Episode 4
The shop was bigger than expected.
Beautiful clothes in yellow, green, sky blue, and other colors were hanging on the walls. Sparkling accessories were displayed on the shelves below.
A warm, gentle smell tickled Ellie’s nose.
Ellie felt like she had traveled to a magical world.
While Ellie looked around the shop with wide, curious eyes, Ridel spoke to the shop owner.
“Can you recommend clothes that would look good on a child?”
The shop owner smiled confidently.
“Of course. That’s my job!”
She looked at Ellie for a moment and then brought out some clothes.
“These sizes should be just right. What do you think?”
As Ridel stepped forward to check the clothes, the shop owner added,
“Children have sensitive skin, so I picked soft fabric. The clothes are also easy to move in.”
Ridel checked each item.
‘Nice. Just like she said, the fabric feels really good.’
Even compared to clothes on Earth, the fabric was soft and smooth. And with Ridel’s sharp eyes, he saw that the stitching was perfect—no loose threads.
‘I just need to choose a design now.’
Or… should I buy them all?
‘Those temple jerks. They sent her away in an old, worn-out dress!’
He started getting angry again.
Calm down.
“Which one do you like? I think this sky-blue dress with the white ribbon looks best on her.”
The shop owner held up the pretty dress for Ellie to see.
“What do you think of this one?”
Ellie peeked out from behind her dad’s leg.
Her mouth slowly opened in amazement.
“Wow…”
The dress was clean.
No holes, no patches, not even a wrinkle.
It looked soft—like the fancy clothes the temple people wore.
Ellie reached her hand out… but pulled it back.
“Ellie… can’t wear that dress…”
“Huh?”
The shop owner looked confused.
Ridel spoke up.
“There’s no dress Ellie can’t wear. All of them are hers.”
He pointed at the dresses the shop owner had shown.
“We’ll take them all.”
While they were at it, Ridel also bought Ellie some pajamas, underwear, socks, and shoes.
The busy shop owner called out happily,
“Go get your hair done on the second floor! I’ll bring the dress and shoes up when I finish packing!”
Ridel and Ellie climbed the wooden stairs inside the shop.
The second floor looked cozy and cute.
Soft chairs were lined up in front of big mirrors, and sunlight came through the windows, making everything feel warm and friendly.
Ellie stared around with her mouth open in wonder. It was her first time seeing a place like this.
“Welcome~!”
A cheerful voice greeted them.
It was the shop owner’s sister, the hairdresser.
“Oh my, your hair! Let’s get it fixed right away. Come sit here!”
She was surprised by Ellie’s messy hair but quickly smiled and began thinking about how to fix it.
“Ellie?”
But Ellie didn’t follow her.
She hid behind her dad’s leg and shook her head.
“Why? Do you not want a haircut?” Ridel asked gently.
Ellie spoke in a small, scared voice.
“Scissors… scary…”
She was staring at the sharp scissors in the hairdresser’s hand.
The hairdresser knelt down and said kindly,
“It’s okay. These scissors don’t hurt people. They’re like magic—they just trim hair a little.”
She kept explaining, but Ellie didn’t move. She clung tightly to her dad’s pants.
Ridel bent down and said softly,
“Ellie, what if Daddy cuts his hair first? My hair is long too, so I need a trim.”
“Daddy… too?”
“Yep. Want to watch and see if it hurts?”
He smiled and asked the hairdresser,
“Can I go first?”
“Of course!”
Ridel sat in the chair.
“Daddy’s going to look cool!”
“Okay!”
Ellie nodded hard.
Snip snip—
The hairdresser began cutting Ridel’s long platinum hair.
“Your hair color is so beautiful! It’s rare.”
Ridel smiled.
“Just make it neat, please.”
Then, remembering his old office life, he quickly added,
“Not too short, though.”
“Got it!”
Snip snip snip—
As she cut, Ridel’s neat and handsome features became more clear.
Even though he was thin, his deep sapphire eyes and strong features made him very attractive.
The hairdresser paused in awe.
‘He looks like a painting…’
Then, a worried voice spoke.
“Daddy… does it hurt?”
Ridel looked at Ellie through the mirror and smiled.
“Nope. Not at all. It just feels soft.”
