Shin Seo-ah's Suspicious Morning
Shin Seo-ah. Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. I started my day with stretching as usual after waking up. I slowly raised my arms overhead, arching my back, then lightly tilted my waist side to side. Taking a deep breath in, I exhaled slowly while bending my upper body forward. Eventually, my waist folded at a 90-degree angle, my chest touching the floor.
"Hngh..."
The knotted muscles gradually loosened, a faint groan escaping my lips. It was the aftermath of practicing choreography late into the night. Each move used different muscles, so new routines always brought muscle soreness without fail. If I didn't stretch it out properly now, I'd be suffering for the next week. No thanks—I thoroughly loosened every inch of my body with stretches.
Clunk.
Finishing up, I stepped out of my room to a savory aroma wafting through the air. Curious, I glanced toward the kitchen and saw Seo-ah unnie's back as she prepared breakfast, apron tied around her waist. The sight filled me with bewilderment. Or maybe unease?
Among the members, Seo-ah unnie was the clumsiest by far. She slept in whenever she could, never put away her stuff on time, and got scolded by Ju-hee unnie every single day. For her to be up earlier than me, making breakfast?
"Siyeon, good morning."
"...Yeah."
Still puzzled, I sat at the table. Soon, the breakfast she'd personally made appeared: plump rolled omelet, glossy white rice, steaming soybean paste soup. Not bad visually, considering she could barely get instant ramen water right.
...And it was delicious.
"How is it?"
Seo-ah unnie sat across from me, her face brimming with anticipation. I gave her my honest take.
"...It's good."
I was a bit dazed. Showing up unannounced, this behavior—it all felt off from her usual self.
"Is something up?"
"Huh? Nothing's wrong. Why?"
"Just feels a little different from normal."
"Me?"
"Never mind if not."
I shrugged it off and kept eating. Seo-ah unnie gazed at me with her signature squishy, beaming expression.
Then she spoke up casually.
"It's the first day of vacation—what're you planning to do?"
"Just bum around, whatever."
No real plans. Just rolling around the house all day.
At that, Seo-ah unnie perked up. "Perfect! Wanna come somewhere with me?" She leaned in close, her face inches from mine.
"...Where?"
"You'll see when we get there."
She grinned mysteriously, holding back details. It looked seriously suspicious. I turned away indifferently.
"Sounds like a hassle."
"Pretty please, just this once?"
Her persistence from the side softened me a bit. Plus, I owed the members big time. They'd adjusted all their schedules around my movie filming. Repaying that with one day of hanging out seemed fair.
"Fine."
"Yay!"
We ate up and got ready to head out. Soon after, two large vans pulled up in front of the house. We hurried inside before anyone could spot us.
This time, I skipped the glasses. Getting caught out as the glasses girl with Seo-ah unnie would be way more trouble.
"Where to, stars?"
"Here."
Seo-ah unnie showed the manager a paper with the address. He checked it and started driving.
I crossed my legs and stared out the window. Didn't care much where we were headed. She wouldn't drag me somewhere weird, right?
**
As the van passed the toll gate, a weird feeling hit me.
...Why are we heading into the mountains?
The cityscape faded, scenery turning greener the farther we went. Eventually, we exited the highway onto a narrow road. Not a soul in sight—super remote.
I glanced at Seo-ah unnie beside me. She stared blankly out the window, then spoke as if on cue.
"We're almost there. You'll see soon."
Right then, a chain-link fence appeared outside. On one side hung a signboard reading:
[No Civilian Entry - Restricted Area]
The familiar structure, the wording, the whole vibe—it rang a bell. I still couldn't believe it at that point.
But stepping out of the van confirmed it.
Barbed wire thick atop the fence, guard post by the entrance, soldiers standing watch. I'd arrived at none other than an army base.
"......"
I stood there blankly, taking it all in. The sight triggered my PTSD hard—breath catching in my throat. I'd thought I'd never set foot here again.
"...Wh-what is this place?"
My lips trembled as I asked. Seo-ah unnie replied nonchalantly.
"Army base."
"I can see that. What I mean is, why'd you bring me here..."
Just then, a man came running from inside the base toward us. Seo-ah unnie waved happily.
"Oppa!"
"Oppa?"
"Yeah. This is the base where my brother's serving."
Visiting her brother? But why drag me along? It didn't add up, but I followed her in for now.
We did a quick ID check and entered. The soldiers on guard duty stared wide-eyed.
"Th-this way, please."
Seo-ah unnie's brother, Shin Seo-woo, led us tensely to the visitation room.
"Look, a gift."
She showed him the chicken bought on the way. But he barely glanced at it, sneaking peeks at my face.
Pfft.
Seo-ah unnie snickered, nudging my side with her elbow.
"My oppa's actually your fan. Every time he calls begging to see your face, he whines like crazy."
Straight talk from Seo-ah unnie, and Shin Seo-woo flustered watching his sister. That's when it clicked why she'd brought me.
...I was the visitation gift.
A flicker of annoyance at being tricked, but I kept my face neutral. Family first, and she was a teammate. Best to play nice.
"Hi. I'm Si-hyeon from the same group as your sister."
I extended my hand first. "...Ah, yes! I'm Shin Seo-woo, Seo-ah's brother!"
Not even a private, but his voice dripped with military stiffness. He wiped his hands on his pants, then gingerly took mine. I felt a tremble at his fingertips.
Watching from the side, Seo-ah unnie teased.
"Whoa, lasers shooting from your eyes. That happy? Just so you know, no funny business with Si-hyeon, got it? I'll call the national defense helpline if you do."
"D-don't say stuff that'll get me in trouble. It's just nerves!"
"Sure it is."
Shin Seo-woo held back, glancing at me; Seo-ah unnie was busy poking fun at him. Feeling awkward sandwiched between the siblings, I quietly sat at the table. Their chemistry was too tight to butt in.
I was sipping water in that awkward silence when—
"No way, is that really Ruti?"
"For real. The guards checked her ID."
"What's she doing with Seo-woo?"
"Seo-woo's sister is Shin Seo-ah from the same group. Probably visiting with her."
Murmurs drifted from outside the visitation room. Looking over, soldiers crowded the windows, staring intently.
Not exactly visitation-friendly. As I squirmed uncomfortably—
"Hey! Can't you see they're visiting? Back to barracks, now!"
A sergeant with chevrons barked at the soldiers. He strode in and approached us.
"Hello. I'm Sergeant Im Ji-hoon, Seo-woo's platoon leader. I'll make sure no other soldiers barge in, so don't worry."
He plopped down naturally beside me. Outside, the other soldiers jeered at the platoon leader.
"Tch, those punks! Back to barracks, or else!"
Normally they'd scatter at an officer's order. But they held their ground. Army bases get chaotic over one pretty girl—now an active idol shows up? Total mayhem, obviously.
"Oho."
Seo-ah unnie smirked meaningfully, like a fun idea had struck.
"Si-hyeon-ah, lemme whisper in your ear real quick..."
What prank was she plotting now?