Chapter 474: Discharge and Tears
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 474: Discharge and Tears
After returning from my final leave.
In the distance, I could see the container barracks.
They said a new barracks building was being constructed, but it was still under renovation. Apparently, work had stopped due to some accident in the middle and had only recently resumed.
Thanks to that, I never even got to step foot inside the new building.
When I was a private, my seniors made such a huge fuss, saying they were so jealous that I’d get to spend my military life in a nice place.
Looking at how things turned out, I suspect they’re just pretending to build it and we’ll be living in containers forever.
“Sergeant Kim Woo-jin! Welcome back from leave!”
“Aren’t you being discharged tomorrow? Congratulations!”
“Good work, sir! I’m so jealous!”
Every junior soldier I passed greeted me.
Back in the day, I was told to salute everyone I passed because they were all my seniors. Now that the roles have completely reversed, it really hits home how long I’ve been in the military.
The guys above me left one by one, and now it’s finally my turn to go.
I felt a complex mix of relief and lingering regret—a bittersweetness that probably encapsulates the entirety of military life. There were good times and bad times.
If someone asked me if it was overall good or bad, it would be hard to answer. But seeing as I’m ending it with a smile, it seems clear that I put in the effort.
“I’m bac—”
As I opened the container door to spend my last night with the Combat Support Platoon, a barrage of pillows came flying at me.
Military pillows are thick and actually quite painful, but these punks threw them without mercy.
“Congratulations on your discharge!”
“Wooo! I’m so jealous you’re leaving tomorrow!”
“Sergeant Kim Woo-jin! Won’t you please reenlist as a career soldier?!”
“The First Sergeant said he’d give us reward leave if we could get you to sign on for more years!”
It wasn’t even time for the discharge hazing yet.
Watching these guys give me such a rowdy welcome, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.
* * *
“To Sergeant Kim Woo-jin! Salute!”
“Loyalty!”
Receiving their thunderous salute, I gave a small smile.
“Loyalty.”
I returned the salute lightly and lowered my hand.
Today was the end of my long, long military service.
Discharge day.
Amidst bittersweet emotions, I shared my final goodbyes with my juniors.
“I’m heading out, you punks. Keep in touch.”
“Woo-jin Hyung! I’m definitely calling you!”
“Hyung, you have to buy me a drink when I get out.”
“Ah, Hyung... I really wish you weren't leaving.”
Some were happy for me, some were crying, and some hugged me tight, refusing to let go.
“Let go, you bastard. Don’t put your hands on a civilian’s body.”
Naturally, I had to draw a clear line.
Seeing them laugh and say they expected that reaction from me made it clear just how much time we had spent together.
The First Sergeant came, the Sergeant Major came, and even the Battalion Commander showed up.
I’d like to say it was because I was such an exemplary soldier.
But it’s probably because I’m the son of the Uju Group chairman.
In a way, they probably felt a sense of accomplishment finally discharging a guy who was essentially a ticking time bomb.
And so.
I stepped outside the guardhouse.
July 26th.
Sergeant Kim Woo-jin.
Discharged.
* * *
After discharge.
Exactly one week had passed.
I spent plenty of time meeting up with the girls and drinking with the Idiots.
I also had a massive fight with my parents because I spent most of my final leave at the main house.
I got scolded relentlessly when they found out there weren't just three girls, but six. However, thanks to a soul-baring persuasion session and a "do what you want with me" attitude, I managed to get permission for all six.
Of course, I have no idea what to say to the girls' parents yet.
Actually, wait.
Now that I think about it, the latter three don't really need much convincing, do they?
Choi Jin-ah’s family already knows the Chairman’s family. As for Yun-ji, her mother will allow it if Yun-ji wants it. And Senior Ju-hee doesn't have parents.
Surprisingly, there didn't seem to be any major obstacles for the last three. My mind felt at ease.
“Heh, I feel great.”
I had conquered the great mountain known as military service.
As a South Korean man, I felt like there was nothing I couldn't do now.
The timing for returning to university was a bit awkward, so I’d have to play around until next March, but... well, isn't that actually better?
Just as I was vowing to live my life to the fullest in my own way...
[Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!]
A siren suddenly blared.
[This is a real-world situation.]
[This is a real-world situation.]
“Huh?”
Wondering what was going on, I turned on the TV. News reports claimed North Korea had started a war, and simultaneously, my phone began to ring.
—Woo-jin! You have to report back! Get here fast!
I hadn't even picked up the phone, so how was the First Sergeant’s voice coming through the speakers?
Wait a minute.
I have to reenlist?
“Gah?!”
I snapped my eyes open, my breathing ragged.
What met my eyes was the interior of an intercity bus.
I was still wearing my combat uniform. I took a moment to process.
Today was July 26th.
The day I was discharged.
I had told the girls not to bother coming to pick me up, so I was on my way back alone by bus. I must have dozed off and had a dream.
“Ah, man...”
