Chapter 462: Those Who Left, Those Who Stayed(4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 462: Those Who Left, Those Who Stayed(4)
“Trainee Number 87 over there, please bring the AED, and Trainee Number 86 here, please call 911.”
I was currently enjoying a front-row seat in the shade, blankly watching the CPR demonstration.
I’d heard that CPR was a good skill to know, and since it didn't seem as difficult as I’d expected, I figured I should memorize the steps.
You never know when it might come in handy later.
“My arms still hurt.”
Trainee Number 28, Kim Young-ho, grumbled as he massaged his forearms.
Because we’d been given such harsh punishment drills during the grenade posture correction earlier, I could see the trainees practically creaking every time they moved their arms.
“I mean, seriously, if they’re going to get that nervous over throwing a dummy grenade, how did they even manage to fire a real rifle?”
“I heard rumors that they were total screw-ups during rifle practice, too.”
“Sigh.”
Kim Young-ho let out a long breath.
“I just want to wash up. This is the last thing for today, right? We’re the first ones to shower today, aren't we?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“I feel so gross I could die.”
Whether he heard Kim Young-ho’s grumbling or not, Trainee Number 3, the ‘Model,’ cut in with a grin. His skin looked particularly pale; seeing him like this, he really did look like a model.
“I heard from the assistant instructor today that there’s some announcement, so we’re showering late.”
“Oh, please. Tell me you’re joking.”
At the Model’s words, Kim Young-ho and I sighed in unison.
After a single training session, it feels like sand is embedded in your skin. It’s incredibly unpleasant.
“Honestly, do you know who I’m most jealous of right now?”
The Model, who had settled in beside us, gave a sly smile.
“Who?”
“1st and 2nd Squads of the 2nd Company. I’m so jealous of those guys.”
“Why?”
I expected him to say ‘civilians,’ so his answer was unexpected.
As I listened in silence, the Model explained with a laugh.
“When we do the night march next week, they’re the ones who get to shower first.”
“Wow, I’m seriously jealous.”
“That is enviable.”
Once you’re in the military, you even start envying who gets to shower first.
“The night march… Ugh, I’m dreading it.”
“I heard they shortened it this time, so it’s only 20km.”
“That’s the shortened version?”
I squeezed my eyes shut as I listened to the conversation between Kim Young-ho and the Model.
A night march.
And they said it would be in full combat gear, which meant trekking while lugging 40kg on our backs.
“It’s dizzying just thinking about it,” I muttered involuntarily, and the other two nodded in agreement.
I’d been thinking there wasn't a single piece of good news since I got here, but then…
“Oh, right. Did you hear?”
The Model’s eyes sparkled as he grinned, finally sharing some welcome information.
“They said the people who earned a lot of merit points get to make a phone call today.”
“A phone call?! Really?”
My voice shot up in excitement before I could stop myself.
It drew stares from those around us, though they naturally dispersed quickly.
“Trainee over there! Quiet!”
“Sorry!”
The assistant instructor gave a warning, but I moved past it with a quick apology.
“Finally, a phone call!”
I heard that people get to use cell phones once they get to their assigned units these days, but they still aren't allowed in the training center.
That was why I’d been participating so actively to earn merit points and get a phone call privilege.
“Ah, Woo-jin, you got a phone call privilege, didn't you?”
“Whoa, I’m jealous. How many minutes do you get?”
“Twenty.”
“You got two of them?”
“That’s insane.”
I had worked like a dog for them.
It was the result of constantly raising my hand to answer questions and pushing myself through the most grueling training.
I have a lot of people to call.
The moment I failed to call even one of them, I’d be crucified.
“Haa, finally.”
Without realizing it, I let out a sigh mixed with a hint of a sob.
*
“Alright, and today, after you wash up, we’re going to let the trainees who earned phone call privileges through merit points make their calls. Trainees with privileges, raise your hands.”
Back in the barracks.
Among the trainees huddled close together in training formation, a few hands went up.
Naturally, mine was one of them.
“Starting from the front, state your name and number one by one.”
“Trainee Number 1, Kim Ga-min!”
“Number 1? Kim Gi-min?”
“It’s Kim Ga-min!”
“Ah, right.”
The assistant instructor currently in charge of us was one of the lowest in terms of seniority.
Because of that, he was a bit clumsy and somewhat amateurish when it came to controlling the group compared to the other instructors.
Man, I feel great.
This was the best day I’d had since the first time I went to the base chapel and ate a Choco Pie.
I was gross from training, but I got to shower first, and then I got to make a phone call right after.
The shower time isn't even that late.
At this rate, it looked like we’d be washing up almost on schedule.
Maybe five minutes over.
