452. The youngest

5 weeks passed by in a flash. Yes, it's been 5 weeks since Jae-won-gun went to the army. That means it's time for the training camp graduation ceremony. The unit contacted us, saying the graduation ceremony would be held at the base and they'd appreciate it if the parents could come and grace the occasion. "Shi-hyun-ah, what are you going to do?" "I have to go." So, you're going after all? My heart fluttered. It might only be seeing him after 5 weeks, but for me, 5 weeks was too long. "That's a relief. I was worried about what I'd do if you said you weren't going." "If I said I wasn't going...?" "Shi-hyun-ah? Don't you want to see your son?" Shi-hyun-ssi hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have to see him." Yeah, Shi-hyun-ssi knows it too. What if he had said he wasn't going? I'd have to go alone... It would be lonely and desolate, but what other choice would I have but to go alone? And if I had gone alone, we would have slept in separate rooms for a few days. Or I would have gone to Mom's house and stayed there for a few days. "Well, if you're busy, I'll have to go alone." "No, I'm not busy at all." Shi-hyun-ssi looked flustered. It was a look I hadn't seen in a while, so it felt unfamiliar. "After the graduation ceremony, they give about 4 hours? of leave." "Really?" "But there aren't any good places to eat nearby." Shi-hyun-ssi's point was valid. There was no way there would be decent restaurants around the training camp, or any recruit training center for that matter. Considering the short leave time, it would be difficult to go out for a good meal. "Should I just pack a lunch?" "Well, there's probably a pizza place in the city." Jae-won-gun does like pizza, but... "Then should we go to a pizza place and pack a lunch too?" Or there was the option of bringing the camper van and cooking in the car. "Do whatever you want." Shi-hyun-ssi's reaction was lukewarm. "Then I guess I'll have to pack a lunch." Since we decided on packing a lunch, I need to go grocery shopping and prepare tomorrow. * Shi-hyun-ssi, for some reason, said he'd take consecutive days off. Kim Seo-bang was busy going to school. Does medical school not have vacations? He's been studying so much that he hasn't been able to play with the kids lately. "Saet-byeol-ah, what about you tomorrow?" "What about what?" "It's Jae-won-gun's graduation ceremony tomorrow, remember?" "I don't care." Saet-byeol-yang doesn't seem interested. "Seo-hui-ssi, don't you want to see your uncle?" "Uncle?" "Yeah, uncle." Saet-byeol-yang looked at Seo-hui-ssi and started shaking her head. "Uum..." Seo-hui-ssi pondered for a moment and then snuggled into Saet-byeol-yang's arms. "I want to be with Mommy." "There you have it? Just the two of you go." Saet-byeol-yang stroked Seo-hui-ssi's hair. She's making the kid answer by giving her the eye. Meanwhile, Shi-hyun-ssi had a smile on his face. "I'm taking the kids to the playroom tomorrow." "Sure, sure." In the afternoon, I went grocery shopping with Shi-hyun-ssi and went on a date as well. When I got home, I prepared what I could in advance and made side dishes for dinner with what was left. Thanks to the massive grocery haul, I prepared a lavish dinner. Kim Seo-bang, as if he had some sad thing happen while studying, ate his food with unusual ferocity, unlike usual. Saet-byeol-yang watched him with concern. I was worried, but they had to work things out between themselves, so I or Shi-hyun-ssi couldn't intervene. I was curious though... I arranged for Saet-byeol-yang and Kim Seo-bang to have some time to talk, and I took care of Seo-hui-ssi and Seo-a-yang. "Grandpa, lift me up high." Shi-hyun-ssi, with a seemingly annoyed expression, fulfilled Seo-hui-ssi's request. "While you're at it, can't you smile?" "Yeah, yeah." Shi-hyun-ssi gave a soulless answer. Seo-hui-ssi just seemed happy. I spent time playing with the kids, and after confirming that Saet-byeol-yang and Kim Seo-bang came out of their room, I went to bed early. I had a lot to prepare in the morning. I woke up an hour earlier than usual and started preparing breakfast. The first thing I prepared was kimbap. Stir-frying vegetables, frying eggs, grilling ham... I prepared the kimbap ingredients first. For delicious kimbap, I also made tuna mayo and prepared pork cutlets. Kimbap was the basic, but there was even more marinated meat. These were to be cooked in the camper van. Next to wake up was Seo-hui-ssi, who opened the door and came out by herself. "Grandma... pee." "Bathroom?" "Ung..." Still not fully awake, she staggered towards me, dozing