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Translator/Editor: Ryuu
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◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty
Chapter 23: Cuddling and Whispering Sweet Nothings with Elli Under a Palm Tree (1)
As April dawned, the first midterms of high school loomed closer, and I began staying late at school with Elli for self-study sessions.
Though entirely optional, our school's study rooms were popular for their cleanliness and conducive study environment, complete with high partitions at each desk for enhanced focus.
We had started attending these sessions the previous week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and this week, finding ourselves without other commitments, we continued from Monday through Wednesday, planning to keep at it for the rest of the week.
"Man, it's so hot."
As usual, right after classes ended, Elli and I grabbed a quick meal outside and played basketball with friends until the self-study sessions began. Despite the cool spring evening, the vigorous play left me slightly sweaty.
Upon entering the study room, Elli, who had saved my spot next to hers, paused her online lecture to chide me.
"Why exhaust yourself to the point of fatigue? Are you even planning to study at all?"
"The sweat will dry in no time. As for studying, I’m about to get serious…"
"Just try dozing off like yesterday. I’ll choke you in your sleep."
"I won’t fall asleep today, promise. Where's Yunji?"
"Bathroom. And I'm watching you, so don't try anything."
With a threatening tone and a smirk, Elli turned her attention back to her desk and resumed her lecture, earbuds from the Rarepods I gifted her last birthday snugly in place.
Amidst the slight bustle before the official study period, I admired Elli's dedication to her studies.
'She's really putting in the effort.'
Surprisingly, Elli was fully committed to her studies. She had always been diligent around exam time during middle school, but now, she seemed even more focused.
Despite her usual disinterest in studying, I hadn't expected much difference from last year, even though she resolved to concentrate more this year. English came easily to her, thanks to its similarities with Swedish, but she struggled somewhat with other subjects.
Still, her determination was admirable, even if she tended to burn out towards the end of each study session. It seemed she was trying to keep pace with me, whose grades were slightly better.
We couldn't rely on luck for college as we had with high school. And since I couldn't compromise my future by choosing a lesser college just to stay with Elli, we had to strive for the best.
'Keep it up, Elli!'
With a silent cheer for Elli, I shook off the creeping drowsiness and opened my textbook and notebook to start studying in earnest.
In the quiet of the night study room, the only sounds were the occasional footsteps of a teacher, the flipping of pages, and the scribbling of pens. Deeply engrossed in a math workbook, I was oblivious to the passage of time, fully immersed in study for the first time in a while.
Suddenly, a disruptive nudge from the side broke my concentration.
"*Cough*"
A suppressed laugh escaped me, even without looking, I knew it was Elli.
Glancing at my phone, it was nearing 9:30 PM. Although there had been a brief break earlier, it had been three and a half hours since the self-study session began.
It was about time Elli started feeling the strain. Despite her efforts, everyone has their limits to focus, and Elli's seemed to be around three to four hours. After that, she'd need a break to recharge.
She had managed to push through until the end of self-study sessions until yesterday, but it seemed today was more challenging for her.
As I didn't respond to her initial nudges, Elli's pen prodded me more forcefully several times.
Finally turning to look at her, I found Elli, looking worn out but with a somewhat apologetic yet bored expression.
Since the self-study session would end at 9:50 PM and there wasn't much time left, I decided to wrap up my studies and sent Elli a message.
[Me: Bored?]
Elli, with a slight smile, replied.
[Elli: Can't focus today.]
[Elli: Wanna leave as soon as it's over.]
[Me: Lol, still 20 minutes to go, you know?]
[Elli: So annoying.]
[Elli: I'm bored.]
How could I alleviate our princess's boredom without disturbing those around us? I pondered over something quiet yet engaging we could do.
Perhaps a simple game would suffice.
[Me: Wanna play a mobile game? Drag Yunji in for Monopoly or Catch Mind?]
[Elli: No.]
[Me: Just the two of us, Othello then?]
[Elli: You wanna die?]
[Elli: Othello, really?]
[Elli: Something else.]
Hmm.
She's being quite picky today.
Even though it seemed like she was just grumbling in response to my suggestions.
[Elli: Quickly.]
[Elli: Something fun.]
Her messages were almost childishly demanding. I chuckled silently, returning my gaze to Elli, who was sneakily glancing back at me. Her eyes curved slightly, revealing her playful annoyance.
I was certain, no matter what I proposed, she'd likely reject it.
'What would be good?'
With a mischievous desire to lightly retaliate for her sulkiness, I pondered for a moment before an idea struck me, promising enjoyment for both of us and unlikely disapproval from Elli.
[Me: Got something really fun. Wanna try?]
[Elli: What is it?]
[Me: Look down at your left hand.]
After sending the message, I watched Elli's reaction. Clearly puzzled, she tilted her head, trying to make sense of it. Yet, out of curiosity, she compliantly lowered her left hand.
Facing me with her hand extended, Elli received a reassuring smile from me as I shifted closer.
Then, reaching out with my right hand, I gently grasped Elli's left.
-Firmly
Our hands intertwined softly, and though Elli looked at me with a questioning gaze, she seemed content and extended her hand further towards me for ease.
Of course, this setup wasn't just an excuse to hold Elli's hand.
With our hands joined, I curled my index finger and began tracing letters on the palm of her hand.
"Eh…"
Elli blushed, perhaps tickled by my touch, but didn't pull away. I continued until I had written "Elli" in its entirety.
Then, I sent her another message.
[Me: Can you guess what I wrote?]
Elli's swift reply came.
[Elli: It's Elli.]
[Elli: Easy.]
Maybe that was too simple, but at least Elli seemed pleased.
[Elli: Next.]
Encouraged by her smile, I felt like I had won a round of drinks. She was eager for another round, so I moved my finger again.
-Glide, glide…
-Elli flinched!
Holding her hand firmly to prevent it from escaping the ticklish sensation, I wrote three more letters on her palm.
After a moment, I looked up to see Elli's reaction.
"......"
Her face was even redder, and she looked at me with mixed feelings of embarrassment and curiosity.
I couldn't help but smile at her expression and decided to tease her a bit more through our messages.
[Me: Can't guess?]
Elli quickly responded with a tinge of frustration.
[Elli: Annoying.]
[Me: Not that, lol.]
We continued to exchange glances and messages, still holding hands.
Elli glanced at my teasing message, her cheeks flushed, and then, after a brief pause, she sent a new reply.
[Elli: Like you.]
Correct.
But instead of simply confirming, I replied:
[Me: I like you too.]
"......"
Elli narrowed her eyes and mouthed silently at me:
'Idiot.'
Her choice of words seemed milder than usual, perhaps to hide her embarrassment.
I grinned, delighted by Elli's cute demeanor, and was about to propose another game when suddenly...
-A shadow loomed behind us.
"......"
"......"
Sensing an ominous presence, Elli and I turned our heads simultaneously, only to be met by:
"......"
An expressionless face, devoid of any emotion, staring down at us with utmost severity.
It was our Korean language teacher and the supervisor for tonight's self-study session, Ms. Choi Sun-young, in her early thirties, who, to my knowledge, was still single.
As our eyes met, Elli and I quickly let go of each other's hands and scrambled to pretend we were engrossed in our studies.
But it was too late.
-Thunk
-Grip!
"Yelp!"
Ms. Choi's firm grip tightened around Elli's slender neck.
"During self-study, you're supposed to study, right, Alicia? Hmm?"
Her voice, tinged with loneliness and rage, cut through the silence as she spoke in a terse manner.
"…Sorry."
Elli meekly admitted her fault, overwhelmed by the teacher's daunting presence.
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