CI 3.3

Seo Yeo-il briefly imagined a life of being with Won Hee-yeon all day. It didn’t seem unpleasant. No, it actually seemed quite nice. Son Yeo-il suddenly was overcome with the  same reluctance to part with Won Hee-yeon.

But Seo Yeo-il was the type who needed to tap a stone bridge repeatedly to feel satisfied before crossing it, even when he clearly knew it was a stone bridge. As if saying yes immediately would get him abducted, Son Yeo-il replied primly.

“…I’ll think about it.”

“That’s right! You’ve really promised to think about it! You must be tired, so go in quickly. I’ll be dreaming of you, and you should have pleasant dreams and sleep well until morning. Okay?”

Won Hee-yeon seemed very satisfied with the coy response. He entered Son Yeo-il’s door passcode and opened the door himself, then ushered Son Yeo-il into the room with the formal attitude of escorting a chairman.

The first thought that came to Seo Yeo-il’s mind after entering the room was, Tomorrow I must ask him how he knew the passcode to this room. 

Suddenly, it occurred to him that he had a very unaffectionate personality.

Should I have answered, I’ll dream of you too?

He felt goosebumps from the cringey feeling, but then his heart lightened again as if floating high into the sky.

Oh no. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep because I feel too good.

After preparing for bed, Son Yeo-il rolled around on the bed as if tumbling on clouds and contemplated his future for a moment. Although Son Yeo-il had no illusions about romance, for some reason he wanted to do various things with Won Hee-yeon.

As they had done so far, eating delicious food, watching interesting things together, going on trips. He would probably have to refrain from shopping since Won Hee-yeon might go overboard again, but he also wanted to give Won Hee-yeon gifts that he would like.

And also, and…Son Yeo-il fell asleep counting the pleasant things one by one. Full of anticipation for how much fun awaited for them tomorrow.

***

“Ah, you must have waited a long time. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry. My husband worked hard accomplishing great things today.”

Wednesday night, 11 p.m. Son Yeo-il hurriedly came down to the building and got into Won Hee-yeon’s car. Won Hee-yeon welcomed him as if nothing was wrong, but instead, it was Son Yeo-il who pouted his lips.

“What is this every day? Why does all the work pile up at times like this……? It’s upsetting.”

Contrary to the expectations he had on the first day they agreed to date, Son Yeo-il had been working overtime for the third day in a row. He didn’t have any spare time to himself, let alone going on dates. He had to finish preparing for the redevelopment district case against Koo & Chang, and on top of that, he had been running around frantically because there were urgent documents to submit for another case.

“When you’re busy, work comes first, what can you do? We have plenty of days to spend together.”

“Still, it’s hard to keep waiting.”

“What’s hard about sitting comfortably and waiting? I’m worried that working too late will harm Yeo-il’s health. I’m doing fine myself.”

Looking closely, Won Hee-yeon was beaming with delight for some reason. Son Yeo-il, who had been sulking alone, narrowed his eyes and asked.

“But why are you smiling?”

“Oh my, how can I not smile when you’re pouting your lips like that? It’s so pretty.”

Son Yeo-il tried to maintain a stern expression, but his lips had already sneakily curled upward.

Really funny. He goes crazy saying I’m pretty no matter what I do.

Eventually, even Son Yeo-il’s eyes curved like half-moons. Seeing Son Yeo-il’s smile, Won Hee-yeon drew closer as if pulled by a magnet. Just as the gap narrowed until their noses almost touched, Son Yeo-il spotted a familiar face passing through the alley outside the car window and shoved Won Hee-yeon away.

“H-Hong-sik!”

Son Yeo-il clutched his pounding heart. Won Hee-yeon, equally startled, grumbled quietly.

“What’s wrong with that bastard? Why is he wandering around here instead of staying in his own neighborhood?”

As if the energy of a couple somehow attracted intruders, lately whenever they tried to create a romantic atmosphere, someone would suddenly appear nearby.

The day before yesterday at lunch, while walking near a restaurant and about to hold hands, Manager Kim suddenly approached and greeted them. Yesterday on the way home, just as they were about to embrace in the car, the landlady of the studio apartment came right up to the front of the car.

There weren’t many people they knew in Yongju City, but the small-town nature of the place was a problem. It seemed their only options for spending intimate time together were to go somewhere far away where no one knew them or to hide in an enclosed space.

“Oh my, you startled me. We should hurry and go, right?”

Won Hee-yeon awkwardly took the steering wheel. His expression clearly showed his disappointment. Since Son Yeo-il felt the same disappointment, he had made his own plan.

