Chapter 40: Should We? Let's Do It 1
Seo Juhwan's act of taking down the violent criminal was certainly worthy of praise, but as he himself had declared, he was a sergeant in the Republic of Korea's Army.
What did this mean?
It meant that the moment he underwent police questioning, a direct report would be filed to his superiors.
Because of this, Seo Juhwan found himself boarding an express bus heading back to Uljin from early morning.
'Actually, if I refused, that would be the end of it.'
Returning to the unit wasn't mandatory. It wasn't as if he had done anything wrong that would cause problems, and during his vacation he had done something worthy of commendation and awards—it would make sense to extend his leave, not force him to return.
In fact, forcing his return in this situation could even create problems. If he, who had been featured in the news for his heroic actions, made an issue out of being forced back, it would be the military that would be in trouble.
Then why return at all?
Seo Juhwan checked the KakaoTalk message Jeong Sora had left.
[Sister Sora]
- Juhwan, I'm sorry. Earlier, the battalion commander and all the officers were there together, so we just floated the idea, but I never thought you'd actually accept.
- You could have just refused... I'm really grateful.
- (Emoji of a small fox with hands clasped together, tears of emotion streaming down its face).
According to her message, the Army was currently planning large-scale publicity with the following headline:
"Army Sergeant on Leave Saves Citizens from Vicious Serial Killer!"
In reality, spreading such heartwarming stories was something that could be done even without Seo Juhwan's return. He could have received a police commendation from outside, and the military could have written the article without him.
However, the military wanted to create a good picture at the Army Headquarters level.
A two-shot of an incredibly high-ranking general and a brave soldier.
How great a picture that was. The military already had a poor public image, so they wanted to spread this heartwarming story along with a friendly image.
But as mentioned before, they couldn't force the soldier who had achieved merit to return. In this situation, it was his direct superior, Jeong Sora, who took the initiative to contact him.
"Phew. Since this helps out my sister, I'll go."
Besides, there were only a few days of leave left anyway, so it wasn't a big loss. If he could earn some credit from this, it might be a pretty good deal.
Of course, even a single day of leave held tremendous value to a soldier. If it could be traded for money, there would be people willing to pay a hundred thousand won just to buy it.
But that was the situation for ordinary soldiers, and Seo Juhwan's situation was a bit different from other soldiers.
He was a returnee from ten years in the future. Unlike other soldiers, he hadn't been confined for tens or hundreds of days before getting his leave. Moreover, he would be discharged in just 5 days.
'It'll be hard to see each other after discharge, won't it?'
Jeong Sora was stationed at the Uljin unit and her hometown was Daegu. After discharge, it would be difficult to see her face.
This was why Seo Juhwan willingly returned to the unit.
*
Arriving at the Uljin Express Terminal, Seo Juhwan stretched.
"Ahhh. Do you think they'll cover transportation expenses?"
In truth, he would have had to pay for transportation anyway even if he had returned as planned, but having given up his year-end leave and come back, he figured they'd at least do that.
"Or maybe they'll give some reward or prize for being a citizen of courage?"
He hadn't done it for any reward or benefit, but on the other hand, it was true that he had some expectations. Whatever the amount, it would be nice to receive something.
Then his phone vibrated.
Buzz.
Looking at the screen, his younger sister's name appeared.
"Hello. Why are you calling?"
- Hey, are you going back to the military right now?
"I'm near the unit now. Why?"
- Why? Because you didn't even tell me you were going!
"Huh? Didn't I tell you?"
- Hey!
"Ugh. My ears are ringing."
Seo Juhwan frowned and held the phone away from his ear.
His family all knew about last night's incident since he had gone to the police station and written up the circumstances. However, it seemed he had only told his parents about the decision to return to the unit this morning, which was decided at the last minute. So Seo Juhui, who found out the news belatedly, called him.
After shouting once, Seo Juhui sighed and then spoke in a calm voice.
- Thank you for yesterday. Thanks to you, I got back safely.
"You already said that yesterday. Why are you saying it again?"
