By Zephyria 
(End)
Sitting in the audience, I watched as the seats gradually filled up. Among those who came to see today’s trial was the Team leader who had been in charge of the Kim Da-hyun case in the past. After exchanging greetings with him, I noticed Kim Yong-taek, the father of Kim Ji-cheol, who was being supported by someone, as if to prove the news that his health had deteriorated rapidly recently.
Then, Kim Ji-cheol appeared in the defendant’s seat, wearing a prison uniform and accompanied by two lawyers. Just before the trial began, Kim Ji-cheol took off his gloves, and when it was revealed that all of his fingers had been cut off, there was a murmur from all over the audience.
A moment later, the judges entered and took their seats, and the courtroom became as silent as a graveyard. The judge began the trial by confirming Kim Ji-cheol’s personal information, and as time passed, the prosecution and the defense fiercely confronted each other, asserting their respective arguments.
As time passed, it was time for the witness examination, and Lee-eum sat in the witness seat as the first witness. Lee-eum’s expression was solemn as he raised his hand and swore not to tell any lies. Afterwards, he accurately testified about what happened at the time in response to the prosecutor’s questions.
During the testimony, I made eye contact with Kim Ji-cheol several times, and I could read murderous intent in his eyes. Next, the defendant’s questioning began. The defendant’s lawyer repeatedly mentioned that Lee-eum was the detective in charge of the Kim Da-hyun case, and emphasized that the team was disbanded due to Kim Ji-cheol’s acquittal at the time, and that he had bad feelings towards Kim Ji-cheol because of this.
“Is the witness also acquainted with Choi Won-joon, President of Sehwa Construction?”
The lawyer’s eyes shone like a snake from behind his glasses.
“Yes.”
“Is it just a simple acquaintance?”
The prosecutor objected, saying that the question was irrelevant to the trial, but the lawyer strongly insisted that it was a necessary question. Eventually, it was accepted, and the lawyer narrowed the distance and approached Lee-eum.
“Can you tell us what your relationship is with Choi Won-joon?”
This was the reason why Lee-eum had prevented Choi Won-joon from coming today. This trial should be for the father of the deceased Kim Da-hyun. However, if Choi Won-joon appeared and a scandal broke out, people would tend to forget the important essence.
“I don’t understand the point of the question. Can you explain it in detail?”
“According to the defendant, the two of you are in a deep relationship, is that true?”
The murmuring grew louder, and the judge demanded that the audience be quiet. Lee-eum made eye contact with Kim Ji-cheol once, then stared intently at the lawyer.
“Yes, we are lovers.”
“Then, do you happen to know who cut off my client’s fingers?”
“I don’t know. You can ask Kim Ji-cheol directly.”
“My client claims that President Choi Won-joon cut off his fingers. What do you think about this?”
The prosecutor couldn’t stand it and objected again, and this time the judge accepted it. Defendant’s lawyer, please only ask questions related to the case. Do not say unconfirmed stories. As soon as the words were finished, the lawyer politely bowed his head and continued the question.
“I heard that the two of you are about to get married, is that correct?”
Just as the prosecutor was about to jump up, Lee-eum looked at the lawyer and answered clearly.
“I don’t know what intention the lawyer has in repeating the same question to me, but if you are asking about my relationship with Choi Won-joon, then yes, we are lovers. Does that have anything to do with this trial? If you are asking if Choi Won-joon cut off Kim Ji-cheol’s fingers, then I can say that is absolutely not true. As far as I know, Choi Won-joon is a person with such a tender heart that he can’t even kill an ant. I swear on my job and name.”
The lawyer frowned, but Lee-eum did not waver at all. A few more questions followed, but they were not very nutritious. Then, the witness was changed to Kim Ji-cheol’s closest aide, his secretary, and the lawyer continued to ask questions about Choi Won-joon in between.
The reason he was doing this was probably to carry the sins of Kim Da-hyun’s father as they were, but to somehow reduce the sentence in the trial with Choi Won-joon. Of course, whether that would work as he intended was another matter.
The long trial ended and the next hearing date was set. Lee-eum sighed and got up from his seat. Unlike when he first came here, he felt the gazes of the people around him, but he had no time to pay attention to them.
