Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

The entire barracks, where my friend was the squad leader, was pulling weeds.

It wasn’t even during work hours, so I asked my friend why they were doing it.

“Why are you pulling weeds on the day before your discharge?”

“…You know those apples we got last month?”

“Oh, you mean the apples we each got a whole box of?”

“Yeah, those. I mean, apples for breakfast, apples for lunch, apples for dinner—on top of that, they gave us another box of apples as part of the rations. It drove me crazy! The apples got squished, and juice started leaking all over the lockers. How did you deal with it?”

“I just ate them all.”

“All of them?!”

This year, there was a bumper crop of apples, so every soldier in our unit received a box.

Did they get caught doing that?

“Did you get caught throwing them in the trash?”

“No, Han-gyeol, listen to me. Do you think what I did was such a big deal?”

“So, what did you do?”

“My squad members and I secretly buried them in the mountain behind the barracks.”

I flinched for a moment at his words.

“Did you get caught?”

“No, the burying part went perfectly. But then wild deer came down to the battalion commander’s vegetable garden, and they trashed it. The commander was furious and went to hunt the deer himself. But guess what? Every time he followed the deer tracks, he found bits of apple pulp. That’s how we got caught.”

The story was so intriguing that I walked alongside him to hear more.

“That’s hilarious. At least you didn’t end up in military court.”

“I almost did. They said I violated the supply management regulations. But hey, wasn’t it more eco-friendly than just throwing them in the trash?”

Laughing so hard that I clutched my stomach, I teased him.

“It was eco-friendly, I’ll give you that. Hey, grab those weeds over there too.”

“You jerk…! Ugh, fine. In the army, it’s always the one who gets caught that’s at fault. But whatever, I’m done tomorrow, so I’ll let it slide.”

“You could end up doing another tour.”

“Don’t push it…”

“Sorry. That was a bit much.”

This should be my last time in the army, ever.

Sigh… From being a recruit to a sergeant, it’s been such a rollercoaster ride.

Still, I think I lived relatively comfortably thanks to all the good people I met here.

“By the way, isn’t your tax accountant exam this month? Aren’t you studying?”

“I’ve studied enough. Who studies on the day before discharge?”

“True. You should just get ready to get beaten up tonight.”

“I’ve been a good soldier, so I have nothing to worry about. You’re the one who’s gonna get hit.”

“We’ll see about that.”

****

“Attention! Evening roll call for Barracks 1. Total personnel: 4. No absences. Current personnel: 4. Evening roll call complete.”

“Ah, good. You guys are heading home tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

The officer on duty glanced at me.

“Han-gyeol, you should stay and re-enlist.”

“Apologies, sir, but I have too many attachments to civilian life.”

“Or come back as a noncommissioned officer after your discharge. I’ll take care of you.”

“Apologies, sir, but I have no regrets about leaving the army.”

“Is that so? Anyway, good work, all of you. Have a safe trip home. Roll call dismissed.”

As soon as the officer left, I could hear the heavy footsteps of my juniors approaching Barracks 1.

Their murderous stares were audible even from inside the barracks.

Of course, one of my juniors walked in with a grin on his face.

“Victory! Congratulations on your discharge!”

“What?! You’re gonna beat me too? I’ve been so good to you guys.”

“Han-gyeol, we’ll give you the special treatment—wrapped in a blanket, comforter, and all.”

Hearing that, my friend protested loudly.

“Hey! Why is Han-gyeol getting special treatment?!”

“Well, he’s been good to all the juniors.”

“So, what, we haven’t been?!”

Several juniors nodded in agreement.

See? You should’ve been nicer during your service.

“Lights out~!”

I quickly wrapped myself in the blanket, comforter, and extra padding.

As the lights went out, the barracks echoed with groans and cries.

Of course, the “special treatment” directed at me was minimal, and I just lay there enjoying the sound of my friends’ suffering.

“Good job, everyone~”

“Congrats on your discharge~”

“Have a safe trip home~”

One by one, the juniors left, and the barracks grew quiet again.

“Ugh… I thought I was gonna die. Han-gyeol, you okay?”

“Me? They didn’t hit me.”

“Unbelievable. I thought I was nice enough.”

“They hit you as a congratulatory gesture. Does it hurt a lot?”

“It’s bearable. Ha…I can’t believe I’m finally discharged. It’s only sinking in now. I thought this day would never come.”

“Congratulations.”

“What are you doing tomorrow? Meeting your girlfriend right away?”

“Yeah. I have to. I also need to give her a ring.”

We’d been dating this whole time without getting matching rings, so I finally bought one.

She’d probably like the ring more than flowers, though she’d love both.