“Trainee Number 29, Kim Woo-jin. I have two phone call privileges.”
“Two? Wow.”
As I lowered my hand while listening to the instructor’s impressed remark, a certain trainee in the front row caught my eye.
Trainee Number 11.
The guy who’d said he wanted an ‘after-meal smoke’ since day one and had gotten into a fight with the gangster, Number 21.
The guy with the monkey-shaped head was rocking back and forth, staring intently at the clock.
What’s with him?
He was just sitting there normally.
So why was I so uneasy?
He’d caused some trouble at first, but he’d been quiet for a while.
In fact, he’d even been playing the role of a mood maker in his own way.
Why am I so anxious?
My gut was screaming at me to grab that bastard right now, but this was the military.
Don't stand out.
That was the primary motto I was living by.
Back in college, hadn't I gotten involved in all sorts of incidents because I was constantly sticking my nose in things?
Just stay quiet, no matter what.
If you stand out here, your life becomes truly exhausting.
Just as I was firmly resolving this and suppressing my anxiety…
“Hands down. Now, next—”
“It’s shower time!”
The moment the minute hand hit the hour and it became 19:00.
Suddenly, the Number 11 Monkey bolted upright, grabbed his shower basket, and went sprinting out the door.
“What the—is he crazy—?”
I stood there with my jaw dropped, stunned by a situation I hadn't even imagined.
But the real problem was the others.
Seeing that one guy bolt, the rest of them acted like they were in a race and started stampeding out in a swarm.
“If you’re late, you’re washing with cold water!”
“Hurry up, let’s go wash!”
“Hell yeah!”
Only a few trainees remained scattered among the spots where the others had been.
“W-Wait—”
Even the assistant instructor was flustered, stammering as he pointed at the guys who had run out.
This was the military.
You were supposed to follow the instructor’s orders.
And we were still waiting in training formation.
You could only go wash up when the instructor gave the command.
Watching the guys who had just done whatever they wanted because the instructor seemed easy, I smacked my forehead.
Goddammit.
*
“Ooooone!”
“Comraaaaades!”
“Twoooooo!”
“Do betteeeeer!”
“Ooooone!”
“Comraaaaades!”
“Twoooooo!”
“Do betteeeeer!”
Currently.
The 1st Company was in the middle of a massive group punishment.
“Ooooone!”
“Comraaaaades!”
We were doing push-ups—the classic punishment where you go down on ‘one’ and come up on ‘two.’
That monkey-headed son of a bitch!
Because of him, by the time we finished washing and got back, the most senior-looking assistant instructor was waiting to give us hell.
I trembled as I held the down position, fuming.
I’d just finished showering, and now I was dripping with sweat again. It felt absolutely disgusting.
They said you meet all kinds of people in the training center.
I just never thought I’d meet such an irrational prick.
“Twoooooo!”
“Do betteeeeer!”
“Everyone, up!”
“Riiise!”
“Rise and shine!”
A sudden silence.
A heavy, secret stillness passed between us as we bolted upright.
It was so quiet you could practically hear eyeballs rolling.
I thought it was finally over.
“The trainee who just added something weird at the end, step forward.”
The assistant instructor adjusted his hat, fuming, and glared at us.
*
I don't even have the strength to hold the receiver.
The public telephone booth.
After the punishment was finally over, it was a bit late, but I’d made it out to make my call.
The assistant instructor, who said he’d be timing us, had already wandered off somewhere for a smoke.
Each of us leaned against a public phone, receiver to our ear, listening to the dial tone with bated breath.
Ye-rin, please. Please pick up.
According to the instructions sent via e-letter, I was supposed to call Seo Ye-rin first.
Apparently, Choi I-seo had set the order, a bit of consideration so I wouldn't have to agonize over who to call first.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Is she busy? It’s not bedtime yet.
As I waited anxiously, tapping my finger against the glass wall…
Click.
— Hello?
At the sound of Seo Ye-rin’s suspicious voice, a lump formed in my throat and tears welled up.
“Ye-rin-aaaaaaaah!”
As I called out her name with a sob, Seo Ye-rin hesitated for a moment, and then…
— Woo-jinaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Just like me, she cried out my name through her tears.
“Ye-rin-ah! A-Are you doing okay? Are you doing well?”
I tried not to cry.
But hearing Seo Ye-rin’s voice, my tear ducts just burst, and I asked her while sobbing.
But she was even worse.
— Hic! I-I’m n-not doing well at all. Woo-jin-ah, it’s so hard without you!
“Ye-rin-aaaaaaaah!”
— Woo-jinaaaaaah! Woo-jinaaaaaaaang! Waaaaaaaah!
“Ye-rin-aaaaaaaah!”
— Woo-jinaaaaaaaang!