Chapter 152: Sergeant (1)

 

With about three weeks left until Han-gyeol’s discharge, tomorrow marks the day of his final leave before completing his military service.

 

Looking back now, it feels like the time flew by without me even realizing it, as if I wasn’t really counting down the days. Maybe because I didn’t feel obligated to, or perhaps because both of us stayed so busy?

 

I spent my days juggling college and work, staying occupied to the point of exhaustion. Perhaps I was trying to live too diligently.

 

The editing work I took on to distract myself from missing Han-gyeol ended up being quite profitable. I had saved enough money to buy a decent second-hand car.

 

Staying home most of the time—since I’m naturally a homebody—meant my expenses were minimal, especially with Han-gyeol not around.

 

Should I just buy him a car and propose on the spot? Hmm... no, that might be a bit too overwhelming. Let’s skip that.

 

Maybe I’ll buy him a new computer since he loves them. But then again, he’d probably get better value for money if he picked it out himself.

 

For now, maybe I’ll just save the money for our wedding in the future. Still, I really want to get him a discharge gift… but what?

 

***

 

“Eun-ha, what are you thinking so hard about?”

 

“Huh? Oh, I’m just deciding on a discharge gift for my boyfriend,” I replied, looking up at Jiyoung, who was sitting with me in the project room.

 

“Why not go with something simple, like a wallet?” she suggested.

 

“I’ve already given him one before, so I’d rather not repeat that. Hey, Jiyoung, can I ask you something?”

 

“Sure, what is it?”

 

“What do you think about getting him a car as a discharge gift?”

 

“Too much. Don’t even think about it,” she said firmly.

 

“Yeah… I figured as much,” I muttered, deflated.

 

Even after asking Jiyoung, I still couldn’t come up with anything.

 

“Still, Eun-ha, your boyfriend is about to be discharged, huh? Time flies, doesn’t it?”

 

“Hmm? Not really. Waiting wasn’t that hard for me. I’m sure it was much tougher on Han-gyeol.”

 

“That’s so like you to say. Are you happy he’s getting discharged?”

 

“Of course! Now we can spend every day together again!” I exclaimed with a grin.

 

Han-gyeol’s discharge meant the start of us living together again. From the next semester, we’d even be attending the same college.

 

“But Eun-ha, you only have one semester left, right? Why not graduate early?”

 

“Ugh—about that…” I trailed off.

 

Over the past year and nine months, I’d taken every class I could, including intensive courses during every break. Technically, I could fulfill my graduation requirements by taking just a few more classes next semester.

 

But I wanted to spend an extra year at college with Han-gyeol.

 

“Spending another year in school with your boyfriend sounds nice, but wouldn’t it also be good to graduate early and start working?” Jiyoung pointed out.

 

“Yeah… but if I graduate early, I’ll only have one semester with Han-gyeol, and I want more time with him.”

 

“Fair enough. It’s up to you,” she said with a shrug. “Don’t stress too much about it.”

 

“Thanks for understanding,” I said warmly.

 

As we continued chatting, Yoori walked into the project room, her face clouded with gloom.

 

“I’m here…” she muttered, dragging her feet.

 

“What took you so long?” Jiyoung asked.

 

“I was having dinner with my boyfriend,” Yoori replied as she flopped onto the sofa.

 

“Then why do you look so down? Did you guys fight?”

 

“My boyfriend just told me he’s enlisting next semester,” Yoori groaned.

 

“Ah—” Jiyoung and I both exclaimed in sympathy.

 

It seemed Yoori was about to take on the role of a military girlfriend, a baton I had just carried.

 

“Eun-ha,” Yoor called out.

 

“Y-Yeah?”

 

“Give me some tips…!” she pleaded desperately.

 

“Tips? Uh… do I even have any? Haha…” I laughed awkwardly.

 

Yoori suddenly sat up straight and poured out her frustration.

 

“My boyfriend is enlisting right after finishing his second try at college exams! Why couldn’t he wait a little longer?”

 

“One military girlfriend retires, and another one steps up,” Jiyoung remarked with a wry smile.

 

“Wait, is your boyfriend getting discharged soon, Eun-ha?” Yoori asked.

 

“Um… should I even say that here?” I hesitated.

 

“It’s fine! Happy news deserves celebration,” Yoori said earnestly.

 

“Okay then. He’s getting discharged next month. Time really flew! Even though Han-gyeol served three extra months in the Air Force, I managed just fine. You’ll do great too, Yoori.”

 

“Thanks for the encouragement,” she said, looking a little brighter. “But wasn’t it hard for you?”

 

“Sure, there were tough days. But if you both care for each other, it’s manageable.”

 

I smiled warmly, thinking back on the journey.

 

It wasn’t a short time by any means. There were moments when I missed Han-gyeol terribly. But I knew he felt the same way, which made it bearable.

