1 First Encounter

In a place where there is no rest, a time when every minute and every second counts, Ri Yun-Yeong found herself at rest in the arms of a lover whom she met at the market. She must say, it was very untimely.

September 9, 1920

6:32 am

In a small village, far off the province of South Gyeongsang, the 17th company of the South Korean military troop had secretly retreated after a bloody encounter against the Japanese colonizers two days ago.

Out of the one hundred soldiers deployed, only sixty-three had survived, and most of them were injured.

"We should be safe here. For now, at least," the second in command told his troop upon they all got off the military trucks. The sun had completely ascended on the sky and it was a relief to all of them that they were able to see the sunrise once again.

However, they could not help but mourn for the lives lost. One of which was their captain. Having lost their leader, the survivors had appointed the second commander as the new captain.

"We'll use this opportunity to heal. Unit A, find us a place to stay. Unit B, I need some volunteers to come with me to the market and buy some supplies. Those severely injured, stay and get some rest," told Captain Yoon.

Unit A leaded by Lieutenant Pyo, together with the injured soldiers, went to the village housing. And Unit B together with the captain went to the market.

The tawny road of the village and the peaceful sound of the morning crickets made the soldiers somehow collected. They've been out on the field and been hiding in the forest from here and there fighting for the country for three years straight that being in such a placid place seems new to them.

It's been a long time since they all went out for a morning walk with the sun shining on their faces, freely taking a step without worrying about their lives.

"The sun feels warm. It's welcoming us," Yun-Yeong uttered from the back while directing her face towards the sun, eyes closed.

"It sure does," agreed Youngbae. "Ah, the Land of the Morning Calm, it is."

It was a short walk to the market. And it was just a small market too. There were only ten to fifteen tents, some selling cloths and tailored clothes, some had fruits and vegetables, and some had a variety of natural and organic beauty products and medicines.

Medicines. The priority in their list of necessities.

The group split up. Yun-Yeong together with Youngbae and two others went to buy some medicines.

"They're not smuggled, are they?" Youngbae whispered asked Yun-Yeong while they're both looking on the medicines displayed.

She side-eyed her colleague. "I don't think so." She picked a packet of antibiotics and studied the label. However, the information were written in Japanese.

"How much is this halmeoni?" she asked the one attending the stall. The old woman surveyed her from head to foot before meeting her gaze again, now, with a confused look.

"Are you a soldier?" The elder asked.

Yun-Yeong nodded slowly. "Yes, halmeoni."

"Then it's free." The two soldiers were surprise to hear it from the woman that Yun-Yeong almost had to put the pack back from where it was before.

"I'm sorry, halmeoni—"

"I said it's free. People like you are battling for the freedom of our country, and this is the most I could do for you. Take as many as you need," the old woman said gently and with pure sincerity. In times like this, everyone felt like family.

Yun-Yeong smiled. "Thank you, halmeoni. Thank you so much!"

Because she was too shy to take so much, the old woman took everything from the display and handed them to Youngbae instead. The latter laughed when the elder scolded Yun-Yeong for being timid.

"It's my first time to meet a female soldier. Who would've thought that that uniform suits a woman as well?" The elder said with a proud smile that made Yun-Yeong smile too. She was thankful but then again, a little embarrassed.

They bid goodbye to the elderly and went to find the others. They found them flocking on the clothes stall. There were civilians who were helping them pick some clothes and the guys seem very happy with the attention.

"Have they finished buying some food?" Yun-Yeong asked.

"I don't know. But I want some clothes too." Youngbae replied and left Yun-Yeong before the latter could say a word.

She sighed and shook her head at the sight of her colleagues having fun from afar. She looked around and her stomach grumbled upon seeing the fruits in front of her. Right, they haven't eaten anything since yesterday.

"Oh my! What are you doing?!" Someone exclaimed in a high tone. When Yun turned, she saw a young woman carrying a load of fruits and another woman, who seems a little older, came and snatched the basket from the other.

"You shouldn't be carrying something this heavy! Have you lost your mind?!" the older one scolded. Confused and curious, Yun came to help. She picked up the fruits that fell from the basket and handed them back.

Although the two women were confused, they thanked her for her kindness.

Yun smiled.

"You're welcome. But, can I help you carry this inside?" Yun pointed at the basket of fruits that the woman was carrying.

The two women exchanged glances before dropping their gaze back to the soldier. "If I may ask, who are you?"

Yun-Yeong once again felt embarrassed for somewhat invading their private space. But she was just trying to help. "I'm sorry. I thought you could need some help. I'm Yun, by the way. I'm with the soldiers over there."

They all looked at the soldiers flocking on the clothes store. The woman put the basket down on the ground before surveying Yun. "But, you're a woman." She spoke.

It was somehow a blow on her sexuality. "Yes." She replied though it wasn't really a question to be answered. Her gaze went back and forth from the two women in front of her. "I'm a soldier."

The two women fell silent and avoided looking at her. It was awkward. Yun knew what they were thinking about her. They think she's weird. They think it's odd.

"Hey, Yun! It's time to go!" Youngbae shouted from afar. She sighed and without saying anything she carried the basket inside the store. She didn't care if the women were surprised, all she wants is to help them.

When she got out, she met the woman's feline eyes looking at her with amusement and indifference combined. Yun smiled at her. And to the other. "I'll get going now. Have a good day!"

And she left them, running towards her colleagues with a big smile plastered on her face.

"What's with that smile?" Youngbae inquired on their way and Yun just shrugged. "Nothing."

In a place where everything is complicated, a time when the world is in chaos. Falling in love is very untimely. But it should pass. Ri Yun-Yeong thinks it will. She swore on the guns. Fingers crossed.