“Hee-yeon. Once I finish my argument in court tomorrow, I’ll be done with all the major work. From the day after tomorrow, I won’t be working overtime for a while. Maybe even starting from tomorrow.”

Since he couldn’t avoid working overtime anyway, Son Yeo-il had concentrated fiercely for three days and completed much of his work.

“I’ll leave work early, and the two of us, um…let’s have fun.”

At Son Yeo-il’s words, Won Hee-yeon gulped loudly while driving. By the time they arrived at the studio apartment, whatever he had imagined had left his pupils dilated and cheeks flushed. Still, it was amusing to see him trying to suppress his desire while offering a greeting.

“Ahem, ahem. That’s right. So, you have a lot of work tomorrow. Shall we go in now?”

They both had booked schedules for tomorrow morning. Won Hee-yeon was supposed to inspect a remodeling construction site, and Son Yeo-il had to go to court. The argument date for the redevelopment district case he had prepared so hard for was tomorrow. Just before entering the room, Won Hee-yeon stopped Son Yeo-il with an “Oh!”

“Ah, but you know. Your court tomorrow is at 11, right? My business should be finished by then, so I was thinking of attending as a spectator to see my husband at work. It’s an open court, isn’t it?”

“What? Oh, no. I think I’d be flustered if I saw you.”

“I’ll just sit quietly. I’ll even wear a white shirt.”

Son Yeo-il was momentarily tempted, recalling Won Hee-yeon’s clean suit appearance from their department store visit, but quickly waved it off.

“I’m still a novice, so it’s embarrassing. Come watch later when I’m more experienced.”

As Won Hee-yeon lingered at the door looking quite disappointed, Son Yeo-il planted a quick kiss on his cheek and sent him away. Won Hee-yeon became even more excited, exhaling sharp breaths through his nose as he headed over to his room next door.

Though the thought of his reaction almost made him burst into laughter, Son Yeo-il calmed himself and hurried to bed. Tomorrow was the first date for an important case, and he wanted to be in perfect condition.

Okay, let’s do well.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly. He slept well, and his steps were light as he entered the courtroom with Representative Bae the next morning. Having committed the extensive records to memory, he was confident he wouldn’t be flustered no matter what happened.

He had worried that Won Hee-yeon might come, but there was no sign of him in the gallery. It was a relief that Won Hee-yeon had listened to his request so perfectly. After the previous case finished, it was finally Son Yeo-il’s turn. As the case number was called, Son Yeo-il and Representative Bae went to the counsel’s table.

“Plaintiff’s counsel present.”

“Please be seated. Is the defendant’s counsel not here? Is there no one from Koo & Chang?”

Indeed, there were no lawyers in the gallery who looked like they had come from Seoul. Just as Son Yeo-il was wondering if they might not appear, the courtroom door opened.

“I apologize. The defendant’s counsel is present. Your Honor, would it be acceptable for a trainee lawyer to sit in as well?”

Despite being a trainee himself, Son Yeo-il was startled by the mention of a “trainee lawyer.” Having almost been colleagues with them, he knew the profiles of the new lawyers who had joined Koo & Chang this year. While they were all uncomfortable figures, there was one person who was unbearably so.

At that moment, footsteps and the scent of cologne that still lingered in his memory drew closer. No way, please no. Son Yeo-il looked back with a prayerful heart. Despite his desperate hopes, reality was cruel. The trainee lawyer appearing from Koo & Chang happened to be Koo Dae-hyun.

How did that crazy bastard end up here?

Seo Yeo-il’s mind became muddled. Of all the many lawyers at Koo & Chang, why did Koo Dae-hyun end up handling this case? Perhaps he had volunteered to take it. He might have even come all the way to Yongju City for a case that wasn’t even his responsibility.

Even among the law school graduates confirmed by Koo & Chang, Koo Dae-hyun was special. Other new hires whispered, “He’ll take all the good cases anyway, and all the successful seniors will want to work with him.”

While this case was major by Yongju City standards, something that might happen once every few years, it was modest compared to the large-scale cases handled by Koo & Chang. Unless Koo Dae-hyun had deliberately stepped forward, there was no reason for him to be present at the argument for such a case.

Why is there always some drama? Ha…No. I’ll eventually face this working in this field anyway. Let’s just get through today quietly.

While Son Yeo-il was gathering his scattered thoughts, filled with bewilderment and disgust, the proceedings began. Since Son Yeo-il was just a trainee lawyer, he thought it would be better to simply sit quietly.

However, even that didn’t go as planned. Representative Bae had reviewed the records more thoroughly than usual, but it was an exceptionally complex case. Whenever Representative Bae needed to speak, Son Yeo-il had to flip through the records back and forth to show him the relevant sections where the issues appeared.

