RULES. seungjin.

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８】

After what happened two days ago, it became awkward between Seungmin and Hyunjin. Both ignoring each other in class and in the halls, but both also knowing that they'd have to face each other eventually.

As the day of the debates came, Mr.Moon told everyone what the order of the debates would be: Seungmin and Hyunjin being the last group to go. The two waited patiently and anxiously for their debate, the first day flying by quickly.

On the second day in AP Capstone class, the debates were being presented. Both Seungmin and Hyunjin stayed quiet throughout the two periods and had not once glanced at each other. After every pair has gone up, Mr. Moon calls their names, telling them that they were the last pair to go present.

"Kim Seungmin and Hwang Hyunjin. You guys are the last to go. The last topic of today's class will be the pros and cons of The Choosing," Mr. Moon addresses Seungmin, Hyunjin, and then towards the rest of the class.

Seungmin walks to the podium on the left side of the room, with Hyunjin walking towards the right.

(THIS IS NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF A DEBATE, SORRY IN ADVANCE AND STATISTICS SHOWN IN THIS DEBATE ARE PURELY FICTIONAL)

"So you guys will have about 16 minutes for your debate. And you guys know the rules, one minute and 30 seconds for reasons and evidence, one minute for rebuttals, and 30 seconds for wrap-ups and final statements. Seungmin will begin the debate, your time starts...now!" Mr. Moon finishes, pressing the timer on his hand, as he took a seat to observe the debate.

Seungmin and Hyunjin quickly glance at each other, the looks in their eyes clearly state that they were both ready. Seungmin clears his throat and glances at his paper before facing Hyunjin once more.

"The Choosing is a government system created back in 2036. The government matches every single person with another based on their procedure, and the sole purpose of The Choosing was to lower the divorce rates that sprung before 2036. Ever since its creation, it has only shown remarkable results, showing that divorce rates lowered 100% since, due to the way that The Choosing works in which it pairs people together. The reason that the government wanted to lower divorce rates was primarily due to the aftermath of divorces, where depending on the situation that caused the divorce, may cause for things such as murder, assault, etc," Seungmin states as the time ended, looking at Hyunjin the entire time.

Hyunjin looked at his paper and glanced up for the first questioning.

"It may lower divorce rates, but that is only because of the law. How would our world be without the law if we got rid of it now? Divorce is a change for the better and it allows for the development of one's self," Hyunjin finishes with a serious face.

Seungmin's eyes widen slightly at the passion shown in Hyunjin's face. It was definitely a sight he's never seen before.

He quickly composes himself and states, "Getting rid of divorce will bring us back to square one from 170 years ago. Also, divorce doesn't necessarily allow for the development of self and may very well cause one's mentality to spiral out of control."

Hyunjin quickly perks up and opens his mouth to rebuke.

"But how would you know their mental state would spiral out of control? You haven't been through something like that. In fact, no one has in the past 170 years, so how would you know?"

"Based on records from 170 years ago and past, it has been statistically proven that 78% of people going through a divorce go through a mental turmoil," Seungmin informs, resting his arms on the podium. Hyunjin quickly jots down some notes and Mr. Moon can be seen nodding at the information told by Seungmin.