WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
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◈ My Platinum-Blonde Childhood Friend is Too Pretty
Chapter 8: We, Who are Fourteen Years Old, Like Each Other but are Not Dating (1)
Elli was discontented.
At five, at ten, and even now.
She didn't like how Lee Do-yoon always went around flashing his carefree smile everywhere.
She especially didn't like how her childhood friend wasn't by her side right now.
With mounting frustration, she vented to her mother.
"I told him to come quickly, but he hasn't even texted me yet! It's so annoying!"
"Oh dear, really? He didn't come this morning either, did he? Where could he have gone?"
"......."
Elli's lips protruded even more at Ye-rin's question, and with a voice full of displeasure, she informed her about the whereabouts of her bothersome friend.
"...He went to school because some girls called him to give him chocolates."
"Ha-ha, Do-yoon is really popular, isn't he? Well, he is quite cute and good-looking..."
"Ah, mom!"
"Sorry~ But knowing Do-yoon, he probably went to turn them down in person, right?"
"That's true... But still, shouldn't he be back by now? It's not that far!"
"When did he leave?"
"An hour ago!"
"Oh... Then he should be back soon, right?"
"I don't know!"
Elli shouted with a sulky face, which Ye-rin watched with a content smile.
They were already fourteen.
Her daughter Elli, who once seemed so childish, had now grown almost as tall as her.
Her limbs had elongated, and curves began to define her body, revealing more of her femininity.
Recently, she had her bangs cut in a see-through style, mimicking her favorite idol, making her extremely cute. Her beautiful platinum hair still flowed long at the back.
Elli, always active, had wanted to cut her hair short, but because Lee Do-yoon preferred her with long, princess-like hair, she kept it long despite complaining about the hassle. Ye-rin knew this better than anyone.
Moreover, inheriting Nordic genes, her skin was incredibly fair, and her features had become more defined, with slightly sharp but charming eyes highlighted by blue irises.
Even to Jung Ye-rin, her mother, Elli seemed to grow prettier with each passing day.
However,
"It's so annoying... I just want to put him on a leash!"
The possessiveness and exclusivity that were endearing in her younger years seemed to be manifesting in a slightly more dangerous form now, which worried Ye-rin a bit.
She wondered if Elli might actually confine Lee Do-yoon one day.
Of course, she knew her daughter wouldn't do that, and Lee Do-yoon, despite his gentle appearance, was surprisingly sharp-witted, so she trusted they would manage.
Therefore, Ye-rin could joyfully watch her daughter's love blossom.
It was a fresh, youthful affection that she herself could hardly remember experiencing.
But still, as a mother and as a woman,
It was impossible not to meddle in this adorable love affair.
"Elli."
"...What?"
"When are you going to date Do-yoon?"
"...?! Da-Date? We're not... It's just... Lee Do-yoon is mine!"
"Uh-huh~ Anyway, listen."
Faced with her daughter's embarrassed yet understandable reaction, Ye-rin couldn't help but intervene.
Elli's face, already so fair, revealed her emotions easily with a slight flush, and Jung Ye-rin wanted to help her still naive daughter.
"Elli and Do-yoon are both in middle school now. Maybe it's time to move beyond childish kram to something more."
"...Move beyond? How?"
Elli, still a tomboy at heart, leaned in eagerly at her mother's words, looking adorable.
Despite being just fourteen, she was conscious of not wanting to seem childish, which Ye-rin found utterly charming.
Having become accustomed to Korean culture, Elli no longer displayed affection publicly, but Ye-rin knew they still hugged when they met or parted.
She often shared this in jest with Song Ji-eun, Do-yoon's mother.
"Give him chocolates and add a bisou. Say it's something people do together."
"...Ah, what are you saying! There's no such thing in Sweden!"
Elli, perhaps having researched this before, immediately caught on and was incredulous.
Ye-rin continued in a teasing tone.
"Do-yoon might not know the details. If you say it's done, he might just go along with it."
"......"
"And if our princess offers a hug and a bisou, there's no way Do-yoon would refuse."
Imagining the scenario, Elli's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink.
-Slyly, slyly
She inched closer to Ye-rin, whispering as if sharing a secret, even though they were alone.
"Bise...? Or... bisou? To not seem childish... should we...?"
"......"
Hearing this, Jung Ye-rin was taken aback. Elli knew the difference, likely having researched with the intention to act.
A bise is a greeting where cheeks touch and a kissing sound is made into the air, meant for dear ones.