After this happened several times, Son Yeo-il’s mind worked faster than his hands, and he began answering directly himself. Though Koo Dae-hyun still bothered him, he couldn’t just sit by watching Representative Bae struggle.

“Very well. I understand both parties’ positions. The court will appoint an expert before the next date, and do either party have additional oral arguments regarding the expert examination?”

“Your Honor. The plaintiff’s submitted examination items fail to reflect the construction costs agreed upon in the additional agreement. We request that our side’s additional examination items be provided to the expert.”

Although the proceedings were winding down and Son Yeo-il had tried to restrain himself, he couldn’t bear another strange claim from Koo & Jang and countered, “It is the plaintiff’s position that there was no agreement to increase the construction costs. As stated in our written brief, if you claim a different standard of assessment is needed, the defendant should separately apply for their own expert examination…”

The Koo & Chang lawyer who had come with Koo Dae-hyun appeared to be a former court official with nearly 20 years of experience. Annoyed that a green trainee lawyer from a tiny office was talking back to him, he cut Son Yeo-il off irritably, “Excuse me, but doesn’t a trainee lawyer lack direct litigation authority? You submit documents at the last minute and have a trainee handle oral arguments—it’s difficult for us to respond appropriately.”

Son Yeo-il was about to flare up in response, but the judge’s rebuke came faster, “The defendant’s counsel was the first to submit documents close to the hearing date. I don’t know if your retainer came late, but the court also struggled to review them.”

“I-I apologize, Your Honor.”

“Since this is a plaintiff-requested examination, we will proceed according to the plaintiff’s claims as a principle. Both parties, please submit your documents well in advance of the next hearing date. Today’s proceedings are concluded.”

As soon as the hearing ended, Representative Bae turned to Son Yeo-il with an expression that suggested he was about to shower him with praise. However, Son Yeo-il wanted to leave more than receive praise. If he lingered, Koo Dae-hyun might unnecessarily try to strike up a conversation.

“Sir, I have something to attend to. I’ll go briefly and return after lunch.”

“Oh, sure. Take your time and come back.”

Representative Bae, who had looked ready to carry Son Yeo-il on his back, let him go without further questions. Son Yeo-il immediately left the courtroom and walked as quickly as his feet could carry him.

Whether it was because he was more flustered than he’d realized or because the tension had released after the proceedings ended, his knees were trembling terribly. Son Yeo-il desperately tried to reassure himself as he stepped toward an unknown destination.

I did well. No one knew I was flustered. Judging by my steady voice, I wasn’t really that flustered, was I? I must really be okay now. Even if that bastard comes to the next hearing, I can just ignore him as if he doesn’t exist…

Just as he thought that, a terrible shiver ran from Son Yeo-il’s wrist to his shoulder and up to the crown of his head. It was due to a dreadful touch. Son Yeo-il shook off the hand that had grabbed him with all his might.

Koo Dae-hyun, who had followed Son Yeo-il, wore a shameless expression. More precisely, it was just a bright, innocent expression. As if he had no idea why Son Yeo-il would shake him off like that—a face so innocently shameless it was revolting.

“Yeo-il. It’s been so long, where are you rushing off to? I came all the way to this remote countryside. How can you treat me like this?”

As he had appeared while sitting vacantly as if he knew nothing about the case, it seemed Koo Dae-hyun had indeed attended the hearing because of Son Yeo-il.

His genuinely disappointed tone was absurd. That bastard was always like this. Even when Son Yeo-il had never asked for anything, he would arbitrarily do favors and then act as if Son Yeo-il should naturally comply with his wishes in return, and if not, as if Son Yeo-il was the selfish one.

He was like that back then too. That bastard.

Memories that Son Yeo-il had pushed to the bottom of his heart began to creep up to the surface of his consciousness. It was all so futile. He had convinced himself that he was fine now, that he had improved somewhat, but just from Koo Dae-hyun’s slight touch, everything began to stir up again.

Though he didn’t want to remember, though he thought he had forgotten everything, the unpleasant memories were still vividly alive. Amidst the loud ringing in his ears, Son Yeo-il recalled that day:

[Yeo-il, I ended the alumni meeting early because I missed you. Come here.]

Late at night, close to midnight. Son Yeo-il’s expression hardened as he checked his phone screen in the library. The link Koo Dae-hyun sent was to a hotel twenty minutes by car from the school. Koo Dae-hyun, whose birthday was today, had said he had plans with the alumni at the hotel lounge bar.

What should I do?