Yi-soo managed an awkward chuckle, grateful for the distraction as she finally settled into her desk. Sorting through the piled-up records, she absently scratched her cheek, her thoughts drifting to Detective Ahn’s call.
“I’m really fine,” she reassured them, her voice calm despite the lingering unease. “I was a bit surprised, but I’m not injured. I feel sorry for causing you both unnecessary worry. Even the senior prosecutors must have been surprised…”
“Don’t even start,” Chief Choi interrupted, his frustration evident. “Seoul Chief Prosecutor was absolutely furious. He directly called Detective Ahn and demanded immediate transfer. Can you believe it? Kidnapping a prosecutor like the prosecution isn’t terrifying enough.”
Yi-soo nodded, her expression solemn. “Probably… they’ll be transferred soon. And the trial schedule will be set urgently. The suspect has committed so many crimes that it will attract attention…”
Just the crimes she knew of already amounted to a serious sentence. From kidnapping to murder conspiracies to running illegal gambling dens, the list seemed endless. And as the investigation progressed, more victims and criminal activities would undoubtedly come to light, painting a darker picture of the perpetrator’s depravity.
She would probably have to participate in the trial as a witness herself, facing the weight of her experiences head-on. Lost in these thoughts, Ho-yeon approached her desk with a small gesture of kindness.
“Prosecutor. This is ginseng juice. I got about fifty bottles, so you should drink one a day!”
“Detective, thank you, but why all of a sudden…?” Yi-soo’s curiosity tinged her voice.
“I originally received it as a gift last Chuseok… but I didn’t want to waste it, so I didn’t drink it. But no matter how much I think about it, it seems like you should drink it more than me,” Ho-yeon explained.
“Oh, no, I’ll gratefully accept your kindness.”
Yi-soo couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. The unsettled feeling she had since entering the prosecutor’s office seemed to dissipate quickly, replaced by warmth and camaraderie.
Meeting colleagues for the first time as a prosecutor, she felt blessed to encounter such good people.
“Then let’s all have it together. I’ll leave it on my desk, so both Chief Choi and Prosecutor can drink one bottle a day.”
“I would’ve taken care of it even if Ho-yeon didn’t say so. When you get older, you automatically take care of your health. And when Prosecutor turns fifty, she’ll never refuse it. Until you get your transfer orders, we’ll make sure to take good care of you,” Chief Choi chimed in, his jest laced with genuine concern.
As Yi-soo alternately looked at him and Ho-yeon with a smile, she turned on her computer. Thanks to them, her complicated feelings seemed to lighten, and it seemed like she could start the week with a good mood, fortified by the support of her colleagues.
***
Two months later, standing in front of the criminal court, Yi-soo let out a sigh. Time had passed her by like an arrow, relentless and swift, carrying her to a moment she never imagined she’d face.
Suddenly, it was the first trial for Kang Jin-won. As the atrocious crimes were unveiled, the attention of the entire nation focused on him, casting a grim shadow over the proceedings. This nearly led to a closed trial, but only witnesses and the families of victims were allowed in the courtroom, a somber reminder of the gravity of the situation.
The central staircase of the courthouse buzzed with reporters from numerous broadcasting companies, their cameras poised to capture every detail of the unfolding drama.
“Ah, Seo Yi-soo.”
“Oh, you’re here?”
At that moment, a familiar voice rang in Yi-soo’s ears. She turned her head to look at Hyun-seong, his presence a comforting anchor in the sea of turmoil. He couldn’t let Yi-soo, who was both a witness and a victim’s family member, go alone to the trial. He had rescheduled all his meetings in the morning to be there on time, his dedication evident in the tousled state of his usually neatly arranged hair.
Yi-soo gently brushed his bangs as she stood on tiptoes, a silent gesture of gratitude for his unwavering support, even at the cost of his own time. Muttering softly to herself, she remarked, “The trial day has finally arrived. Time flies so fast.”
“You must be prepared, but it’s going to be a tough fight. Are you okay?” Hyun-seong’s tender voice carried an undercurrent of concern, his gaze fixed on Yi-soo with unwavering support.
Instead of answering his question, Yi-soo leaned in to kiss his cheek lightly, a wordless reassurance that she would weather the storm ahead. Hyun-seong’s faint smile in response spoke volumes about the strength of their bond.
Then, he reached out his hand to her, a silent invitation to face the trial together.
“Shall we go in?”
“Let’s go.”
Finally, it begins. Yi-soo took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. It was the courtroom where she had always stood wearing her red-striped prosecutor’s robe, but today, she didn’t wear the robe. It felt like the dawn of a new chapter, one filled with uncertainty yet anchored by the unwavering support of those who stood by her side.
With a creak, the door opened, revealing a familiar scene bathed in the harsh glow of courtroom lights. Without hesitation, Seo Yi-soo stepped inside, her resolve unwavering.
But it wasn’t just Prosecutor Seo Yi-soo who entered that room. It was also the human Seo Yi-soo, with all her vulnerabilities and fears, who had to confront this trial at all costs.