn't just about playing together.

"What's this? You drew it so well!"

"This is Julie. A dragon. And this is Doochi, who is..."

"I know! This one's an ostrich! I wanna try too!"

Whenever Do-yoon seemed to enjoy chatting with another child during class, and that child appeared to want to play with Do-yoon,

"...Lee Do-yoon."

"What's up, Elli?"

"Come here!"

"Huh? Okay~"

Alicia, who had been watching silently, would swiftly pull Do-yoon away as soon as playtime started, as if to say, "Don't take my friend away."

Despite his friendly nature, which could have allowed him to mingle with many kids, Alicia seemed to monopolize his opportunity.

Kim Min-ah found herself in a dilemma.

Taking Do-yoon away from Alicia to let him play with other kids made her feel too sorry for Alicia, but trying to form a group including Alicia resulted in all the other kids except Do-yoon hesitating.

Yet, just letting the two of them play together seemed like neglecting a crucial period for the children's social development.

'What should I do... Ah, if I talk to the parents next time... Alicia's parents would feel so bad. But if I just mention it to Do-yoon's parents... Ah, that's a bit... What to do!'

Despite having graduated from college and obtained her certification, at 26, she felt overwhelmed by the need to manage such details.

Asking other teachers for advice seemed futile, as they were likely to laugh it off with a "Well, that's great~" attitude.

So, while she was agonizing over this for our sake,

Playing house with Elli, holding a doll, I was quite content, regardless of my desire to draw.

Sitting before me, wearing a cute pink skirt and a white T-shirt,

"Annie likes steak."

Elli, holding a doll in one hand, gave a gentle smile, unlike her usual combative demeanor.

Just like when she taught me the nickname, Elli smiled softly,

'Elli really seems like a princess...'

Capturing my attention and mesmerizing me.

Even though I had seen her platinum blonde hair and blue eyes countless times,

Each glance stirred ripples in my heart.

Thus, as a child, I couldn't understand why other kids didn't want to play with Elli.

When she was so.

"What about Judy? What do they like?"

So beautiful.

"...Judy. Lee Do-yoon!"

"Ah, yes. What's up?"

"What are you doing? Keep looking at me, or I'll give you to someone else. What are you, a fool?"

"Fool?"

"There, there~ Alicia? It's not nice to say that to a friend~ Teacher wants to join too! I'll be the pet dog! Woof woof!"

Even with her awkward pronunciation, even in those young days,

Elli's words were harsh enough to shock the teacher into interrupting.

Fortunately,

From our first meeting to now, and for a little while longer,

It took quite some time for her awkward pronunciation to improve and for me to fully understand her harsh words.

Even if I had understood, I probably wouldn't have minded much, anyway.

Those were peaceful and joyful days.

I looked forward to going to daycare more than staying at home, admiring Elli at daycare, and Elli waiting for playtime to be with me.

During class with the teacher, I chatted with other kids until I received Elli's stern look.

And at mealtime,

"What are you eating?"

"I know."

"It's not 'I know,' right? Alicia. Is it okay to be picky, yes or no? You have to eat broccoli too~"

"Picky... what does that mean?"

"You’re pretending not to know."

Eating Elli's vegetables for her, since she didn't like them much, getting scolded by the teacher,

And then, puffing up her cheeks and reluctantly putting broccoli in her mouth, Elli's scowling face was so amusing I laughed.

"What are you doing? Keep doing that, and I'll give you away. What are you, a fool?"

"Alicia!"

I was not fully understanding the harsh words again.

And then, I slept next to her again.

It had been 5 days already, and the weekend was just around the corner.

It meant two days without seeing Elli.

But I wasn't downcast. In fact, I didn't really understand. I didn't realize that daycare wouldn't happen the next day and the day after, as it was only the first week of daycare.

So, when it was time to go home, I sat next to Elli, who was pouting, waiting for our parents.

Hoping to draw with Elli tomorrow.

Then, when I heard the teacher calling from afar, Elli was holding my sleeve tightly.

"Alicia. It's time to go home, right? Say bye-bye to Do-yoon, and see you on Monday."

"......"

"Elli, aren't you going?"

Still not understanding, I just tilted my head.

-Thump, thump!

Holding onto my sleeve, Elli took me straight to her parents.

"Oh, Alicia?"

