My Platinum-Blond Childhood Friend Is So Pretty

26 – 09. Just a Few Hours Apart -2 (feat. Ellie)

As Ellie left home, around five minutes later, she began to miss Lee Doyoon.

‘Annoying.’

It was irritating not having Doyoon by her side right now. She was annoyed at the thought of not being able to see him for at least the next eight hours.

She regretted not just bringing him along.

But it was her own decision not to bring him along for the first day, as she didn’t want to show an immature side to the first fitting model part-time job.

In the loneliness she had chosen for herself, Ellie leaned her head against the car window in the back seat, absentmindedly savoring the lingering sensation of their last kiss.

And she realized.

She disliked the time without seeing Doyoon, not just occasionally tagging along with her dad to Sweden, but now, even just a few hours of his absence bothered her enough to be noticed.

That’s how much she liked him.

She already knew it, but now she realized it once again.

***

“Boss, can we expand the scale a bit more for this promotion? It’s definitely a hit! How can anyone not click after seeing this?”

“I mean it. Take as many shots as possible today, and make sure to schedule the next one.”

“We’re getting into swimsuit season now…”

“Since you’re still in high school, hold off on the swimsuits for now. Even if you’re okay with it, your parents might not like it, so be cautious.”

“Yes!”

The surroundings were noisy and bustling.

Within that.

Ellie, more stylishly adorned with a stylist than she had imagined, honestly admitted that this time was enjoyable.

From head to toe, meticulously set up to the point of losing self-awareness, changing into the latest trendy clothes.

“Raise your gaze a bit higher! Yes! Just like that!”

In the bright studio lights, this moment of taking photos while listening to detailed instructions.

Yeah.

It was fun.

Even though it was for a product targeting only teenagers, and they seemed to have put some effort into it, it still felt like just another part-time job.

How much more enjoyable would it be once she became a real model?

As much as she had imagined herself as a model in the future, this fitting model job appealed to Ellie’s heart.

But that was it.

It was fun, yes, enjoyable, yes.

But that was it.

“…When is this going to end?”

Honestly speaking.

Holding hands with Ido Yun during break time, playing games on each other’s palms.

Those times were better.

Sitting side by side on the bed last night, shoulders touching, having a conversation.

Those times were better.

No matter how much fun this work provided, it fell short compared to those fleeting moments with Ido Yun.

“Alicia, you’re doing really well. Please finish it off just like this.”

“Yes.”

“You’re so unbelievably pretty, and the fit is really… How about considering a career in this direction? I genuinely recommend it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Do try it. I had high expectations when I received your photos, but you’re doing way better than expected. I’m sorry the shoot is taking longer. I’ll make sure to take care of you more than the agreed-upon part-time pay.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Just, please ask for my help next time too. It’s almost swimsuit season now…”

It felt a bit awkward, but because of that, the compliment from the shopping mall representative was more trustworthy, making her feel good.

But.

“Beautiful.”

Rather than the compliment with a smile from Ido Yun, it didn’t resonate with her.

Even now, several hours later, the face of her childhood friend lingered in front of her eyes.

When I think about wanting to see her as usual, I can usually see her right away.

But now, because that’s not the case, my longing for her has intensified.

“….”

During my break, I close my eyes and think of her for a moment. The image of Lee Do-yoon, who can vividly come to mind anytime, anywhere, with a beautiful smile.

Why did I come to like Lee Do-yoon so much?

That question was unnecessary.

I couldn’t not like her.

She was the only one who reached out to me despite my prickly reactions.

Even in the strange atmosphere of discrimination and exclusion during our childhood, Lee Do-yoon always stood by my side and smiled.

She always honestly complimented me, saying that I was beautiful, and showered me with affectionate glances.

It was practically impossible not to fall for her.

[Do-yoon: Min-jae’s sister is also a nice person, so I’m comfortable.]

“…So annoying.”

That’s why.

I get jealous even when he casually compliments other women without thinking.

I want to be the only one reflected in his round and clear eyes.

I don’t want to work at a cafe where he would say something like, “I’m going to that cafe because there’s a handsome guy.”

Hurry up.

I don’t want a Bijou, I want a real kiss.

It was all because of that.

“Our daughter looks so pretty today~”

“It suits you, Ellie. Would it be okay for you to become a model in the future?”

My parents kept saying those words throughout the photo shoot.

I wanted to see Do-yoon, so I did my best not to cause any trouble by coming to work.

And my parents would know that she is enjoying this job in her own way. Maybe they even think that she might really want to become a model.

However.

Ellie ended up making a decision.

“Modeling is just a part-time job.”

I have to stay so far apart from her even with just fitting modeling.

Once I start properly studying modeling and become a model, how long will I have to stay away from Lee Do-yoon?

Of course, if Yido Yun told her to follow, she would happily laugh and follow anywhere.

But she didn’t want to.

Even though she wanted to monopolize him now and drag him around, she didn’t want to swing like that until she became an adult.

She wanted Yido Yun to do what he wanted. While doing so, she hoped he would reach out his hand to her.

She knows that the princess Yido Yun likes is a wonderful princess who creates her own path and breaks through without waiting for the prince’s help.

And she also knows that he thinks of himself in that way.

But.

In reality, it was different.

Ellie wanted to be the waiting princess.

Not the princess who goes on rough adventures with the prince.

But the prince with a kind smile who comes to save her, who comes to take her away.

She wanted to be that kind of princess.

Yes.

Just…

“I miss you.”

