Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Appearance Vote (1)
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"Jeong-woo, you aren't tired? Want your big sis to give you a lap pillow?"
All the attention pouring in had kept me on edge all day long.
Especially Rachel Corporal's surprise attacks, sharing the same barracks room, were making my head spin.
Pat pat!
She was wearing short gym shorts that bared her thighs almost like dolphin pants, constantly calling out to me.
"H-how could I dare lie down! I'll stand by sitting!"
"Oh? A recruit talking back?"
Then I'd hesitate, not knowing what to do, and end up heading to Rachel Corporal's bed anyway.
How could a lowly private defy a corporal's command, as lofty as the heavens? If she tells me to flop down, I flop.
"...I'll gladly lie down!"
A subtle, pleasant scent wafted over. She'd just showered not long ago.
The homemade body wash scent allowed only for corporals...
A sweet vanilla aroma brushed my nose, and before I knew it, my body heated up, sweat beading.
The soft thigh I lay on clung to my cheek without letting go. Even in this awkward position, Rachel Corporal lightly stroked my head and giggled.
"Don't be so tense! Is your big sis scary?"
"N-no, ma'am...!"
"What? Even a corporal's an easy mark?"
"No, ma'am! Sorry!"
It felt like a situation I'd seen, heard, and been through a hundred times before.
Some seniors who loved teasing juniors would pull pranks like this, using lap pillows as bait. Rachel Corporal seemed exactly that type.
"Just kidding, kidding! Ahaha!"
She pinched my cheek lightly and laughed happily.
Having a guy she could toy with around must've thrilled her to no end.
Yeah, by the time you're a corporal, days drag on forever. You end up killing boring final days pranking compatible juniors and playing games.
But this was no easy feat.
Man and woman...
Just the difference in gender completely changed the vibe. Rachel Corporal subtly set the mood, gazing down at me with flushed eyes.
"If anything tough comes up, tell me. Got it?"
God knows how many times I'd heard that line. My ears were gonna blister soon.
But Rachel Corporal's words carried real weight.
Corporal—that heavy rank held real power in the military...
"Hey, touch our Jeong-woo and you're dead. Got it?"
Rachel Corporal openly showered me with affection, then immediately threatened the other juniors.
No woman in the barracks dared challenge her. She was the top senior and real boss of Barracks Room 1.
Not the squad leader, but she held nearly all the power. Even Clara Corporal, the actual squad leader of Barracks Room 1, couldn't easily stand up to her.
"Oh dear, really... Say that to the rookie and you'll get dragged to the stockade."
There wasn't even a need to defy her.
The corporal line sharing the barracks were usually tight-knit. Rachel Corporal and Clara Corporal were close enough to trade barbs rather than fight.
"And let's be real, these days rookies dig exactly this type, y'know~"
"Hey, what're you saying! Jeong-woo, who's prettier?"
Fiery red waves,
snow-white skin,
the playful Rachel Corporal.
Long, straight black hair,
clean features,
and contrasting dialect from Corporal Clara.
The two subtly showed off in front of me. Cascading locks and accentuated curves tugged at any guy's heart.
...But I absolutely couldn't waver. One wrong twitch down there, and I was truly fucked.
I'd sworn not to act rashly after arriving at my unit. Couldn't crumble this early...!
"Hold up."
But Rachel Corporal suddenly hopped off the bed like she'd thought of something fun...
"How about a proper showdown?"
And proposed new entertainment.
"Let's vote on who's prettiest here."
Damn it.
Thus began the First Appearance Contest.
I wanted to curse this out-of-nowhere plot twist, but military life flowed unconsciously like this.
"What do you think? Everyone agree?"
"Uh..."
The petty pride battle started small but snowballed. Rachel Corporal now planned to drag in two privates first class and even Mino.
"Jeong-woo's picking. Cool? No hard feelings—just pure honesty on who appeals most to guys."
The seniors wore varied expressions.
Clara Corporal tossed out "Oh dear~" but strutted with quiet confidence, while Rachel Corporal brimmed with excitement, sure she couldn't lose.
"Nah, that won't fly!"
But the youngest private first class with rabbit ears waved her hands frantically.
"Won't that just screw me and the recruit over!"
Unbelievable confidence.
Under those perky rabbit ears was indeed a cute face and impressive chest size, true...
"Obviously I'm the prettiest, but if the recruit picks me, you'll all chew me out... I know it!"
That troubled pout was ridiculously adorable.
Private First Class Kanna.
The barracks' baby girl until Mino and I arrived.
Flawless looks everywhere, but her vibe screamed ultimate airhead.
"What the hell's that bitch saying?"
"Shut it, you twit. Manage the juniors right."
The other seniors chuckled in disbelief at her nonsense.
"Sorry, ma'am."
The slightly tanned private first class glared at Kanna. Her piercing stare could drill holes.
"Hey, you got time for games right now?"
"But it's true, ain't it..."
Private First Class Sika, flashing her signature buckteeth in annoyance, flicked Kanna's forehead...
Thwack!
"Obviously it's Rachel Corporal or Corporal Clara. Even if the recruit's honest, you think it's you? Me, duh?"
And fanned the flames again.
No one imagined losing. Everyone secretly thought I'm the best, igniting fierce rivalry.
"Fine. Strip the ranks—let's go."
Rachel Corporal smirked and beckoned with a finger.
"Recruit, to position!"
"Private Han Jeong-woo!"
"Attention!"
I ended up the judge in this awkward showdown.
Standing ramrod straight opposite the barracks door...
I had to rank the women I'd share military life with by looks.
"Just be honest. Got it?"
Rachel Corporal kneaded my shoulders softly.
"No pressure. Pure honesty. Okay?"
Her voice was soft, relaxed. She truly believed she'd win, no doubt.
The other seniors sat on their beds, awaiting my choice.
This random beauty poll.
My call, based solely on my taste and sense.
"Who's the prettiest girl in this barracks, I wonder?"
Rachel Corporal whispered in my ear, then sauntered back to her spot.
Now everyone stared, waiting.
The stares pinning my face felt heavy. Five women hanging on my answer...
...Wait.
Five?
"..."
Mino sat on her bed, watching me too.
I figured she'd sit out this vibe, but her gaze matched the others'.
If anything, her demurely flushed cheeks and fidgeting lips drew my eyes.
Why are you expectant, dummy?
This is just rookie hazing.
I'm the one in a super awkward spot here?
"Pick already~ Don't pretend to think."
Rachel Corporal dangled her pale foot nearby, urging me on.
"No stress, just pick easy-like, y'know."
Clara Corporal wound hair around her pinky, waiting.
"Hm, hmm."
Private First Class Sika kept quiet befitting her station but stole glances, hoping for her pick...
"Aww... No way. Seriously!"
Private First Class Kanna kept her rabbit ears perked, puffing her cheeks.
"How can I pick seniors with a girl like me around...! I'll just get scolded again...!"
"Shut your trap, you newbie bitch...!"
"Private First Class Sika, say something too? Honestly, my boobs are biggest, best figure, prettiest face-!"
What an explosive combo.
Whoever I picked spelled doom...
But in situations like this, go by seniority...
"Rach-"
"Oh yeah, rookie..."
Seniority pick.
Clara Corporal said with a grin.
"Rachel Corporal's just three months from discharge."
Fuck.
Of course.
"Huh?"
Rachel Corporal furrowed her brow but smirked anyway.
"Wow, Clara's grown up."
"Just in case, no offense. Didn't want the rookie stressing over Rachel Corporal, that's all."
The mood turned subtly tense.
The military's always like this.
Starts as fun, turns dead serious before you know it.