Chapter 23
“These are the items that Lee Jaemyung and his gang possessed at the time of their arrest related to the kidnapping case. According to police procedure, all personal belongings were confiscated and recorded by the police. In other words, these are the items they had with them at the time.”
“Even if they’re items, none of them were used as weapons, correct?”
The judge examined the evidence absentmindedly.
“Correct. But there is proof among these items that this was not a case of emergency self-defense.”
“Proof that it wasn’t self-defense?”
“Please take a look at item number 4.”
“Number 4… a lighter?”
The judge froze for a moment — and then realized exactly why that was a decisive piece of evidence.
“The defendant’s lawyers have argued all along that the killing was an unavoidable act committed in self-defense. They claimed it was freezing cold, and they had no choice but to kill to survive. However, as you can see, the assailants had a lighter. Considering the recent dry weather and the dried-up forest around them, it wouldn’t have been difficult to start a fire.”
“That…”
The defense attorney from Park & Sun Law Firm, holding the evidence, was struck speechless.
“They claimed subzero temperatures threatened their lives, yet they had a lighter. They could have easily made a fire.”
Sometimes, the most basic thing is the simplest. Something so common that no one pays attention to it. A small object still kept in the police evidence room — the attacker’s lighter. If they had a lighter, starting a fire would’ve been easy. And if they made a fire, they couldn’t have frozen to death. In other words, the defense of emergency self-preservation does not stand. That’s the foundation of argument — simplicity.
“Defense counsel, do you have anything to add?”
But the defense attorney had nothing left to say. He had fought so hard, arguing emergency self-defense, citing science and survival rates, but all of it collapsed because of a single lighter.
“Looks like that’s it. I’ll render my decision in two days.”
And just like that, the trial ended — undone by a trivial object.
Little Ladies? (1)
“They say if you’re not smart, your body pays for it — that’s exactly what happened.”
Noh Hyungjin chuckled when he heard the verdict on Lee Jaemyung’s case. Even though he had a lighter, his lack of sense led him to kill his friend and steal his clothes, resulting in a conviction for murder — twelve years in prison. Plus one more year for the attempted kidnapping and assault against Noh himself, totaling thirteen years behind bars.
“Well, twelve years — that’s actually a light sentence.”
In South Korea, it’s rare to get twelve years even for murder. There was that guy who kidnapped a middle school girl, raped her, forced her into prostitution, poured boiling water on her, and killed her — he got just nine years. And that teacher who killed his student with boiling water? Only two years.
“Anyway, I’m bored out of my mind.”
The life of a lawyer could easily be described as a life of struggle. Of course, one could coast along, but a lawyer who truly fought hard — like Noh Hyungjin, who refused to rely on connections and instead gave everything for each client — would find peace to be unbearably strange.
“Was studying always this hard?”
Back in school, he was constantly involved in major cases, so boredom wasn’t an issue. But after the Lee Jaemyung case ended, he’d been avoiding distractions to focus on studying — so much that it was almost painfully quiet.
“I passed the first round of the independent study exam, at least…”
As winter passed and spring came, the world started to change again. The “independent study exam” system allowed people to earn degrees through self-study, by passing four rounds of national exams — one each year. He’d already cleared the first round, and since many people dropped out after failing, the prep academy felt emptier.
“People will trickle back in soon, though.”
Those who passed stayed; those who failed left. The first round wasn’t impossibly hard, but for those who couldn’t even pass that or were there because of parental pressure, it was inevitable they’d quit. More than 20% had dropped out, making the dormitory eerily quiet.
“Next rounds are in May, August, and November.”
If he passed the next three, he’d officially earn his degree and qualify for the bar exam.
“Ugh, but I’m so sick of this.”
Everything was fine — except for the boredom he’d never expected. The lessons were all things he already knew; there was nothing new to learn. He was there because of his parents, not his own choice.
“Isn’t there anything to make life exciting again?”
Maybe he was a bit of a workaholic. After so many years of chaos, this calm, peaceful life felt unbearable to Noh Hyungjin.
“What are you up to?”
“Just… bored.”
“Oh, the mighty number one student admits to boredom?”
“Noona, it’s not like that.”
Hyorin had also passed the first round and stayed at the academy. The difference was, while Hyungjin could probably pass all four rounds right now, she had to work like crazy to keep up.
“It’s just… dull.”
“Then why not get a girlfriend?”
“Introduce me to someone my age first, then we’ll talk.”
“Heh.”
Fair point. He was the youngest one there — sixteen years old, technically middle school age. The next age group up was Hyorin’s — kids who had finished high school and were now doing self-study for a degree. They’d never see him as a man. And he didn’t like older women anyway.
“Younger girls are better.”
“Then how about going outside for once?”
“Outside?”
“Yeah, sometimes you’ve gotta clear your head.”
“Hmm…”
He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d gone out. He’d been avoiding people to focus on studying.
Has it been over three months?
Probably, since the Lee Jaemyung case ended.
“Yeah… maybe I’ll do that.”
“Good. Go breathe a little.”
“Sure.”