 

“Still, I wouldn’t want to go through it again,” I added with a laugh.

 

Once he’s discharged, I’m not letting him out of my sight!

 

****

 

Ding-Dong! The doorbell rang early in the morning.

 

I quickly turned off the stove and rushed to greet Han-gyeol.

 

“Who’s there?”

 

“Eun-ha, it’s me! Can you open the door?”

 

Recognizing Han-gyeol’s voice, I immediately unlocked the front door. He walked in with a big box in his hands, smiling bashfully.

“What’s all this?”

 

“I picked up some stuff from the BX—moisturizers, face masks, and other things. Figured I’d stock up before discharge.”

 

“With this much, you should’ve called me to come out and help!”

 

“I’ve gotten a lot stronger than I was before enlisting. It’s fine.”

 

“Of course, Han-gyeol is the strongest! You haven’t eaten yet, right? Let’s organize this and eat together.”

 

“Thanks for always making me breakfast when I’m on leave.”

 

“And I’m thankful you always make me dinner when you’re home!”

 

Our relationship felt brighter than ever, even more than before he enlisted. I could hardly remember the stoic version of Han-gyeol anymore.

 

“Come inside quickly!”

 

“Wait a sec!”

 

As I turned to head back to the kitchen, Han-gyeol suddenly hugged me from behind.

 

“What’s this? You’re not eating?”

 

“Sorry. Just let me stay like this for a moment. It feels amazing knowing I’m on my last leave.”

 

“Okay, hold on as long as you want.”

 

“If I do, we might not get to eat breakfast at all.”

 

He rested his chin on my shoulder, gazing at me with warmth.

 

“No skipping breakfast! Han-gyeol, you always eat breakfast, don’t you?”

 

“I could just eat you instead,” he teased, his smile unusually bright today.

 

I guess the reality of his discharge was finally sinking in.

 

“No way! The soup will get cold. I’ll give you a kiss instead.”

 

I twisted around to face him and stood on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against his.

 

“Happy now?”

 

“Not enough.”

 

I kissed him again.

 

“How about now?”

 

He didn’t answer. Assuming he still wasn’t satisfied, I showered his face with kisses.

 

“Eun-ha, if you keep this up, I’m going to end up devoured.”

 

“Who cares? A little indulgence in the morning won’t hurt!”

 

“You’ve gotten even cooler while I was in the military, haven’t you?”

 

“Hehe, well, I’m just so happy that you’re about to be discharged.”

 

His excitement seemed to transfer to me, and I felt giddy too. I hugged his waist tightly, nuzzling my face into his chest.

 

“Eun-ha, if you squeeze me any harder, my waist might break. Have you been lifting weights lately?”

 

“Nope, this is pure love and affection. You’ll just have to endure.”

 

“Fair enough! Then I’ll pamper you back!”

 

“Ahh!”

 

Han-gyeol suddenly grabbed my waist and lifted me effortlessly. I didn’t expect it to be so easy for him.

 

“Put me down! Am I not heavy?”

 

“You’re light as a feather, Eun-ha. Have you lost weight?”

 

“To be honest, I think I’ve gained a bit…”

 

“No way. I can still toss you around like this.”

 

He playfully bounced me up and down in his arms.

 

“This’ll be perfect for playing with our future kids.”

 

Looking down at him, I couldn’t help but smile. Gosh, he’s just too adorable. I almost wanted to start making those kids right now.

 

“Then you won’t do this for me anymore?”

 

“I’ll do it for you sometimes too,” he replied with a bright smile.

 

“You’re having fun too, aren’t you?”

 

“Yeah, it feels like I’m on a ride. Are you sure I’m not heavy?”

 

“Well… now that you mention it, I’m starting to hit my limit.”

 

“See? I told you not to overdo it. Put me down already!”

 

He carefully set me back on the floor.

 

“Alright, time for breakfast! Go change and wash your hands quickly!”

 

“Got it!”

 

Han-gyeol took off his military boots and headed into the room. I stood there watching his back for a moment—his shoulders looked so broad now. He was already dependable before, but now he felt even more so, like he’d brought home a whole new level of security.

 

I have no idea how long he’s planning to make my heart race like this. Even more than when we first started dating, my heart felt like it could burst from my chest. But with that, my happiness had also grown proportionally.

 

“This is just perfect…”

 

I smiled as I set the breakfast table. Han-gyeol, now changed, sat down at the table and commented, “Looks like a feast as always.”

 

“It’s just a few side dishes and beef soup.”

 

“That is a feast! What do you want for dinner tonight?”

 

“Your spicy stir-fried pork. Can you make it?”

 

“Of course. Mind if I dig in right now?”

 

“Go ahead!”

 

“Thanks for the meal.”

 

Watching him eat so heartily made me feel full too. Han-gyeol was still as charming, adorable, and lovable as ever.

 

This won’t do—I’m eating him up after breakfast.

--- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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