My Platinum-Blond Childhood Friend Is So Pretty

125 – 45. Autumn, University Festival -2

When I went to help with the festival preparations after class, one senior told me with a serious face, and that was the content.

The other seniors around me nodded in agreement, as if they thought it was obvious I would do it.

“Yeah, that’s a bit much.”

“What’s wrong with that!”

I immediately refused, and they were taken aback.

The reason was clear.

Eli wouldn’t like it.

Of course, I understood the necessity of promoting the event to some extent, but I didn’t want to do it by targeting specific women.

“My girlfriend would get angry if I did that…”

“What’s wrong with…? Who’s flirting or something? Can’t you just invite passing women?”

“Hmm.”

“And once the girls come and fill the seats, the guys will naturally follow, so that’s what I said. As long as there are a lot of people, it doesn’t matter! If there are guys, invite them too! Just bring anyone you see!”

“That’s how it is. I’ll ask once more.”

“Do you have to ask again? How long are you going to be stuck in this mindset?”

Listening to that, it wasn’t wrong.

But instead of carelessly agreeing, I decided to ask my girlfriend and handed the situation over to her. Although the seniors were a bit disappointed, they eventually understood, saying “Alright… alright…”

That night.

I went back home and honestly told Eli.

“—So, the seniors want me to be in charge of serving and inviting guests to some extent, is that okay?”

“Are you crazy?”

It wasn’t just a matter of whether it was centered around women or not.

“You’re only going to serve? What’s with the sudden invitation? Do you want to die? I told you to handle it well.”

“The seniors kept asking…”

“Just stay inside the venue and don’t show your face around. Only serve.”

“We’re setting up a parasol booth, so it’s not like we can hide outside anyway.”

“So, what, you’re going to lure girls and bring them to the venue? You’re really going to get killed…”

“That won’t work. I’ll tell the senior that I won’t invite anyone. So, relax your expression. You look pretty even when you’re angry, but you’re even prettier when you smile.”

“…….”

“That’s right. You’re pretty. Do you want me to brush your hair before bed?”

“…Do it. And tomorrow, I’ll tell that senior straight out. If they think about making me invite people, I’ll lock you up at home during the festival period.”

“I’ll definitely tell them.”

After receiving Eli’s strict warning, I went to the senior the next day.

“The girlfriend said no. I’m sorry. I’ll work hard on serving.”

“……The senior’s words were like the sky…”

“In this day and age, if you do something like that, you’ll get roasted on the internet.”

“Can’t you really do it?”

“No.”

“Hey, just make Do-yun serve. If there’s a rumor, people will come on their own, so what’s the point of inviting?”

“It’s still a shame… I know how long it takes for rumors to spread… Ah, fine. Just serve.”

The seniors didn’t force the issue anymore after the firm response.

I wanted to help too, but for me, Eli’s feelings came first.

I could understand Eli’s mind, which didn’t like serving but hated inviting even more. If I were in Eli’s shoes and had to invite unknown guys to the venue, I would definitely hate it too.

So, it was settled with a “what can you do” kind of attitude at that time.

Seong-jun then suggested a new idea.

“Senior, why don’t we just put up a sign and have people come and go as they please?”

“A sign?”

“Yes. During the festival, Do-yun’s girlfriend is coming, and we’ll have some downtime around then, right?”

“We’ll give them some time off. We can’t make them work all the time.”

“Back then, didn’t we make a fuss with a giant banner behind him, giving off an advertisement tower vibe? Even if Doyun is the busiest, we can give him some extra time off, and while we’re at it, do some subtle promotion too.”

“What?”

“If Doyun’s girlfriend is with him, we won’t have to worry about other girls approaching him.”

“What the hell, are you a genius?”

The senior’s eyes widened in surprise at the appropriate suggestion. I also thought it was a pretty good idea.

If we do it in a way that feels like an advertisement, Eli won’t dislike it either.

It’s better than me doing it directly, and since Eli will be by his side, other girls won’t even think of approaching him easily.

“But won’t the promotional effect decrease if his girlfriend is with him?”

“What’s the difference? They’re coming to see his face anyway. And if no external guests come, it’s not a big deal. There are already a bunch of fans who will definitely come if Doyun wears a waiter uniform and serves them.”

“Yeah, that’s smart. You’re really good at management!”

“In that sense, can you reduce my kitchen duty hours a bit?”

“That’s not possible. Doyun, is that okay with you?”

“That should be fine.”

“Alright, let’s do it that way… Yuna! Who’s making the picket now?”

“Is Sejin unni making it with the kids in the club room?”

“Yeah? I should ask unni to make a banner for Doyun to use too. Ah, 1st graders, finish the internal setting and come out! Don’t be late tomorrow!”

“Yes, sir.”

So, Seongjun’s idea was finally adopted, and even Eli gave it a passing grade.

“When I go, I’ll just wear the banner and do the promotion?”

“Yeah, just walk around with him and do the advertisement tower thing. What’s the problem?”

“That’s… “

“Seongjun came up with the idea, so it’s fine, right?”

“Yeah, he’s got sense, just like before.”

Late at night, after returning from school, I took a shower and lay down on the bed next to Eli.

I told him my story first, and then he told me about what happened today.

“My mom came to visit today.”

“Your mom?”

“She brought side dishes and chatted with us.”

“She chatted, but Grandma didn’t come with her? That’s weird.”

“My mom had an appointment… Yeah, what did you just say?”

“Didn’t Grandma come with her?”

“Grandma? Why do you keep calling my mom ‘Grandma’? Are you joking?”

“Yeah? I’ve been calling her that all along. I haven’t proposed to you yet, so it’s a bit early to call her ‘Mother-in-law’…”

“Fix it.”

“…Didn’t Grandma come with her?”

