Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Triumph and Mother's Gift
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Clap clap clap.
Polite applause and small cheers echoed through the vast competition hall.
A historic first. A match decided by forfeiture.
Yet everyone who had watched the competition in tense silence nodded as if they understood perfectly.
"Damn..."
Dan Chorok muttered a single word laced with regret and complicated emotions before following in the direction Seok Ji-hoon had gone. Only Hwang Jae-eun remained seated, looking uncomfortable as she watched them leave.
Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim bounced around like kids, reveling in the joy.
The perpetrator of this monumental upset, Kang Hyun, stared in a daze and said,
"Did I really win...?"
"Yes!"
"Wow!"
Only after taking a moment to process the situation did he break into a bright, childlike smile and pat the backs of Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim, who had thrown their arms around him.
'I did it!'
Who starts a tough challenge with 100% certainty?
Kang Hyun was no different.
He had talked big about pulling it off for sure, but he knew better than anyone that there were no absolutes in this world.
Kang Hyun was a first-year law student, a total greenhorn by all accounts, facing off against Seok Ji-hoon, the courtroom genius—and a third-year headed to law school, no less.
Frankly, everyone thought the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Even with Kang Hyun stirring up a storm, most figured it would end without any real upset.
But Kang Hyun never faltered. With unyielding resolve, he prepared even more fiercely, thought even deeper, and finally overturned everything to claim victory. No one could ever tarnish this achievement.
He had won outright.
The prize money and plaque that came with the championship? They hardly mattered right now.
What counted was defeating the strongest opponent he could face in a courtroom at this stage.
Making that arrogant foe choke on a single word.
Beating them—that was what mattered.
With this, Kang Hyun had drawn a definitive line in the history of domestic mock trial competitions.
The Korea University Mock Court Competition award ceremony was held on an unprecedented scale.
As one of the biggest events at the nation's top university, it was naturally more lavish and crowded than any other gathering.
Local officials, city council members, and organizers beamed with benevolent smiles, showing off their prestige in their finest attire.
At the center: Kang Hyun's team.
They sat in the middle of the awardees' seats with faces even more nervous than during the finals.
'Whew... stay calm.'
Everyone was watching them, and no one there denied they were the best.
Reporters from weekly magazines, newspapers, and broadcasters occasionally thrust mics at Kang Hyun for interviews, but event staff pushed them back, blocking his path.
Ever since victory was sealed, Kang Hyun had been receiving VIP treatment.
It outshone even the time he'd received the Seoul City Citizen Award in high school.
Kang Hyun plastered a smile on his face, filled with joy, and tried to project calm confidence to Yoon Chan-rim and Woo Si-hyung.
"The 20th Korea University Mock Court Competition has established itself as a prestigious event aimed at promoting practical judicial training and providing students with courtroom advocacy experience...."
As the emcee's remarks dragged on, the pounding in Kang Hyun's chest grew louder.
He had finally done it.
The reality was starting to sink in.
This victory had also blasted open a direct path to next year's international 'Bismuth' competition and the winter 'Jessup'—with sheer passion and overwhelming power.
'Now we can aim for the next one!'
Soon, the slogan "The Pillar of Bright Law Students Leading the Advancement of Justice and Legal Scholarship" appeared, and the main awards began.
"Runner-up: Korea University Law Team A—Seok Ji-hoon, Dan Chorok, Hwang Jae-eun. Dan Chorok will accept on behalf of the team."
Three names were called, but only Dan Chorok strode confidently to the stage. Seok Ji-hoon and Hwang Jae-eun were nowhere to be seen.
Word was, the moment they lost, Seok Ji-hoon had jetted off to Japan as an exchange student—or taken a leave of absence. His swift moves shocked everyone.
Hwang Jae-eun, a first-year law student, wouldn't be eligible for undergrad mock trials next year, so this was her last shot. She must have been too disappointed to show.
Dan Chorok, in a sharp black suit, shook hands with the presenters with a bright smile and accepted the plaque.
With practiced ease, she took the mic and spoke like a pro.
"As a Korea University law student, I'm thrilled to receive this meaningful award and elevate our school's prestige. Established in 1946, our Law Department stands on the foundation of a long-standing national educational institution. Despite the debates over law school reforms, as a world-leading university, we ask for your continued support."
Amid the applause, Woo Si-hyung whispered to Kang Hyun.
"Dan Chorok sunbae really suits that poise."
"Yeah. She's got a way with words like nobody's business."
She was famous for her deep involvement in the student council.
With the competition and ceremony wrapped up, she'd return to her routine of school activities.
The emcee then turned toward where Kang Hyun's group sat, mic in hand.
