Tangled Hearts (2)
Seo Joo-hwan smiled back and brought his hand to the end of his eyebrow. Even after his discharge, it was a sharp, precise salute.
“Steel! Captain, long time no...”
But he couldn't finish his sentence. Jeong So-ra, the one receiving the salute, cut him off. Her face was full of obvious surprise.
- Wh-who are you?
“...Huh?”
- Ah, sorry. I must've dialed the wrong...
“Sora noona, it's me, Joo-hwan.”
At those words, Jeong So-ra's eyes went wide. The pupils on the screen darted up and down his face, staring intently before widening again. She gaped, mumbling in shock.
- The real Seo Joo-hwan?
“Pfft. What, you think there's a fake one?”
- No, Joo-hwan, you've changed way too much!
Soon, she was pointing accusingly through the screen, her surprise spilling over.
“Puhahaha. How 'bout it? Pretty handsome now, huh?”
Seo Joo-hwan deliberately turned the phone side to side, stroking his chin. He wiggled his eyebrow and flashed a sleazy grin, making Jeong So-ra burst into giggles.
- Ahahat. You really are Joo-hwan? Your face is still there, but your personality's changed a bit too?
“Heh. Been through a lot of stuff.”
- Heh. Glad you look good. That thing from last time got sorted out?
The 'thing from last time' referred to his breakup with Jeong Ha-yeon. Back then, he'd called her wasted out of his mind from home. Jeong So-ra had listened seriously to his drunken rambling and given him advice without holding back.
Seo Joo-hwan thought back to that day for a moment, flashing a wry smile before lifting the corner of his mouth.
“Thanks to you, noona, it worked out.”
- Oh? So you're dating again?
“Nah, we're good as friends now.”
Though 'just friends' didn't quite cover how deeply they knew each other now. Still, good was good, so he passed on his thanks to Jeong So-ra. Seeing his bright face, she smiled in relief.
- Glad you're doing well. You at home right now? Looked like other people were there earlier.
When he'd turned the phone side to side, his companions must've flashed by. Only then did Seo Joo-hwan realize he wasn't alone. A quick glance around showed everyone staring at him.
'Oops. Ha-yeon.'
Jeong Ha-yeon had clearly been reading her novel, but now she was staring intently. He hadn't said her name, but she'd know from context it was about her.
Yoo Ji-kyeong had a sullen look, eyes narrowed. Meanwhile, Jang Deok-hoon was just curiously mimicking a salute on his own, fascinated by the soldier. Lee Seok-chan was openly thrilled, and when their eyes met, he pointed to himself, begging for an intro.
Seo Joo-hwan flipped him the bird before heading out of the room.
“Guys, gonna take this call real quick.”
“Ya, not gonna introduce your friends?”
“What's the point with you, man! Get lost!”
“Pretty noona! I'm Joo-hwan's bestie, Lee Seok...”
He shut the door on Lee Seok-chan's nonsense and stepped out onto the balcony. Breathing in the night air, he picked up with Jeong So-ra.
- Ahh. College buddies, huh.
“Yeah. That guy's the slimiest. Total casanova, hits on girls left and right.”
- Ahaha. OK to trash-talk your friend like that?
“Trash-talk? It's facts. Just warning you, noona.”
- Pfft. Like I'd ever run into him?
With that, Jeong So-ra flashed a sly smile. Her eyes curved into crescents as she spoke.
- Hm. Or are you jealous of your friend?
“No, why would I be jealou...”
Seo Joo-hwan faltered for a second, then let out a hollow laugh at her playful expression.
“Teasing me again, noona?”
- Pfft. Ahaha. You're quicker on the uptake now?
Sure enough, she burst into loud laughter, even clapping. Seo Joo-hwan stared at her sullenly. Was teasing him that fun?
Come to think of it, maybe the way he teased women was something he'd picked up from how she did it to him.
She laughed for a good while before winking.
- Hey, not sulking, right? I only did it 'cause you tease too.
“When did I tease?”
