Her |D.P.|

1.

"Mom. Dad. I'm gonna miss you so much." I pull them both into a compassionate hug.
"Don't worry, I'll write to you every single week," Mom reassures me with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Hyeon-ju, take care of yourself in there," My older brother Woo-jin tells me patting my shoulder.
"Yeah Hyeon-ju, it's not gonna be easy I hope you know that," My other brother Tae-min says as if to warn me.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you've told me this already. I promise I'll do you all proud,"
"Remember Hyeon-ju, if you have any issues, just write to me and I'll get you out," My father says with concern written all over his face.
"Okay, I will Dad," I nod hugging them all one last time.

"The enlistment ceremony will begin soon." The speaker sounds throughout the hall as men and their families begin to file in. The disturbed look on each of their faces couldn't go unnoticed either.
"Please proceed to the main hall, men who are enlisting please come forward."
This was the first time a woman was being enlisted in District 103, I think it was a way of the government trying to show that there is equality, which there isn't because this is all for show and everyone knows it.

"Well, I guess this is me..." I pull away from the hug.
"Please Hyeon-ju, are you sure you want to do this, please don't go, please!" My mother pleads grabbing onto my arm.
"Mom, I'll be fine, honestly," I tell her helping her lift her grip on my arm.
"Bye you assholes, I won't miss you for a second," I joke playfully punching my brothers both in the arm.
"Same here punk," Woo-jin says ruffling my hair.
"Bye Dad," I nod walking to the centre of the hall.

"Excuse me, this is strictly a no-family or spouse area," I heard someone say before tapping me on the shoulder.
"Sorry, I'm not either of those, I'm enlisting," I respond.
"Oh you're the female enlistee, I see. So you must be Kim Hyeon-ju, I take it," He probed.
"Yes, I am,"

Without another word, he walks off to begin the ceremony.

"Line up with the person in front of you. Stretch out your arms." We did as we were told, but I couldn't help but feel several eyes piercing into me.

"Attention!" The whole hall fell silent and the soldiers sat at the front arose.

"Salute the national flag!" Everyone did so including the families of the enlistees.
"About face!" We all turned to face the opposite direction.
"Now salute your parents!" We did so yelling salutes in unison, I could see my mother in streams of tears watching on, but my brothers both gave me encouraging nods,

"This is the end of the official enlistment ceremony. I wish all family members a safe journey back home amid the rain. Parents, please do not worry about your children. These men have proudly become a member of the Korean army, and we promise we will nurture them into strong men so they may become those who protect us and our land if god forbid ever needed."

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"You'll be training for five weeks until you get assigned to your unit. Until then, don't think. All you need to do is just train your ass off, clear?"

"Yes, sir!" I respond.

"Just because you're a woman, it doesn't exempt you from anything, okay?"

"Yes, sir!"