My Platinum-Blond Childhood Friend Is So Pretty

33 – 12. Ellie’s Rules of Love

“Yeah. I asked, and they said they can change it for the first train tomorrow. There were still available seats.”

-…Do Yun.

“Why, Mom?”

-Is Ellie up to something?

“What? No, how could Ellie do something like that…”

-But! Since last weekend, something seems off about her… Do Yun, should I just go pick her up?

“It’s okay. It takes a really long time to get here. By the time Mom arrives, it’ll be time for the first train.”

-Ugh…

“There’s a 24-hour cafe nearby, so I’ll hang out there until it’s time to catch the train.”

-Okay then. Be careful and call if anything comes up. I’ll answer immediately. Send me a message before you take the train in the morning too.

“Got it. See you tomorrow, Mom.”

-Yeah.

-What did Do Yun say?

-She said she’ll be at a cafe nearby until the first train.

-Thank goodness there’s something like that…

-Click

The faint sound of Dad’s voice marked the end of the phone call.

I didn’t know the details, but suddenly there was a problem and the KTX train was delayed. A broadcast announced that it wouldn’t be possible to operate it today. Luckily, we were able to get a refund or exchange the ticket for the first train tomorrow.

The only problem was how to spend the time until then. We couldn’t enter a hotel, let alone a karaoke or PC room because we were underage.

So, while wondering what to do, a station staff informed us that there was a 24-hour cafe nearby, so we decided to go there.

Honestly, it was an unexpected situation, so I felt a bit uneasy. However, the station staff kindly handled everything and told us how to deal with it, so I was able to feel relieved.

There was also the last resort of calling our parents if things didn’t work out, but it would take a few hours by car, so I felt guilty asking for their help at this time.

Anyway, after ending the call, I looked at Ellie and saw that she had finished her conversation with Auntie before me and was looking at me.

With her arms still folded.

“What did she say?”

“She said to contact her if anything happens. Send her a message before leaving in the morning.”

“Hmph. What does she mean by ‘up to something’?”

“It’s probably just a joke~”

“…Well, it’s nice, but.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s go to the café. Want some mocha.”

“Oh, then should I order something less sweet and we can share? Maybe a latte?”

“Let’s go with an Americano.”

“An Americano sounds good too.”

***

Arriving at the café, we ordered as discussed earlier, a café mocha and an Americano, and headed to a corner seat.

Despite the early hour, there were subtly quite a few people. Not bustling, of course, but here and there, people dotted the café, and its bright atmosphere put our minds at ease.

We didn’t sit facing each other but settled side by side on the sofa, facing the external glass window.

And we talked.

About things we hadn’t managed to discuss amidst the excitement, amid lips meeting lips.

Slightly turning our bodies to face each other. Our hands overlapped on the table. Sipping our cool drinks sip by sip.

Leisurely.

“Lee Do-yoon.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll tell you the things you need to uphold as my boyfriend from now on.”

“Oh~ What if I can’t?”

“I’ll take your life.”

“Scary. I’ll make sure to keep them.”

It was peculiar. Although the conversation was similar to before, there was something kinder in Ellie’s voice or gaze.

Despite confessing our feelings to each other, it wouldn’t have drastically changed how we felt. After all, we already liked each other before.

Yet still, somehow, it felt different to be in a relationship with a childhood friend.

Seeing a stronger affection in Ellie’s eyes as she looked at me, witnessing how much lovelier Ellie’s face was as I looked at her made me think so.

“Listen carefully. First one.”

Ellie says, holding up a finger. My heart pounded. I was confident in upholding any rule, but I was curious about what she’d say.

That’s how it began.

Ellie’s first rule of dating.

“Don’t fool around with other girls.”

“I never did… not even with Lee So-yeon?”

“He’ll be fine. But make sure to report everything to me. And even if you have to be with another woman, report it to me, no matter what.”

“Like when I met Bini noona last time?”

“Just like that. If you only saw her briefly, I’ll let it slide without reporting afterwards. But don’t hide it.”

Not playing with other women without Elli’s knowledge. It’s not a difficult task. After all, it has always been like this until now.

Moreover, considering that this is the first time, it’s probably the most important and concerning thing for Elli.

Of course.