If you push yourself too hard, burnout follows. Sometimes, you just need to let your mind drift.
“Oh right, it’s spring. There’ll be plenty to do downtown.”
“Spring, huh…”
Noh Hyungjin decided to finally enjoy the season.
Spring
Cough, cough. “Spring air, my ass.”
Stepping outside, Hyungjin realized he’d forgotten how suffocating city life could be.
“Where exactly am I supposed to ‘feel’ the spring?”
Smog everywhere, people packed like sardines. There wasn’t a single peaceful spot to enjoy the season.
“‘Return to nature’? How much more could I possibly return?”
Banners promoting outdoor recreation flapped in the wind. But his academy was practically in the wilderness already — one step further and it’d be the Stone Age.
“Yeah, you guys go back to nature. I’ll enjoy civilization.”
He changed his mind — instead of “nature,” he’d enjoy technology. Only then did he realize: he was a city boy through and through.
“Whoa! Look at that guy!”
“He’s amazing!”
A crowd of elementary schoolers gathered around him as he played Virtua Cop, dual-wielding plastic pistols and breaking the high score.
“Heh, child’s play.”
With a smug grin, he took down the final boss and raised his arms in victory.
I’ve poured so much money into this game, of course I’m good.
He hadn’t played in years, but it was just as fun as ever. Sure, the graphics were terrible and the responsiveness slow compared to the future, but still satisfying.
“Unbelievable!”
“You’re the best, hyung!”
“Heh!”
Striking a cool pose as he stepped off the machine, Hyungjin muttered,
“Yeah, I’m a city guy, no doubt.”
He accepted that quiet rural life just didn’t suit him — and stepped out of the arcade.
“Now what?”
He’d been to the arcade. Going to a PC café would just feel like wasting his rare day off.
“Maybe I’ll grab a coffee.”
Then he saw a café.
“Coffee, huh…”
He used to practically live on the stuff — at least five cups a day, sometimes ten. Between long nights and constant client meetings, it was unavoidable.
“Haven’t had any in ages.”
He used to drink dark, bitter espresso, but today he felt like something sweet.
“Let’s try one.”
With a hopeful expression, he stepped into the café — but it wasn’t what he expected.
Huh?
The servers were all students — middle school girls.
“Welcome! This is Seongmun Girls’ Middle School’s one-day café!”
Ah… right, that was a thing around this time.
A flood of childhood memories came back. Back then, “one-day cafés” were a trend — students would rent cafés for a day to raise money or gain experience.
Hmm.
He looked around at the cheerful girls serving customers and found himself smiling.
Well, this doesn’t seem so bad.
But as with everything, good ideas had a dark side — over time, delinquents hijacked the concept, forcing students to sell overpriced tickets. Thankfully, these girls looked genuine — all in uniform, smiling brightly.
“One coffee, please.”
“What kind would you like?”
“Choco mocha.”
“Choco… mocha? Uh… we don’t have that…”
The flustered middle schooler made him chuckle mischievously.
“Then, black tea latte.”
“No…”
“Chai tea latte?”
“No, sorry…”
Of course not.
Those were drinks from branded cafés that wouldn’t exist for years.
“Then, choco cream chip frappuccino.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Espresso con panna.”
“What’s that?”
“What do you have?”
“Instant mix.”
“Oh, dear.”
Well, what did he expect? These girls wouldn’t know how to make specialty drinks. Back in this era, coffee meant either Americano, latte, or maybe green or black tea.
“I’m sorry.”
Her apologetic expression was so cute that he decided to stop teasing.
“Then I’ll have an instant.”
“Yes!”
Sure, paying 3,000 won for instant coffee was a waste, but cafés were about the atmosphere anyway.
This isn’t bad, actually.
A café full of cheerful schoolgirls — he couldn’t help but smile. Until the coffee arrived.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Am I supposed to drink this?”
“Oh… does it not taste right?”
Forget taste — what even is this?
They’d filled a mug with hot water and dumped a packet of coffee mix in. It was basically coffee-scented water.
“Sigh… I’ll do it myself. Mind if I use your kitchen?”
“Uh?”
“You’re students, right? I’m sixteen too. Same age, so it’s fine.”
“But…”
“If it tastes good, you can all have a cup.”
Marching into the kitchen area, Hyungjin turned on the steam wand and began making real coffee.
“Go buy what I asked for — whipped cream, Oreos, and chocolate syrup. I’ll pay.”
Caught up in his sudden enthusiasm, the girls hurried out and soon returned with the ingredients.
Whirr.
He steamed the milk, mixed the syrup, added foam, and drizzled chocolate — in seconds, a beautiful drink appeared.
“Wow!”
“It’s a choco chip frappuccino.”
The girls’ eyes widened at the sight of the delicious-looking coffee.
Heh, easy.
Hyungjin felt a little smug. Who wouldn’t, when surrounded by admiring girls their own age?
“Go ahead, try it.”
“Can we?”
“I can make more. You weren’t really gonna serve that last one to customers, were you?”
“Ah…”
They each took a sip — and their eyes sparkled.
“It’s amazing!”
“This is incredible!”
