The displeasure toward Lois and his friend had already faded from memory.
To be exact, he had consciously pushed it away.
After all, they were meeting for the first time in several months.
He wanted to exchange even one more conversation laced with smiles.
He happily continued the cheerful conversation to match that sentiment.
Time passed, and dinner hour arrived.
In the integrated cafeteria, Taesu, Jeong Minsu, Kim Hyeokgwon, and even Brad Kim—the four of them—were seated around one table eating.
Since it was a place where both PKO and NGO personnel gathered in one spot, it was quite crowded.
Both sides had multiple dining facilities, but the integrated cafeteria boasted the best food.
As if to prove that point, Jeong Minsu, Kim Hyeokgwon, and Brad Kim’s cutlery flew frantically across their trays.
Chomp, chomp.
In contrast, Taesu’s hands moved a bit more slowly.
*I have to tell them….*
It was the explanation regarding the helicopter rappel training.
Given James’s personality, he wouldn’t drag it out for long.
It could even be tomorrow.
He had to hurry, but Taesu still couldn’t bring himself to say it.
It was because, before Jeong Minsu and Kim Hyeokgwon arrived at the cafeteria, he had described that rappel moment to Brad Kim with such gut-wrenching intensity that he might as well have been spitting up blood.
“Just thinking back to that moment makes my hands and feet tremble even now.”
“I really jumped without knowing any better. If anyone tells me to do it again, I’ll shove that guy off first.”
He had hammered it home so many times that it was probably still ringing in Brad Kim’s ears.
Brad Kim had been adamant, as if surrounded by an iron wall.
Recommending professional rappel training to those two was no easy task.
*Let’s just eat first.*
Taesu boldly postponed it for another time.
When they came out after the meal, the sun had already set.
Instead, lights blazed from all directions, pushing back the darkness.
At the sight of the brightened world, Taesu, Jeong Minsu, and Kim Hyeokgwon each let out small exclamations.
“Wow.”
“Whoa.”
“Oho.”
It had been a long time since they had seen a night view like this.
They had arrived around yesterday evening and slept straight through until morning, so this was their first night since returning.
Brad Kim understood, as he had already visited the Korean village.
“Yeah. This is what civilization is like.”
He even waited leisurely, as if telling them to enjoy it to their hearts’ content.
Just as Taesu and the other two were gazing endlessly at the night view—
Beep, beep.
A small horn sounded.
When they turned their heads, someone was getting out of a military jeep that had stopped nearby.
Taesu’s face immediately lit up.
“Sam.”
“Well, if it isn’t the squad leader gracing us with his presence.”
“Did you drive the jeep yourself?”
Everyone laughed and welcomed him warmly.
Squad Leader Sam also looked around at everyone and responded in kind.
“I’m glad you all look well.”
“It seems you’ve recovered a lot too, Sam.”
“I’m out because I have something to do.”
“Were you on your way somewhere?”
When Taesu asked, Squad Leader Sam looked him in the eye and answered.
“No. I was waiting.”
“You were waiting?”
“It’s a summons from the Chief of External Cooperation.”
Squad Leader Sam stated his business in a grave tone.
Taesu was startled inwardly.
*Already?*
He had expected it, but he hadn’t anticipated the call would come so soon.
Still, they probably wouldn’t begin training today.
He thought that to himself, but he couldn’t be sure.
If James and Colonel Clark put their heads together, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Just then, Kim Hyeokgwon asked Squad Leader Sam with a puzzled expression.
“Did he invite all of us?”
“No. He said to bring only Doctor Choe.”
The moment he answered—
Taesu felt as though he had found a hole to crawl out of under a collapsing sky.
As long as it wasn’t an immediate training assembly.
He had to meet him anyway, so there was no reason to delay.
Taesu stepped forward on his own and urged Squad Leader Sam.
“One must answer an invitation. Come, let’s go.”
“Wait.”
Grab.
Kim Hyeokgwon took hold of his shoulder.
Taesu flinched for a moment, but turned around with an unabashed expression and asked.
“What is it?”
“Isn’t this strange?”
“Strange how?”
Taesu asked, trying to remain calm, but Kim Hyeokgwon tilted his head.
“We suffered together yesterday. Is it normal to invite only Doctor Choe?”
“That’s…….”
“Isn’t this discrimination? Or maybe there’s something he needs to say separately.”
Kim Hyeokgwon’s gaze sharpened.
He seemed to have caught a whiff of something.
Taesu had nothing fitting to say.
“Uh…….”
His mouth was open, but his mind was blank.
Just then, Squad Leader Sam threw him a lifeline in that awkward moment.
“He said there is something to discuss with Doctor Choe regarding the next deployment site.”
“Are you saying we don’t need to know?”
“That is beyond my jurisdiction.”
“Soldiers sure have it easy. What a convenient excuse.”
Kim Hyeokgwon complained openly.
Then Squad Leader Sam continued in a relaxed voice:
“Before coming here, I left a gift from the Chief of External Cooperation at Doctor Choe’s quarters.”
“What sudden, out-of-the-blue gift?”
“Liquor and side dishes.”
“Hmm?”
“He wanted to have dinner together, but he said he was one step too late, so he sent those as a greeting instead.”
Immediately after Squad Leader Sam finished speaking—
Kim Hyeokgwon promptly pushed Taesu in the back.
His sharp gaze had already transformed into something incredibly gentle.
“Have a good time.”
“Why do I suddenly feel abandoned?”
“That’s a huge misunderstanding. Doctor Jeong, Doctor Kim, what do you think?”
Kim Hyeokgwon asked the two of them.
Jeong Minsu and Brad Kim shook their heads left and right identically and answered.
