Chapter 44: Marching Forward – Echoes of the Army
Scene 1: First Days of Service
The wind was sharp, biting against their skin as Eclipse stood in formation on the training grounds, now dressed in identical military fatigues. Their once-glamorous lives filled with lights, cameras, and stage performances had been replaced with drills, strict schedules, and the weight of discipline. Yet, there was something grounding about it—something real.
Taehyun stood tall, his expression serious as the drill sergeant barked instructions. Despite his calm demeanor, his thoughts drifted to Soyeon. Her sharp words, her hidden tenderness, her quiet strength—those memories kept him going through grueling routines.
Not far from him, Jisoo wiped sweat from his brow as they completed a series of push-ups. He wasn't used to this kind of physical labor, but he endured it with quiet determination. Hana's laughter echoed in his mind—her smile, the way she looked at him with trust. That memory became his fuel.
The six members were spread across different units, each undergoing the same rigorous basic training. The sounds of shouting, running boots, and gunfire practice filled the air, a rhythm far removed from the melodies they once sang. Yet, in each of them was the same discipline and teamwork that made Eclipse who they were.
Scene 2: Letters from Home
A few weeks into service, the members received their first letters. Minjun sat on his bunk, hands trembling slightly as he opened Lily's envelope. Her handwriting was neat, filled with warmth and worry.
"I miss you. Every day feels a little colder without your smile. But I know you're doing something honorable, and that makes me proud. Keep going. I'll be here when you return."
He folded the letter carefully, holding it to his chest.
Hyunwoo read Yunna's words under the soft light of the dormitory. She had sent a photo too—her smiling in front of their favorite café. It made him laugh. "Grow strong, Hyunwoo. And come back as the man I know you're meant to be."
Jaemin, though playful by nature, sat in rare silence reading Seulbi's letter. She had drawn a tiny doodle of them holding hands under the stars. "Don't forget who you are—even when you're covered in dirt."
For Seojun, Favour's letter brought a mix of comfort and challenge. "You better not be slacking. I expect stories of you becoming a leader in there," she'd teased.
Jisoo's hands trembled slightly when he opened Hana's letter. Her words were poetic, filled with strength. "I look at the moon and think, maybe you're looking too. Until we meet again, I'll be rooting for you—always."
And Taehyun… Soyeon's letter was short but deeply sincere. "Be well. Come back with your head held high. And when you return, we'll talk—properly."
Scene 3: Bonds of Brotherhood
Despite the difficulty, the boys found solace in each other. Though assigned to different bases, during joint exercises or weekend leave, they occasionally reunited, exhausted but smiling.
"Hyunwoo, you look like you wrestled a bear," Jaemin joked during one shared exercise.
"That's because I did. His name was basic training," Hyunwoo shot back.
There were no cameras now, no fans screaming their names. Just sweat, dirt, and shared hardship. But in those moments, their brotherhood deepened, rooted in something stronger than fame—respect and resilience.
Scene 4: Growth in Silence
Time passed. The boys shaved their heads, woke at dawn, learned to fire rifles, and cleaned latrines. And in that simplicity, something changed. The fame that once defined them now took a back seat. They were not idols here. They were soldiers. Sons. Young men coming of age all over again.
Taehyun learned to lead silently. Minjun took comfort in responsibility. Jisoo discovered a new patience within himself. Seojun became a reliable team player. Jaemin found maturity in moments of solitude. And Hyunwoo began understanding the kind of man he wanted to become.
The nights were the hardest. Lying on their bunks, eyes on the ceiling, each one of them thought of home. The music. The girls. The shared meals. The laughter.
But the stars above reminded them: this was just a chapter.
A necessary one.
A humbling one.
End of Chapter 44: Marching Forward – Echoes of the Army
Would you like Chapter 45 to focus on the girls adjusting back at home, or continue with the boys' experiences in the army?