- It's just... I feel bad that my vacation got cut short because of me. Leave is really important to soldiers.
He couldn't understand why she was saying such a touching thing. He laughed at his sister's uncharacteristic attitude.
"Puhaha! Hey, it's not because of you, so stop being so awkward."
- O-oh. I'm glad then.
It seemed awkward for the siblings to say things they normally didn't say to each other. Seo Juhui answered in her typical sly manner.
Seo Juhwan found his sister's rare reaction amusing.
"Tehehehe. Hey, little sis."
- ...What.
"Are you grateful? Huh? Does your big brother suddenly seem amazing and respectable? Well, of course he would be respectable. I beat up a vicious criminal after all."
- ...It would have been respectable if you'd stayed quiet. You totally ruin it.
"Whoa. I'm returning to the unit and giving up my vacation for my little sister, and you're talking back?"
- You just said it wasn't because of me!
"Anyway."
- Are you insane?
"What? So you're not grateful?"
- ...Ugh. So what are you saying? Are you going to grant me a wish or something?"
"That's right. That's the kind of thing I want to hear."
- What. You really were after that?
"Can't say one thing and mean another, can I? You agreed to grant me a wish, right?"
The older brother had simply cast out bait, and the younger sister had bitten it completely.
- W-what are you going to make me do?
Seo Juhui asked in a dismayed voice.
Seo Juhwan found her reaction amusing, so he deliberately paused before speaking.
"From now on, you're going to clean my room."
- ...Huh?
Taken aback by the unexpected demand, her voice showed surprise.
He continued giggling as he spoke.
"What am I going to use you for? You don't know how to do anything, so it's hard to even ask for a wish. Jeomson, from now on, clean this oppa's room."
- Hey! Who's Jeomson?!
"Oh, and from now on, it's forbidden to call me 'hey' or 'you.' Every time you call me by an unusual title other than 'hey' or 'you,' you get one smack on the butt."
- You pervert!?
"Yep. One smack earned."
Seo Juhwan said that much and hung up the phone. Thinking of his younger sister, who would be furious at his words, his heart felt rich even at this moment of return.
Shortly after, a call came from Han Soo-ah. Unlike what he did with his sister, he treated her kindly, of course.
"Yeah. Study hard. Let's meet after I'm discharged."
- Okay. Oppa Juhwan, thanks. Do I have to contact you on discharge day? I'll pick you up!
"Why would you bother picking me up? You're using that as an excuse to skip school, aren't you?"
- Hehe. You figured it out?
Both his sister and Han Soo-ah felt like they had grown much closer compared to his past life.
Seo Juhwan was once again grateful that he could live again.
*
All the officers of the 1st Battalion were gathered in the command center.
Seo Juhwan gave a nod to Jeong Sora among them and then saluted.
"Kangchul! Sergeant Seo Juhwan! Reporting for return!"
The battalion commander who received the salute suddenly stood up and pulled Seo Juhwan into an embrace.
"Sergeant Seo Juhwan!"
"W-what, Sergeant Seo Juhwan?"
"I'm proud that a soldier like you is in my unit!"
The battalion commander suddenly embraced him and patted his back repeatedly, showing intense emotion.
The battalion commander let out a hearty laugh and spoke.
"Hahahaha! Captain Jeong Sora really raised her subordinates well! I've always recognized your value!"
What kind of nonsense was this?
Seo Juhwan nearly let out an awkward laugh in exasperation.
The battalion commander and Jeong Sora weren't on bad terms, but they weren't on particularly good terms either.
From what he knew, the 1st Battalion Commander's character was that of someone pretending to be enlightened. His mouth spoke of progressive barracks and gender equality, but in reality, he was a typical outdated person for his age. Furthermore, he was somewhat suspicious of Jeong Sora, who was a female soldier, and had found fault in her correct opinions several times.
"Thank you, Battalion Commander."
However, contrary to Seo Juhwan's thoughts, Jeong Sora smiled gently and accepted the battalion commander's words.
It was a sad smile of someone living in society.
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