Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Luxury Suite Respite
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"Ah, and earlier, I didn't recognize you. Kang Hyun... I've heard the name before, but it was so crowded with people and everyone talking, I was distracted."
"Oh, no, it's fine."
"Top scorer on the College Scholastic Ability Test, top of Korea University, whistleblower in the high school corruption scandal, legal genius. You have all these titles lined up, and I missed it... Haha, I'm embarrassed."
Nam Shin-hwa winked and continued.
"Rest well here today, and use the cash in your account for souvenirs for your mother and friends."
He must have overheard Kang Hyun's muttering.
At Nam Shin-hwa's words, Kang Hyun blushed slightly and said awkwardly,
"Haha, the souvenirs are more expensive than I thought."
"Not pocket change for a college student getting allowance, right?"
He continued understandingly.
"This hotel is provided for attendees, so relax without worry. Use room service as much as you like."
Kang Hyun thought about refusing again, but under his kind gaze, he ended up bowing to Nam Shin-hwa not in refusal, but in thanks.
"Thank you. I was actually wondering what to do."
"Haha, no. Thank you. Director Song Ha-dong was pleased too. Seeing him happy made me happy as well."
"You two must be close."
"Yes. He's my college senior. Well then."
Kang Hyun, who had nowhere else to go, tried to thank his savior once more, but Nam Shin-hwa quickly placed the keycard in Kang Hyun's hand and left the souvenir shop with cool strides.
'Song Ha-dong, Administrative Officer Nam Shin-hwa.'
He had a feeling he'd cross paths with them someday.
Watching his back, Kang Hyun engraved their names in his mind.
The suite he headed up to.
"No way, what is this?"
This was definitely over a million won per night! That said it all.
The top floor of a five-star luxury hotel right on the beach.
Kang Hyun had never even stayed in a motel, but he could tell everything—the top-tier bed, spacious bathroom, and vast living room he'd never seen before—was the best.
From the smallest furniture to the bathroom towels and shampoo, everything screamed luxury, leaving his eyes wide in awe.
The room design was flawless, the lighting elegant, and the electronics on display all cutting-edge.
"This is insane!"
The ocean view, with waves crashing openly against the beach, wasn't clear due to the late hour, but the morning sunrise view was sure to be spectacular.
"To think a place like this exists..."
Muttering to himself in bewilderment, Kang Hyun set down his bags.
He headed to the sink for a quick brush of his teeth and once again couldn't close his mouth. The faucet sparkled like flowing gold, and the grandeur of the high-end bathroom made his hair stand on end.
"...Should I take a bath?"
He'd never used the shower balls next to the huge tub, so he looked it up, figured it out, and filled it with water. Steam quickly filled the bathroom.
Splash, whoosh.
"Hiya!"
An exclamation escaped him naturally.
Unexpected bliss.
Everything was going so perfectly it felt like a day where it all just worked out.
'Everything miraculously fell into place! Especially the people.'
Song Ha-dong was using this conference attendance as a springboard for his return to Korea.
No one could have predicted it—not even Seok Ji-hoon, the strongest contender here.
'And the momentum wasn't on his side.'
He didn't know the details, but when he opened the VIP room door, the chilly atmosphere was palpable.
Song Ha-dong and Seok Ji-hoon were enemies, or at least clashing in direction.
On the other hand, Nam Shin-hwa and Song Ha-dong might not be in the same faction, but they clearly weren't hostile to Dean Kim Jong-hwan.
It was fortunate they were here at this event, and even better that he'd caught their eye.
Nam Shin-hwa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Song Ha-dong from the ICC.
Currently ousted and wandering abroad, they were still capable of reclaiming top positions anytime.
If they were truly hostile to Seok Ji-hoon, the top contender, this was heavenly luck for Kang Hyun.
'No way they all knew?'
Only now did it cross his mind that Kim Jong-hwan might have orchestrated it all.
Recalling his words, Dean Kim Jong-hwan of Korea University was at odds with the Korea University Law Center.
Yet the Law Center's position had grown unimaginably solid lately. As a direct Ministry of Justice agency, their people kept showing up.
Factions began forming in Kang Hyun's mind.
'Lines have been drawn...'
The prosecution faction led by Kim Jong-hwan.
The Ministry of Justice faction centered on the Korea University Law Center.
Setting that aside, Kang Hyun knew most Korea University professors backed Seok Ji-hoon.