off. I quickly washed my hands, leaving what I was preparing, and took care of Seo-hui-ssi. I took Seo-hui-ssi to the bathroom to pee and was about to prepare breakfast again, but Seo-hui-ssi clung to me. "Seo-hui-ssi, Grandma's preparing breakfast." "I don't know." Is it because she's still sleepy? Seo-hui-ssi was acting spoiled. "I have no choice." I lifted Seo-hui-ssi up and hugged her tightly, and Seo-hui-ssi buried her face in my arms. Seo-hui-ssi fell asleep again before long. Sigh, I'll have to wait for Saet-byeol-yang to come out. After Saet-byeol-yang, who woke up late, took Seo-hui-ssi away, I was able to prepare breakfast again. "Sorry." "It's okay, did you talk things out with Kim Seo-bang yesterday?" I confirmed that she came out of the room and took care of the kids, but I couldn't ask about the results. "Yeah, he said he was just having a hard time with his studies? He must be under a lot of pressure about his grades." "Really?" He said that he'd have more free time when he becomes a third-year student next year and starts his practical training, but the second year before becoming a third-year is a difficult time because there's a lot to learn. "Did you comfort him well?" "Yeah." If I prepared a hearty breakfast from the morning, Kim Seo-bang ate his food with a bright face, unlike yesterday. I was relieved to see him looking completely different from yesterday. After eating breakfast, I immediately started preparing to go out. When I packed the kimbap and meat, Shi-hyun-ssi was disgusted. "Do we have to take the camper van?" "Yeah, please." Shi-hyun-ssi sighed deeply and nodded. "I'll make you a delicious lunch in return." "Okay." The road to our destination wasn't as congested as I thought. There was less traffic and fewer people than during the enlistment because it was a graduation ceremony. It was soon our turn to enter the recruit training center, which felt somewhat refreshing. It looked new because it was a place I had never been to before due to having no connection to it. "Is this what military bases are like these days?" The facilities were better than I expected. "I guess so." There were already many people in the gymnasium where the graduation ceremony was being held. "There weren't few people after all." We were late. Many parents were gathered even before the graduation ceremony. We also headed to the area where the parents were gathered, following the guidance of a soldier. After waiting for a while, the event started and a boring story progressed. "Where could Jae-won-gun be?" It was hard to find him because they were all wearing the same military uniform and hats. "We can see him soon anyway." Shi-hyun-ssi was still lukewarm. As I was watching the event unfold boringly, the kids suddenly bowed deeply towards us. Shi-hyun-ssi tapped me on the shoulder when I was flustered, and I was able to come to my senses. "This is all part of the event." "Oh, is it?" Looking from the side, other parents were wiping away tears or applauding, moved by the scene. It's definitely a touching scene... but I can't feel the emotion because I can't see Jae-won-gun! After the graduation ceremony was over, the kids exited the auditorium first, and we had to wait separately under control. "If you wait a moment, the children will come out again." I quietly waited, trusting the soldier's words. Some people around me complained that the children weren't coming out quickly. "It's taking a long time." The event started at 10 a.m. and ended at 11:30 a.m. But it took more than 30 minutes for the kids to come out... I knew it was a necessary procedure, but it was frustrating. As I was waiting anxiously, the children came in and came to us. "Looks like they're here." My heart fluttered, and I couldn't sit still and stood up. "Where could Jae-won-gun be?" The children went to find their parents one by one. Jae-won-gun, where is Jae-won-gun...? "Mom." When I was getting impatient and fidgeting, Jae-won-gun appeared. "Jae-won-ah!" He was wearing a military uniform, but the fit was different from before. I could see with my own eyes that Jae-won-gun's body had become stronger than it was a month ago. When I tried to hug Jae-won-gun, he grabbed my shoulders tightly to stop me. Not that he could overcome my strength to that extent... If I hugged him tightly, Jae-won-gun would freak out and try to back away, but he stayed in my arms. "Mom, let go." "No, it's been so long." "Ugh!" Jae-won-gun screamed, but he couldn't overcome my strength. Then Shi-hyun-ssi, who was watching from behind, stopped us. "Other people are looking at us strangely." I