28-73

Chapter 73. The Military Is Not a Kindergarten 

After waking up Minju, who had fainted from being pounded in the bathroom, we somehow spent the remaining time together. From the second night until midnight of the third day, which was designated as free time, Minju experienced countless orgasms as I relentlessly took her, and thus our 2 nights and 3 days of “leave” came to an end. 

The next morning. 

After returning to the unit for the first time in six days, something was waiting for me... 

It was a “disciplinary committee.” 

As soon as I returned from “leave,” I heard about the disciplinary committee and immediately asked the supply sergeant for details. She scratched her cheek and began to explain. 

“It happened two days ago, on Monday night...” 

“Huh...” 

After listening to Sergeant Go Sooyeon’s explanation for just over a minute, I let out a dumbfounded sigh, my brow deeply furrowed. 

The reason was that the disciplinary action I was hearing about was so utterly ridiculous. 

What kind of confidence does it take to not only sneak alcohol into the unit but also use a cellphone? Are they crazy? 

Not only did she sneak soju into a tumbler on her way back from leave, but she also used the excuse of “studying late” to hold a drinking party in the corner of the multipurpose room and even watched YouTube on an undeclared phone... 

The main culprit behind this incomprehensible incident was Private Na Juhyun, who had already been managed as a “special attention soldier” due to her need for help and consideration. 

She was often the subject of trouble due to her lack of respect for hierarchy and consideration for others-basically, she only cared about herself and was under close supervision. 

I thought she was getting used to military life and causing fewer problems recently, but while I was on leave, she made a big mess. 

“So, the disciplinary committee is scheduled for just after lunch today, and you’re the committee chair.” 

“Me? Not the battery commander?” 

“Yes. The battery commander will just confirm and approve the result later, and you, the platoon leader, will attend the committee.” 

My face stiffened at the sudden news that I’d have to serve as “committee chair,” but the supply sergeant quickly added, 

“I’ll handle the proceedings as the secretary, so you just need to ask the subject a few questions.” 

“Oh, I see. I thought I’d have to do everything myself...” 

Relieved that I wouldn’t have to run the whole meeting, the supply sergeant continued with further explanation. 

... 

“As a result of collecting all the committee members’ opinions, Private Na Juhyun is sentenced to a 5-day leave restriction.” 

“Huh? Leave! 5 days!” 

After confirming the facts, discussing, and voting on the level of disciplinary action, I informed Private Na Juhyun of her 5-day leave restriction. Her eyes, which had been sulky, suddenly widened and her mouth dropped open. 

And then, two words burst from her lips like a cry. 

The feeling of “unfairness” in her shout made me feel a surge of annoyance and disbelief. 

I know how precious “leave” is to soldiers, but for her to act like this after causing trouble, and in front of the disciplinary committee at that... 

I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. The other committee members’ eyes filled with anger, and only then did Private Na Juhyun manage her expression and leave the room as required. 

As soon as she closed the door behind her, sighs and grumbling voices erupted from all around. 

“Sigh... That girl really should be sent to the brig.” 

“Exactly. I wish we could fill the cells and not see her for a while.” 

As the voices of officers longing for the “beautiful system” known as the brig echoed, my first disciplinary committee ended without incident. 

... 

I thought the “disciplinary committee” was over without any issues, but as I was heading to Seona noona’s house after passing the guard post, I got a call from an unknown number. 

‘What’s this?’ 

“Hello?” 

“Is this the 3rd Battery Platoon Leader?” 

Since my spam blocker didn’t flag it, I figured it wasn’t a typical “070” telemarketer and answered. 

Before I could say much, a woman’s voice came through the receiver. 

When I confirmed I was the 3rd Battery Platoon Leader, she identified herself... 

“This is Private Na Juhyun’s mother. I just spoke to my daughter and heard she was punished today. Isn’t taking away 5 days of leave too much? My daughter didn’t do anything that bad.” 

“Ma’am, please calm down. Do you know what she did to receive this punishment?” 

But before I could finish, Na Juhyun’s mother rattled off everything she wanted to say at machine-gun speed. 

Wondering if she was reacting this way because she didn’t know what her daughter had done, I asked if she knew the details. 

But as soon as I heard her voice again, any hope I had disappeared, and the phrase “like mother, like daughter” came to mind. 

“Yes, I heard. But it was just a little alcohol and turning in her phone late-surely that’s not worth this kind of punishment!” 

When her voice rose to the level of a scolding, I realized she was someone with whom reason and common sense wouldn’t work. 

In other words, our conversation would never reach agreement, just like two parallel train tracks, and would only be a meaningless argument. 

‘Damn...’ 

I knew there was no point to this call, but in this day and age, you can’t just hang up on a soldier’s parent, so I sighed inwardly and frowned. 

Then, Na Juhyun’s mother, her voice just barely softened, made a suggestion. 

“Rather than talking like this, I’d like to meet in person and hear if there’s any way to help my daughter. I’ll come near the unit tomorrow evening, so please be ready.” 

“Goddamn it.” 

Just like during the call, she finished saying what she wanted and hung up. 

I couldn’t help but curse in frustration. 

I’m not usually the type to curse in public, but this was too much. 

... 

The day after that ambush call. 

It was Friday evening, the last weekday of the week and just before the weekend. 

Normally, I’d be excited to spend the night with Seona noona, the supply sergeant, or Minju, forgetting about work the next day, but my steps leaving the guard post were heavy. 

Well, it’s only natural when you’re on your way to try to persuade someone who doesn’t understand reason or common sense... 

I told Seona noona and the supply sergeant about the call, but unfortunately, neither could help me. 

Seona noona was on duty that night, and the supply sergeant, who was supposed to meet Na Juhyun’s mother with me, had to take emergency leave to Seoul because her son injured his arm. 

So, as a rookie second lieutenant who’d only been commissioned for six months, I had to face this irrational parent alone. 

‘Damn... I’m not a kindergarten teacher, but here I am forced to meet with the parent of a troublemaker.’ 

Feeling a bit bitter that I was now experiencing firsthand the “kindergarten” meme often used to mock the military these days, I took a taxi from the unit to the meeting place, a café. 

... 

Ding. 

After spending an unplanned 8,400 won just to listen to a clueless parent’s complaints, I opened the café door and stepped inside. 

Under the soft lighting, the interior looked quite upscale. 

Scanning the ten or so tables, I spotted a woman sitting alone, fiddling with her coffee cup. 

With wavy dark brown hair falling below her shoulders and a dissatisfied expression, she looked to be in her mid-30s, with a fox-like beauty. 

Even with the slight frown, her face was striking, and her figure, shown off by a light beige dress that fell just above her knees, was curvy. 

I paused for a moment to admire her, then tried to look away. 

After all, the person I was supposed to meet was the mother of a 21-year-old. 

‘So I should be looking for a woman in her mid-40s at least...’ 

Just as I was about to look elsewhere, the woman’s eyes met mine. 

She studied my face for a moment, then suddenly raised her right hand. 

“Second Lieutenant Kim Jaejun? Over here.”