I was already excited imagining Eun-Ha’s reaction.

“Man… Your girlfriend is actually waiting for you.”

“Ha… I just want to marry her already.”

“Seriously? How are you gonna get married at 22?”

“Who knows~ If I do, I’ll send you a wedding invitation.”

“Sure thing. Ugh, let’s get some sleep. I just want to go home already.”

“Yeah. Goodnight~”

And so, the second chapter of my life in the army came to an end.

****

“Victory! Reporting! Sergeant Lee Han-gyeol and three others have officially been discharged from the Republic of Korea Air Force as of today. Reporting, sir! Victory!”

“Alright. Don’t get too carried away celebrating today. You’ve all worked hard. I won’t say much. Stay healthy out there. Dismissed!”

Following the Personnel Officer’s command, we saluted for the last time.

“Attention, unit! Salute the Battalion Commander!”

“Victory!”

“Victory.”

The Battalion Commander returned the salute with a kind smile, a rare sight for the day.

“At ease. This concludes the discharge ceremony.”

Once the ceremony ended, I boarded the bus heading out of the base.

Our juniors waved us off along the way, and I climbed aboard with a happy smile.

As I looked out the window at the barracks for the last time, I etched the scene into my memory, officially ending my military life.

“Take care! See you later!”

“Yeah, stay in touch! Safe travels!”

After arriving at the terminal, I bid my friends farewell and headed straight home.

Even though this was my second discharge, I couldn’t stop the corners of my lips from curling upwards.

With light steps, I hopped into a taxi to make my way home.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I reached the front door and punched in the code on the door lock.

I was so eager to see Eun-ha that I swung the door open, but it stopped midway because of the safety latch.

Hearing the rattling sound, Eun-ha came toward the door.

“Han-Gyeol?! Are you back?!”

“Yeah, yeah, Eun-ha! I’m home.”

“Wait a second~!”

She closed the door momentarily to unlatch the safety chain, and when it opened again, she stood there with a radiant smile.

Overcome with joy, I immediately pulled her into a tight hug.

“Eun-ha, I’m discharged!”

“Yeah, yeah! You’ve worked so hard! You really did!”

“Ha… Thinking about how I can spend every day with you now makes me so happy.”

I hugged her even tighter.

“Me too. I’m so happy. Let’s never be apart again!”

“Yeah, I promise. We’ll stay together every single day.”

“I’m so glad you’re finally discharged.”

She snuggled deeper into my arms, and as our eyes met, we shared a kiss.

“Hehe.”

“Eun-ha, you seem happier than I am~?”

“Maybe I am~? Ah, just thinking about sleeping next to you every night now makes me so happy.”

“I feel the same, waking up next to you every morning.”

“Exactly! You’re not going anywhere now~”

“I’m not. I promise.”

“Come in quickly! I’ll help you unpack~”

“Hold on~”

As our hug ended, I carefully reached into my pocket and pulled out a small box.

When she saw it, Eun-ha’s eyes widened in surprise. Feeling shy, I slowly opened the box.

“What’s this?”

It was my first time giving a ring to a woman.

I was nervous and embarrassed, but for Eun-ha, there was nothing I wouldn’t do.

I’d rehearsed what to say in my head for days, but now, I couldn’t remember a word.

No matter—I just had to speak from the heart.

“Eun-ha, thank you for waiting for me. I love you.”

Her eyes welled up with tears at my heartfelt words.

Though she was smiling happily, tears began streaming down her face.

“It took way too long for us to get couple rings.”

I gently took her left hand, lifting it slowly and carefully, and slid the ring onto her ring finger.

“I spent so much time choosing, but I’m not sure if you’ll like the design—”

Before I could finish, Eun-ha threw her arms around me again.

“It’s beautiful! I love it so much! I’m so happy!”

“Really? That’s a relief. I was so worried about it.”

“Thank you—for coming back safe and sound, and for this amazing gift!”

Through her tears, she thanked me again and again.

“Alright, stop crying! It’s not like I’m leaving for basic training today!”

“I love you, Han-gyeol. I really love you.”

“I love you too. But hey, you still have to put my ring on me.”

Without missing a beat, she pulled away and slid the ring onto my finger.

Grasping my hand in hers, she beamed with joy.

“It looks so good!”

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Yeah, I’m overjoyed! Are you hungry?”

She asked with a bright smile.

“Not for food.”

“Then?”

“I’m starving for you, Eun-ha.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

At my words, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine.

“Then hurry up and devour me.”

“Don’t mind if I do~”

From now on, we’d never be apart.

“Han-gyeol, come here quickly~”

“I’m on my way~”

--- The End OF The Chapter --

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