The hairdresser finished and showed him the mirror.
“All done! What do you think?”
Ridel checked his new look.
His hair was trimmed nicely and looked natural and elegant.
‘Hmm. I guess I’m good-looking in this world too. In Korea, I’d probably become a celebrity.’
He stood up.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it! Isn’t Daddy so cool?”
Ellie ran over and held his hand tightly.
“Yes… Daddy looks cool!”
Her praise made Ridel feel warm inside.
He gently patted Ellie’s head.
“Thank you. Now it’s your turn, Ellie.”
“Will… it not hurt?”
Ridel spoke softly.
“It didn’t hurt Daddy at all. You’ll be fine too.”
He gently placed his hands behind Ellie’s ears and neck.
Ellie blinked as a warm, safe feeling spread over her.
‘I trust the hairdresser, but I’ll still protect her just in case.’
“Ellie, do you think you can do it?”
“Yes!”
She nodded with a brave face, making both Ridel and the hairdresser smile.
Ellie walked slowly to the chair.
The hairdresser lowered it, and Ellie carefully climbed up.
“Ready?”
“…Yes.”
She closed her eyes tightly and held the chair.
Snip—snip—
The scissors moved.
Ellie flinched a little.
Ridel whispered,
“You’re doing great, Ellie. Daddy’s right here.”
Her tight grip relaxed a little.
She calmed down.
The hairdresser gently worked on her tangled hair.
She snipped the split ends and shaped it carefully.
Then, she trimmed the long bangs that covered Ellie’s face.
And gasped.
‘She’s… so beautiful!’
Through the falling soft pink hair, Ellie’s face appeared.
Her pale, smooth skin looked like ice, and her tiny features were as delicate as a doll’s.
The haircut was finished.
The hairdresser helped Ellie up.
“Don’t open your eyes yet! Let’s wash your hair, okay?”
“O-okay…”
“Dad, you can wash your hair over there.”
“Got it.”
She took Ellie to the nearby bathroom.
Just then, the shop owner came up with the dress and shoes.
“I brought the clothes! Should I help her get changed?”
“Yes, please.”
Ridel was left alone.
He thought of Ellie’s face.
His heart filled with emotion.
He wanted her to smile—always.
As he washed his own hair, he heard an excited voice from the bathroom.
“Oh my! She’s so pretty! Why was she hiding such a cute face?!”
After some noise, the door opened.
Ridel quickly stepped forward.
Ellie came out.
She was wearing the sky-blue dress with the white ribbon. Her pink hair was neatly trimmed. She looked like a tiny fairy.
Her hair sparkled like silk, and her bangs no longer hid her face.
Now her eyes were fully visible.
One eye was a warm pink, soft like petals.
The other was a cool sapphire blue, clear and deep.
The mysterious contrast was so stunning that even Ridel couldn’t speak for a moment.
But…
As soon as Ellie saw her dad, she quickly looked down.
She held her dress tightly and walked shyly.
“Isn’t your daughter so beautiful?” the hairdresser said.
“Why didn’t you cut her hair earlier?!” the shop owner added.
Ridel nodded quietly.
“…You’re right.”
He called to Ellie.
“Ellie. Your hair is so pretty, and the dress looks great.”
Ellie lowered her head even more.
Her cheeks turned red.
“You should see how amazing you look!” the hairdresser said, leading Ellie to the mirror.
“I… I don’t need to look…” Ellie whispered.
“Come on, I worked hard to make you look nice.”
Ridel stood behind Ellie.
“It’s okay. I think you’ll like it. Don’t you want to see?”
I do… I want to see…
Ellie bit her lips and stood still.
Then, slowly, she looked up.
The mirror showed a stranger.
Sky-blue dress.
Neatly cut hair.
Eyes with different colors.
Ellie stared.
It was the first time she saw her eyes without the bangs.
Her lips trembled. Tears fell down her cheeks.
Her little shoulders shook.
She couldn’t even cry out loud—she cried in silence.
“If… if people see my eyes…”
Ridel knelt down and gently hugged her.
He patted her back and whispered softly,
“It’s okay… It’s okay…”
His voice was warm.
And finally, Ellie cried out loud in his arms.
