My Platinum-Blond Childhood Friend Is So Pretty

30 – 11. The Beginning of Us, Finally Started

I woke up early in the morning upon hearing the alarm on my phone. Normally, I would have tossed and turned for a while, flipping the blanket over for at least another 5 minutes. But today, I sprang out of bed as if awakening immediately.

The current time was 7 a.m.

Elli must have already showered and gone to do her hair with her mother.

Of course, it wasn’t always like this, not for every anniversary either. The extent of Elli’s embellishments depended somewhat on her mood.

But today, I knew. I knew Elli would pay attention.

So, even if I couldn’t make it to the hair salon, I wanted to make at least a minimal effort.

Therefore, I left the room immediately and headed to the bathroom.

‘Wash, eat, get dressed… make sure to wear the ring, no exceptions.’

While taking a bath, my chest fluttered with a pleasant tension and anticipation.

I meticulously tidied up every corner of my face, more carefully than usual. And when I emerged, I even asked my mom for a favor after a long time.

“Mom, help me dry my hair.”

“Ah, my one and only son is acting like a servant because he’s going on a date with the girl next door…”

-Ding-ding-ding!

While jokingly saying such things, my mom helped me dry my hair with care and assisted in styling it.

“Thanks. I only have you, Mom.”

“Hmph. Don’t lie.”

“Well, thanks. But, Mom, you looked exactly like Elli just now.”

“Comparing me to the fox next door! Am I going to turn into an atom head?!”

“Sorry~”

“Ugh… Anyway, be careful on your way there. If anything happens, be sure to call. Your dad will be at home all day, so I’ll come right away if you need me.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary… but okay.”

“Check the train schedule carefully. You might get confused transferring from the subway to the train, so even if you have to wait, go a bit early.”

“Got it.”

Listening to my mom’s worried words, a warm feeling tingled in my chest. Sometimes she could be a bit much, but having a mom who always treated me like a friend and showered me with love was truly wonderful.

“Have you decided what to wear?”

“Elli sent me a text yesterday. Light blue jeans, a T-shirt, and the cardigan I bought last fall. Overall, it had a bright feel.”

“Just letting her have her way…”

“She’s always been like that. Honestly, it’s convenient that she decides everything for me.”

“Jjaak!”

“Ah!”

“He’s already caught up with his daughter-in-law! It’s all settled, so go eat!”

***

After eating the meal prepared by his mother and putting on his clothes, he sat quietly on the bed, waiting for the appointed time.

Not exactly quietly, though. With a strange tension, he shook his legs a lot. At the same time, in his mind, he reviewed today’s date plan.

‘Take the subway to the train station, take the train, get off in Gwangju, and then go to the amusement park.’

That was the end of it.

Enjoy an ordinary date until before dinner, then ride the Ferris wheel at night, confessing while enjoying the night view.

That was today’s plan.

The most romantic thing I could think of with my own head.

I could have done an event with friends’ help, but I didn’t want to go so far as to extend my hand to someone else.

Moreover, even though we gradually became more affectionate in front of others, Ellie liked it the most when we were alone.

And when we went to the amusement park last year, Ellie said she would definitely go to a place with a Ferris wheel this year.

Without texting with friends, without even thinking about filling time with a computer.

An hour of fidgeting, touching the ring case in my pocket, unable to sit still.

Current time: 10:15 PM.

Left home 15 minutes earlier than the agreed time.

Unable to stay still, I went outside and wandered around the apartment corridor, waiting for Ellie to come out.

A moment later.

10:25 PM.

– Tick tock.

The door next door opened.

“…Wow.”

“What.”

“So beautiful.”

“Hmph. I know too.”

The platinum princess revealed herself. The moment our eyes met, I had no choice but to make that comment.

Really, my childhood friend was stunningly beautiful every day.

Her platinum blonde hair, which seemed to be alive strand by strand, gracefully cascaded down with a slight wave revealing her forehead.

Eli’s lightly made-up face further accentuated her beauty.

And Eli’s outfit, which was coordinated with jeans, a t-shirt, and a beige cardigan similar to mine.

Even though she didn’t wear a skirt, she exuded femininity, and the vibrant spring feeling was reflected in the bright colors.

It felt like seeing a princess on an outing.

Although we didn’t have any intentions of riding the amusement park rides, our coordinated outfits gave off the impression of considering the long walking time.

By the way, Eli also chose our shoes, so thanks to that, we were both wearing the same brand, same design white sneakers.

The two of us now.

We appeared as a couple who playfully coordinated their outfits and went on a date, no matter who saw us.

When Eli came out, I saw Aunt Yerin standing behind her, smiling and covering her mouth, but she either didn’t want to disturb us or understood, so she immediately closed the door.

Thanks to her, in the quiet apartment corridor, Eli and I were facing each other alone.

Soon enough, without anyone needing to initiate.

– Kiss…

We approached each other, embraced, and our lips met.

In that moment, I thought my mind would go numb from the ecstatic feeling.

Whatever we did with our lips, it felt much softer than yesterday, and the slight coolness in the moist touch could be felt.

