My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty - Chapter 37

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty

Chapter 37: Fitting Model Job with Elli

Bin noona's plan wasn't that grand.

"I don't want it to be too obvious if I ask for just the two of us to go~ So you guys hint it to Jung-woo, and the four of us will go. We'll stay for one night."

"What about accommodation? We can't stay together if there's a minor."

"Really? Is there such a rule?"

"We're discussing this, so be quiet."

"Yes, ma'am."

I had a brief question, but Ellie, who was 200% serious, stopped me, and I quietly shut my mouth.

I thought simply that Mr. Mark or my mom wouldn't allow just the two of us to stay overnight, so I hadn't considered lodging, but it was legally impossible.

But how did Ellie know? Had she searched it before?

"We have a relative who ran a guesthouse in Daecheon, but they just closed it."

With her eyes still slightly dark-circled, Bin noona explained with a bright smile.

"It was a family house slightly modified, but they didn't do business this year, and they're planning to tear it down soon, so they've changed its use. It's no longer a guesthouse…"

She paused for a moment, tapping her lips in thought.

"Let's skip the complicated story! Anyway, it's an empty house we can use now~ It used to be a guesthouse, so the rooms are well soundproofed. You get what I mean?"

The explanation, which was a bit dubious but mostly understandable, ended, and Ellie accepted noona's proposal without hesitation.

"Good. Let's do it. We'll persuade that oppa... Lee Do-yoon will do it."

"Me?"

"You. Won't you go on a one-night trip to the sea with me?"

"I really want to go, but…"

"Then persuade him. No matter what."

"Okay."

-Blazing Eyes

Ellie's eyes burned blue. The intensity suggested she wouldn't let it slide if I failed to persuade my brother.

It was sudden, but of course, it was something to welcome for me as well.

I wouldn't betray Mr. Mark or my mom's trust, but how could I refuse the chance to spend a night alone with my girlfriend?

"Go and have fun with each other. I'll share a room with Jung-woo."

"Uh… But noona. Even if we go, how will you share a room with him?"

"Of course, by drinking… I'll handle that~"

"……."

It smelled like a lewd plot… but my hyung is an adult, so he can take care of himself.

"Let's leave it at that for now, and we'll talk again around your final exams~ If we go, we don't need reservations anyway. If it falls through, you can go on a day trip."

"Got it."

"Do it well, unnie. I really want to go."

"Just trust me~ I also really want to… go to the sea with Jung-woo, so I'll do my best."

"…Fighting."

Lightly cheering on the two women's firm resolve, I watched them while sipping my green grape ade.

For us, who had just become a couple.

Even though it was only mid-May, summer plans were already starting to form one by one.

Weekend.

On the day of Ellie's second shoot, I got ready early in the morning and got into the car driven by Aunt Ye-rin.

For Ellie, who would miss me terribly if we were apart for too long. Of course, I was the same, restless without seeing Ellie.

Mr. Mark had work, so he couldn't come with us today. In the car with just the three of us, Ellie and I sat closely together in the back seat.

"Do-yoon, you'll have to watch quietly with me, okay?"

"Time will fly by watching Ellie, so no problem."

"I'll kill you if you look at someone else."

"Hoho, okay~ I'll chat quietly with my son-in-law while watching Ellie."

That was all I thought about.

Watching my pretty Ellie and chatting leisurely with Aunt Ye-rin. Watching how a fitting model shoot works.

That was the light-hearted thought I had as we followed Aunt Ye-rin and Ellie into the studio.

There, I got to meet the mall owner. She was directing the scene but came straight over when she saw Ellie.

The lady before me, appearing to be in her late 30s, had a confident smile on her face, almost like she was armed with it.

"Thank you for coming. Alicia, thank you for coming again. And this is…"

"I'm just here to accompany…"

"My boyfriend."

"I'm Ellie's boyfriend."

"Sorry~ My daughter insisted on bringing him…"

"Oh! The boyfriend? It's okay. But he's so handsome… Hmm… Hmm… Hmm…?"

As she spoke, she suddenly scrutinized me, making me a bit flustered.

Her gaze, unlike Ellie's, was like a predator discovering its prey, making me freeze instinctively.