let go at Shi-hyun-ssi's words and moved outside. "Are you going out?" "Well, if it's a hassle, we can just spend time in the car." "Ah, you brought that thing." Jae-won-gun also noticed that we had brought the camper van. "Jae-won-ah, is there anything you want to eat?" "Not really? The army food is pretty good these days." Army food is good...? I've seen a lot of posts online saying army food is dog food? First, I headed to the car. "Looks like you've been working out hard?" "Well, there's nothing else to do. I did what I learned from Dad in my spare time, and my body got better." Jae-won-gun proudly grabbed his bicep. I patted Jae-won-gun's back and arms. He's still far behind Shi-hyun-ssi... He'd be cooler if his muscles were a little stronger. I touched Shi-hyun-ssi's arm next to me. "Hmm, it has to be at least this much." "What are you talking about?" Shi-hyun-ssi was slightly flustered by my actions. "It's nothing." When we arrived at the camper van, Shi-hyun-ssi drove the car first. "Really, is there nothing you want to eat?" "I just need to fill my stomach." "Then should we eat this?" I took out the lunch box I had put in my bag, and kimbap came out from inside. "Kimbap?" "Actually, Mom packed a lunch." "Homemade food?" "Yeah." Jae-won-gun ate a piece of kimbap with his bare hands. He looked truly happy as he munched on the kimbap. "Wow, it's delicious." "Really? I brought meat too, so I'll make it for you as soon as the car stops." "Ah, I wasn't expecting this, but I'm going to eat homemade food." Jae-won-gun was very happy about the fact that it was homemade food. "Are you happy about that?" "Huh? Well, it's because Mom is a good cook." I was embarrassed by the blatant praise... Shi-hyun-ssi parked the car in a place with decent scenery. There was also a convenience store nearby, so it was a really nice place. "We can rest here." "Yeah, it's perfect." I cooked the meat I had prepared with the cooking utensils in the camper van. Shi-hyun-ssi also sat down and waited, eating kimbap. As I was cooking, humming a tune, I heard a fight behind me. "Dad, I was going to eat that." "What's wrong with it? There's other stuff." "I wanted to eat the kimbap with the pork cutlet in it." Shi-hyun-ssi ignored Jae-won-gun's words and put another piece of kimbap in his mouth. "Shi-hyun-ah, do you want to do that to someone who has to go back soon?" "Huh, Mom? It's not that bad, I'm okay." I couldn't see what Shi-hyun-ssi was doing because I was turned around. He's not jealous of his son, is he? "Eat nicely." They're not kids, these two men are so childish. When I brought the meat and served the rice separately, they ate diligently. While they were eating, I prepared kimchi and pre-washed lettuce. I felt full just watching Jae-won-gun eat deliciously. "Do you want more?" "No, I'm full." Jae-won-gun stretched out comfortably in his chair and started playing with his phone. I bought a cold carbonated drink from the convenience store for Jae-won-gun. "Here, drink this." "Oh! Soda." I heard that soldiers like to drink carbonated drinks when they first go out on leave or vacation, so I brought it for him. "I had a chance to eat it once in a while on the weekends, but I was still sad that I couldn't eat it often." "You have a chance to eat it?" "Yeah, they hand it out if you go to religious events." Jae-won-gun finished speaking and drank his soda. "I see." When I asked Jae-won-gun how his training camp life was, Jae-won-gun's eyes lit up and he started talking. Shi-hyun-ssi and I listened to Jae-won-gun's army stories. "Wow, I even received a commendation as an excellent soldier, you know?" He seemed to be doing well, talking proudly about his training, so there was no need to worry. "That's good." "Yeah, my son has to be at least that good." Shi-hyun-ssi also made a statement acknowledging Jae-won-gun. "More importantly, what about your unit assignment? Did you get that too?" I heard that real army life starts after leaving the training camp and receiving a unit assignment. "Ah... um, did Mom say anything?" "About what?" What is he suddenly talking about? "What about Dad?" "What story do you want to tell?" "Ah, never mind then." Jae-won-gun vaguely made the story ambiguous. "Silly." "Um, my unit has been decided too." "It's not far away, is it?" "It's Seoul." I widened my eyes at Jae-won-gun's words. "It'll be easy to visit!" Other things were secondary, the location of the unit was important to me. If it's close, I can move alone without Shi-hyun-ssi, so I have to visit often! As we were chatting idly, the time to return was approaching.