- Oh? So it was real jealousy? I thought you were joking. Does Joo-hwan still like noona that mu...
“No, it was a joke... ah, come on. You're teasing again.”
- Giggle. OK, I'll stop. Man, you're no match for this noona.
Seo Joo-hwan shook his head with a helpless sigh. He could tease other women all he wanted, but with her, no matter how much time passed, he couldn't even dream of it.
'Not even with Su-hee noona.'
Age-wise, Im Su-hee was older than Jeong So-ra, but still. Was it compatibility? Or because she was his first woman?
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled softly. Getting teased by Jeong So-ra? No big deal.
Her playful, friendly side was way better than the icy north wind she used to be in active duty.
- How you been lately?
“Me?”
- Yeah. You said a lot's happened.
“Yeah. Like...”
Seo Joo-hwan kept chatting with Jeong So-ra. Mostly him talking, her listening.
- Ahaha. Got it.
“Yeah. So I dodged the crossdressing. Did talent show instead.”
It had been three months since they'd seen each other's faces, but there was zero awkwardness. Thinking about it, pre-regression, she was one of the women he'd spent the most time with. The military's unique environment had allowed that much.
Seo Joo-hwan talked, and Jeong So-ra listened, bursting into laughter now and then.
Mid-May. The night breeze carried the full scent of spring, tickling his nose. Was it the booze? Even in the dark evening sky, the wind brought hints of spring.
Like that day in the barracks, warmth seeped into his heart. His head, cluttered all day, felt a bit clearer.
“So yeah... uh, that happened too. Yeah. The college molka thing? I actually solved it.”
Saying it out loud made him a little embarrassed. He'd unwittingly boasted like a kid.
But Jeong So-ra reacted with genuine surprise, eyes round.
- Whoa. You almost got in deep shit. Glad it worked out. What about that friend?
“He took a leave. Probably back home. Seems like he's still writing. Saw his stuff—guy's got talent.”
- Ahaha. Joo-hwan's a total big man. Makes sense. You had that side in the army too. That's why I made you squad leader.
Seo Joo-hwan blinked. Had he ever acted like a big man in the army?
He tended to coordinate opinions over yelling at juniors, lead by example over ordering. But that wasn't because he was some magnanimous guy.
He scratched his eye corner and said,
“Haha... back then wasn't big man stuff. Just timid, no confidence.”
- Tsk. If noona says so, believe it.
“Even if you say...”
As he kept denying, she frowned. Her playful tone turned serious.
- Joo-hwan, you were timid back then, but you spoke up. No confidence, but nailed your duties best. Thoughtful 'cause timid—no bullying others. No confidence meant always careful, more effort.
“...”
- Remember outing? We drank. I said you helped me tons. Want more? Your corporal days...
“St-stop. Got it, noona, enough.”
Seo Joo-hwan hurriedly cut her off. The sincere praise without jokes made his face burn. Someone else seeing his pathetic past self in such a good light—the gap was mortifying.
Jeong So-ra giggled at his flushed face.
- Heh. Cute.
“Stop, for real.”
- Yeah. Face might explode.
“...It's the booze.”
- Sure it is.
“Ah, seriously. Ugh...”
He wanted to retort, but it'd just backfire. Long time since teased like this—he sighed deeply.
Jeong So-ra giggled at him, then blinked.
She furrowed her brow and said,
- 'Quick call' and it's been forever. Anyway, Joo-hwan.
“Yeah.”
- Didn't forget the promise, right?
“Huh?”
His head tilted. Her face crumpled scarily. He gasped, flashing back to his captain days.
Jeong So-ra quickly made a pretty smile, eyes crinkling.
- Giving you 3 seconds. Think hard. Three.
She held up three fingers.
“No, noona, of course I know.”
- Two.
Middle finger folded. Thumb and index left.
To recall the 'promise,' Seo Joo-hwan activated Blessing of Concentration.
10 LP used.
Blessing of Concentration effect: 'Concentration' and 'Thinking Power' increased for 1 minute.
