WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
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◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty
Chapter 22: Things To Do on the Weekend with a Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend (3)
I wasn't sure why Elli was so adamant about me not taking the cafe part-time job, but if she told me not to, I had no intention of doing it. It wasn't something I was particularly eager to pursue.
Yet, despite securing my promise, Elli seemed uneasy and extracted several more vows from me not to take the job.
"Seriously, don't do it. The moment I see you working there, I'll turn everything upside down."
"I said I won't. Now, say 'ahh'."
"…Ahh."
-Munch, munch…
Thus, I ended up feeding Elli bite-sized pieces of the tempting bagel, continuously popping them into her mouth.
She would glare at me like a goblin but would open her mouth like a little bird whenever I brought the fork to her lips.
Fending off her endless threats this way, I barely had a chance to eat before we had to leave the cafe.
And with that, we headed back home.
"Get comfortable and come to my room."
Following Elli's command upon our return, I changed into my usual black Adibas pants and a T-shirt, brushed my teeth, and then headed over.
Just as Elli had free access to our house, I knew her family's door code by heart, so entering was no hassle.
Upon entering the neighboring house, I found her waiting for me, sitting on her bed in a room adorned with cute decorations.
And, astonishingly...
"......"
"What?"
"No… Uh, nothing."
For the first time ever, I saw her wearing black dolphin shorts. She paired them with a white T-shirt and a black jersey, giving me a blank stare.
I had seen Elli in various outfits: pants, skirts, swimwear (albeit a rash guard), and shorts.
But this was my first time seeing her in dolphin shorts. I remembered something the maid had mentioned before.
Elli hadn't been comfortable with her body shape, which is why she hadn't worn bikinis, but this year, she seemed ready to change that.
Perhaps that decision extended to wearing dolphin shorts as well.
Consequently, I couldn't take my eyes off her honeyed thighs peeking out from those incredibly short shorts as I approached her.
Then, in a daze, I sat down beside her.
Catching me ogling her so blatantly, Elli, still seated, hugged her legs and shot back at me.
"What are you staring at so intently?"
"Well, it's just... they suit you."
"What suits me?"
"Dolphin shorts."
"Pervert."
"......"
I had no retort to being called a pervert, although I felt slightly wronged.
If a man didn't get distracted by such a clear view of Elli's slender legs, then he wouldn't be a man.
'Tonight, I need to draw a picture of dolphin shorts.'
I resolved internally not to forget this scene and to capture it in a drawing.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"Do you like this?"
"…Yeah."
I'm generally honest, but even here, I debated whether it was too uncool to admit openly. Eventually, I just gave a straightforward answer.
Despite calling me a pervert and giving me a sharp look, Elli seemed pleased with my response and let out a snort.
After a while, she shifted her position, sticking out her buttocks and leaning back against the wall, stretching her legs out in front.
As if showing off her beautiful legs, she adjusted her posture, and just as I was about to lean back against the wall too...
-Thump, thump!
"Come lie here."
Elli tapped her thighs, inviting me to rest my head there.
Though the invitation was sudden, I didn't hesitate and nodded solemnly.
"Got it."
It was an offer for a knee pillow.
With Elli wearing dolphin shorts and offering a knee pillow, there was no time to dawdle or play dumb.
I didn't bother to question why she suddenly wanted to do this, not wanting to delve into the whims of Elli's ever-changing moods.
Instead, I gratefully laid down, pondering which direction to face.
'Facing her feet might just show her my back, which might upset her... but facing her stomach might leave me nowhere to look...'
I wanted to lie sideways so my cheek would rest against her thigh, but that didn't seem quite right, so I settled for lying straight, resting my head on her legs.
My legs awkwardly hung off the edge of the bed, causing some discomfort, but that was a minor issue.
I was just moved by the soft pressure against the back of my head.
"......"
And as I looked up, the curve of her chest, accentuated by a slightly tight T-shirt, caught my eye.
I knew Elli's figure had been improving over the years, and I felt it every time we hugged, but this upward view made her presence even more imposing.
And above that was...
"......"
Elli's face, beautiful even from this angle, looked down at me with a slight smile, her hair cascading down.
Her hand reached out to my head.
-Swish
Just like when she woke me up that morning, Elli's gentle touch soothed me as we began to chat about everyday matters.
"I'll start night self-study sessions from next week."
"Night self-study... Well, it's about time. I'll join you on the days you do it. But what about dinner? We didn't sign up for it."
"We can eat out."
"Just the two of us?"
"Just the two of us. Maybe bring Yunji along sometimes."
"Got it."
Though I had no plans to attend cram school, I intended to follow some online courses and properly prepare for exams.
It had been decided since middle school that we would study hard upon reaching high school.
I hadn't yet decided on a future career path, which made me all the more determined to go to college, even if not necessarily aiming for the top-tier ones.
"Should we buy some snacks for Min-jae? I promised to copy some test questions from the academy for him."
"Bring him along when we eat with Yunji. That should do it."
"That's a good idea. And... oh, there's a break during night self-study."
"Yeah."
"I might hang out with the guys then. Maybe play soccer or basketball... Probably basketball since the second and third years often play soccer."
