Chapter 466: Those Who Left, Those Who Stayed(8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 466: Those Who Left, Those Who Stayed(8)
After a brief commotion, things finally settled down.
To put it simply, only half of the six women present could go to see Kim Woo-jin.
“Looking at everyone like this again…”
Min Ju-hee, the oldest of the group, murmured as she scanned the other women.
“It really is absurd.”
In modern society, it was hard to believe that one man could monopolize six women. What’s more, every single one of them was a beauty who wouldn't pale in comparison to anyone else.
Min Ju-hee felt a strange, ambiguous emotion knowing she was part of that group. She felt a bit of pride, yet at the same time, she felt odd for even feeling that way. Regardless, she was among an incredible group of people.
‘I’m not sure if this is actually a good thing, though.’
“Think about it logically!”
Suddenly, Seo Ye-rin shouted, slamming her hands onto the table.
By this point, everyone already knew what to expect. Before she even opened her mouth, they all thought the same thing: She’s about to spout some absolute bullshit.
“Woo-jin is finally getting out after all this time—don’t you think he’ll want to squeeze some big tits? It’s common sense, common sense!”
“Why are you trying to force your own twisted version of common sense on us?”
Oh Yun-ji retorted with a pout and raised her hand.
“I have a legitimate reason why I have to go. Unlike Seo Ye-rin, I’m not talking nonsense.”
Then, Oh Yun-ji gave a confident, beaming smile and made a grand declaration.
“Woo-jin asked me to come. He said he really wanted to see me. He whispered it while he was hugging me.”
“…….”
“…….”
A sudden silence fell over the room.
In the midst of it, Oh Yun-ji crossed her legs triumphantly and took a bite of a snack.
While they had all discussed the ceremony as if it were a given they would attend, none of them had actually been directly asked by Kim Woo-jin to come on the day of his completion ceremony.
In this situation where they had to split up, it seemed only right that Oh Yun-ji—the only one he had personally requested—should be the one to go.
“That—”
Choi I-seo’s sharp gaze pierced into Oh Yun-ji.
“When exactly did he say that?”
“Ugh.”
Oh Yun-ji flinched.
Choi I-seo’s question had clearly hit the mark. After a moment of hesitation, Oh Yun-ji answered in a tiny voice.
“Two… years ago.”
“This bitch is trying to pull some ancient history on us!”
“That was back when he was only dating you! Of course he would’ve said it then, you idiot!”
“I-it wasn’t a lie, though!”
The moment it was revealed that Oh Yun-ji’s "promise" dated back two years—to the time when Kim Woo-jin was only dating her—everyone raised their voices in protest.
Having her "exclusive dating era" argument ruled invalid, Oh Yun-ji grumbled.
“I really have to go, though.”
Of course, everyone wanted to go. However, Oh Yun-ji’s attitude was unusually aggressive today.
“Is it that serious, Yun-ji?”
When Choi Jin-ah, sitting next to her, asked to gauge her feelings, Yun-ji nodded and sniffled.
“Think about it. I had to break up with Woo-jin because of Chairman Kim, right?”
A heavy silence filled the room once more.
It was true. While it had been a tragedy for Oh Yun-ji, if that hadn't happened, none of the others would have had even the slightest chance of being with Kim Woo-jin.
‘I do feel a little bad.’
‘…If I couldn’t see Woo-jin, I’d be crying every day.’
‘Ah, fuck. Should I just let her have this?’
The women began to empathize with Oh Yun-ji.
“But now, I’m going to see Woo-jin. Just like the promise we made when we were dating.”
As the story continued, they found themselves getting more and more immersed. Just as someone was about to say it sounded like a touching reunion, Oh Yun-ji’s dark ulterior motives were laid bare.
“Then what kind of face will Chairman Kim make? Huh?! The girlfriend of the son he kicked out! She’s finally returned alive! I have returned! From the depths of hell!”
“Yeah, fuck that. This bitch definitely can’t go.”
“Wow, I almost fell for it!”
“……Yun-ji is disqualified.”
“Ah, whyyyyy!”
Oh Yun-ji struggled, insisting she had to go, but she was quickly subdued by Min Ju-hee, who sealed her mouth shut.
“Mmph! Mmmph!”
Oh Yun-ji ended up with a ball gag in her mouth and fuzzy handcuffs on her wrists.
“Where did you get these?”
Min Ju-hee asked with a bewildered expression even as she fastened them. Choi Jin-ah scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“Woo-jin left them behind.”
“Ah! I was wondering where those went!”
Apparently, the owner was Seo Ye-rin.
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Oh Yun-ji squirmed and made muffled noises, sending a rescue signal to Choi Jin-ah.
“Well, I think it’s for the best that Yun-ji doesn’t go.”
Oh Yun-ji’s plan was so malicious it made even her friend cut ties with her, leading to her ultimate disqualification.
“Then, next is—”
Choi I-seo looked at the remaining two.
Min Ju-hee and Choi Jin-ah.
Min Ju-hee was the first to speak.
“I’ll step out.”
Knowing her position well, Min Ju-hee had no intention of being greedy. Though it was difficult, she intended to focus on not causing any friction.
‘If I get greedy and it causes Woo-jin stress, it’s all for nothing.’
