Chapter 108
Chapter 108
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: A Warm Farewell
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thus, the unprecedented incident of an unidentified man breaking into the prosecutor's office with a knife came to a close thanks to Kang Hyun's efforts.
The media, eager to criticize the inadequacies of the prosecutor's office security system, soon quieted down as well.
It was right after controversy arose over the potential lethality of tasers—commonly known as electric shock guns—being classified as "deadly weapons," leading to a halt in the distribution of police-managed gas guns and tasers, with all other equipment being disposed of.
In short, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that even public officials who could legally possess guns found them useless.
As public backlash grew against the media for making noise, the incident faded away like sand washed out to sea.
And all that remained was the story of the righteous hero Kang Hyun's exploits.
"Regarding Kim, who was sent to trial last month for the disturbance at the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office with a weapon, the court has handed down a heavy sentence. For more details..."
Clunk.
"Good morning. Have a nice day."
"Kang Hyun, you're here early. Want some of this?"
"Oh, thank you."
"Come over here and sit."
"Here, right here!"
Light-hearted banter flew back and forth about who would sit next to Kang Hyun, and they returned to their ordinary daily routine.
Before long, he had grown accustomed to coming to the prosecutor's office, and the people seemed to truly welcome him as one of their own.
From Monday to Thursday.
As he became proficient in his assigned duties and gained some spare time, he also helped out more in the citizen affairs office whenever they were short-handed.
"Should I put this here?"
"Oh! Thank you!"
He compiled documents received by staff and sent them to other departments, distributed materials that needed to be taken down to the citizen affairs office, carried heavy stacks of files, provided simple guidance to visitors, and even played with kids who came holding their mother's hand.
"Hi! Want to try this?"
"What's this?"
"It's a yummy candy. Wanna play with big brother while Mom does her work?"
It might not have been anything major, but these small acts of help made him, who was already well-liked, incredibly popular among the staff.
On top of that, his growing proficiency made the workday smooth sailing.
"Team leader... there's a complaint for a different case mixed in with these documents."
"Really? They must be crazy. What do we do? Thank you so much...."
"Whew! There it is, what I've been looking for!"
"We almost had a disaster. Kang Hyun, thank you."
"No problem. Glad we found it."
And so a month passed.
Then another.
As Kang Hyun adapted and enjoyed his work, time flew by, and summer vacation was drawing to a close.
"Want to grab dinner together tonight?"
"Sure, sounds good."
"Just wait a bit! I'll finish up quick."
People smiling at Kang Hyun, staff who saw him as dependable, and Kang Hyun smiling back at them.
As their bonds deepened, time continued to flow until it reached the final day of the two months promised with Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min.
Then one day.
Choi Yu-jeong, visiting the citizen affairs office after a long time, suddenly appeared and greeted him.
"Been well?"
"Oh, Investigator Choi! How have you been?"
"Come on... just call me noona!"
"Haha, I couldn't do that."
"You're like bamboo—straight and proper."
She pouted her lips but, clearly happy to see Kang Hyun, thrust something toward him.
"What's this?"
"You're getting a commendation! Congrats!"
She showed him a stapled document from a binder, which appeared to be an internal memo titled "Commendation Plaque Presentation Plan." It detailed a schedule for presenting him with a commendation in the name of the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office.
It was probably thanks to the series of events that had occurred.
"Plus, they said they're recommending you as a righteous citizen to the executive branch. Isn't that great?"
"Oh, really? That's embarrassing."
"No way! You totally deserve it! If I could, I'd recommend you to the president himself! If you hadn't been there then... ugh! I don't even want to imagine it!"
She spoke to Kang Hyun in her usual spirited but comfortable tone.
"You absolutely qualify, Kang Hyun. I heard you're leaving soon. I'll miss you, but you have to go back to your regular spot, right?"
"Yeah, I'm still a student."
"I believe you'll do great wherever you go, whenever."
"Thank you."
"And we have to meet up later!"
"Pardon?"
She fixed her bright eyes on him and said.
"You're going to enter society eventually, right? You'll work around the prosecutor's office. Then we can meet again! It'd be a shame to part like this with my lifesaver."
"Oh... yeah. We might meet again someday."
"Definitely! Keep in touch."
"Got it."
She raised her pinky as if making a promise. Kang Hyun matched her, hooking pinkies.
"I might reach out first! We have to meet. Got it?"
"Yeah, see you later."
Kang Hyun said with a gentle smile.
She nodded in satisfaction, placing both hands on her hips.
As time passed into the afternoon, word came to Kang Hyun just as Choi Yu-jeong had said.
-This is Jang Chi-hoon. Not sure if you've heard, but for today's volunteer service completion ceremony, our office would like to present you with a commendation plaque.
"Oh, I heard. You don't have to go this far.... I only did what was right."
