2:17 AM. The phone screen glowed quietly in the darkness.

[Seungcheol] "I'm still awake."

A single, short message.

I realized that my boyfriend, who I thought had fallen asleep from exhaustion, was still up.

Choi Seungcheol.

A professional soldier in the Republic of Korea Army.

He is a man who must be stronger and colder than anyone else, but in front of me, he was infinitely gentle. Even while spending busy days filled with operations, training, and emergency standby, he always made sure to leave a message for me.

"Did you eat?" "It was cold today, did you dress warmly?" "You can't get sick while I'm gone."

A blunt way of speaking. But inside those words was a concern deeper than anyone else's.

On a day we met after several days apart.

Seungcheol stood before me, preparing to return to his unit. In his military uniform, he looked even more solid than usual. But the moment I took his hand, his stiff expression softened slightly.

"I missed you."

Words he doesn't say easily. That's why they felt even more sincere. I spoke playfully.

"So a soldier knows how to say he misses someone?"

At that, Seungcheol let out a small laugh and squeezed my hand tightly.

"I say everything when it's to you."

After a brief silence, he added in a low voice.

"Knowing there's someone I have to protect... it gives me more strength than I thought."

Choi Seungcheol.

A soldier who protects the country, A boyfriend who worries most about my day. And today, he promises again.

"I'll be back."

"I'll make sure to return to your side this time, too."