“Next…”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Elli, if you end up being with someone else, make sure to tell me. Let’s promise to protect each other, okay?”

Because I felt the same way, I told Elli before revealing the next rule. Smiling as always, subtly revealing the possessiveness and desire for exclusivity I had been hiding.

Elli’s cheeks turned bright red after hearing my words. The hands that were intertwined with mine became even warmer.

“…There will never be a situation where I’ll be alone with another man, except for you.”

“Yes, I know. Trust me.”

“Okay. What’s next?”

“Next is…”

Elli’s second rule of dating.

“From now on, kisses are mandatory.”

“What kind of kisses?”

“The ones we had today.”

“Well, what if we want to do something different occasionally?”

“We can do that together too. Isn’t that obvious?”

“Ah, we’ll definitely kiss, and then do other things? Got it.”

The second rule was something I also wholeheartedly welcomed.

Maybe because it was our first time today, the sensation still felt vivid.

My lips met Elli’s slightly trembling, red lips.

As we exchanged breaths.

As our tongues intertwined.

As our saliva mixed.

Ellie, who had been nodding her head at the cost, said, “I’ll pay for the date, so don’t worry about it.”

In a way that suited our relationship, she informed me of the date cost using the word “date expense.”

I realized that the word “not burdening me alone” meant not to spend too much money on my own.

It seems like it bothered her that I had a lot of money compared to others our age, and that I secretly spent even more money.

Of course, as I thought, it was a rule that had room for rebuttal.

“Ellie.”

“Be quiet. I won’t listen to your objections.”

“No, listen.”

“I won’t listen.”

-Whip!

Flipping her platinum hair, she quickly turned her head as if she didn’t want to hear it. It was cute.

I pulled Ellie, who had turned her head, into a hug and rested my head on her shoulder.

Enjoying the scent that pleasantly tickled my nose and the slender body that fit perfectly in my arms.

I whispered in her ear.

“Now we’re dating, right?”

“….”

“If you had more money, Ellie, you wouldn’t hesitate to buy me things or anything like that.”

“I…don’t know.”

She said she didn’t know, but I knew. If Ellie had more money than me, this rule wouldn’t have been created.

I was certain of it.

“It wouldn’t be a waste for me to buy you clothes or food, right? I feel the same way. I want to do more for you because I like you, and now that we’re dating, that feeling has grown even stronger.”

“….”

“I won’t say something like ‘I’ll pay for everything.’ But let’s not be too strict in separating the money we spend on each other.”

As I said that, I pressed my lips against Ellie’s ear.

-Smack

“Um…”

“How is it?”

“…You spend too much.”

“I know. If I seem to be wasting too much, stop me. What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine.”

“Heung…”

I succeeded in persuading Ellie. After giving her a kiss on her slightly flushed ear, I released my arms that were wrapped around her slender waist and returned to my original position.

Then Ellie pursed her lips and looked at me again.

“…Next.”

“Yeah. What’s next?”

Ellie’s fourth rule of dating.

“Don’t lie to me.”

“Of course not.”

“Not even about trivial things, absolutely not.”

“I won’t.”

“Can you swear?”

“I swear.”

I naturally had a personality that didn’t lie much. Occasionally, I might tell a white lie, but it was rare, and it wasn’t really a bad thing.

For example, for this couple’s surprise, I don’t think it was a big mistake to lie conspicuously and spend some time alone, considering Ellie was unlikely to notice.

So, I went through a verification process.

“But like this time, that… what should I call it? The lie where I told my friends I was hanging out with them to buy a couple’s ring behind your back?”

In response to that, Ellie seemed to hesitate for a moment and then nodded.

“No. Don’t do that. From now on, just come with me instead of planning surprises. Tell me about it.”

Although it was a joyous moment, it seemed to imply that being together was better.

“Got it. I’ll do that from now on.”

If Ellie wanted it, I could do that. Honestly, doing something without Ellie noticing was too difficult, and it seemed better to just do it together rather than doing it clumsily.

With that, I already felt like I had cleared up to the fourth, waiting for the next.

“Yido Yun.”

“Yeah.”

“You promised not to lie to me.”

“Yeah. I won’t lie, absolutely.”

“Then, tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

Eli asked.

“Do you watch porn?”

“…….”