"For the closing remarks, let's all welcome, our benevolent Vice President, Atty. Choi Seungcheol."
"Thank you, thank you."
I wrapped up the program we organized as the Association of Lawyers. I reminded them of our ideals for a better future, for a reliable justice system, where everyone will feel safe. To do that, we should exterminate the roots, the crime syndicates. The biggest of it, the mafia.
After that, I went home as fast as I could. I still have to recheck the powerpoint presentation I made for my class on Monday.
I practice law in trials, work as law professor, lead an organization as the vice president, and I do volunteer works providing for free legal counseling in various places.
Even in my busy schedule, I never forget to catch up with my family. Although my brother doesn't appreciate me that much.
"I'm home." I changed to slippers.
"Ahhh Cheolie." Mom greeted me with a hug. "I prepared beef stew for you."
"I still have to recheck my presentation.."
"Oh honey, you should recharge. Food's a good source of energy, right?"
"Of course."
I went to the dining table, mom prepared three pairs of utensils, but only two of them will be used.
"Where's Yeonjun?" I asked.
"He said he's out with his friends."
"Not again."
"Cheolie, I want you to talk to him. I can't contain him."
"He's in that teenage stage. He just wants to explore things."
"He's getting out of hand. You just had to save him again in the guidance office. It's not good for your reputation, and his class records."
Last time, I went to his high school to settle the mess he made. Him and his friends picked up a fight with students from another school and broke some school facilities.
"I'll call him after eating."
"Yeonjun?" I called.
"Oh, hyung?" I hear karaoke music in the background. He must be in the center.
"What time will you be home?"
"Don't worry, I won't be late."
"I'll pick you up, where-"
He hung up.
"I'll get going, mom."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing, I think he's in the karaoke. I'll look for him there."
I asked the receptionist in each karaoke hub if they've seen Yeonjun. Finally, one lady mentioned that she noticed him.
"Oh, they just went out."
"In what direction?"
"I think they went there in the right."
"Thanks."
I went out noticed murmurs coming from a dark alley. I looked closely and saw some young boys being cornered by three men in polo.
"Sorry! It's not our intention! We didn't know you are the mafia!"
It's Yeonjun's voice.
"Yo, kid. You acted all tough a while ago, tried to trip us there. Now you're about to piss your pants!" They laughed.
"Sorry!" One of his friends said.
I can take all of them. Have I mentioned that I'm a black belter in Taekwondo?
"Excuse me, what's happening?"
"Who are you?"
Yeonjun gasped.
"Hy-hyung!"
"Ahhh. So you called your brother. Boo hoo help me." Mocked one of the men.
"Leave them alone." I said.
"Nah, you leave us alone as we teach your kids a lesson."
I kicked this guy in front in between his legs, followed by a punch to the guy beside him.
"Yeonjun, run!"
In the split second, I saw a metal cylinder about to hit my head.
I opened my eyes and was blinded by the white ceiling with bright fluorescent lights.
"Cheolie!"
I turned around and saw my mom's eyes are swollen.
"I passed out, huh?" I said.
"Thank goodness!"
"Where's Yeonjun?"
She looked down and wiped her tears.
"Mom."
"He brought you here and called me at home. Since then, he hasn't showed up nor called."
I tried to stand up.
"Are you insane? They almost broke your skull. Please, take a rest."
I did. I'm just gonna trust that Yeonjun's okay. I forgot to ask how many days have been unconscious. That night, my phone beeped but it's from the unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Hyung!"
"Yeonjun! Where are you?"
"Don't worry about me. But I'm telling you, I'll pay for your bills and I will take you out of the hospital."
"Don't think about that and come back to us."
"..."
"Hey?"
"I can't."
"Why? Are you in trouble again?"
And he hung up again.
When I got out of the hospital, I got a call from another unknown number. I picked up hoping it's Yeonjun. I'm glad he's alive and safe. But what he told me on the phone shattered me. My brother might be stubborn but he can't kill a person.
But he actually did. I went to the Investigation Bureau and met my brother inside the prison cell.
"Hyung, I know I always bring humiliation to you."
"No no. Don't say that."
"It's true, though. I promise I'll change. I'll start by doing the right thing."
The right thing?
"Yeonjun, this is not going to be easy."
"I know, and should not. I am accepting this whole heartedly, as I should I can't live outside knowing I haven't repented for what I've done."
Is this really my brother?
Even though his confession and witnesses' testimonies match, I tried my best to save Yeonjun from going to jail. And this day, the court ruled
"The court rules Choi Yeonjun guilty of murder."
This the right thing to do. This is what needs to happen. But what am I feeling?
This is the first time I lost in a trial proceeding, it's all right. It's the fact that I want to make a better justice system to protect everyone especially my family.
Why am I so angry?
"I.. I'm Hong Joshua. I.. I'm sorry." A man with angelic face greeted me in his gentle voice.
But he managed to boil my blood. I shook his hand, hoping he doesn't feel my anger to him.
"Hi Mr. Hong. It's okay. My brother has to face the consequences. I'm Choi Seungcheol."
If this man didn't pay for Mr. Lee Chan's debt in the mafia, Mr. Lee will not be able to file a murder case against my brother. If this man didn't follow the mafia, they will not able to find my brother there.
It's all Hong Joshua's fault.
I stopped talking to that guy and went out the building. I saw a man in black polo getting my attention.
"Atty. Choi, please go inside."
"What do you want?"
"Boss is waiting for you."
I went inside the black sedan. I sat beside a man with porcelain white skin.
"Hi, Atty. Choi."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Woozi."
"You.. You are the capo. Are you satisfied now with what happened to my brother?"
"Hmm. I'm here to help you."
"How?"
"We have the same enemy."
"I don't have an enemy."
"Oh? How about Hong Joshua?"