Surprised by the teacher's reaction, Elli, with her bright platinum blonde hair fluttering, ran ahead, dragging me along in an awkward position.

We approached Elli's mom, who was waiting at the entrance.

Our parents usually came a bit later, so we always waited inside, which is why I saw Elli's mom for the first time then.

Elli's mom had dark black hair, unlike Elli, but her beautiful face resembled Elli's.

"Wow..."

I was instantly smitten, not just because of her platinum blonde hair. She was too young to be called "madam" back then, and she was still incredibly beautiful, both then and now.

If Elli was a princess, her mom was like a queen.

Having dragged me to her mom, Elli, with her cheeks puffed up, spoke up.

"We're going home together."

"Oh my... Oh, you must be Do-yoon? I've seen so many pictures of you two playing together from the teacher. Thank you for being such a good friend to Elli. I'm Elli's mom."

Elli's mom greeted me with a bright smile, looking very pleased.

"Hello! I'm Lee Do-yoon!"

"Such a spirited boy? Hehe... Elli, did you have fun playing with Do-yoon? So you want to play more?"

"I played with Do-yoon. He wants to play more."

"Is that so~ But Elli. If you behave like this, Do-yoon will be in trouble, right? Do-yoon has to go home with his mom and dad... Is it okay to do this to a friend?"

"......"

"Let's say goodbye to your friend, okay?"

"Okay..."

With a face full of reluctance, Elli finally let go of my sleeve.

Then, she opened her arms towards Teacher Kim Min-ah before me.

I was just tilting my head, not understanding the situation, and Teacher Kim Min-ah, who was anxiously watching us, did the same.

'What's going on?'

Kim Min-ah was perplexed. Alicia usually waved goodbye with her mom, but today, she suddenly opened her arms to her.

So, without knowing what to do, she hesitated until Alicia's mom signaled with her eyes and mouth the word "hug."

Then, Kim Min-ah awkwardly opened her arms and embraced Alicia. She held the small, beautiful child in front of her.

And in the teacher's embrace, Alicia felt warmth.

To Alicia, Kim Min-ah, in charge of the Sun Class, was a "good adult."

Despite it being only the third week and being only five years old, Alicia clearly felt the teacher was looking out for her.

When she was isolated, her heart was closed off, and she had no room to express herself, but now that she was friends with Do-yoon, she had the freedom to express her gratitude.

It was a hug filled with thanks, and the two shared their body heat as they said goodbye.

"Teacher. Bye-bye."

"Yes, yes... Take care, Alicia. Don't be picky over the weekend... and we'll see each other again on Monday."

"Elli. It's Elli."

"Ah...! Uh, yes! Right... Elli."

'I really want to kidnap her...'

Kim Min-ah, touched by the open heart of this beautiful child, concealed a not-so-noble desire deep in her heart, feeling both fulfillment and happiness.

After she stepped away,

Elli, who had been watching the whole situation with blinking eyes, opened her arms to me again.

Not understanding the meaning or why, I followed the teacher's lead.

-Tightly...

I opened my arms and embraced her.

Embracing my slightly larger but still very young and warm best friend with a lovely scent.

Trying to suppress a cough from the fragrance tickling my nose, I held her tightly, and Elli's beautiful voice reached my ears.

"Kram."

"Huh?"

"This is kram. Hug."

"Kram... Got it. Elli, bye-bye."

"Bye-bye."

Even though I had no concept of "the opposite sex" at the time, I remember my heart beating fast.

I had been held by the arm and even held hands before, but it was the first time our bodies overlapped in a hug.

With that, Elli took her mom's hand and left.

I later learned that "kram," a Swedish greeting, meant a hug.

At that moment, I just remembered that whenever Elli uttered the word "kram," I had to hug her without fail.

This became a magical word that made us hug reflexively, even years later, after more than a decade.

As Elli grew older and became more accustomed to Korean culture, she became even more selective about whom she hugged, making it rare for anyone other than a few close friends of the same gender and me to receive her hugs.

So, around middle school, I thought,

'I'm so glad I became friends with Elli when we were five.'

I must have thought that hundreds of times a day.

Being able to embrace Elli's delicate and soft body as a greeting every time we met, doing it naturally even as we grew older because of our past familiarity,

Was truly an immense privilege.

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