-Haha, no need to be modest. Director Park Ok-hee insisted strongly. Gratitude has to be expressed to mean anything. Please don't refuse and come by this afternoon.
"Oh, alright... thank you."
Afternoon.
The ceremony was held formally in the prosecutor's office's large auditorium up high.
Afternoon events weren't common, but it seemed they'd delayed it to fit Kang Hyun's schedule.
Moreover, they'd never held such a grand event for someone who worked here under the "volunteer" label.
Usually, contract workers just slipped away quietly, but today's was different.
And a huge crowd had gathered.
Everyone was there either to see Kang Hyun or to applaud him.
"Commendation Plaque. To the recipient, who faithfully performed their duties while working at our office and set an example for others, we present this plaque on behalf of the staff. Read in place of the Incheon District Prosecutor's Chief Prosecutor. The plaque will be presented by Director Park Ok-hee."
Director Park Ok-hee handed the commendation plaque to Kang Hyun with a joyful expression.
Section Chief Jang Chi-hoon took the mic, smiling proudly.
As he bowed his head, cheers and applause erupted loudly from the surroundings.
"Thank you!"
"You worked hard, Kang Hyun!"
"Truly grateful. Come visit again soon."
He had only worked here as a volunteer for a couple of months.
Yet hearing all this support, gratitude, and regret made new emotions well up in Kang Hyun.
He could etch one more thing into his heart that he hadn't felt before.
'No matter where I am or what I do, if I give it my all, I'll be recognized.'
He had worked at the lowliest spot in the citizen affairs office.
A place where staff might overlook it, let alone passing visitors.
But he gave his duties his best, went above and beyond, instinctively knew what more he could do to improve, and put it into practice.
On top of that, the massive incident that occurred while he was there.
Even when a man burst in with a weapon and threw everything into chaos, Kang Hyun didn't back down.
He racked his brain to seize the opportunity, moved calmly and instinctively, and when a decision was needed, he charged forward without hesitation, pouring everything into it.
As a result, everyone emerged unscathed from that huge crisis.
Kang Hyun had done his utmost to navigate through the storm-like peril.
That's why the people gathered here now were blessing and cheering him on his way.
They made time amid their busy schedules to see his tenure through to the end, came out even beyond the office gates to shake his hand and offer kind words.
"Thank you! Head on in!"
On his way out after the send-off.
A bit of snow had piled up on the roadside, but the weather was clear, with sunlight piercing sharply through the cold wind.
Behind him, Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min watched with a wistful expression.
Today marked the end of everything in Incheon, and Kang Hyun was packing up the place he'd shared with Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min to return to Seoul.
"You punk. Feeling good?"
"Yeah, it feels great."
"So you're happy now that you won't live with me anymore?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"It's not?"
"Hmm... from what I see, 'Don't go' is written all over your face."
"You little punk, watch your mouth. Heading straight back to Seoul? You could hang out a bit more...."
"No, I'll go. Oh, and about those three big boxes in front of the house—I scheduled a door-to-door courier, so please take care of it!"
As Kang Hyun bowed politely, Kim Jeong-min, looking genuinely upset, kicked at the bare ground.
"You punk, no manners."
"You're busy, Prosecutor. I heard the deputy chief is hounding you to wrap up this case quick. At this rate, you might not make it back to Seoul, right?"
"Hey!"
"Just kidding. But you really are swamped. No time to play with me anyway."
Kang Hyun was rushing home partly because he knew how busy Kim Jeong-min was.
A major financial sector case had hit the Incheon jurisdiction, keeping him frantic.
It was big enough to involve the entire Incheon District Prosecutors' offices and tied to the lives of several wealthy figures.
Kang Hyun well knew there was no time for Kim Jeong-min to slack off alone in such circumstances.
Kang Hyun grinned, and he smiled back.
"Alright, it's cold—I'll walk you to the bus stop."
"No need. I'm off. Go inside. That witness showed up earlier. I sent them up to your office."
Crisp, cool, nonchalant.
Kang Hyun turned away from Kim Jeong-min as if seeing him every day and headed out the main gate of the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office.
Step, step. Glance.
He turned slightly and waved, and Kim Jeong-min nodded back lightly.
They could have thrown a big party, or at least a farewell gathering.
But they left it all for next time, and Kang Hyun quickened his pace.
A place he'd come to with no expectations at first.
A place with no promise of return.
Now it had become precious, a spot he could visit anytime, warming a corner of his heart.
Savoring his growth, Kang Hyun headed back to his nest with joy.
Kang Hyun and Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min both knew this well, so they didn't show it, opting to end the day simply.
'We'll meet again soon, someday.'
Kang Hyun pulled out his phone.
There were messages from a few people looking for him, and one from his mother.
It was time to return.
For a new beginning.