It was a thought I had before, but I really wanted to spend my entire life like this.

The scent emanating from Eli was much sweeter, and her eyes and skin, visible up close, were shining enough to blind my eyes.

Then, when our lips parted, I barely held onto my sanity and reached out my hand to her.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

The hand of the white princess overlapped with mine.

Somehow, it felt like our first date.

Although we were still childhood friends, soon to become lovers.

***

I tightly held Eli’s hand and walked along the road.

We walked to the nearby subway station, held hands even when boarding the subway, and continued to hold hands until we transferred to the KTX.

Throughout the walk, I could feel the glances from people around us.

However, even though we usually didn’t pay attention to those looks, today we couldn’t help but only focus on each other.

“Isn’t it a bit chilly today?”

“Not really. Did we miss the train? Double-check.”

“Don’t worry, we have plenty of time. We should be on the train for about three hours. Do you want me to grab a bottle of carbonated water before we get on? I’ll pay…”

“I’ll pay since I’m the one buying it. Before you cut your wrist.”

Though he spoke harshly as usual, for Ellie, who tried to split the date expenses evenly, today’s spending was overwhelmingly large and it surely didn’t sit well with him.

I couldn’t concede today either. I wanted to do something more for my beautiful childhood friend.

“I’ll buy it for you. I want to.”

Saying so firmly unlike my usual self, I went to the nearby convenience store.

After picking up a bottle of carbonated water that Ellie often drank and putting it on the counter to pay, as I was about to take out the money…

“Put it in just like that before you break your wrist.”

“….”

“Just try taking it out.”

With Ellie’s sincere words, I kept my hands in my pockets obediently.

If we actually start dating, I wonder if I’d allow him to take the lead in paying from then on.

“That’ll be 1,500 won.”

“Here you go.”

After finishing the payment with the part-time worker, who had been eying us countless times while we wandered around the convenience store, now she seemed surprised as she spoke.

I stood outside the convenience store and briefly lowered my head.

….

I don’t know what to say.

Even the sight of him carefully putting the small bottle of carbonated water to his lips and drinking it was like a painting.

The sudden realization that my lips touch his red lips every day didn’t feel real.

I don’t know if it’s because of his overflowing beauty or what, but today I felt like even more people were staring at us as we passed by.

Whether it’s the case or not, we…

“Here. Have some too.”

“Thank you.”

We simply shared the carbonated water harmoniously.

In the midst of kissing every day, there was no need to pull away or distance ourselves now. I put my lips on the same spot where Ellie’s lips had been.

As I took a big sip and closed the bottle cap, Ellie raised his hand and gently touched my bangs in front of me.

– Swoosh

It felt wonderful when Ellie gently stroked my hair with her slender fingers and soft touch.

As I responded to her delightful expression with a wide smile, a blush spread across Ellie’s face, accompanied by a slightly tense expression.

“Lee Doyoon.”

“Yeah?”

“…keep doing that today.”

“Keep doing what?”

“Smile. If you don’t smile when our eyes meet, I’ll kill you.”

“Ah, okay. Got it.”

“When you’re done, hand it over here. Put it in my bag.”

“I can just carry it for you.”

“Why carry it when there’s a bag? Stop talking nonsense and give it to me.”

“Well, then I’ll hold the bag for you…”

“Hold my hand instead. How long are you going to hold it? Do you want to die?”

“Sorry.”

Even the voice saying, “Do you want to die?” sounded sweet, I thought, as I chuckled and once again grabbed Ellie’s hand.

Then, after checking the time, I said to Ellie.

“Should I go ahead and wait? It’ll be here in 20 minutes.”

“20 minutes… Okay. Let’s go.”

Honestly, I’ve taken the subway a lot, but this was my first time on a KTX. If we had to go somewhere far, we usually took Dad’s car, so I never had the chance to ride something like this.

So, just to make sure we didn’t get lost, I moved while checking the platform location several times.

And as we arrived at the platform, waiting for the train.

– Click!

I sat down, took a two-shot. One photo to send to our parents, capturing the moment we bid farewell, our heads pressed together.

With Ellie drawing a V with her hand and a slightly furrowed brow, and me smiling widely next to her, our faces filled the frame.

“Pff…”

“Why are you laughing?”

“No, it seems like the photo turned out well.”

It felt so much like us that laughter naturally bubbled up.

Sending the photo along with a text, we soon boarded the train that had just arrived.

A week ago, when I made the reservation, there were surprisingly few seats left, but luckily someone must have canceled at the right moment, so I casually chose one.

I sat in the last two seats of the car, Ellie on the inside and me by the aisle.

“Sigh…”

As soon as we sat down, Ellie swept her hair to the side and let out a short sigh.

“……”

Without saying a word, she nodded her head towards me.

I understood it instantly.

– Smooch

I gave a quick peck on Ellie’s lips.

“Hmph.”

With a satisfied smile on Ellie’s lips and a pleasant nasal sound, we still held hands tightly.

– Firmly

With our fingers interlocked, tightly.