A bisou has a similar meaning but involves an actual peck on the cheek or lips, not just the air.
The two are distinctly different.
Elli, seeking confirmation, asked which would be better, and Ye-rin had her answer ready.
"Obviously a bisou. You'd prefer that, wouldn't you?"
"Eh..."
"You want to do a bisou, right?"
"Well... But..."
"But what?"
"...Would he see through it?"
Jung Ye-rin thought,
If Do-yoon saw Elli like this now, blushing and fidgeting, he'd probably just give her a kiss on the cheek right away.
Anyway,
Elli's last doubt, "Would he see through it?" was actually asking if Do-yoon would pretend to be deceived for her sake.
Knowing that Do-yoon harbored similar feelings for Elli, Ye-rin confidently assured her.
"He'll fall for it. Definitely."
And the mother and daughter,
-Nod nod
...exchanged determined glances, nodding in agreement.
Before lunchtime, quite early.
I had been called to the school by some girls I was friendly with from elementary school.
I knew why they had called me, and appreciating their consideration to call me the day before Valentine's Day, mindful of Elli, I hurried over.
Meeting them at school, each girl confessed her feelings and presented me with chocolates.
"I like you, but you like Alicia, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. But thank you for the chocolates. I'll enjoy them."
"This was expensive! You better not waste it!"
Knowing the answer already made the atmosphere light, as the confession itself was a form of enjoyment for the 14-year-olds.
I responded to each one, collecting the chocolates.
I had planned not to accept any, knowing Elli would be upset, but couldn't refuse their heartfelt gifts, not just any junk food but chocolates accompanied by confessions.
After receiving chocolates from four girls, all seemingly delighted just by the act of giving them to their crush, they laughed and chatted among themselves.
After kindly rejecting them, I turned to the last girl who was giving me chocolate.
"Do-yoon, I like you too!"
"Don't lie."
"Giggle..."
I couldn't be as gentle with So-yeon, who 'deliberately' gave me a heart-shaped chocolate with a bright smile.
I had been unaware before, but now I knew.
Lee So-yeon enjoyed stirring trouble between Elli and me, finding amusement in our reactions.
It was evident. Since the third grade, she had consistently given me gifts, always when Elli was watching.
Even this heart-shaped chocolate reeked of mischief.
Thanks to NewTube, I had learned what a troublemaker was, all thanks to her.
Despite my stern response, which might have hurt a more sensitive child, Lee So-yeon just flicked her black bob and grinned mischievously.
Though not comparable to Elli, So-yeon was pretty cute herself. During a school trip, playing Truth or Dare, I heard many boys confess their liking for her.
But to me, she was nothing more than a troublemaker.
"I'm serious~ But I know you like Alicia more! She's really pretty."
"I know."
"So, like last year, please draw me a picture of Princess Elli for my birthday!"
"I'll think about it this year. Last time, Elli and I fought for three hours because of it."
"Pfft, fought~ More like Alicia scolded you alone."
"Then why did you show off my drawing to Elli?"
"Sorry! But it was so funny! Alicia looked so cute when she was sulky!"
"I'll give you that."
I couldn't be too harsh, as we shared a bond over Elli's beauty, especially appreciating the drawing of Elli in a beautiful dress I had made for So-yeon's birthday.
Of course, I was happy to draw it, but let's skip the part about Elli being upset because I gave a drawing to someone else.
Anyway, various incidents led me to be relatively close to So-yeon among other girls, excluding Elli.
And our connection didn't end in elementary school.
"I'll be going then. Have a happy Valentine's Day with Alicia, and see you at the entrance ceremony!"
"Yeah. Thanks for the chocolate... See you at the ceremony."
She too was assigned to the same middle school.
Waving goodbye with a bright smile, So-yeon and the other girls left, and I waved back, holding the gifted chocolates.
Though I appreciated their feelings, for me, there was no one but Elli.
I had fallen for her at first sight when we were five, and that feeling had only grown stronger over time.
Despite the confessions from these girls, my mind was already filled with thoughts of Elli again.
She would probably be upset seeing the chocolates, but as So-yeon said, even her sulky face was adorable.
I longed to see Elli's face again, the face I saw every day.
With this thought, I practically floated to our apartment.
As I exited the elevator, intending to stop by our place first, a sharp voice called out from behind me in the opposite hallway.
"Hey!"
Turning around, I saw a slightly taller boy.
With sharp features and a look that suggested he'd throw the first punch in a fight.
Carrying a guitar case on his back.
This boy approached me, calling out,
"Lee Do-yoon."
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