A moment later.

-Grab!

The lady, in her mid to late 30s, grabbed my shoulder and said,

"Would you consider being a fitting model?"

"Uh, no, I haven't thought about it."

"……That's firm."

The lady looked a bit disappointed at my firm refusal, but I really had never considered it.

It's not that I wasn't interested, but I'd rather spend the time drawing.

"If you don't want to, I won't insist… Sorry for bringing it up suddenly."

The lady didn't persist or make a mess of it.

But with a face full of regret, she muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"I thought it would be great to shoot with Alicia in similar outfits… The other boys don't match the age or level…"

And as she spoke.

As Ellie turned to me.

I felt it.

Ah, we're doing this together today.

Sure enough.

"Lee Do-yoon."

"Yes."

"Just do it for today. You don't have anything else to do anyway."

"That's true, but…"

"Madam, do you have outfits for us to shoot together?"

"Of course! Whether it's couple looks or similar looks, now is the perfect time to match outfits. Oh my, I didn't expect your boyfriend to be this handsome? Tall, broad shoulders… he matches so well with you, Alicia."

"Then we'll do it. You'll pay him, right?"

"Of course! But you didn't come with your parents, right? For now, I'll add it to Alicia's pay, and next time, we can sign a separate contract…"

Watching the two of them chatting in sync, I made up my mind.

I didn't really want to insist on refusing. Besides, as Ellie said, I'd just be watching, so participating didn't seem bad.

And Aunt Ye-rin, watching quietly, smiled mischievously.

"What should I do? Ji-eun will be so upset she didn't come~ I'll have to take lots of photos to send her."

Planning to tease my mom, Aunt Ye-rin chuckled.

Well, it's all experience.

Experiencing how Ellie works wouldn't be bad.

The shoot was more serious than I expected.

The fitting model image I had was taking photos on pretty streets, but the studio setting was different. It had sets resembling a girl's room with cute props or a classroom-like setup.

"Look at that skin. Youth is the best."

"I don't think I was this good even at 17…"

"We were similar. Just not in the same league. But seriously, they're all in the same league. I wondered what her boyfriend would be like, and he fits."

"Right~ Do-yoon, right? Do-yoon, don't laugh too big from now on."

"Yes…"

"No need to answer."

After changing into the shoot outfits, a stylist did my makeup and hair.

It felt a bit stuffy, and seeing my face with heavy makeup was a bit funny.

"Do-yoon, cheese~"

"Cheese."

While waiting for Ellie, whose preparation took longer than mine, I posed for some photos, flashing a V sign.

Then I got some simple instructions.

"Don't try too hard since it's your first time, just follow the director's instructions. As long as your expression doesn't stiffen, it'll be okay."

"Yes, I'll do that."

"Ho~ you don't look nervous. Are you used to this?"

"Not really, but since Ellie is with me, I'm not too nervous."

"Good, good. Please take care today. Don't just stare at your pretty girlfriend. The main model shoot is done, so it’s okay if it takes a bit of time. Take it easy."

"Yes."

They didn't expect much from newbies like us, so there weren't detailed instructions.

Soon, Ellie returned.

She wore a sleeveless dress with the same pattern as my short-sleeved shirt.

Seeing her, I smiled and said,

"You look pretty."

"Hmph. This isn't bad."

"Should we wear this when we go to the sea? You look great in a dress."

"I'll think about it."

Ellie and I both wore white basic tees underneath, and I had a checked short-sleeved shirt with only the top button fastened, paired with cotton pants.

In our matching sleeveless dress and short-sleeved shirt, we entered the photo studio.

The photographer came in too and carefully set our poses.

"Alicia, gently hug from behind… yes, like that. Do-yoon, tilt your head this way, look up towards the reflector, and smile a bit… just like that!"

-Click!

The shoot began, which was easy yet challenging.

It wasn't hard because they gave detailed instructions to us newbies, but maintaining poses and expressions under everyone's gaze was a bit tough.

-Click, click!

The session proceeded smoothly. Occasionally, I got distracted by Ellie's beauty, but that was unavoidable.

And Ellie…

"……."

"Alicia! Stop staring at your boyfriend and look at the camera!"

"…Sorry."