A Model Student's Life 7
There was nothing special at school the next day. It was just like any other day—moderately rowdy, moderately quiet. Until I overheard the conversations in the classroom.
"What's going on today?"
"Yeah, right?"
Seeing Kyung-soo chatting with a friend from another class he usually hung out with, Jong-hyuk and I greeted them.
"What? Why the commotion this early in the morning?"
"No, it's just that you're so slow on the uptake."
"Huh?"
"That girl Sai-go from class 7 got hauled off to the police station, so their homeroom teacher went there first thing this morning."
"Who's the dog? Class 7 is the girls' class, right?"
"You wouldn't know... but if you were Joo-in, maybe."
"So what happened?"
"Sai-go was the one who gathered kids who were a bit rowdy and made them do that in class..."
"That to kids?"
"It's awkward saying it myself. You know. Anyway, that's why the cops went."
I did report it, but this is too fast, isn't it? Where's the evidence for them to drag her straight to the station? Did they catch her in the act?
I sat down with a confused look on my face, and our homeroom teacher entered, quieting the noisy classroom. Unlike yesterday, when he'd scribbled "self-study" after the college entrance exam practice and bolted, he took roll call today. He scanned the class quietly, then spoke in a low but firm voice.
"Don't get swept up in weird rumors and make a fuss. The entrance exams are over, but you can't slack off. Focus on your studies if you want to get into a good high school next year and then a better college."
A smattering of boos rippled through the room briefly, but neither the teacher nor the students paid it any mind. The classroom was mildly chaotic, the school buzzing, and no one could focus properly. But the third-year rooms were business as usual—movies playing, kids huddled in groups whispering away.
"So what exactly happened? Did the cops really take her?"
"If we knew, everyone would be snooping around trying to dig up dirt."
"Something's bugging me, though..."
"Huh? You got a hunch, Joo-in?"
"Spit it out already, it's killing me."
"You know how we ran into Jae-min on the way to the PC bang yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Well, when I lagged behind a bit on the way there, I overheard a conversation..."
I told them about worrying over what Jae-min had said and reporting it to Heo Soon-kyung.
"Even if you reported it, this is too quick."
"That's what I'm saying... I'm actually worried that if they nab her this sloppily, she might come back for revenge later..."
"What, you worried about Ji-hye?"
"I deny it all I want, but man..."
"It's not like that. Regardless, it could be dangerous, and just sitting on my hands feels wrong."
"This another 17-on-1 deal?"
"No. I'm just reporting it because I'm worried. It's not my fight, and violence isn't the answer here."
"Yeah, when girl gangsters are involved, it's hard to settle with fists alone."
"Not what I meant. I'm just keeping an eye out as much as I can."
"That's straight out of my mom's playbook. Nosy much?"
I pressed my hand to my forehead, looking pained, and shoved Jong-hyuk and Kyung-soo away.
"Anyway, I hope they handle it properly now that she's in custody."
"Think that's possible? Moon Jae-ha's thing just blew over."
"No, he got expelled—what do you mean 'blew over'?"
"Jae-ha killed someone."
"What?"
"But expulsion? Nah, he dropped out."
"Dropping out and transferring away from Baek-sin Middle School? He didn't want that, so he quit, took the high school equivalency exam to get his middle school certification, and plans to apply to Baek-sin High School."
"So we'll run into him in high school?"
"No punishment for killing someone? Even with juvenile law, shouldn't he go to a youth detention center?"
"I don't know the details—the teachers won't talk. But he's young, no prior record, so probably got a lenient sentence, some education program, no detention."
"Juvenile cases don't show the punishment details. And we know because we're at the same school, but juvenile records are sealed from others per the law's intent."
"That's why everyone avoids Jae-ha. Get mixed up with a killer who walks free, what's the upside?"
"Jae-ha was sly—only picked on kids who wouldn't cause real trouble."
"But even murder gets you off. So people steer clear."
"And no real punishment?"
"The other gang kids got bolder after Jae-ha's case. Sai-go started by forcing girls to strip underwear and selling it for cash, but after Jae-ha, she escalated—pimping out girls, filming blackmail vids, beatings."
"What?"
"Yeah."
"That's worse than the news."
"Adults say kids fight and grow from it."
"Without thinking it ends in murder or suicide."
"Or not wanting to."
"So Sai-go walks free soon too."
"Probably."
We waited for dismissal, then bolted to pick up Joo-shin. Unlike usual, it overlapped with other kids' times, so spotting him in the crowd was tough. But three boys clustered together stood out amid all the moms waiting, and Joo-shin spotted us first, running over.
"Hyung."
"Starting today, you're walking home with friends?"
"Today’s academy day, so tomorrow we go together."
"Okay? Say bye and see you tomorrow then."
"Already did."
We headed to the library with Joo-shin.
"Library today?"
"Yeah. You against it?"
"No, I like it. Lots of books and friends."
"Made friends at the library?"
"Yeah, I'll introduce you next time. Probably not today."
"Alright."
At the library, Joo-shin tossed his bag at me like a hot potato and dashed to the kids' section. He plopped into a rocking chair that looked like playground gear, pulling out a book like it was routine. We headed to the station as planned.
"Haha, you missed me, huh?"
"I'll say that."
"Joo-in reported yesterday, and they nabbed her today? Possible?"
"Well... ongoing investigations..."
"Ah..."
Heo Soon-kyung glanced at their disappointed faces, winked at me, and I broke into a cold sweat but looked away innocently. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he continued.
"Can't discuss active cases, but... Joo-in, there was already a prior report. The details were just..."
"Just?"
"Too... brutal. Seemed far-fetched. The detective..."
"So..."
"Not ignored, but backburnered for higher priorities."
"Why? If it's that brutal, it's major. They shelve it?"
"Reports without victims showing up get deprioritized over direct complaints. Detectives are human too—focus on the ones in front of them."
"Then..."
"But your report yesterday. I passed it to the detective. Two reports now: first anonymous but with evidence, second from you—verified, early reporter on the Red Brick House case. Of course he'd prioritize."
Feels like Heo Soon-kyung pulled strings with the detective...
Dismissing his role casually, he briefed Jong-hyuk and Kyung-soo on progress, skipping key details.
"First reporter didn't ID?"
"Probably the victim—too hard to come forward."
"Huh?"
"Can't say much, but the abuse was harsh."
"No way..."
"Evidence from the first report sufficed, apparently. Quick processing. Plus other victims came forward..."
"Huh?"
"Like you guys hearing rumors and coming here. Victims got brave hearing she was nabbed."
"So..."
"Started as witness statements, now arrested—proper punishment coming."
"Juvenile law though?"
"Probably... lighter than adult penalties, but evidence so far won't let her off easy."
"Really?"
"Huh?"
"Jae-ha killed and walked."
Heo Soon-kyung pondered our reactions, checked his notebook, face hardening.
"I'll watch closer so no Jae-ha repeats."
"Wish there were more cops like you, hyung."
"Join the force?"
"Eh..."
We all burst out laughing at that.
The walk home wasn't entirely carefree, but I decided not to dwell beyond my limits. Home, prepping dinner, Joo-shin whined about hunger—library lunch hadn't filled him. I gave him half a pear as a snack, fridge'd the rest.
Save the other half for after Mom eats...
"Hyung, you not eating?"
"With Mom."
"Then... me too."
"You eat first."
"Why? I wanna wait for Mom."
"You can eat with her later."
"Okay..."
Poking his puffed cheeks as he tilted his head over the sliced pear, I said,
"Mom would be sadder knowing you starved waiting."
"Yeah... no choice then."
Watching him chomp a big bite, I thought,
I'm no great man.