My Platinum-Blond Childhood Friend Is So Pretty

17 – 06. Unchanging even as a high school student March.

After the high school entrance ceremony, students gathered in their assigned classrooms for a time of introductions.

Isoyeon, standing with a straight posture, looked at her friend introducing herself.

“I’m Alicia Cecilia Blomel. Just call me Alicia. Don’t ask me if I’m better at Korean than you are; I am.”

She presented herself seriously, yet there was a touch of humor in her demeanor that elicited some laughter from those around her.

During and after her introduction, the classmates’ gazes didn’t stray from Ellie. It was expected.

Unlike before, high schools nowadays allowed a certain freedom in hairstyle, but vibrant dyeing was still prohibited. As a result, Ellie’s bright platinum hair stood out prominently since the entrance ceremony.

Not just her hair, but also the color of her eyes, her fair skin, a slender height that rivaled most boys, and a well-defined figure highlighted by the fitted school uniform—all these factors combined made Ellie boast an extravagant beauty.

Such focused attention had been a natural occurrence for Ellie since elementary school.

While Isoyeon looked at Ellie, surely in the neighboring desk where Doyoon sat, classmates would be marveling at Doyoon’s handsome face without a doubt.

‘They’re a seriously stunning couple.’

Isoyeon thought so, glancing at Ellie, who effortlessly diverted the attention of her classmates.

She recalled the phone call from last month.

─ Not a kiss… just a peck. Well, Doyoon really wanted to, so I just went along with it.

─ Well, it wasn’t bad, was it?

With a blunt but joyous voice, Ellie boasted about it for hours, and Isoyeon happily listened to the story.

Though they weren’t officially a couple, the tales of their quasi-romantic experiences were no different from those of actual couples.

Isoyeon didn’t know how much her heart raced upon hearing about the peck they shared.

How fortunate she felt to have become friends with Ellie and Doyoon. Beyond their beauty, they were kind and wonderful people, making time spent together delightful.

However, even so…

On that day, when she hung up the phone.

She felt it.

‘…Envious.’

While rejoicing in the progress of Ellie and Doyoon’s relationship, in reality.

A small, itching feeling in a corner of her heart.

Actually, there was a chocolate that she had bought secretly.

She still harbored jealousy towards Ellie.

But for a lifetime,

She would never reveal that feeling.

Lee So-yeon

Buried it deep in her heart once again.

***

It had been two weeks since entering high school.

Although she could attend the same high school as Ellie, unfortunately, she couldn’t be in the same class this year.

However, within those two weeks, because people around her talked so much about Ellie, she even began to feel as if she were in the same class.

It was the same in middle school.

Later on, as everyone got used to it, it gradually became quieter, but in the early days, one couldn’t take their eyes off Ellie’s beautiful platinum hair.

Talking about Ellie here and there was an unavoidable thing.

Thankfully, it had somewhat improved now, and as we gradually became friends, the time for us to play together became busier.

Even now, with new friends I made in high school, we push our desks together and sit in front of them.

“Tha-tha-tha-that’s a pimp name slickback!”

Playing music on our phones.

“Tap, tap, tap, tap!”

“Hey, Lee Doyoon, damn, why is this guy so good?”

“He’s a pro. If we record this and post it on TikTok, it could get a million views, you know?”

“Lee Doyoon has the swagger; it might even reach ten million views.”

Recently, we were imitating various dances with names like superconductor, levitation, slickback – ridiculous but somehow cool if done well.

I got hooked after seeing it on TikTok a while back and have been practicing a little every day, and nowadays, it’s a huge trend among first-year students.

So, after skillfully demonstrating some air dance steps, I raised the corners of my mouth in admiration of my own skill.

“See that?”

“Damn, how do you do that? My feet would twist if I tried.”

A short break of 10 minutes.

However, the action of high school students fixated on something made them push desks and engage in such antics as if cleaning the desk in 30 seconds.

“Wow, awesome! Hey, Lee Doyoon, do it again. I’ll record it on my phone.”

And even the girls who got up from their seats because of this, seem to find our antics amusing or enjoyable.

In that bustling classroom…

“Show it to me one more time? I practiced for an hour before going to bed yesterday…”

The murmurs in the hallway suddenly subsided, silenced without a sound.

-Drrring!

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Ellie barged in.

She swung open the back door, instantly seizing everyone’s attention at the back of the classroom, her platinum blonde hair shining like a childhood friend.

Glancing around swiftly, she locked eyes with me, wearing a displeased expression.

I averted my gaze slightly from her piercing stare.

“…Just hanging out.”

“Want to get in trouble? I told you not to do that.”

“No, it’s not dangerous. It’s not like we’re doing this in the middle of the street…”

“I told you not to.”

“My bad.”

She immediately reprimanded me, deeming it looked dangerous, despite my dissatisfaction with her ever since I began practicing this dance.