That scared the crap out of me.
I tried to calm my heart while listening to music. As I settled down, a satisfied smile spread across my lips.
It was the moment I truly realized I was finally out.
* * *
Beep-beep-beep-beep.
“Phew.”
With a fluttering heart, I opened the front door.
The reason the dream felt so real was because of my final leave.
The girls had met me as soon as I came out on leave and we spent a day together, but I had spent the rest of it at the main house persuading my parents.
Thanks to that, I also spent quite a bit of time with my nephew, my second brother’s son. The little guy was very pretty, probably because he took after my sister-in-law.
In short, it had been almost two weeks since I’d seen the girls.
Pop! Pop!
As I stepped inside, cake poppers went off.
Seo Ye-rin, Choi I-seo, and Yoo Ah-rin welcomed me.
“Woo-jin! Good job!”
“Welcome back.”
“Kyah, it finally ended!”
“Ugh, guys!”
Tearing up, I ran to them and pulled all three into a tight hug. How could a moment be this moving?
As I held them, feeling overwhelmed, I noticed the atmosphere felt a bit strange.
How should I put it? Their bodies felt stiff.
“...Is something wrong?”
I asked as I slowly let go. All three shook their heads vigorously.
“No?! Nothing’s wrong!”
“Let’s go inside. I made the bossam you said you wanted to eat. I boiled it myself.”
“Change your clothes first. I laid out some comfortable clothes for you.”
I quickly kicked off those loathsome combat boots and headed inside.
I noticed the other three, who I expected to be waiting inside, were nowhere to be seen.
“Where are the other three?”
“We decided it should just be us for today. They gave us some space.”
“Really?”
Hearing Choi I-seo’s answer, I went into the dressing room.
Choi Jin-ah’s house had basically become our communal space, but I was planning to look for a separate place soon. I had saved up my military salary diligently, so I could afford a room on my own.
Of course, it wouldn't be as luxurious as this place.
But that’s strange.
It was unexpected that the other three would intentionally stay away on my discharge day. I thought for sure we’d all celebrate together.
That’s a bit disappointing.
Feeling a bit lukewarm, I changed and came out.
Wearing casual clothes made my body feel much lighter, but it also felt strangely awkward.
The three were sitting at the dining table, looking unusually tense.
Seeing them, I suddenly remembered what Oh Yun-ji had said over the phone yesterday.
—Hey, don't you dare go looking at other women just because you're discharged, okay?
What kind of nonsense is that?
—No, I heard that guys who get discharged often feel burdened if their girlfriend actually waited for them through the whole service.
—I hear a lot of military stories because of my streaming, and apparently, there are surprisingly many people like that.
Hey, if I got tired of you guys, I’d have to be insane. Look how many of you there are.
—Even if you don't get tired of us, having six is still insane.
...
—Anyway. Some of the girls are secretly anxious. So make sure you take good care of them.
When I heard that, I thought it was ridiculous.
How strong was our love?
But of course, there are things that cause anxiety if they aren't expressed in words. Especially for a crazy bastard like me who is dating six women at once—it’s true they might not know which way I’ll bolt.
Sitting down, I went straight to the point to ease their worries.
“Let’s get married.”
“...”
“...”
“...”
Was the proposal too out of the blue?
The three of them just stared at me blankly.
“I know we can’t all legally marry. But let’s just live as if we are. Who cares? Right?”
I gave them a thumbs-up with a grin, and suddenly, the three of them relaxed their bodies and let out long sighs.
The atmosphere lightened instantly.
“Ah, seriously. Who leaked it?”
Yoo Ah-rin grumbled.
“That’s no fun!”
Seo Ye-rin whined.
“...Let’s just eat.”
Choi I-seo sighed and suggested we eat.
Confused by what was happening, I told them about my phone call with Oh Yun-ji yesterday. The three of them had "oops" expressions on their faces.
“We told her to throw a fake at you, but it failed.”
“We fell for our own trap!”
It seemed they had prepared something, but it had gone awry.
“Why? What is it? Were you guys going to propose to me?”
When I asked with a sly grin, the three of them simultaneously pulled something out of their pockets.
It was...
Pregnancy test kits with two lines.
“Uh...?”
“Um, Woo-jin. It’s not 100% certain yet. But we checked among ourselves first and—”
Choi I-seo was explaining calmly, but I couldn't hear her properly.
I just stared blankly at the pregnancy tests with my mouth hanging open.
“Hey, Baby Daddy. Do you want a son or a daughter?”
Yoo Ah-rin asked with a mischievous smirk.
“Everyone! I, Seo Ye-rin! Am retiring! Short and sweet!”
Seo Ye-rin raised both hands and started a little roleplay.
“Ha.”
On the day of my discharge.
“Ha, seriously...”
I had vowed and vowed again that I wouldn't cry.
“Sniff, is it real? Is it really real?”
When I asked while choking up, the three of them confirmed it was true.
In the end, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.