Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Case Closed
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The incident caused a great uproar and was concluded.
Park Hyuk-su was arrested.
He and his accomplices each received administrative punishments and disciplinary actions before scattering in all directions.
The students were no different.
His gang, who had proudly called themselves the Student Guidance Group, were torn apart through family court trials, school disciplinary measures resulting in transfers, and more, making it hard to even spot them anymore.
The school issued a grand apology to students and parents alike, vowing to prevent any recurrence.
A student-led monitoring organization was established, and the regulations for creating exam questions were strengthened.
The future remained uncertain, but the first steps toward resolution had at least begun.
Now, true normalization depended on the students, teachers, the school, and society as a whole.
Thud.
A steaming cup of coffee and a glass of fresh fruit juice were placed on the table at the same time.
"Thank you, Kang Hyun."
"You're welcome. We could resolve everything thanks to you, Journalist. I couldn't have done it alone."
"Nonsense. You gathered all the evidence and uncovered the truth yourself."
Jeong Eun-seong beamed repeatedly, convinced that trusting Kang Hyun had been the right call.
"When that call came in, I felt a shiver run down my spine even before I picked up. I never imagined it would really play out like that..."
They hadn't even been sitting in the café for long, yet he kept revisiting the moment Kang Hyun had called to capture that decisive instant.
"That quick thinking and initiative... You'll excel no matter where you go or what you do, Kang Hyun."
"You're too kind. Honestly, I got worried when you went radio silent for days—thought something might've happened."
"Haha, my apologies. Restoring the recording, pulling together a team, filing the tip, prepping the article... it all took longer than expected. Nothing compared to what you pulled off, but it wasn't a walk in the park for me either."
"You worked hard."
Kang Hyun thanked him once more, prompting Jeong Eun-seong to fix him with a sharp gaze.
"Looks like I do have an eye for people after all. You don't strike me as a student at all. Are all geniuses this brave and bold?"
"Haha, I'll take the compliment. Either way, thank you so much for your help. Here's hoping we cross paths again someday."
Jeong Eun-seong listened quietly before bursting into loud laughter.
"See? Even that doesn't sound like something a student would say. Don't worry—we'll definitely meet again."
"Pardon? Is there still unfinished business?"
Jeong Eun-seong toyed with a mischievous expression, debating whether to spill, before breaking into a playful grin.
"Congratulations! You've been selected as the grand prize winner of the Seoul City Citizens' Award. They'll present it during break, so get ready."
"Really?"
Kang Hyun shot to his feet in genuine shock.
He sprang up so hard that his chair toppled with a clatter, drawing glances from everyone around toward him and Jeong Eun-seong.
"S-sorry."
Flushing, Kang Hyun sheepishly righted the chair and sat back down. Jeong Eun-seong, catching sight of his boyish expression for the first time, nodded while roaring with laughter.
"Hahaha, man. The guy who unflinchingly toppled a corrupt school shows this reaction to a citizens' award? Hilarious."
"Ah... It's my first award ever. And a massive one at that!"
Kang Hyun scratched his head sheepishly.
His heart hammered wildly all the same, excitement bubbling so fiercely he nearly whooped aloud.
"Haha, of course it is. Expect a flood of invites to Seoul City events ahead, and who knows—might even qualify you for special police recruitment down the line. It's that prestigious."
As Jeong Eun-seong explained with gusto, his eyes sharpened.
"You'd make a great cop, Kang Hyun. Ever considered it?"
The topic of police drew a measured shake of the head from Kang Hyun, who dialed back his excitement.
"I appreciate it. But prosecutor is my dream. Police work appeals too, but I've got my path."
Joining the police wouldn't bar him from pursuing justice or throw a wrench into rebuilding his family, but he had a dream.
To become a prosecutor.
And as one, to uphold true justice.
He was set on striding toward it, swift and sure.
At some point, Kang Hyun's aspirations had narrowed to this singular goal.
"...That's why I'm interning at the prosecutor's office over break. Got a recommendation letter from someone influential."
"Ah, nice! Suits you perfectly."
Jeong Eun-seong let out a quiet gasp of admiration.
"I can already picture you as Prosecutor Kang Hyun."
He extended his hand.
"Hit me up anytime, no matter how small. Need my help? I'll make it happen—as long as it doesn't land you in cuffs."
The incident had forged deep trust in Kang Hyun for Jeong Eun-seong.
Naturally, the feeling was mutual.
"Thank you. Looking forward to staying in touch."
They clasped hands firmly.
Kang Hyun couldn't hide his thrill at securing such a powerful ally.
Weekend.
Kang Hyun headed to the library as usual.
His routine weekend shift was manning the information desk. Few complaints, peaceful atmosphere perfect for studying, straightforward tasks—he'd adapted in no time.
With school still buzzing from the scandal and under constant scrutiny, library downtime felt like a treat. Steady shifts meant payday loomed too, stirring quiet anticipation.
Light of foot en route to the library...
