Chapter Text
Kim Gaon is like someone who gets lost at someone else's party when he has to attend a banquet for the Social Responsibility Foundation, a foundation that mysteriously appears in the midst of South Korean society crisis caused by the collapse. They appear like a messiah who gives help to poor families.
As a journalist, Kim Gaon doesn't necessarily believe in the foundation's actions, because he knows that the Foundation also has many supporters from political elites and dirty business. Well, this is indeed information that only circulates among certain circles, including Gaon. No one dares to touch or mess with the Foundation, because no one knows the next day you will end up in the gallows or rotting in a dark narrow alley.
Many investigative journalists have been declared murdered and several missing while trying to trace the people behind this foundation, including Gaon's late father. When it happened Gaon was still in the second grade of high school. Gaon did not think that morning was his last time with his father, because that night his father did not come home, nor did the next day, and the next day, until one month later Gaon's father was declared missing.
Every day Gaon went to the police station to inquire about the progress of the search for his father. In addition, he is also diligent in distributing posters at crossroads and sticking the posters on blank walls and bulletin boards.
Right on his 18th birthday, Kim Gaon discovers the fact that his father will never be found again. A colleague of his father who is a fellow journalist gave Gaon a box containing files related to his father's recent investigative coverage. His father's friend, who did not want to be named, also told Gaon to stop looking for his father, because it was a waste of time and energy
Gaon still remembered exactly what the man said.
"Gaon, please stop what you are doing now, and promise me not to disturb them,"
"Them?"
"Your father disappeared because he continued to harass them, he knows very well about the consequences, but he does it anyway. Because he is too naive to believe that the law will side with people like us," said the man.
Gaon didn't understand at first what the man was talking about, but one thing was certain, that Gaon had lost his father forever, and it was all because of the actions of those powerful people. That day, Gaon's heart was so empty, he didn't know how to grieve. He couldn't even cry, what he felt was so surreal. Is someone's life really not that valuable?
And who would have thought that his life actually led him to a den of thieves, no one knows who Gaon is here, no one knows or maybe pretends not to know that there are a number of journalists killed because of this foundation's actions. Their deaths are just statistics in the police reports, and they are never even reported on television.
“Your eyes show great anger towards them.” Gaon snapped out of his thoughts and was surprised to see Kang Yo Han, a judge who is known to be impartial in punishing criminals whether he is from the elite or the common people. Kang Yo Han is very different from other judges, he is never afraid to reveal the truth, in fact it was he who proposed that the trial he presided over be broadcast nationally and the public could participate in convicting the accused.
He is known to be very charismatic and wise, every sentence he imposes in the live broadcast is always objective and in favor of the people. People worship Yohan as their god, but Kim Gaon is pessimistic about Yohan's actions.
"Sir Kang, you don't usually greet reporters like this, what is the need for Judge Kang Yohan to meet a humble reporter like me,"
Yohan smiled at Gaon, as sarcastic and sharp as ever. Yohan likes this side of Kim Gaon. Actually, the two of them had known each other for a long time, and Gaon was already pessimistic about Kang Yohan's appearance and his live trial program.
“Ah.. Kim Gaon-ssi is sarcastic as usual. I just happened to see you daydreaming here, you should join your fellow reporters right? This is a rare opportunity to gain face and social rank.”
"I'll pass,"
"Why?"
"This is not my place, and never will be."
"Yes, it can be seen from the look on your face and the look in your eyes,"
"Ah, looks like I'll have to practice more to fake my expression like you do in every trial,"
Yohan is now chuckling, since the first time they met, Kang Yohan was already interested in the appearance of a new reporter during his first live event. Kim Gaon in a navy sweater and white shirt suit sat quietly while watching all the proceedings. Every now and then they met glances and attracted him, Kim Gaon's gaze stole his attention. There was no fear or doubt there, Kim Gaon seemed to know what he was doing and what he was there for. He didn't look “touched” or “amazed” at all, when Kang Yohan handed down a hundreds of years of charges against the defendant.
As the trial ended, Kim Gaon approached him and asked him some things he didn't expect a new kid to ask.
“Is it true that this law will side with the common people now?”
“Is it really what you are doing solely for transparency and democratization?”
“Haha, I honestly don't care what people think of the methods I use. Currently, I work for the community. Just like you did, Kim Gaon-ssi," from that brief conversation, Kang Yohan became more and more interested in the new reporter named Kim Gaon.
From there, they didn't see much anymore, at that time Kim Gaon was indeed being assigned to cover the legal desk for a while, after that Kim Gaon covered more at the human interest and culture desk. As ordered by his father's friend, Kim Gaon had already buried his intention to reveal the truth about his father. Now that he understood the man's words, he had better think about how to survive in this increasingly uncertain situation.
