Chapter 41: Should We? Let's Do It 2
That sad smile of a sociable person was nonsense.
Seo Juhwan learned the true identity of Jeong Sora on the day of the ceremony where he received a commendation from Army Headquarters.
"Unit! Attention!"
Snap!
Military personnel taking an at-attention stance in unified motion.
It was the most disciplined movement Seo Juhwan had ever seen during his military service. And for good reason—the person calling out the unit to attention with a voice full of military discipline was a full colonel.
Then who was receiving the salute from the battalion commander? Naturally, they were generals with higher ranks. Even the Chief of Staff was present at the ceremony, so military discipline couldn't help but be strict.
'There are so many people.'
Beyond the military personnel, there were quite a few cameras and reporters scattered around.
'It's all for show.'
As Jeong Sora had said, the military was deliberately conducting a publicity campaign. They were using this as an opportunity to improve the generally negative image that had settled over the military.
Officials going through such performative procedures and exchanging words.
Soon it was Seo Juhwan's turn.
'If I mess up here, I'm done for!'
In truth, the military wouldn't discipline the main protagonist of this stage just for making a small mistake. But since life is unpredictable, he wanted to proceed without any mistakes.
Seo Juhwan gathered all his strength from his core and delivered a perfect salute.
"Kangchul! Serrr-geant! Seo! Juh! Hwaan!"
A perfectly sharp salute with precise angles and a thunderous voice!
The Chief of Staff who received Seo Juhwan's salute had a satisfied smile on his face.
Soon, the Chief of Staff who had awarded the commendation extended his hand as if to shake hands. Seo Juhwan grasped the Chief of Staff's hand and delivered the prepared remarks.
"Sergeant! Seo! Juh! Hwan! I will work hard with a steel-like heart!"
"I've heard well of your exploits. Your courageous actions, unafraid to protect citizens. Most admirable."
"Thank you! I simply did my duty as a soldier!"
"Thanks to people like you, our country can be safe."
"Thank you!"
Seo Juhwan answered perfectly without any mistakes. Now all that was left was to step down.
But what was this?
The Chief of Staff whispered something unexpected.
"I hear you're under my daughter. Have you ever considered applying to become an officer after discharge? The military needs talent like yours."
A bolt from the blue.
It was so shocking that it felt as though he could even hear the rumble of thunder.
'Daughter? Under? Officer application?'
Since he said "under my daughter," that must certainly be referring to Jeong Sora.
Seo Juhwan barely managed to grasp his swirling mind. To think that Jeong Sora was the daughter of the Army Chief of Staff. He had never heard of this fact even before his regression.
[Master, that's not the important thing right now.]
'Oh!'
Lucy was right. What was important now wasn't Jeong Sora's true identity, but the Army Chief of Staff's recommendation for him to apply as an officer. He had no intention of becoming a career soldier.
Seo Juhwan answered quickly before it was too late.
"Thank you for your words!"
"Oh, so you're applying?"
"I apologize! I'm grateful for your offer, but I have something else I want to do!"
"…."
An uncomfortable silence.
Seo Juhwan sensed a bad atmosphere and quickly continued speaking.
"However! I will not forget what I learned in the military! Although I will live as a civilian with a dream, even after discharge, I will maintain military readiness through reserve force training and do my best to contribute to the nation!"
Despite speaking such a long sentence without pause, his voice was loud, disciplined, and his breathing was even.
The Chief of Staff's face naturally brightened upon hearing Seo Juhwan's answer.
*
After the ceremony ended, Seo Juhwan became untouchable within the unit. Not only other officers but even the company sergeants—the natural enemies of sergeants—couldn't lay a finger on him.
Naturally, Seo Juhwan enjoyed sweet rest while other soldiers sweated and struggled through their duties. There were a few soldiers who disliked his situation, but they soon realized his circumstances and no one said anything negative.
Only Jeong Sora came to his side and clicked her tongue. She spoke to him as she watched him lying in the barracks.
"You've got it made. You're lying in the barracks during duty hours."
"Hehe. What does it matter? This much is fine."
"It looks bad to the other guys."
"It's okay. If they're jealous, let them beat up a serial killer and give up their leave too."
"I guess… if I made you work now, that would be power abuse."
Jeong Sora apparently had no intention of complaining either, as she sat down beside Seo Juhwan.
Seo Juhwan glanced up at her and spoke.
"I never knew you were the Chief of Staff's daughter."
"Ugh. Forget about that. Why did Dad unnecessarily tell you that…?"
Jeong Sora grumbled while making a face.
Seo Juhwan suddenly became curious and asked.
"Why hide it? Wouldn't it be easier if you revealed it?"
"Easier? Actually, it would be more inconvenient. Don't you know that unwanted consideration is the most uncomfortable thing there is?"
Given Jeong Sora's personality, she wouldn't be able to stand an atmosphere of consideration. She hated being treated with consideration for being a woman—treating her as the Chief of Staff's daughter would be unbearable. She probably wouldn't even continue being a soldier.
Seo Juhwan changed the atmosphere by speaking in a playful tone.
"Your father asked me if I'd ever consider becoming an officer. Maybe he's interested in me as a potential son-in-law?"
"Ugh. Are you making fun of me?"
"Why not? He really might be interested. After all, I'm a man who even beat up a vicious criminal."
Jeong Sora let out a short laugh at his teasing remarks and spoke.
"Should I really bring an application for non-commissioned officer candidacy?"
"Didn't your father say to apply as an officer?"
"You keep making fun of me. Who is your father anyway? Juhwan, if you keep doing this, I'll really make you apply as an officer. Obviously the military academy, right?"
"…I apologize."
"Right. I forgive your sins."
"Thank you for your grace."
"Pfft. Ahahaha."
"Puhaha."
The two of them burst into laughter simultaneously.
Jeong Sora stretched her arms straight up to the sky and then lay down beside Seo Juhwan.
The sunlight coming through the curtains of the barracks felt warm, despite the winter season.
After lying there for a moment.
Jeong Sora suddenly called out to him.
"Juhwan."
"Huh?"
"Tomorrow's your discharge, right?"
"Yeah."
"After you're discharged, will you come visit me?"
"If you want me to visit, I can play with you?"
"We'll see."
"Then I should visit."
"No. Don't come."
"…What are you saying?"
"Really, don't come."
"Why? You don't want me to visit?"
"Right."
"…That's a bit sad."
"Ahahaha. Instead, I'll come visit you."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I'll play with you."
"Then. I should show you the full experience."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"I'm looking forward to it too. But when will you come?"
"...."
"Sora unnie?"
Seo Juhwan, who had been continuing the conversation with his eyes closed, suddenly turned his head when the conversation cut off.
And the eyes that met.
Jeong Sora was gazing at him silently.
Just as he was about to open his mouth in confusion, she moved her lips first.
"Juhwan."
"Y-yeah?"
"…One last time. Should we?"
"What, what?"
"Let's."
"…Yeah."
In the deep winter of January, a winter breeze mixed with the warmth of spring seemed to blow through the crack in the window.
- 175 Advanced Chapters of {The Desire System: Reincarnated with a Demon God's Gift}: patreon.com/aristo0_0