She was lonely and missed him, but she didn't want to lose everything because she couldn't suppress a momentary urge.
“As expected of Ju-hee Unni.”
Yoo Ah-rin nodded in satisfaction. She felt proud that her efforts to recruit her had paid off.
“……It would be a bit awkward if I went along, wouldn't it?”
The three of them were the ones introduced to his parents; if she tagged along, it would surely cause confusion.
“Actually, wouldn't it be safer since he's in the military?”
Seo Ye-rin muttered that he probably wouldn't get beaten to death there.
Regardless, Choi Jin-ah decided to step back. She had already made up her mind after agonizing over it for a few days anyway.
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Oh Yun-ji started acting up again. Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin approached her, stroking her hair and tickling her chin.
“There, there, our Yun-ji. Are you in heat?”
“You should wear this more often. It makes you look cute.”
“Mmmph!”
“She looks like a shrimp… Should we order cream shrimp today?”
Watching her flop around, Choi Jin-ah licked her lips. The rich young lady had recently become obsessed with Chinese cuisine.
“She looks like she has something to say.”
Oh Yun-ji nodded vigorously in agreement with Choi I-seo. The moment the ball gag was removed, she shouted urgently.
“Give the first leave to the people who couldn't go to the completion ceremony!”
“Hey, put it back in.”
Yoo Ah-rin tried to gag her again, but on this point, Choi Jin-ah and Min Ju-hee didn't seem willing to back down either.
“I-I think that’s only fair.”
“We can’t avoid meeting him forever. We need to be given time too.”
“Exactly, this is the right way. Phew, Mr. Ball Gag.”
The six of them glared at each other as if engaged in a battle of wits. It seemed a long discussion regarding Kim Woo-jin’s leave was about to follow.
* * *
“Phew, now this is fucking bliss.”
Legs sprawled out.
Even the training uniform, which he usually cursed for its design, felt incredibly comfortable today. After finishing the march that felt like it would never end and taking a shower, everyone was lying down, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Following the assistant instructor’s word that it was okay to lounge around today, they had laid out their mattresses and blankets early, even though it wasn't bedtime yet.
“Is it okay to be this happy just lying still?”
I chuckled at Kim Young-ho’s murmur from the next bed.
“It’s ridiculous. Is it really okay to be this happy?”
“Right? It’s so damn good.”
We weren't the only ones grinning like idiots. The other guys were also rejoicing over the feat we had accomplished. The barracks were filled with an atmosphere of pure elation.
Knowing we had passed the biggest hurdle of the training center, my mind was beyond at ease—I felt fantastic. My military life had just begun, yet it felt like it was already over.
‘They said finishing the training center feels like being discharged. It’s true.’
I finally understood what Kang Han-gang and Pyo Jin-ho meant. I used to say that the completion ceremony only meant going from a trainee to a private, but now I was feeling that exact same way.
As we were getting ready for bed, an announcement came over the speakers.
Static, crackle.
— This is a message from the administrative office. In five minutes, we will begin today’s radio broadcast.
“They’re doing it early today.”
“Probably because we’re going to sleep soon?”
For context, the training center occasionally hosts a radio show during bedtime. It’s not a broadcast from an outside station; an assistant instructor hosts it. It’s not just for cracking jokes, though. They read letters sent to the radio, play voice messages, and finally, allow for a short phone call.
‘Is this the fourth radio broadcast so far?’
It left a deep impression, so I thought they did it more often, but it was actually one of the few joys in the boring life of the training center.
Static! Crackle!
— This is a story sent to Trainee Number 29, Kim Woo-jin.
“Huh?”
“Oh?”
I was lying on my mattress, listening blankly, when my name was suddenly called. I was startled, and Kim Young-ho next to me was also surprised. The other comrades in the barracks laughed and looked over at me.
The assistant instructor began reading the letter.
— Hello. I am Choi Jin-ah, a friend of Woo-jin’s since elementary school.
‘Choi Jin-ah?’
I thought it might be Seo Ye-rin or Choi I-seo, but I never expected Choi Jin-ah to send something.
— It’s so quiet around here without you, Woo-jin.
— I didn't realize it when you were here, but now that you’re gone, it feels awkward, empty, and a bit boring.
— You’re doing well, right?
— The Woo-jin I know is definitely doing well.
— I believe you’ll be even more manly the next time I see you.
Then, a voice message played.
Static! Crackle!
— Is it recording now?
— It is. The red light is on.
— Kim Woo-jin, are you doing okay?!
It was the voices of Choi Jin-ah, Ju-hee Unni, and Oh Yun-ji. Hearing them like this made my heart feel strangely full.
“……Wait, is that the Choi Jin-ah?”
“The genius violinist?”
“I thought it was just someone with the same name?”
— Ahem, cough. I composed a piece for you, Woo-jin. Would you like to listen to a short snippet?
As if to drive the point home to the confused trainees, a violin performance began to flow through the speakers. Everyone was marveling at how good it was and how warm it felt, even if they didn't know much about music.
‘Ah.’
Now that I thought about it, Choi Jin-ah was a world-famous violinist who had appeared on variety shows quite often.
‘She was a violinist.’
I had completely forgotten.