Spending every day with Yido Yun.

“Every day, I miss you.”

Making the dishes he likes by his side.

“Before closing my eyes, even after opening them. Always.”

Being by his side.

“I want to see you… the closest.”

That was the future Ellie dreamed of, becoming a family.

***

Ellie’s first fitting model job ended without any major issues.

“It’s your first time, but your posture and expression are good, and the photos turned out really well.”

“Your fluent talking ability makes it so comfortable… Your appearance is 100% foreign, but the inside is really Korean, it’s amazing.”

“Alicia, dear. I’ll give you the best conditions among the model jobs, so please consider it for the next time…”

Fortunately, without showing any embarrassing moments, she received plenty of compliments from the people she worked with.

However, it wasn’t like there was nothing happening at work.

“You’re a high school student, right? Ah, I’ve seen many other models, but your atmosphere is truly top-notch…”

Similarly, there was a strange male model who was trying to subtly disgust her, knowing that she spoke Korean well.

“What’s the matter with our daughter? I told you to refrain from unnecessary talk that isn’t related to work.”

Her usual gentleness was nowhere to be found, replaced by a cold, elite cover of Jeong Yeol-in.

“There won’t be any reason to call anymore, so delete my contact information after this job is done.”

“What? No, I just talked to someone who was free…”

“You’ve worked hard all this time.”

Seeing her discomfort, Ha Young, the owner of the shopping mall, immediately cut ties with the model.

He was only an aspiring male model and had probably been unsatisfactory to Yeol-in and Elli before.

And as if nothing had happened, he approached with a smile and once again subtly offered a proposal.

“If you’re not comfortable with swimsuits, I also want to update the hot pants and dolphin pants lineup this time… Would that be okay? Your legs and figure are so beautiful, I really want to ask.”

Elli couldn’t help but laugh at his cheeky demeanor. The owner liked her.

“I’ll talk to my parents and contact you. I want to give it a try too.”

“Oh, really?! Then… Oh, isn’t high school exams coming up? Can you answer until the end of April?”

“Yes, Mom, is it alright?”

“Well~ I’ll always support you if it’s what you want.”

“Dad too.”

Although she wouldn’t pursue a career as a model, she wanted to try this fitting model part-time job, and she thought it would be okay to regularly appear here.

If she had told Ha Young what she said, she would probably have offered her an exclusive contract, shedding tears of joy that such a talented fitting model would come instead of a regular model.

Unfortunately, the events of that day ended here.

And as soon as she returned home, Elli waited for Yoon Do-yoon.

While waiting, she thought to herself.

“Should I be a bit kinder in the future?”

Thinking about wanting to see Yoon Do-yoon today made her a little sentimental.

In fact, she always had such thoughts, but her self-conscious and tick-tocking speech pattern emerged out of embarrassment.

She jogged in the morning to look good for him and always did her best to groom herself, so it was impossible not to be mindful of her speech.

But…

When she heard that he was coming soon, she went outside the apartment to wait, and finally faced Yoon Do-yoon a little later than scheduled.

“Oh? You were waiting here? It’s chilly outside, why didn’t you wait inside?”

“I’m waiting in a chilly place, and you only show up now? Do you want me to die?”

“Sorry.”

I blurted out those words almost reflexively.

While Ellie thought, “This isn’t it,” she turned her head abruptly.

“Are you an idiot…!”

She felt a slight self-reproach for her own actions, but it wasn’t a strong feeling.

After all, speaking to Idoyoon like this wasn’t something out of the ordinary, and it wasn’t worth worrying about such trivial matters.

“Ellie.”

“What?”

“Today, I really missed you. I kept thinking about you while I was drawing.”

“……”

Because he suddenly said those words, even though it was a chilly evening, a spring breeze blew in her chest.

-Thump, thump.

Her heart beat strongly, and she couldn’t help but smile, feeling overwhelmed.

It made Idoyoon happy to know that he was feeling the same way.

“But why did you take so long to come out to play? I was waiting impatiently.”

But her heart and her mouth were playing separately.

Even though she felt foolish for doing this, still.

“Sorry.”

As always, she apologized lightly, and she liked the gentle smile on Idoyoon’s face.

“Were you very cold waiting for me? Should we do it now?”

“……Let’s.”

“Yes.”

-Tightly…

Even though it was just a little, she liked that he was approaching her more actively than before.

“……”

“……”

She enjoyed the feeling of his arms wrapped around her waist.

In this moment, as she snuggled against his chest, raising her face slightly to look at him, she felt content.

-Smack…

Their touching lips were sweet.

This kiss…it made her body tingle as their breaths mixed together.

So, he tightened his grip on her neck even more.

“Softly… Hmm…”

He didn’t allow the kiss to end.

Lingering for a long time, their lips pressed together.

“……”

As if enjoying the endless kiss, Elly restrained herself, looking at the cute face of Lee Doyoon, who was smiling with her eyes.

Elly held back.

Suppressing the desire to plunge her tongue in right away, she restrained the urge for the next level of the kiss.

“Hurry up and confess. Kiss as soon as possible.”

It was a stubbornness and pride, wanting to wait for the prince’s kiss like a quiet princess.

Of course.

“If you keep hesitating, there’s no helping it.”

This was her last patience.

Until this summer, if he continued to tease her like this.

She had no intention of enduring it.

So.

“Hurry up and kiss me. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”

With that thought, she gathered all the impatience that hadn’t met him today.

And they shared a long-awaited kiss.