And in that moment, Ellie’s arrival had abruptly silenced the surroundings.

It was an uncommon sight in a South Korean high school, this strikingly different, alien-like appearance of Ellie in her stark white attire, overwhelming everyone.

Even after two weeks, despite getting a bit accustomed, Ellie up close had a different vibe altogether.

“And why haven’t you seen the message?”

“Oh, I sent one?”

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“Sorry. What did you send?”

“PE uniform. Hand it over.”

“The top? Wait a sec.”

I retrieved my gym uniform top from the back locker. Anyway, I hardly wear the winter gym uniform.

Ever since middle school, during PE classes, I tend to briefly put it on and take it off, playing around with the other kids. Instead, Ellie borrows it every time and wears it more often than me, insisting hers fits better with some odd logic.

Seems like she’s planning to do the same thing even in high school, taking my clothes again as we approach the first outdoor PE class.

It doesn’t bother me much, though, since I hardly wear it.

“Here. You can just keep it.”

“Alright. You have P.E. in the fifth period too.”

“Well, I don’t usually wear it anyway.”

“Just wear it. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.”

After that brief conversation, Ellie left the classroom with my gym clothes in hand. I needed to change quickly for the next P.E. class.

While Ellie stormed out like that, the girls pursed their lips and moved to other seats, chattering.

The boys who had been witnessing Ellie coming to me every day since the first day of school said,

“Wow, no matter how many times I see it, the hair color is so cool.”

“Really pretty… Idoyoon is such a jerk.”

“I’m so jealous, it’s freaking annoying.”

“Damn, swapping gym clothes with his girlfriend is messed up.”

They spat out words filled with anger and jealousy.

“hahahaha…”

In response, all I could do was give a wry laugh.

***

Until the end of the fourth period class, my friends kept sending playful insults, secretly raising their middle fingers and such during the lesson.

It was a bit disappointing to see the guys I had just been having fun with acting like that, but I couldn’t blame them.

Because.

Even during break times quite often, and always during lunchtime, Ellie would come looking for me.

Just like now.

As soon as the fourth period ended, entering our classroom.

– Squeak

Dragging an empty chair and sitting right next to me.

– Thud

Resting her head on my shoulder and scrolling on her phone, just as she did every day.

“Even before we go eat, my appetite’s already ruined.”

“Hey, Lee Jinwoo. Was she like that since middle school?”

“Surpr… Not surprisingly, she was. Probably even in elementary school.”

“Damn.”

I could understand why my classmates found this sight amusing.

Certainly, murmuring complaints briefly, our friends immediately dashed towards the restaurant. Watching their backs, I asked Ellie,

“When should we go eat?”

“Late. Isoyeon went to the office.”

“Oh, really? Hmm… The menu doesn’t seem great today, so shall we take our time going?”

“Yeah.”

Because heading there directly would make Ellie nothing but a spectacle in the crowded restaurant, we usually took our time going there even on normal days.

Thus, in the gradually emptying classroom, Ellie and I spent time sitting close together.

Feeling the weight of her small, platinum-colored head resting on my shoulder.

Ever since our V-day upgrade, our affection had progressed, and Ellie had started openly displaying this level of contact even in front of others.

Thanks to that, regardless of what we said, within just a month, rumors of Ellie and me being a couple had spread almost throughout the school.

We weren’t officially dating yet. Even if we said it, people wouldn’t believe it.

“After it’s done, where do you want to stop by?”

“I’m going to check out clothes.”

“With Isoyeon?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then should I go alone today?”

“You can hang out with the others.”

“Nah. I’ll go and draw. I got a freelance commission this time.”

“Sure.”

A relaxed conversation.

Though there were noisy conversations and laughter from afar, here in this serene atmosphere nearby,

I asked Ellie in a calm voice,

“What about the V-day today?”

-Pause-

At my question, Ellie’s hand, browsing clothes on her phone, stopped. And leaning against my shoulder, she turned her head gently and replied.

Though managing her expression, her cheeks slightly tinged with a blush.

“…I’ll come to your room later, wait for me.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Our gazes met, our lips almost touched. Even though we had overlapped lips morning and evening for over a month, the initial excitement hadn’t faded at all.

Whenever it happened, our hearts would race, creating our own special atmosphere filled with joy.

Unconsciously, I recalled it, and Ellie, it seemed, did the same, her gaze lingering on a particular spot.

Gradually, a hazy glint appeared in her eyes.

-Thunk!

“…”

“…”

“…Sorry. Really sorry. I was trying to leave quietly…”

At the sound from behind, Ellie and I turned around, finding my middle school friend and otaku buddy, Minjae, standing there.

Standing awkwardly, with a truly embarrassing expression.

A forced laugh escaped him. It was a bit regrettable and a bit embarrassing, but well, it wasn’t worth getting angry about.

