After the festival ended, we returned to our daily lives.
It hadn’t been long, but final exams were already looming ahead.
I can’t believe it. Just about three weeks ago, I was enjoying the festival with Han-gyeol.
Time seemed to pass much quicker than it did in high school.
Is it because I’m so happy?
Even now, Han-gyeol was hard at work studying in the computer room.
Right after the festival, he signed up for summer classes too. He’s such a diligent man.
Seeing him steadily prepare for the future makes me work hard as well.
But still, he should take breaks for meals.
“Han-gyeol~ Dinner’s ready~ Come out and eat.”
I called him from the kitchen.
With a click, the door to the computer room opened, and Han-gyeol came out.
“Already done?”
“Yup yup. Come on over and eat.”
As I set the beef and soybean paste stew on the table, Han-gyeol scooped rice into his bowl.
Watching him take out the side dishes from the fridge, I found his actions incredibly adorable.
“You’re such a sweetheart, Han-gyeol.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Just because~ You’re so thoughtful, it’s really endearing.”
“To my girlfriend, I’m endeari—”
“Do you want me to call you cool instead of endearing? Of course, you’re cool~”
“You can even predict what I’m going to say now?”
“Of course~ We’ve been living together for almost half a year now~”
We sat down together and started eating.
“Han-gyeol, aren’t you studying too much these days? It’s not just college work, right?”
“Yeah. I’m also studying for TOEIC and some certifications.”
“It’s good that you’re working hard, but don’t you think you’re overdoing it? You even signed up for summer classes.”
“You’re working hard too, Eun-ha~ Always doing assignments on your computer.”
“I’m just keeping up with college and following your lead by signing up for the summer session.”
“Even that’s impressive~ I don’t have that many assignments myself.”
Recently, it seemed like he was pushing himself quite a bit.
As his girlfriend, I couldn’t help but be a little worried.
“How about taking the certification exams later…?”
“It’s fine~ They’re not that difficult, and I can get them with about a month of studying. They’re related to my major, so they’re not too tough.”
It felt like he was trying to reassure me.
“Why are you working so hard? You’re only twenty, you can afford to take it easy.”
“I’m doing this so we can get married quickly, Eun-ha~”
“I love hearing that, but I’m just worried you’re putting yourself through too much.”
“Don’t worry~ I’m not overdoing it.”
He gently patted my head.
“I’ll work hard too..!”
“You already are, Eun-ha.”
“I’ll work even harder so we can push through together and get married!”
“Yeah, let’s do that~”
“Mm! Now hurry up and eat!”
“I’ll dig in~”
With that, he took a big spoonful of rice.
After tasting the stew, he smiled happily and told me it was delicious.
Once we finished eating, we sat together on the sofa with some coffee.
The TV was on, but we weren’t really watching it.
I was simply resting my head on his shoulder.
These peaceful moments with Han-gyeol were precious to me.
And I loved it when our eyes would meet, and he’d flash me a shy smile.
“Yawn~!”
“Are you sleepy, Han-gyeol? Want to take a nap?”
“Hmm… maybe. Even after drinking coffee, I’m still a little drowsy.”
“Take a short nap~ Okay? Get some rest.”
I nuzzled my face into Han-gyeol’s chest.
“How about I sleep for just two hours?”
“I’ll put you to bed!”
I hurriedly set down my coffee cup and pulled Han-gyeol into the bedroom.
“Come on-! Lie down~”
I patted the bed with a loud thump thump- and called him over.
He gave a small chuckle and then lay down on the bed.
After covering him with the blanket, I held his hand.
“Are you going to sleep too, Eun-ha?”
“Hmm? I’ll just watch you sleep for a bit and then work on my assignments.”
“Watching me sleep is embarrassing... But if it makes you happy...”
His eyes slowly began to close.
He must’ve been really tired.
“I’ll wake you up in two hours. Sleep well~”
“Mm… Thanks… I’ll just nap a little...”
“I love you. Dream of me.”
Once he fell asleep, I stared at his face for a long time.
The fact that he’s working this hard so we can get married… I felt a bit guilty for pestering him about it.
I worried that everything I’d said so far might’ve been too much for him.
I decided to hold back a little from now on.
I didn’t want to burden the person I love.
“I’m sorry and thank you. I love you, Han-gyeol.”
I couldn’t let him be the only one working hard, so I got out of bed.
I needed to finish my college work quickly and make his favorite salmon dish for dinner tonight.
Carefully, I left the bedroom and closed the door behind me.
When I entered the computer room to start my assignments, I noticed the computer was still on.
It seemed like he was planning to study more after we ate and drank our coffee.