“Absolutely not.”
“Absolutely not.”
Their answers and their meanings were exactly the same.
Taesu was dumbfounded by their united front.
“What in the world is with this atmosphere?”
“An atmosphere telling you to have a nice time. Give him our regards too.”
“Our regards saying we received the gift well?”
“Even better if you do. We’ll be going now. It was nice seeing you, Sam.”
Kim Hyeokgwon hurried with his farewells.
Jeong Minsu and Brad Kim did the same.
They radiated an air of cool nonchalance as they walked away.
Only Taesu felt hollow.
“They abandon a comrade for alcohol.”
“Doctor Choe, are you alright?”
“No. Let’s round those guys up right now and make them rappel. Immediately.”
Taesu shouted, choked up and bursting out.
It was something that could sound completely out of the blue.
Squad Leader Sam smiled serenely, as if he had already been forewarned.
“Then the meaning of preparing a separate seat on purpose would be lost.”
“Was this all thoroughly calculated?”
“Of course.”
“Hmm. Then I have nothing to say. Let’s get going.”
Taesu shook off his resentful feelings and suggested they leave.
And so the military jeep carrying Taesu headed inside the PKO compound.
A short while later.
The jeep carrying Taesu arrived deep within the PKO compound.
Screech.
When the jeep stopped, Taesu got out of the passenger seat.
He slowly looked around, then his face showed surprise.
“Where is this?”
“It’s the official residence.”
Squad Leader Sam approached at the right moment and explained.
Taesu was startled.
“Are you saying he asked me to come to his home?”
“That’s correct.”
“Oh no, and I’m empty-handed.”
Taesu spread both his hands and looked troubled.
Squad Leader Sam smiled broadly and answered.
“He told me to bring you just as you are, expecting you might feel that way.”
“Today I’ll be shameless, but I’ll prepare properly next time.”
“I think you can tell him yourself.”
“Then I should go see him.”
Taesu suggested leisurely and entered the residence with Squad Leader Sam.
Squad Leader Sam, who had been walking down the second-floor hallway, stopped in front of a door.
Knock, knock. Creak.
He knocked and immediately opened the door.
Then he gestured to Taesu.
“You may go in.”
“Weren’t you invited, Sam?”
“Not this time, it seems.”
“Then it’s a private audience. I should be a bit nervous. Thank you for guiding me.”
Taesu politely thanked him and stepped inside.
The interior of the residence had the layout of a family home.
It looked like a typical middle-class family home that often appeared in American dramas.
If there was anything unusual, it was that there weren’t many military traces inside.
If the military facilities visible outside the window were hidden, one would never think this was an official residence.
But the house was quiet.
Having finished looking around, Taesu slowly opened his mouth.
“Clark?”
“Doctor Choe, come in.”
Only Colonel Clark’s voice was heard from afar.
Having received permission, Taesu slowly headed toward the living room.
On the coffee table, bottles and glasses were neatly arranged.
“This is totally the Colonel’s style.”
Seeing the brandy-style liquor bottles, a calm smile formed on Taesu’s face.
Looking around more, he saw family photos.
A free yet harmonious atmosphere was captured in the pictures.
And beside them was another frame.
The image of a much younger Colonel Clark and his wife filled his eyes.
It seemed to have a medieval European concept; they were in knight and princess costumes.
Just as Taesu was quietly looking at the photo—
Creak.
Colonel Clark’s voice was heard from behind along with the sound of a door.
“We took it with a Romeo and Juliet concept when we were dating.”
“Yes, you look so hap…… Huh?”
Taesu, who had been answering leisurely and turning around, was startled.
Colonel Clark was coming in wearing comfortable clothes instead of his uniform, holding a tray.
But more than that, the apron he wore drew all the attention.
It was truly unexpected.
While Taesu was looking with wide eyes—
Colonel Clark approached, placed the tray on the coffee table, and spoke.
“It must be your first time seeing my Juliet. What do you think?”
“Juliet?”
“My wife’s name is Juliana.”
“So you call her Juliet?”
“That’s how she looks in my eyes.”
Colonel Clark’s eyes positively dripped with honey as he gazed at the photograph.
That sight felt a little strange to Taesu.
The human Clark was surprisingly warm.
To the point where the cold composure of Colonel Clark the soldier was unimaginable.
But that thought was only momentary.
It was a meeting after several months.
Taesu smiled softly and extended his hand.
“I should start with a greeting. Thanks to you, I made a spectacular return.”
“I’ve received reports that you went through quite a lot.”
Clasp.
Colonel Clark grasped his hand and answered warmly.
At that moment, Taesu narrowed his brows slightly.
“Did Squad Leader Sam report this half-heartedly?”
“The report was very detailed.”
“Then why are you saying I went through quite a lot?”
A sense of unfairness rose on Taesu’s face.
Colonel Clark gestured toward the table and quipped.
“That’s why I’ve prepared all this, haven’t I?”
“I almost felt slighted.”
“Haha. Please, have a seat first.”
Colonel Clark offered him a seat and sat down.
Taesu also sat down and only then saw what Colonel Clark had just brought.
It was a simply prepared spread of side dishes.
Taesu asked Colonel Clark with a surprised face.
“Did you prepare this yourself, Colonel?”
“Does it look alright?”
“To the point that I never dreamed you were such a delicate person.”
When Taesu let out a sincere exclamation of admiration, Colonel Clark smiled broadly.
“I developed an interest while making snacks with my children.”
“Making snacks with Dad—the children must love it.”
“They absolutely love it.”
When Taesu asked, Colonel Clark looked at the family photo fondly and spoke.