However, Ellie…

“…”

Disturbed by the current mood, she glared at Minjae with cold eyes, but didn’t say anything.

Of course, Ellie could be a bit temperamental at times, but it wasn’t a big issue. Minjae was a bit timid, and Ellie rarely felt uncomfortable around guys, especially since Minjae was a good-natured guy.

So, I smiled and invited Minjae.

“How about having lunch together later?”

***

A slightly delayed lunch.

Some came late after playing in the sports field, and others, like us, preferred late meals, so the restaurant wasn’t too crowded.

I had lunch with Ellie, Minjae, and Isuyeon, talking and sharing stories.

“Then, let’s stop by there and check out the new lipstick. I think the color that came out this time will really suit you, Ellie!”

“That one? I think it suits you better than me.”

“No way! It was totally meant for you!”

The two girls chattered excitedly about the upcoming shopping.

Meanwhile, sitting next to me, Minjae and I talked about something else.

“Did you see the update on Letple before? There are new releases in the first quarter.”

“Only the first episode. I paused in the middle because the background illustration was so pretty and drew a picture.”

“Oh, by any chance, was that drawing based on that thing from last time? You posted it on TikScribe. It was really well done.”

“Yeah, I kept the feeling and changed it a bit to suit my taste.”

“If it’s that anime, is it worth watching and learning from? The animation director is a really famous person…”

“Really? Somehow, it didn’t feel like a joke.”

We chattered about our common hobbies.

Although Minjae lacked talent in drawing, he was enthusiastic about various anime and manga, making conversations in that area enjoyable.

Sometimes Minjae would draw pictures of characters he liked, and in return, I secretly provided him with practice problems from the academy during exam periods—a win-win relationship.

Separated into pairs, we talked about this and that while eating tasteless food.

Suddenly, Lee Soyeon pointed at me and said, “If you’re going to do that, why not bring I Doyoon too? Don’t you think a TenTen hoodie would suit him well?”

“….”

Elly, looking at me with rolled eyes in response to her words, seemed interested in Soyeon’s suggestion.

“How about it? Wear matching couple outfits with I Doyoon today… Oops, not yet, anyway!”

“Not a bad idea. I Doyoon, just come along today.”

“You guys are going shopping?”

“Yeah. Got money?”

“Well, money… Alright. Let’s go.”

Money was quite abundant. I received weekly allowances, and I had been earning money steadily through commissions since middle school. Moreover, I was starting to take on larger freelance projects.

Although Elly and I often hung out, the money spent during those times wasn’t much, thanks to our efforts to split expenses evenly. However, when it came to buying clothes for me, I used my ample funds, while Elly freely coordinated with her allowance.

In any case, my plans changed once again, not due to Elly’s persuasion but rather her command. Illustrations could be drawn a bit slowly.

Nodding my head, I was about to finish the remaining food when I remembered Minjae sitting next to me.

“Minjae, do you want to come too? If you have nothing to do.”

“Uh…”

Seeming to ponder my invitation, Minjae glanced around and then said, “Ah, no. I’m going to watch anime at home…”

“Got it.”

He declined.

Upon hearing his response, as I attempted to resume eating, I felt a strange atmosphere and subtly shifted my gaze forward.

There.

“……”

“…”

Is it Isuyeon, smiling but with a somewhat frightening feeling.

I saw Eelee, with an expressionless face, holding his chin.

Hmm.

It seemed like Minjae knew the reason for the rejection.

***

Fifth period, physical education class.

I put on the gym uniform top that I received from Eelee and gathered with friends on the field to chat.

“How does it feel to wear your girlfriend’s gym uniform?”

“Well… it warms both my body and heart. But she’s not my girlfriend…”

“f*ck, seriously? What the hell.”

“Why are you asking that again?”

Last week was orientation, and in the first outdoor class of this week, we did a little volleyball toss practice before having free time.

But it was only about 10 minutes, so we didn’t play soccer or basketball. Instead, we just stood around and chatted like this.

Wearing my gym uniform that still had Eelee’s scent.

“Ah, f*ck, it’s so difficult. Let’s try it one more time, Yudoon.”

“Do you think you can do it just by watching?”

“Stop bullsh*tting.”

Then, naturally, we started playing the Slidback dance again. The field was much wider than the classroom, and we were wearing sports shoes, so we couldn’t resist the desire to do it.

And at Junwoo’s request, I put my hands in my pockets and took a stance.

Eelee told me not to do it, but honestly, it was a game that had no real risk.

That’s what I thought.

But.

Was it because of the cold breeze that I put my hands in my pockets?

– Beek!

“Ow!”

As my steps got tangled, I fell down heavily.

“Euhahahahaha! Retard!”

Listening to the laughter of my friends as I lay on the field.

“…Oh no.”

On the ankle where the pain wouldn’t subside, he sensed impending disaster.