Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Election Victory
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A few days later.
*Ding.*
-This case (dissemination of false information) has been ruled no charges, non-prosecution.
Kang Hyun received the text and immediately tried contacting Prosecutor Jeong Ji-eun, but he couldn't get through.
She probably didn't want private contact from someone involved in the case.
'I'll see her again someday.'
With just that one text, the incident was downplayed and wrapped up.
'It turned out just as I planned.'
He could have made them suffer more cruelly and miserably, but he chose not to.
He simply aimed to achieve his goals, and once he reached them, he would strive to fulfill the duties that came with that sense of accomplishment.
In any case, Yang Hee-chan would face proper judgment under the law, with false accusation piled on top of his other crimes.
Kang Hyun was satisfied with that.
Time passed, and election day for student council president approached, but after the text message incident, no one—no individual or group—dared to touch him.
Not even reporters from small media outlets or any organizations inside or outside the school.
Everyone simply watched him in hushed silence.
They had clearly seen how the neck of the one who targeted him and set the trap had flown, and how that person suffered twice—no, three times worse. It was only natural.
...
Today, Kang Hyun did nothing but sit quietly on the rooftop of a building with a clear view of the polling station where the voting was underway.
It was a small space decorated like a terrace, with a few chairs and tables placed around.
Autumn was in full swing with vibrant foliage, but once today was over, time might fly by like an arrow again.
That's why Kang Hyun had cleared his entire schedule for the day, spending it silently lost in thought.
But then, *clunk*.
The rooftop door opened, and someone stood behind Kang Hyun.
He quickly realized who it was.
"You're here? Exam over?"
"Yeah."
Yoon Haneul trudged over wearily and sat down in front of him.
Kang Hyun looked up.
His eyes passed over her white legs and cute sneakers, then her red lips and dark eyes.
"How'd you know I was here?"
"I know everything."
She flashed a grin, and Kang Hyun smiled back.
In that instant, he recalled the day of the text message incident.
When Kang Hyun had stood on stage and lifted his head with resolve, she had been stomping her feet anxiously below.
Looking at her now beside him, Kang Hyun said,
"You were pretty shocked last time, huh?"
"No, I'm fine."
"You looked shocked. I saw you from the stage."
"...Really?"
"Nope."
"Pfft."
Her bright laugh made all his worries vanish.
By now, Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul knew each other too well. They supported and cheered each other on.
She seemed disinterested but cared the most, pretended to be nonchalant thinking he'd handle it himself, but fretted anxiously behind his back.
Kang Hyun had clearly seen that side of her, and he was grateful for it.
Kang Hyun opened his mouth.
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"For coming because you were worried."
Kang Hyun looked straight at her, meaning every word.
She met his eyes, as if fully aware of his sincerity.
Their gazes sparkled in the air between them.
...
Yoon Haneul playfully nudged his forearm with her elbow. She hadn't done that much before, but her increased touches had become familiar—though they still made his heart flutter.
And her praise made it flutter even more.
"You did great."
"Huh?"
"I said you did great. There'll be tougher things ahead, but I'll always cheer you on."
She rested her arms on the chair and rocked back and forth for no reason.
Kang Hyun could feel his heart radiating warmth throughout his body. Her words of encouragement hit harder than anyone else's.
"Yeah, thanks..."
His heart softened as he gazed at her.
"And... congrats in advance."
"Huh?"
"You're gonna be student council president today."
"I don't know yet."
"Nah, I know I am."
She said it with a cheeky smile.
"That's why I skipped my night practice today."
"Huh...? You skipped?"
Hearing "skipped" from her mouth left Kang Hyun staring in disbelief, and she giggled again. She seemed serious.
"But I gotta ace my exams to make up for the points I lost. You'll study with me, right?"
"Haha, sure!"
"Alright then."
"Huh, wait?"
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. The sun was beginning to set.
"Let's go see the results."
*Thump thump.*
The time had come.
The election results would be posted on the bulletin board in the center of campus before the detailed vote counts and turnout were announced.
Passersby stopped to look at the large poster of the student council president election results before moving on, and a few curious people came specifically to check.
Just then, Woo Si-hyung called, but Kang Hyun ignored it and kept walking.
"What if I lost?"
At Kang Hyun's words, she replied from ahead.
"That won't happen."
Along the way, people gave him looks, and some even pumped their fists in encouragement.
They might have been schoolmates he'd seen once or students he'd greeted in passing.
Their memories of him were vague, but they all seemed to know him well.
A legal genius and the school's pride.
A promising peer, a role model for classmates.
An outstanding underclassman, a rising star to carry the future.
They might describe him differently, but one thing was common.
They all supported Kang Hyun.