“Ow.., do you often watch my trial program in the midst of your busy schedule? I think I met my number one fan," said Kang Yohan.
"Keep dreaming Ahjussi,"
“Hey, do I look that old, come on I still look like I'm in my 30s”
"I just found out, your narcissistic side will be this bad, Kang Yohan-ssi," unexpectedly they laughed after that.
The strange feeling that Kim Gaon had previously felt, he no longer felt now and it was all thanks to his strange conversation with the demon judge.
“Are you feeling claustrophobic here? want to get some air, out of the building?” Kim Gaon was once again shocked by Kang Yohan's invitation, it never crossed his mind that he would accept Yohan's invitation and accompany the judge to seek an air outside, more precisely accompany the judge to go elsewhere. Yohan took him to a park, two blocks from the building.
"I'm a bit surprised that judge Kang Yohan chose to seek some air, instead of meeting important people at the party," said Kim Gaon as he walked beside Kang Yohan.
"Believe me I prefer silence than that thing"
"Is it true?"
"Yeah, hey can't your expression be too surprised?"
“I told you I needed to learn from you on this, didn't I? You know I'm better at writing than pretending."
"Then you're not good at being an investigative journalist." Kim Gaon was silent, his silence this time was different from before, Kang Yohan knew that he had made Gaon uncomfortable.
"Yes, I'm not talented as an investigative journalist, I hate them. Sometimes they sniff out the wrong house, a house that shouldn't need to be disturbed, because it's pointless."
"Indirectly means you call them naive and stupid,"
“Yeah, after all, in the end, the news just became lines of meaningless words in the column of the website and lines on the newspaper. Bringing change? Nonsense. After the news came down, these people would easily escape from the law. Oh, sorry, if I hurt you," said Kim Gaon. Kang Yohan wasn't offended at all. He knew the law existed on a stage that had been rigged from the start. People who can win this game, are people in power, whether it's from position, or money.
"So, that's why, you don't believe me either?"
"Yes, including you Mr. Kang. It's nothing personal, it's just that I haven't trusted the people at this party for a long time."
“Then, why did you accept my invitation this time?”
"Hmm, I don't know either. Maybe, I still want to change my view of you."
"Why?"
"Hmm, I don't know. I'm also curious about the answer. Maybe because…, you were the only one who noticed my gaze in the party.”
They stopped for a moment and looked at each other. Why did Kang Yohan greet him now? What Kang Yohan wanted from him, Kim Gaon knew very well this wasn't just a coincidence, he wasn't a teenager anymore. What is this demon judge planning exactly? Did he need to open all his cards in front of Kang Yohan? Or did Kang Yohan already know all the cards he had?
"Mr Kang, you know I'm no longer a naive 17-year-old teenager who searches day and night for the whereabouts of his missing father, right?"
"I know you have something to say right now. I know you approached me just because you were looking for something."
“Good observation Kim Gaon-ssi. I'm always amazed by how you see what's in front of you. You have always had your own views, and continue to believe in them.”
"Then? You know, I understand very well the chit-chat of the elite people like you Mr. Kang. If you're really different from them, at least you don't have to hide in the bushes like this."
"Ahaha, alright. I just want to ask you something," said Kang Yohan. The finger of his right hand slowly touch Gaon's bangs of hair that slightly covered Gaon's eyebrows and gently parted it. After that the finger went down and touched Gaon's right cheek.
"Will you give me a chance to make you believe?"
"Believe?"
"That I will bring justice to you,"
Kim Gaon was stunned. What's wrong with Kang Yohan? Did he get hit before coming to this party?
“Mr Kang, did you hit your head? Are you okay? The jokes is not funny anymore."
“Kim Gaon-ssi, do want you to help me take down the people in this party?”
Woah, Kang Yohan's words is very dangerous if heard by the host. Kang Yohan really lost his mind, Kim Gaon thought.
"Sir Kang, you know what you say can get us both arrested, don't you?"
"Before they catch both of us, I'll make sure they get punished first, so will you help me?" said Yohan.
"Wait, for some reason your invitation is like someone who is proposing to his girlfriend,"
"You can say that too,"
Kim Gaon rubbed his temples, he didn't know what was in this demon judge's mind, everything he did was always unpredictable. Well, maybe Kim Gaon was the one who was careless and instead fell into the grip of the demon judge. But, on the other hand, Kim Gaon was also curious about Kang Yohan's offer. Is it true that he can get the justice that the demon judge always calls for?