By Zephyria 
“Um, Prosecutor.”
It was the assistant prosecutor who peeked her head in. Sensing the harsh atmosphere in the room, she spoke cautiously, gauging my reaction.
“I’ve organized the case files you asked for. Shall I give them to you now?”
“Ah, yes. Please.”
I hurriedly softened my voice, trying not to take my frustration out on an innocent person. The assistant prosecutor, seemingly relieved, brought over the files and added, “Um, also, the Chief Prosecutor asked for you to come to his office for a moment.”
“The Chief Prosecutor?”
Startled by the unexpected message, I immediately stood up and asked, “When did he say that?”
“Just now. His aide called to ask if you had come into work. When I told him you had just arrived, he said for you to come to his office.”
I stepped away from the desk and buttoned my suit jacket.
“Did you happen to hear what it’s about?”
I asked as I walked, but she only shook her head with a bewildered expression. I said, “Alright, thank you,” and hurried toward the Chief Prosecutor’s office.
“Welcome, Prosecutor.”
The aide greeted me with his usual smile upon seeing me. The atmosphere didn’t seem bad, so what was it? I followed him to meet the Chief Prosecutor, speculating various possibilities in my mind.
“Chief Prosecutor.”
After a light knock, the aide paused for a moment before opening the door and announcing, “Prosecutor Chrissy Jin has arrived.”
“Oh, right.”
Beyond the aide, who quickly stepped back, I could see the Chief Prosecutor’s face. I entered the office, closed the door, and walked straight toward him.
“Chief Prosecutor, what is this regarding?”
“Sit down first.”
The Chief Prosecutor cleared his throat with a hum and began.
“So, how is the case? Do you think it will be resolved well?”
“…Yes, I am working on it.”
As I answered, choosing my words carefully, he nodded and absentmindedly stroked his chin.
“Hmm, I hope the results turn out well. Since the opponent is Miller, I can’t help but be concerned.”
“Our evidence is quite definitive, so there shouldn’t be much to worry about.”
The Chief Prosecutor remained silent for a moment after my businesslike response. I wondered why he was hesitating so much before getting to the point.
“The elections are coming up soon, aren’t they?”
The Chief Prosecutor finally brought up the main subject. As I waited silently for his next words, he continued with a serious expression.
“This trial will have a significant impact on the election. The citizens are all calling for justice. If the desired result isn’t achieved, the fallout will be quite large.”
Is he worried about the outcome of the trial?
“It will go well; please don’t worry too much.”
When I gave a formulaic answer, the Chief Prosecutor let out a deep sigh and nodded.
“Yes, it probably will. It’s not as if Miller is an omnipotent god.”
A sudden, awkward silence fell. I had a bad feeling. The Chief Prosecutor wouldn’t have called me this early just to say something like that.
“Jin.”
“Yes, Chief Prosecutor.”
As soon as I answered, he looked into my face with a grave expression and asked, “You know that I care for you very much, right?”
“I know. I am always grateful.”
Again, it was a cliché response, but since it was my honest feeling, there was nothing else to say. The Chief Prosecutor said, “I see.”
“I believe the day will come when you sit in this seat. That you will resolve many cases and bring justice.”
“Yes.”
The longer this went on, the more ominous it felt. The Chief Prosecutor continued.
“That is why I don’t want you to get hurt. Ah, I’m not talking about emotional hurt. I’m talking about your public image. Your honor, for example.”
I waited silently for the next words. The introduction was far too long. A sense of dread grew. What on earth was he trying to say that required so much buildup?
“Well, the reason I called you here is…”
It was finally time to get to the point, but he hesitated once more. Rubbing his palms together, the Chief Prosecutor looked down and let out a short sigh before finally locking his gaze on my face.
“Let’s end this case with a plea bargain.”
“What?”
My voice rose involuntarily, but the Chief Prosecutor didn’t seem surprised, as if he had already expected this reaction. Seeing that, instead of cooling down, I became even more agitated.
“A bargain? Now? What on earth does that mean? A bargain?”
Unable to suppress my emotions, I repeated the same word over and over, raising my voice. He simply repeated the same response: “Yes.”
“If you happen to lose, it won’t be good for your future career. I’ve already spoken with Miller’s side. We’ve decided to set a date soon.”
Having said that, the Chief Prosecutor cleared his throat while looking at me, as I stood there speechless in disbelief.
“Actually, I tried to tell you yesterday evening, but you had already left.”
Of course I had. I had made a preemptive move to relieve stress before being buried in paperwork.
It was a truly stupid choice. While such important discussions were taking place, I was at a club picking up trash. Moreover, I had shown that pathetic side of myself to none other than Nathaniel Miller. I felt so miserable I could die. But it didn’t end there.
“If you continue to act this way, it can’t be helped. I’ll have you step away from this case, and I’ll leave the sentencing negotiations to Bacon.”
At the Chief Prosecutor’s words, my jaw practically dropped. This declaration was even more shocking than the previous one. He’s going to hand this case over to Douglas Bacon and leave me out? Doug? That idiot?
However, regardless of my incredulous reaction, the Chief Prosecutor seemed to have already made his decision. He hadn’t called me here to persuade me, but to notify me. Either I follow the Chief Prosecutor’s instructions or I am excluded from the case entirely; these were the only two choices left to me. Absurdly.
“Why so suddenly?”
Following the brief self-reproach, anger boiled over. Just because I realized the reality didn’t mean I could accept it meekly. I had to know. The reason such a decision was made so suddenly.
“Did I do something wrong? I thought this was already settled, but suddenly you’re telling me to negotiate? I cannot understand this at all. Please explain it so that I can accept it. I absolutely cannot step down like this.”
I did my best not to swear or scream. Thanks to that, while I couldn’t completely suppress my intense emotions, I managed to regain a relatively calm demeanor. The Chief Prosecutor looked at me with a pitying expression, as if he understood my feelings, and said, “As I said before, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He continued as if soothing me.
“If Nathaniel Miller hadn’t stepped forward personally, I wouldn’t have gone this far. But because he has put himself at the forefront, too much attention is focused on this. I cannot let you become the sacrificial lamb.”
“What the hell is that bastard to you?” I snapped irritably.
“Are you saying I should give up a case with such clear and definitive evidence just because Nathaniel Miller stepped in? I can’t. I absolutely cannot accept this!”
“I’m telling you to negotiate the sentence, not to give up the case.”
“It’s the same thing!”
Despite the Chief Prosecutor’s words, I continued to protest vehemently.
“Do you know how much that piece of trash offered?”
“I know. Grade 3, 5 years.”
The Chief Prosecutor answered readily and then added casually, “Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Miller who proposed it. I believe it was a lawyer from his company.”
“What difference does that make?”
Anger surged toward the Chief Prosecutor, who seemed to be playing word games in such a serious situation. I tried my hardest not to yell at him, but I couldn’t help my speech becoming rapid.
“Yes, Grade 3, 5 years. Even then, he’ll probably walk out without serving the full term and roam the streets. He’ll kill again. That bastard is a criminal! What about Anthony Smith’s bereaved family? Will they accept this situation? Mrs. Smith even came to you in tears…”
“Mrs. Smith is the one who wanted this.”
The Chief Prosecutor stopped me with a tone far stronger than before. I froze at the unexpected name.
“…Mrs. Smith? Anthony Smith’s mother?”
“Yes.”
As I fell silent in shock, he continued sternly.