Chapter 7 – Desire Quest 1
After roll call ended, Seo Juhwan went to smoke with the other soldiers. Among smokers, having one cigarette before lights out was an essential routine.
'Looks like I won't be able to contact my family for another two days.'
Phone calls to the outside were prohibited until training ended. And from what he'd heard, today marked the third day since training began. In reality, the day was almost over anyway, so if he just endured one more day, he'd be able to contact his family.
Lost in those thoughts, he had just reached the third floor of the barracks when he noticed Jeong Sora waiting in front of the living quarters.
Representing the group he had returned with, Seo Juhwan saluted.
"Steel. Company commander, what brings you here?"
"Ah, Juhwan. I was waiting for you. Let's talk for a moment."
Jeong Sora led him into the administrative office. She sat down in a chair and gestured to the one across from her, signaling him to sit.
'What is it? Ah, could it be about what happened earlier?'
They say women can hold grudges… could she really have remembered it all this time and come to scold him now? But what came out of Jeong Sora's mouth was completely different from what he expected.
Clearing her throat awkwardly, she spoke.
"Ahem. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Sorry?"
"I asked if you're hurt anywhere. You rolled down the mountain during training today."
"Ah."
That reminded him of something—the nagging pain he'd been feeling every time he moved.
'No wonder my whole body was bruised.'
When he checked while showering, his body was covered in dark bruises. Thinking back, he definitely remembered rolling down a mountain during training around this time.
"Well, my right shoulder and leg hurt a bit… but it's bearable."
"Bearable, my foot. You were spacing out during training earlier too. That's because you're hurt, isn't it?"
It wasn't entirely wrong, but that wasn't the main reason. Honestly, most of the reason he had been distracted was because of the Desire System.
Of course, he had no intention of correcting her misunderstanding.
"Haha… well, I'm really fine."
Seo Juhwan just laughed awkwardly.
However, it seemed that Jeong Sora completely misunderstood that smile. She let out a sigh and pressed her forehead.
"Ha… sorry. I didn't pay enough attention. Even if that wasn't the case, I shouldn't have said that back there… Juhwan, I'm sorry."
It was a surprising sight. What kind of company commander sincerely apologized like this to a mere soldier, not even an officer?
Seo Juhwan looked at her with a strange feeling.
'She was always like this. The best superior I ever had.'
Back when he was serving before his regression, Seo Juhwan's reputation wasn't good—not just among soldiers, but among officers as well. Even so, Jeong Sora had treated him without discrimination. She praised him when he did well and scolded him when he didn't. She hadn't treated him especially well, but that fairness alone had meant a lot to him.
Seo Juhwan quickly waved his hands.
"Company commander, I'm really fine. I was the one in the wrong, so why are you apologizing?"
"…Thank you for saying that. Did you at least go to the infirmary during personal maintenance time?"
"Uh… well, haha."
As Seo Juhwan laughed awkwardly, Jeong Sora clicked her tongue.
"Tsk. I figured as much. Here, I brought some patches, so at least use these. Or do you prefer spray? I have both."
"Ah, thank you. I'll take the patches."
"Then I'll put them on for you, so take off your top for a moment."
"Excuse me?"
Caught off guard, he slipped up.
Jeong Sora's expression turned serious.
"Excuse me? Did you just say 'excuse me'?"
"I—I didn't hear you properly."
He quickly corrected himself, and she let out a small laugh as if it had been a joke.
"Heh. You heard me just fine, so take it off. You said your shoulder hurt earlier, right? You can't reach back there, can you?"
"I can't, but…"
"I'll put it on for you. Take it off."
After hesitating for a moment, Seo Juhwan took off his top. Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing, but since Jeong Sora was so nonchalant about it, it felt awkward to make a big deal out of it. Of course, that didn't make it any less embarrassing.
'Once training ends, I really need to lose weight.'
When he checked his status window, his height was only 170 cm, but his weight had reached 90 kg. He had always been somewhat chubby, but during his final days of service, he had eaten recklessly, pushing his weight to its peak.
"As expected, you've got some bruises on your back too. Nothing feels broken, right?"
"No, just sore muscles."
"That's a relief. If anything feels off later, report it immediately."
"Yes, thank you."
"I'm putting it on now."
Along with her words, a cool sensation spread across his back. Her hands felt colder than the patch itself.
"All done. Now roll up your pants. Since I'm already at it, I'll take care of that too."
"Thank you."
As he rolled his pants up to his knees, Jeong Sora crouched in front of him and carefully peeled off the backing of the patch. It seemed difficult, as she scratched at it several times with her nails.
Because of the awkward position, Seo Juhwan felt strangely self-conscious as he looked down at her.
'She's really pretty.'
Even with camouflage cream smeared all over her face, she still looked beautiful. As he stared blankly, their eyes suddenly met.
She tilted her head as if asking what was wrong.
"What?"
"Ah, um… Company commander, were you in a meeting just now?"
"Hm? Yeah."
"It looks like you didn't properly remove your camouflage. You must be tired."
"Haha. Everyone's the same. I just wiped it off roughly with a wet tissue after the meeting. I'll wash up after I get off duty."
"You've worked hard today."
"What's with you all of a sudden?"
"I'm just moved that you're taking care of my injury."
"Geez. It's nothing."
Jeong Sora chuckled lightly.
"Ah, finally got it off."