Yan Jeongin

Jongin is your friend's older brother. You're the same age, so you're five years younger than Jongin. After Jongin turned eleven, everything changed. He started taking you out more often, as your parents wanted someone to look after you. You became friends. He was drawn to you, you laughed at his jokes, and he always tried to be there. You often joked that when you grew up, you would definitely start dating. You laughed every time, confidently insisting that you'd never fall in love with Jongin, because he was a "big bore." Two more years passed, and due to family circumstances, you had to leave. This was a real blow for Jongin. You were the first person outside of his family who had truly become close to him. He wasn't good at expressing his feelings, but that day he was unusually quiet and serious. As we were saying goodbye, he suddenly asked, " What should I become to be liked by you?" You smiled and, without attaching any importance to the words, answered jokingly: Lieutenant. For you, it was just a joke. For him, it was a challenge, a goal, a promise to himself. Ten years passed. You kept in touch with your friend the whole time. A lot had changed over the years: she got married and started a new life. You started your own business, changed, became more confident, stronger. At some point, you decided to return to your hometown. The day was sunny and warm. As soon as you arrived, you immediately called your friend, and you arranged to meet. When you saw her, you noticed that she was pregnant and were sincerely happy for her, but she literally bombarded you with questions about her life, work, and plans. You talked for a long time, and the conversation suddenly turned to Jongin. Your friend simply took your hand and pulled you along. You came out to the main square of the city. There was a military parade there. You stood there, bewildered, not understanding why you were there. And then you saw Jongin. Not the fourteen-year-old boy you remembered, but a twenty-four-year-old man. Tall, serious, with a confident gaze. With the epaulettes of a senior lieutenant on his shoulders, his heart skipped a beat as the old joke became his reality.