Before he knew it, he and Yoon Haneul stood before the huge white sheet of paper posted on the bulletin board.
"Whew."
*Thump thump.*
This was the finale of the semester.
He'd accomplished much and had many joys so far, but this felt different.
The challenge to become a leader—the first step, and the final moment to reach the highest position as a university freshman.
"Congrats! I was right, huh?"
She stomped her feet and slapped his shoulder, beaming. The last time Yoon Haneul had acted like that was after high school CSAT results.
Kang Hyun carefully lifted his head to look at the notice.
-Elected: Student Council President, Law Department, Kang Hyun / Vice President, Law Department, Lee Myung-hwan
"Ha..."
Noticing Kang Hyun's deep sigh at the result, she threw her arms around him and bounced up and down.
That brought reality crashing in, flooding his mind with excitement like a bursting dam, and he hugged her tightly with a radiant smile.
"We did it."
"Of course!"
She patted his back hard. Caught up in the excitement, Kang Hyun lifted her up and spun her around.
Someone seemed to be taking their picture, but he didn't care.
Some clapped, others cheered congratulations.
-Congrats!
-Wow! Congrats!
Before long, Lee Myung-hwan appeared, jumping into Kang Hyun's arms, and his familiar close friends gathered around one by one.
"Congrats!"
"Congratulations!"
"The Law Department owns student council!"
The corridor buzzed with chatter and laughter.
Many big and small incidents had led to this result, but Kang Hyun had made it happen.
"Kang Hyun! Kang Hyun!"
The crowd chanted his name, and more people rushed out to the lobby wondering what was going on.
Today was Kang Hyun's day.
He had truly done it.
"Ah... wait, hold on...!"
Snapping to his senses, he pulled out his phone and called someone.
In this moment, the person who came to mind.
The one he wanted to share this joy with first.
-Hey, son? What's up, this late?
...
Hearing his mother's voice, Kang Hyun hesitated, unable to speak. He might break down crying if he wasn't careful.
"Mom... I..."
But he steadied his voice, sending only pure joy—calmly, casually, like it was no big deal.
"I became student council president."
As if he'd just become class rep or club president. No burden, just happiness.
-Really? Really! Oh my, my son!
...
-Oh, you did great! We'll have a celebration party tomorrow!
In the midst of the excited crowd, no one was happier than his mother.
-Congratulations for real, son.
"Thanks. I'll do even better."
-No need to do better. You're perfect as is.
"...Thanks, always."
Only Kang Hyun and his mother knew the depth of emotion in those words—the sadness, hopes, adversities, and hardships they'd overcome and pressed down.
But today, casually, joyfully, happily.
He poured his whole heart into sharing pure joy with his mother.
His first year of university.
As a freshman, he'd seized the highest position a first-year could reach.
He wanted to share this miraculous joy with his mother.
* * *
Even as he tackled one grueling task after another, Kang Hyun's time flew by.
Now listed as the Korea University Student Council President-elect, he handled some schedules while devoting much time to finishing his final exams.
The Yang brothers' corruption had all ended in deferred prosecution, but the massive restitution amount was jaw-dropping.
Still, whether they'd turn their lives around remained to be seen.
"Congrats to you too, Chan-rim."
The next student council president after Dan Cho-rok was confirmed as Yoon Chan-rim.
He ran around on foot every day to take over duties, handling student council work like a team effort, gradually settling in.
Woo Si-hyung also won another national debate tournament championship, hitting a career high, but soon reverted to his adorably cute self, just eating with Kang Hyun and hanging out.
With only about two months left in his freshman year.
This time was for putting a period on his first year of university, the final push before break.
From then on, Kang Hyun started scrimping on living expenses to get by each day.
He no longer had time for the barbecue restaurant part-time or tutoring gigs.
Then, another unmissable event arose.
"Hey! Oppa?"
Central Police Academy, graduation ceremony.
The large auditorium was packed. Flowers and photos everywhere. The uniformed people were stepping onto the path of patrol officers.
Yoo Chae-eun was there too.
Spotting Kang Hyun, Yoo Chae-eun in her police uniform waved wildly.
Kang Hyun waved both hands to calm her down, whoa, whoa.
She snapped to, quickly fixing her smiling face, turning around, and raising her hand properly.
"Whew... What if she does that from the podium."
Standing next to Yoon Haneul, who had dressed up extra nicely today, Kang Hyun shook his head.
"As a proud public servant of the Republic of Korea, I solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution and laws, protect the nation, and faithfully perform my duties as a servant to the people. Representative swearer, Patrol Officer Yoo Chae-eun."
*Snap!*
Watching her salute sharply, Kang Hyun felt a surge of pride swelling in his chest.