Apparently, we were the sorriest bunch of recruits ever to leave the training camp. Or that's what our sergeant told us on the way out.

We couldn't rightly argue, the way we were moping and dragging our feet while the transport was waiting. Leaving the place behind was… unexpectedly weird. Not as weird as all of us suddenly dropping the gear we were lugging and falling into the tried and trusted push-up routine as if we'd developed a collective consciousness. Before cracking up and laughing like hyenas, of course.

Even the sergeant couldn't keep a straight face.

Then there were trucks and a few last waves and insults yelled across the yard… and then we were done with basic training. And we were underway.

I didn't have time to mope, then. Or worry about anything that was coming up. Because before I reported for duty in Yongin, I was allowed to go and see my family for a few hours. And I couldn't get there fast enough.

There wasn't enough time. There never is. I missed them all when we went to Japan, and I miss them now and nothing has really changed. I appreciate them when they're there and miss them when they're not. But most of the time, whether we see each other or not is our choice. Now it's not…just as it wasn't back then. But it's okay. I've learned that it makes no difference to how we all feel. And that's what's important.