I moved the mouse, and the monitor turned back on.
But the moment I saw the screen, I froze.
<September Enlistment Notice for Air Force Recruitment>
My heart sank with a heavy thud.
I knew this day would come eventually, but seeing that he’d been looking into the military made my chest tighten.
He had mentioned it before… saying that if he went early, it’d be after the first semester. But even then, it hadn’t felt real.
I scrolled the mouse wheel to check the exact enlistment date, and it was three months from now.
If he applied, we’d only have three more months together.
My mind was swirling with confusion.
****
In the end, I sat in front of the computer for two hours, researching everything I could.
From what I found, it seemed that in the Air Force, having certain certifications would let you choose your specialty.
So that’s why he was working on those certifications, huh?
The thought of him leaving and me having to live without him made my heart ache.
I searched for other options, but knowing Han-gyeol, he’d already looked into everything thoroughly.
Still, I had hoped he’d at least finish his first year before going...
“It’s disappointing...”
Just as I was feeling down, the door suddenly opened.
“Eun-ha. Are you in here?”
“Ah-!”
“I woke up, but you weren’t there~ So I figured you were working on your assignme—”
As he approached, he saw the computer screen.
“Han-gyeol… are you going to the military?”
“Ah- I haven’t decided yet-!”
“But you’ve been looking into it, right?”
“Yeah, I have, but I wanted to talk to you before making a decision… Eun-ha?”
“Are you really going to the military...?”
My voice trembled as tears started falling from my eyes.
“I haven’t decided yet~ Why are you crying~”
Han-gyeol rushed over to me and pulled me into a tight hug.
The moment I felt his warmth, the tears came flooding out even more.
I knew this day would come... I knew it was inevitable...
But still, the tears wouldn’t stop.
“Waaah-!”
“Oh dear...!”
I clung tightly to his shirt, refusing to let go.
I didn’t want to send him away, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I finally calmed down after soaking hs shirt with my tears.
“Are you feeling a bit better now? I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you because I hadn’t decided yet.”
“The deadline is next week, right...?”
“Yeah. I was planning to talk to you about it tomorrow or the day after, but I’m still not sure.”
“Isn’t this a bit too sudden...? Can’t you at least finish your first year before going?”
I sniffled as I asked, and he responded.
“I just don’t want to come out of the military having accomplished nothing. That’s why I wanted to study for the tax accountant exam while I’m there. The first round of exams is usually in June, and if I enlist in September, I’ll be discharged right before the first exam. I might not make it to the second round, but I think I can manage the first one with enough effort. But, you know, nothing’s set in stone yet.”
He scratched his head as he spoke.
Of course, he’d already thought everything through.
I wanted to support him, but it was hard to accept right now.
I knew I was being selfish, but I wished he could stay with me just a little longer.
I was about to ask him to finish his first year before going, but he spoke up again.
“Honestly, I want to marry you as soon as possible too. But I figured if we get married right after graduating, I should have something stable in place. It’s not just for me, but for others too, so they can say, ‘Yeah, he’s ready for marriage.’ Something like that.”
I looked at his face intently.
“That’s why I want to get my military service out of the way quickly.”
“Is it because I’ve been pushing you to get married? Have I been too insistent...?!”
“Huh?! Not at all~ If anything, I want to get married even more! I want to live a sweet, loving life with you, my beautiful Eun-ha, as soon as possible~”
He gently wiped the tears from my eyes.
“I want to have cute kids, take them on trips to places like Gangneung, and just live that kind of life. I can’t wait for it. I know it’ll be so full of happiness, and life will feel so bright. I crave it. When you told me you wanted to get married, I wasn’t burdened at all. In fact, I was so thankful and excited that you wanted the same kind of life as me. Really. I’m still grateful that you see the same future I do.”
His words gradually warmed my heart.
The confusion and sadness that had overwhelmed me started to calm down.
“Me too... I’m so thankful for you, Han-gyeol! I’m thankful you love me, I’m thankful you cherish me, and I’m so thankful you want the same life as me! I’m unbelievably, ridiculously grateful… and I love you. I love you so much.”
“You don’t have to say it. I already know.”
“You can do whatever you want, Han-gyeol...! I... I can handle it all. I can visit you every week, and when you’re on leave, I’ll cook you all your favorite meals!”
I said through my tears, pouring out my emotions.
“Thank you. Now stop crying, okay~”
“I can’t help it...!”
“Want me to hold you?”
I nodded with all my strength at his words.
“Come here.”
As he spread his arms wide, I dove into them with a thud.
“I love you... I love you so much, Han-gyeol..!”
“I love you too, Eun-ha.”
--- The End OF The Chapter --
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