dura lex, sed lex

Part 6

Today was the day. The day Park & Jung would release the list of students they hired to become interns at their law firm. Although you weren't expecting to get in, despite what Taehyung had told you, a part of you still wished you would because that would mean a stable job once you pass the Bar and take the lawyer's oath. It was what you needed, but apparently, life had other plans. As cheers erupted around you from the students who got into the firm, you were left frozen in your place, eyes fixated on your name under the "Seoul Juvenile Court" list. Perhaps, you would have an easier time accepting this if it wasn't for seeing Go Hyun's name under Park & Jung.

Speaking of the devil, he placed an arm around your shoulder, saying in a smug tone, "What beautiful lists they are, right Y/N?" Shrugging his arm off, you left, aware that Go Hyun was following you. "Oh, come on, Y/N, did you honestly think you'll still get into Park & Jung after what you did to my father?" Turning on the corner, you made your way upstairs. "It's just a pity, huh? You still didn't get in even if you're fucking Kim Taehyung."

Although you knew Go Hyun was only trying to get into your skin, you still found yourself stopping in your tracks and facing him. That disgusting smirk was plastered on his face. "You're pathetic, Go Hyun," You told him with a scoff. "Your day will come, and when it does, I'll make sure I get a front row seat to laugh at how pitiful you are. Everyone knows you're a joke, but I guess even law schools need a class clown." Continuing your way upstairs, you felt a bit better.

Moments later, you found yourself knocking on Dean Sim's office. You heard her telling you to come in, and so you did, seeing her behind her desk, wearing a white pantsuit with her half-moon spectacles resting on the bridge of her nose. When she placed her gaze on you, you bowed respectfully and greeted her. She smiled, putting her pen down, taking her glasses off, and setting them on the paper she was writing on.

"Y/N, I was expecting you." Dean Sim said, pulling herself closer to her desk. "Please, take a seat."

You did, placing your bag on your lap. "Then I guess you know why I'm here, Dean." She nodded, and you swallowed the lump in your throat.

"I know," Dean Sim agreed. "But who the law firms and courts decide to accept in their internship programs is out of my jurisdiction, Y/N."

"Is this how it's going to be, Dean Sim?" You asked, chest rising heavily as you felt tears pricking your eyes. "I did what this school always tells us every day—to deliver justice—and yet why am I the one who's being punished?"

"Y/N, nothing I say to you will comfort you in any way. Sometimes, the laws we study don't translate for the better in real life. Sometimes, the bad guys win, but I want you to know that it's not always gonna be like this. The scales of justice will always be balanced at the end of the day—you just have to be ready to fight for it." Dean Sim said, locking her gaze with yours intensely. "I know I haven't been the best model of upholding justice in this school, but it's in students like you that give me hope that someday, these laws will be sacred once more and no one will dare use them for their advantage. I need you to hang on, Y/N. This profession needs people like you."

After a moment of silence and composing yourself, you asked, "I didn't even apply to the Juvenile district, Dean, so why am I on the list?"

"Atty. Ryu Hana recommended you to Judge Kim Namjoon, and he accepted. I know it's not like the internship with Park & Jung, but I think you'll find yourself interested in how the juvenile court system works and you'll gain a lot of knowledge there, Y/N. Give it a shot. You can always apply elsewhere, afterward." Dean Sim gave you an encouraging smile.

You wanted to return it but you didn't have the energy to. So, you nodded and bid her farewell before making your way out of her office.

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