Kang Hyun was a freshman.
He was gradually earning trust from Kim Jong-hwan, but that was it for now.
Plus, he'd rejected Cheon Woong-jae's sweet offer, so even as a genius, facing another genius with plenty of allies waiting was tough.
'But it's a mountain to climb.'
Starting as the tail of a dragon, not the head of a snake, meant accepting early disadvantages.
Attending the International Law Society event was a fresh move, but ultimately unavoidable.
The Korean Society of International Law, 'KSIL.' The pinnacle of positivist legal scholarship.
Untouchable internationally, but neutral domestically, unable to sway the power balance.
It was also a haven for so-called 'exiles' who'd lost ground in Korea, gathering like hyenas plotting comebacks. For Kang Hyun, newly born into this scene, it was surprisingly a place where he could exert force.
No one powerful could dominate here.
He'd focused on the potential for gains beyond formal school support.
In this perfectly aligned opportunity, his choice shone even brighter.
Poof.
"Whoa, is a bed supposed to feel like this?"
After showering, as Kang Hyun flopped onto the bed, it felt like white clouds embraced him like angels, carrying him to the underworld.
He felt like he'd fall asleep instantly.
But Kang Hyun gripped his focus and picked up his phone.
The chat was with Yoon Haneul.
Her last message was from early evening.
-Done?
It was already late at night.
Hours had passed since Yoon Haneul's last contact.
Kang Hyun almost called but remembered her early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine.
He decided to just leave a message and quickly typed.
-Yeah
He paused.
About to hit send, he froze, pondering the text.
'Too short?'
Kang Hyun deleted it and typed again.
-Finished well. I'm in a hotel suite now!
"Hmm. A selfie?"
He muttered unconsciously, then snapped alert.
'What am I thinking?'
It was ridiculous—he wasn't the selfie type.
As his chest tickled with that thought, Kang Hyun pondered.
Maybe, just maybe.
Perhaps he saw Yoon Haneul as more than a friend, or wanted to?
Maybe this feeling wasn't just platonic?
"...I don't know."
Unsure of his own heart or hers, he shook his head.
His face flushed from the thoughts, but luckily no one was around to notice.
"Focus now..."
With practice done, preparations for the finals complete.
Kang Hyun had charged ahead, thrilled by every challenge.
So at this moment, his pounding heart was surely from the goal ahead.
Whatever this feeling was, it wasn't bad.
Kang Hyun embraced it fully, drifting off with a languid expression.
Early morning, Kang Hyun boarded the bus, leaving the beautiful beach dawn behind.
Just one day of joyful rest—a short but luxurious solo time—left him recharged and full of energy. A touch of regret lingered, of course.
'Hope I can come back someday...'
Adding it to his new wishlist, he mentally organized tasks ahead.
Saturday.
The day mock trial topics and plaintiff/defendant roles would be announced.
He needed to meet Yoon Chan-rim and Woo Si-hyung soon to start finals briefs, monitor past matches, prep plaintiff and defendant peripherals.
Overall, no major hurdles—less tension than prelims—but he vowed thorough prep without complacency.
'Variables? Just handle them.'
Having shone in prelims, Kang Hyun planned to meet expectations.
Some experts even predicted smooth sailing to finals. His dramatic prelim skills stood out, with cautious talk he might topple even Professor Cheon Woong-jae's top team.
Screech.
"Driver, thank you."
Loaded with souvenirs, Kang Hyun finally reached Seoul.
Straight to the study room, he handed prepared pens and solid air fresheners to waiting Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim.
"Whoa, you bringing stuff like this?"
"Hyung... you didn't overdo it, right?"
Their reactions varied to the unexpected gifts.
Next was Mother.
"I'm home."
"Son's back? Not too tired?"
"I'm fine."
"Eaten dinner? Wait a sec, Mom'll make some."
"No, I ate. Just rest."
Mother was enjoying a rare day off on Saturday.
With bad knees and back, she'd waited in the cramped living room—not quite deserving the name—watching a small TV, and apparently dozed off.
Seeing her struggle to rise as he entered, Kang Hyun's heart ached. He asked,
"Did you eat?"
"Of course. How was Incheon?"
"Good. Met great people, got important advice and materials. And this..."
As he shared stories, Kang Hyun pulled out something and placed it before Mother.
A tumbler with a pretty mark.
As Kang Hyun set the gift-wrapped item down, color bloomed on her sleepy, tired face.