"Next, the grand prize for the Korea University Mock Court Competition. The presentation will be made by Director Song Ha-dong of the ICC International Criminal Tribunal, who provided unwavering support for this event."
At the cue, Kang Hyun, Woo Si-hyung, and Yoon Chan-rim scurried from their seats to the podium.
A sea of people.
Faces looking up.
Kang Hyun scanned them one by one, steeling his resolve.
'I'll make it happen next time too.'
Kang Hyun was the spark of hope in the legal world, a budding sprout, an undefeated rising star.
Everyone there pinned their hopes on him.
Like anyone happy to see their favorite succeed, VIPs like Song Ha-dong and Kim Jong-hwan in the front row already beamed with pride. Other celebrities clapped excitedly for Kang Hyun's team.
Only one seat—the Law Center Director Gong Hyun-jeong's—stood empty with just a nameplate. She seemed to have decided to view Kang Hyun as an enemy.
As they took the stage, Song Ha-dong was escorted up.
The director, making a rare public appearance, seemed mildly aware of the surprised stares but ascended calmly amid the flurry of shutters.
"Grand prize winner: Korea University Law Team B. No advising professor. Members: Kang Hyun, Woo Si-hyung, Yoon Chan-rim. Congratulations."
Clap clap clap!
Click! Click!
Amid the mingled applause and camera flashes, Director Song handed out plaques to each of them with a joyful expression.
Then he gave Kang Hyun the massive panel inscribed with the 30 million won prize.
Kang Hyun had seen the mock trial as just a stepping stone to the world stage, so the money hadn't mattered much. But holding it now, it felt incredibly sweet and moving.
"Thank you."
"I'm the one who's grateful. Keep up the good work. Worth meeting you early."
With a radiant smile, he gave Kang Hyun a light hug.
Kang Hyun returned it happily, then thrust the plaque and panel high.
His first college achievement etched in stone.
-Woooaaah!
-Good job!
Amid the roaring cheers, Kang Hyun, Woo Si-hyung, and Yoon Chan-rim exchanged wide grins.
The higher they aimed, the tougher the opponents—and the more saboteurs.
But in tough times, Kang Hyun would recall this moment to push through.
Stacking joys like this built an unbreakable tower—that was Kang Hyun.
Soon the mic came to him. His words tumbled out amid elation, but he composed himself, smiled, and spoke.
"The more rounds we advanced, the more our brilliant sunbaes lit up the stage with their unmatched skills and wisdom. They'll all go on to serve the nation with their utmost from their respective positions."
Even Dan Chorok, seated in the audience, softened her face and listened intently. The same went for the others who'd competed against him.
"Let's all commit to integrity, unite our strengths, and dedicate ourselves to society. Let's watch and cheer each other on. It was truly a pleasure. And I'll share more stories as we meet in the future. Thank you."
Applause thundered on.
Hosts, attendees, spectators, celebrities there to show their faces—all clapped in support and encouragement for Kang Hyun.
He was living up to their expectations now—and would keep doing so.
Everyone sensed that the legal genius would soon make the world shine brighter.
Kang Hyun returned home late that night, surrounded by plaques and prizes.
His mother hadn't been able to make time and missed the ceremony.
The house was pitch dark, room chilly—she still wasn't back from work.
Kang Hyun flicked on the lights with a click and cranked the boiler. As he opened his bedroom door, heart fluttering with excitement...
"...!"
There hung a suit. A sharp, impeccable suit in his room.
It looked expensive—the fabric high-quality, the color perfect.
Probably a gift from Mom.
How often must it have pained her not to buy him one, given their means.
Watching him borrow ill-fitting suits for competitions and events, how heartbroken she must have been.
Kang Hyun approached the hanging suit, eyes misting. A small note was pinned to it.
[I love you. My son.]
Those simple words.
What more could anyone need?
Her crumpled handwriting wet his eyes, and Kang Hyun, overcome, looked up at the ceiling.
Even for him, had there never been a moment he wanted to quit?
Never a time he yearned for an easier, sneakier path?
But whenever those thoughts crept in, one reason let him endure: his mother.
She was always there, silently supporting him. When she said "I love you," it gave him the strength to bear anything.
'I love you too, Mom.'
The precious times, memories, happy moments with her might be fewer than other families'.
She'd always been too busy earning, collapsing exhausted into sleep.
But Kang Hyun was happy now.
Because she'd said she loved him.
"..."
After wiping his tears for a while, he calmed down, tidied the clothes, and started cleaning.
He cooked a hearty meal, boiled soup, even beat the old carpet.
Opening the window let warm air out and cool breeze in.
"Home... is the best."
Kang Hyun savored it fully, waiting for his mother happier than anyone.