"...?"
Near the entrance.
A recently familiar face stood waiting for him.
Park Dong-hee, holder of the grade manipulation scandal's key clue.
"Park Dong-hee?"
"Hey... Heard you work weekends, so I swung by."
Suspicion of involvement in the grade fraud had kept her away from school.
Word was, though, she'd cooperated fully with the probe, confessed, and begged forgiveness.
Kang Hyun spoke carefully.
"...That's a shame."
She shook her head.
"No, you were right. Fix the wrongs. Make it right."
"..."
Park Dong-hee seemed changed. Casual clothes played a part, but her face carried a newfound ease—brighter, more relaxed than he'd ever seen.
She smiled brightly, as if her earlier rage at him had never happened.
"Sleep like a baby now, no more insomnia. Ditched the anxiety meds too. Feels liberating. Sure, it'll all catch up—punishment included—but like you said, I can rebuild step by step..."
"Thanks for seeing it that way."
She nodded at Kang Hyun before turning away.
"Just... wanted to talk again. Oh, and watch your back. Eom Seok-ho's crew? Pissed at you. Big time. Might show up today."
"Thanks for the warning."
Kang Hyun expressed his gratitude.
Truth be told, he'd seen it coming.
Eom Seok-ho and his Student Guidance Group cronies, once swaggering in Park Hyuk-su's shadow, had lost their anchor and splintered, their power gutted.
Kang Hyun was the one who'd done it, so pegging him as their hate target? Elementary.
Right after the bust, he'd hit the station first thing for a restraining order.
No stepping foot near his home or school—not even his shadow.
'Eventually, though...'
Still, Kang Hyun knew this left loose ends.
"See ya."
She bobbed her head like her business was done and left. Watching her go, he mused.
'Time to tie it off properly.'
As predicted, come afternoon, a pack of students stormed the library.
Clatter, bang, bang!
"Kang Hyun, you damn bastard! Get out here!"
"Think a police report keeps us away?"
Eom Seok-ho and his crew rolled up pumped to "handle" Kang Hyun.
As they raised hell in the lobby center, Kang Hyun rose quietly, approached with utter nonchalance.
"Can't you see people studying?"
His calm demeanor toward the rowdy invaders left them dumbfounded, snarling.
"This psycho?"
"Suicidal much?"
Then—from the reading room—heavy, purposeful footfalls emerged.
Towering frame.
Buzzcut, face like carved stone.
Han Hyun-ho.
"Kang Hyun, you know these clowns?"
Kang Hyun smirked despite himself.
The self-styled library watchdog, grinding certification studies alongside him every weekend.
Bonded after nabbing those library thieves together; Han Hyun-ho was eager to learn from him. Some cosmic joke?
"Whoa, Eom Seok-ho! Been a minute!"
Han Hyun-ho bellowed a jovial greeting upon recognition.
Eom Seok-ho's bunch recoiled, backpedaling. Eom Seok-ho especially—he knew the man, stammering as he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
"H-Han Hyun-ho...?"
"Uahaha! Look at you, punk—beefed up? Draggin' your posse here for what? Hittin' the books too?"
He cleared his throat with a gruff ahem, glaring them down. Overpowered by sheer presence, they deflated into politeness.
"Hey. Word is you've bulked up that New Legend Faction of yours. Tough times, though—what's the play?"
"...None of your business."
"My business?"
Han Hyun-ho jammed a hand in his pocket, voice dropping to a gravelly growl, incredulity etched on his face.
"Had you not crashed our turf makin' a scene, it wouldn't be. But here you are, trashin' the place and throwin' tantrums. Think that's none of my business?"
Kang Hyun had only recently learned Han Hyun-ho's backstory.
Pre-dropout reformation days, he'd been a fistfight legend—known to every player in that world.
Eom Seok-ho bit his lip hard. Kang Hyun spoke flatly.
"Think hard about your next moves. How to live right."
"Y-you little..."
"Sigh... Still clueless?"
Han Hyun-ho yanked his hand free and stepped forward; Eom Seok-ho clamped his mouth shut, going mute.
Lobby abuzz, folks peeked from the reading room. Han Hyun-ho wasted no time, corralling them with a compact, iron voice.
"People watchin'. Out. Let's chat deep outside."
"..."
Eom Seok-ho shot a token glare of defiance but stayed silent. Han Hyun-ho, unfazed, spread his arms and herded them toward the exit.
Kang Hyun murmured to him.
"You good?"
"Whew! Worry not! Get back to studyin'!"
"Thanks. Careful anyway."
"Haha, advice from you? High praise."
Shoulders squared high, he grinned.
"I'll talk 'em straight. Zero worries."
He clapped Kang Hyun's shoulder, winked, and marched out with dutiful resolve.
That day.
Kang Hyun never learned the exact words Han Hyun-ho used on Eom Seok-ho's crew.
But from then on, they steered clear of him entirely, lying low—which spoke volumes.