"Don't bother checking in for that. Just do what you want."
"Sorry. Will do."
Though she said that, I knew she'd be upset if I went out without saying anything. But having mentioned it now, it should be fine.
Chan-hwi and Jin-woo would be happy. They'd been complaining about not having enough people to play with. We couldn't play basketball during lunchtime because the court was always busy, and Elli often came to see me.
"Next Wednesday, I'm going shopping, so hang out with the guys. Come back early and work on your drawing."
"Wednesday... Okay. I'll find something to do."
It felt somewhat like being scrutinized by Elli, but I still enjoyed these moments of sharing our schedules.
It always felt so natural for us to consider each other as our own, especially during times like these.
-Rustle...
As we talked, Elli's hand kept playing with my bangs, straightening my slightly parted hair to her liking.
Then she spoke up again.
"This summer."
"Yeah."
"We're going to the beach this summer."
"It's only April, and we always go every year."
"Not with our parents."
"Just the two of us? Or with friends too..."
"Just the two of us."
"I'm all for it. Definitely. But we'll have to make it a day trip then."
"That's the plan. So save up."
"Okay."
Money wasn't an issue.
I'd taken only two freelance jobs since early March, focusing solely on them, and made 70, which wasn't through formal contracts but still counted as official requests. My parents were quite surprised when they found out.
I could take one freelance job a month until summer and still have enough to enjoy outings with Elli.
Oh, and there was something Min-jae had asked for too. I almost forgot.
"Elli."
"Lee Do-yoon."
We spoke at the same time, but Elli gestured for me to go first.
"You know Min-jae has a sister, right?"
"Just found out. What about it?"
"I haven't met her either, but... Anyway, she's a web novel author, and she likes my drawings. She wants a few rough sketches and asked if I could come over for a day next weekend through Min-jae."
"......"
"Is it okay if I go?"
"His sister?"
"She's 20."
"I'm coming too."
"That's the thing, it might coincide with your fitting model gig."
"......"
"Should I not go? Or try to reschedule?"
"...Go."
Elli seemed to ponder for a moment with a slight frown at the potential schedule conflict before giving her consent.
I wouldn't have minded not going if Elli really objected. It would be unfortunate for Min-jae, but Elli's feelings were my priority.
But since she allowed it, I had to go.
With my story concluded, Elli pouted slightly and opened her mouth.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"You..."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"...want to see me in a bikini?"
"I do."
My response came out before I fully processed her question, perhaps a bit too forcefully due to my excitement. At that, Elli pinched my nose and scolded me.
"Pervert, Lee Do-yoon."
"Sorry, but I do want to see."
"Hmph."
Even as I repeated my honest desire in a nasal voice, Elli snorted and let go of my nose.
"Behave yourself from now on. If you don't, I won't wear it."
"I'll behave."
I already thought I was being quite obedient, but I was confident I could be even more so for the sake of seeing Elli in a bikini.
-Thump!
With that, Elli lightly tapped my forehead.
"Get up now. My legs are sore."
After the blissful knee pillow session with Elli ended, we sat and talked a bit more. When it was time for our parents to return, Elli changed into long sweatpants.
When I asked why she changed,
"If dad sees me in these, he'll freak out. Annoying."
"......"
While I enjoyed seeing Elli in various outfits, I suspected I might have scolded my daughter too if I were in her father's position.
After our parents came back, both families gathered for dinner, and Elli and I wrapped up the day with kram and pecks.
The following Sunday...
I spent the day drawing in my room, while Elli lay on my bed, watching NewTube and reading comics all day.
I had planned to go to karaoke with Jeong-woo hyung, but I gave up under Elli's murderous glare.
Well...
Elli's first time wearing dolphin shorts was indeed provocative, but it was just another ordinary weekend, I suppose.
After briefly reminiscing about that day's events for about 10 seconds, I began to share the story with my friends, who were intently focused on me.
"Elli woke me up in the morning, and it turned out our parents had all gone out, leaving just the two of us at home."
As I started to narrate, someone swallowed nervously, their unblinking eyes indicating their full attention.
"Elli was wearing a short dress, which was unusual."
-Gulp
I had barely started, and already I could hear someone swallowing their saliva, their undivided attention palpable.
"We didn't have any plans, but Elli suggested we stay in and watch a romance movie in the living room, just the two of us…"
"What did you do then?"
"Hey, shut up for a second."
I had no intention of sharing the more intense details. I was just about to summarize the day's events when...
-Zzzzz...
"Wait a sec."
-Beep
"Elli? What's up?"
─Do you know Loud, Do-yoon?
"Yeah, the pasta place, right? At the crossroads."
─Come over. Yunji and I are here to eat…
─Do-yoon, hurry up! You know we can't finish the pane without you!
─Anyway, come quickly.
"I'm on my way."
-Click
"Sorry, guys, I gotta run! See you tomorrow!"
"…What? You're just going to leave like that?"
"Damn it! So what did you two do?"
"Lee Do-yoon, you know exactly how to piss people off, don't you?"
Despite the complaints from Chan-hwi and the others behind me, well… I had already left out the juicy parts, so they would have felt even more let down after hearing it all.
And when Elli calls, there's nothing I can do!
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