“N-noona. I didn't forget. Just kidding.”
- One.
Only thumb left.
In his focused state, a memory surfaced.
“T-tomorrow's the promise! Right? We said May meet. Haha.”
Seo Joo-hwan rushed on, secretly exhaling in relief. With all the incidents and thoughts lately, he'd totally blanked—but they'd promised to meet mid-May.
Lucky he remembered before countdown ended.
Jeong So-ra grinned brightly, flipping her last thumb.
What, look down?
- Buzz. Not tomorrow—day after. Forgot your promise with noona. Grown up, huh? Means I gotta kill ya.
*
When Seo Joo-hwan returned, all eyes turned to him. Surprisingly, Jang Deok-hoon asked first.
“Bro, that lady in uniform—she a soldier?”
“Yeah. My captain in the army.”
“Oh. Women can be captains?”
“They can. Rare though. Sora noona's special even among women soldiers. Most guys couldn't touch her.”
“Cool lady.”
“Heh. Coolest woman I've seen.”
Jeong So-ra had a solid, strong personality, and her talents confirmed by the Lust System were overwhelming: marksmanship, hand-to-hand, command, charisma. Just listing them screamed 'don't mess or get wrecked.' Plus her pretend talent perfectly hid her usual playful, lively side, so no mid-company grunt would dare underestimate her as 'just a woman.'
Then Jeong Ha-yeon, who'd been reading her novel, glanced at Seo Joo-hwan.
“You two were close, huh.”
Plain tone, plain voice. But why did it sound chilly? Probably just his guilt.
He stiffened, then smiled awkwardly.
“She helped me through tough times. Or rather, treated me without prejudice? Yeah, I told you about her, Ha-yeon?”
“...Ah, the one from back then.”
Jeong Ha-yeon blinked, as if just recalling. Earlier, sharing his past, he'd detailed his life so far. Including his 'misfortunes' and how rough the army had been. Naturally, that included Jeong So-ra, who'd seen him without bias and guided him—the 'cool captain' came to mind.
But one thing he hadn't mentioned:
“She's a woman.”
“Ah, didn't I say?”
“No. You didn't.”
“Haha... Guess it didn't seem necessary.”
Truth was, he'd skipped the gender on purpose. No need to bring up other women while clearing old feelings with Jeong Ha-yeon.
Then Yoo Ji-kyeong called him with a beaming smile.
“Oppa, oppa.”
“Yeah?”
“Raccoon wants water.”
“Water? Right there.”
He pointed at the PET bottle on the table.
But Yoo Ji-kyeong shook her head, still beaming.
“No, raccoon wants cool water.”
“...”
Couldn't say 'just get from fridge.' She always played cute and matched his vibe, but now her smile felt terrifying. Maybe even more than Jeong Ha-yeon's.
She was silently cursing him with that grin. 'Scary pretend talent...'
Telepathy or what? He obediently fetched the water.
*
The four left Seo Joo-hwan's place before it got too late. Jang Deok-hoon split at the fork, heading home. The remaining three headed to the smoking area.
Silent cigs: one guy, two girls. The guy glances between them, then clicks his tongue.
“Tsk tsk.”
The two react instantly.
“Lee Seok-chan, want your tongue yanked?”
“Sounds good, sis. I'll help.”
Lee Seok-chan recoiled in horror, stepped back, stubbed his cig, and said,
“I'm out, nerds.”
“Who's a nerd!”
“Not me, sis!”
Lee Seok-chan fled. Jeong Ha-yeon's head turned to Yoo Ji-kyeong.
“...Ji-kyeong?”
“Nyagul?”
“Wanna get scolded?”
“...My bad.”
“Fine.”
The two pulled out cigs again, silent. Their motions synced like sisters.
But their expressions differed. Yoo Ji-kyeong pouted, mumbling something cryptic like 'Guess I gotta be master's...' Jeong Ha-yeon smoked thoughtfully, exhaling like a sigh.