All for One, One for All

Chapter 12

After what felt like hours, Min Ha slowly opened her eyes, waking up from her deep slumber. She still felt numb on her side but it had become less painful than before. She slowly sat up and looked around her. She was in the tent, specifically a medic tent as she could see there were a bunch of medicines there. She realized that she was connected to an IV tube and her school uniform had now changed to a plain white shirt with sweatpants.

She turned her head to Lieutenant Lee, with his glorious military uniform entered the tent with someone who Min Ha thought was a military medic behind him. "Oh, you are awake. How are you feeling?" The medic asked her as soon as he was close to her. He inspected the IV fluid bags and Min Ha's condition. "Good." Min Ha shortly replied. The medic checked her for one last time before letting her be with Lieutenant Lee alone.

"How long have I been sleeping, sir?" Min Ha hesitated. She was not really that close to Lieutenant Lee so it was awkward for her to be left alone with him. "A week." A week?! That long? But why did it feel like only for a few hours though? "It's a good thing you have awake. All of your friends were worried about you and I'm sure they were all outside right now." Lieutenant Lee sighed and went outside the tent. Min Ha was dumbfounded and confused by what happened just now. She then heard cheering before she watched all of her friends come into the tent, walking toward her. Yoo Jung came to her side and hugged Min Ha as tightly as she could, without hurting her. Yoo Jung let her go when Min Ha asked her to, in need of air.

"Yah, you know, we are all worried about you. We thought that you wouldn't make it when we arrived at the camp as they told us you were in a critical state." Min Ha didn't know that her situation was dire. She only remembered she blacked out in the car. At that time, she thought that she was asleep, not faint, and almost lost her life. She awkwardly scratched her head as she felt ashamed all of a sudden. Now, it was In Hye's turn to hug her which shortly was followed by Yeon Joo and Yoo Jung. They all ended up in a big group hug while Woo Bin and Lieutenant Lee watched from outside. Woo Bin was going for a hug but only received a glare from Lieutenant Lee before he walked away from there with a little smile plastered on his face.

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Min Ha noticed all her friends had worn a military uniform so she was asked by Woo Bin to do the same. After a few days of resting, the medic was sure that Min Ha could go back to her daily life. She changed her clothes to a military uniform and when she walked out of the girl's tent, she could hear whistling and compliments coming from her friends. "You look good, Min Ha. It suits you." Yoo Jung said sincerely. "Yeah, Min Ha. You look sexy." Tae Man said as he wiggled his brow toward Min Ha. She forced a smile at Tae Man before smacking his head hard. He stumbled a little because of the impact. Everyone was complimenting Min Ha and she was pretty sure she heard someone ask her on a date but she didn't know who had said it.

Yoo Jung quickly dismissed their little gathering, reminding them of the tasks they needed to do that day. Everyone groaned but was still obliged to their class president's order. Yoo Jung then quickly briefed Min Ha about the camp and her task. Min Ha attentively listened to her class president before she started doing her task. Even when she just recovered from the surgery (she got one as soon as she arrived at the camp), she was still a slave to the military.

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After dinner, she walked around the camp, taking a late-night air when she suddenly noticed Young Soo sitting alone while reading a book in his hand. She quietly approached him as she thought that it was a very great opportunity for her to be close to him. "Hi, Young Soo." Young Soo jumped when he heard her, didn't expect any intruders. He bowed a little. Min Ha knew he was trying to avoid her gaze so she sat down close beside him, peeking at his book. Math. Min Ha made a face. If it was her, she would burn that book.

"It's fascinating how you can still study like this, in this kind of place at night with only a dim lamp." Young Soo adjusted his glasses and looked at Min Ha. "I need to study even if the sky falls. I need to get into a better college and find a decent job after all of these... things." Young Soo stared at Min Ha's face for a few seconds before focusing back on his study. "I'm pretty sure you will get into a good college with your grade." Young Soo shook his head before saying, "It's not that easy. Besides, my family isn't well-off. I need to earn money for them and my sibling's education. If not me, then who else will help my family?"

Min Ha felt sympathy toward him. He just thought of his family and siblings but how could that pure thought turn into something horrible in the end? At first, Min Ha, just like the others who had watched the drama, blamed Young Soo as everyone died because of him but he was just like the others. He was scared of the future and the only way for him to not think about that was studying. Yes, it was unjustified what he did in the drama but he was just scared.

"Young Soo, I'm sure your family is proud of you. You have done well so far, right? But having time for yourself is not something you're forbidden to do. Taking a break doesn't mean you entirely stop your step to move forward. It means you walk comfortably at your pace. Your family will not want you to fall sick, right? It's not all your burden alone, you know?" Min Ha turned to look at him. She could see tears welling up in his eyes. She patted his back softly before saying, "Let's do this together. Having fun in the present and back to study after that. Do you want to do that with me and everyone, Young Soo?" Min Ha held up her hand, waiting for him to accept it. Young Soo thought for a few seconds before taking her hand. Both of them shook their hands with a smile on their face. She hoped something might change in the future. A better future for them.

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Recording #6 - Cho Min Ha
[At military camp]

I heard that I just recovered from surgery. Do you want to see my scar? It's ugly.

No! I mean... no.

Oh, okay then. By the way, Mom, Dad, I really, really almost lost my life. They said I was in a critical state. I also heard from Mr. Kim that the surgery took a long time as it had some complications. See? Your daughter here almost dies in a war (Laughing maniacally). Well, I think that's all I want to say to you guys. If your daughter here is going to die again, I will inform you, don't worry. I, Private Cho Min Ha, signing off. Ciao!

Recording ended.