“Yeah, that’s right. My mom had an appointment, so she didn’t come.”

Eli suddenly became sensitive about the title, which he hadn’t cared about until now. He immediately changed the way he addressed her, which felt a bit awkward.

Although I’ve occasionally joked and called her ‘Mother-in-law’ a few times… seeing Eli’s reaction now, it seems like I’ll have to call her that from now on.

Well, Eli also used to mix up ‘Aunt’ and ‘Mom’, but recently, he’s been using ‘Mom’ almost exclusively.

I should follow his lead.

Like a cat that had suddenly become shy, Eli leaned in close to me, her thin slip wear clinging to her body.

Thanks to that, I felt a vivid sensation on my chest, and I turned my body slightly to the side and hugged Eli, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

–

“Sleep tight?”

“…….”

“I was going to kiss your lips too. So don’t glare at me with your eyes.”

– !

“Goodnight, Eli.”

As I gave her a goodnight kiss on the forehead, her eyes immediately fluttered open. And when I followed up with a kiss on the lips, the tension in her eyes finally dissipated.

With a carefree expression, like a cat that had relaxed, Eli leaned her platinum blonde hair against my cheek and said, “You sleep tight too.”

The warmth of her body felt great, and her cute, cat-like behavior was endearing.

I should ask her to cosplay as a cat properly later.

***

Seoyeon University Festival.

Under the bright sunlight, various booths were set up on the grass.

There were corporate booths, event booths, small food stalls, and a few small events and group games.

It wasn’t anything grand, but the festive atmosphere was infectious.

And the perfect autumn weather, neither too hot nor too cold.

As the boisterous daytime wore on and evening approached.

“Here, takoyaki and pajeon, additional orders!”

“Hey, can I get a new pair of chopsticks? I accidentally dropped them!”

“When will there be an empty seat?”

“Just wait a moment, please!”

I was busy running around the business school’s food booth. I had been shouting and trying to attract customers, but there were so many people that I couldn’t even take a step back.

Even though it wasn’t dark yet, the line was already endless, and the 2nd-year department head was tearing up with emotion.

“This is a festival… *sigh*. Thank you, Do-yun…”

“I didn’t do anything, though.”

I said it humbly, but I knew it was all thanks to me. It wasn’t intentional, but…

As soon as we opened the food booth, female classmates and seniors from other departments who had exchanged greetings with me earlier started coming one by one.

Many of them had said they were just going to take a look, but I didn’t expect them to come so quickly.

“Do-yun, hi~”

“I came too… What’s with the waiter uniform? You look really good in it!”

“Crazy… Can I take a picture with you?”

“It’s okay. Instead, can you promote this to your friends?”

“I’ll do it! But can I take a picture with you too?”

“Sorry, that’s not possible. My girlfriend wouldn’t like it.”

“Ah, okay… Yeah, that’s right. Then just take a picture… Hey, should I send this to Yoon-hee? She’ll probably cry and run over here.”

“Send it, send it!”

Honestly, I knew they were coming to see me with some sort of interest. However, I had no reason to stop them from doing so.

Thanks to that.

I had a fleeting thought, “Isn’t this similar to hitting on girls at a club?” But…

Since they came all the way to the pub and were being friendly, and on top of that, they asked me to promote them to my friends, so…

As Seong-joon had expected, my female colleagues and seniors came to visit, dressed up in their best attire.

My senior’s waiter uniform, which was surprisingly fitting, took a photo that spread quickly and consistently.

As a result, the women started occupying seats at the pub, and then a male group followed, taking seats as well.

As the crowd grew, the buzz attracted even more people.

The pub was packed in no time.

“Clear out that seat!! Tables 3 and 5! Ji-min!!”

“Ah, I’ll…”

“Doyoon, you’re just serving!”

“Yes.”

It was tough, but it was quite enjoyable.

“Doyoon! Table 8, please!!”

“Coming right up!”

For someone like me who had never had a part-time job other than modeling, this moment of working at the pub felt enjoyable.

It was also enjoyable when professors would occasionally drop by for a drink or when close friends would come by to chat for a bit.

As I worked busily, the darkness slowly fell.

Whether they got drunk here or came drunk from somewhere else, the atmosphere inside the pub’s booth became even more heated.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes, what do you need?”

“Can I get your number? I really like you.”

“Wow! You’re crazy, girl!”

One of the four women at the table, with short hair, gave me a flirtatious smile and asked for my number.

I didn’t know if she was being serious or just joking around with her friends while drinking.

I didn’t need to know, either.

Anyway, as a customer, I smiled and replied.

“I’m sorry. I have a girlfriend.”

“Oh… really… I see…”

“Wow, In-young is getting rejected for the first time. That’s rare.”

“Oppa! Can we just take one photo together? That’s okay, right?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Aww, it’s just one photo… just one…”

You’re younger than me, but calling me “oppa”? I guess that’s possible.

In fact, asking for my number was something that had happened several times today.

The only difference was that this group had drunk quite a bit and started to get a bit clingy.

Of course, I had no intention of accommodating them. Especially not in this aspect.

“I’m sorry. My girlfriend doesn’t like that kind of thing, so please enjoy your takoyaki.”

I maintained a smiling face and spoke firmly again, then turned my body around.

But at that moment…

I had a feeling that the noisy atmosphere in the pub had quieted down a bit.

And some people were staring with their mouths agape, fixed on one spot.

I wondered what was going on, so I turned my head to the side.

And there…

Was a person with platinum-blonde hair fluttering in the air.

Wearing a thin knit sweater, light blue jeans, and a long coat.

Even in the morning, and now in the evening, she still had a beautiful face and a slender figure.

Furthermore…

Her blue eyes were gleaming with a fierce intensity.

My childhood friend and girlfriend, Eli, was there.