As soon as he came outside, several reporters persistently followed him and threw questions at him. Was the relationship with Choi Won-joon true, how long had they been together, and so on. Instead of refusing the interview, Lee-eum politely asked the reporters.
I will tell you the story about our relationship separately, so please write a proper article so that the deceased is not wronged. Please, I beg you. Then he left the courthouse, and as soon as he got out of people’s sight and got into the car, he had no choice but to bury his face in the steering wheel.
“I’m crazy….”
He blatantly lied in the sacred courtroom. Couldn’t even kill an ant, my ass. Lee-eum knew who had cut off Kim Ji-cheol’s fingers. He was hitting his head on the steering wheel and blaming himself when someone grabbed his shoulder firmly from behind. Startled, he turned his head, and Choi Won-joon leaned forward, resting his arms on both sides of the chair.
“Wow, you scared me! What are you doing here?”
Even if a ghost appeared, it wouldn’t be as scary as this. When he asked why he came here, he just smiled slyly. Anxiously, he looked outside to see if anyone was watching, and sure enough, the reporters were glancing at this place from afar.
“Don’t worry. I’ve been in the car since earlier.”
“How did you open the car?”
Choi Won-joon shook Lee-eum’s spare key. He was speechless. When he asked when he had taken it, he said he had copied it and kept it. Wouldn’t this be considered a lifestyle of crime? He looked at him with a displeased expression, but Choi Won-joon couldn’t erase the smile from his face.
“What’s so good that you’re smiling like that? Are you happy?”
I even lied in front of the judge because of you.
“Then should I cry? You lied because of me.”
Ah….
“Did you see…?”
“I heard it. My lawyer went.”
He was so embarrassed and ashamed that he avoided his gaze, and Choi Won-joon opened the back door, got out, and got into the passenger seat. “Let’s go.” As a few reporters who recognized Choi Won-joon approached, Lee-eum quickly started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. The smile never left Choi Won-joon’s face the whole way. He felt like he was going to die because he was so annoying, but it was also funny because he liked it so much.
“Kim Ji-cheol will try to reduce his sentence in President’s trial no matter what.”
“If he’s still alive by then, let him do it.”
Lee-eum quickly parked the car on the side and looked at Choi Won-joon. When he asked what he meant by that, Choi Won-joon shrugged his shoulders. He said it was a joke, but the problem was that it didn’t sound like a joke at all.
“Don’t do anything. This is a warning. You know that three yellow cards mean expulsion. If you don’t want to be out of my life, don’t do anything. Got it?”
After warning him several times, he was about to start the car when Choi Won-joon grabbed his arm and pointed somewhere with his finger. Following the tip of his finger, Lee-eum couldn’t help but frown when he found the hotel.
“Let’s take a break. I’m so happy I feel like I’m going to die.”
“If you feel like you’re going to die, go to the hospital, why are you going to the hotel?”
Choi Won-joon patted the Rose of Sharon on Lee-eum’s shoulder.
“Detective Kim. You confessed in front of everyone, and this is how you’re going to act? Don’t you know how crazy I feel every time Darling wears this uniform? If you make someone’s heart flutter, you have to take responsibility. If you run away like this, I’ll only think about you all day and suffer. Is that okay?”
He’s so sincere even when he’s talking nonsense. Then, Choi Won-joon rummaged through his pocket, took something out, and slipped it into the pocket on his chest. A gift. He thought he was playing with trash, but when he took it out, there were letters written with a pen. The neat handwriting pointed to a city in a province.
“They say all three bodies were buried there. It’s accurate because he confessed it himself.”
He really had Park Eon-soo with him. When he asked if he was alive, he replied, “Not yet.” He knew it, but he was speechless when he heard it directly. However, he had to hold back and keep his lips tightly closed because he had promised not to pursue or blame him anymore. Ugh.
“I know you’re upset. I promise. I’ll really live a good life from now on. Believe me.”
He only lies when he opens his mouth, so how can I believe him? Still, he said he would try, so I’ll know if I watch him. Will things really change if I watch him? Haven’t I realized through many criminals that people don’t change easily? While he was wavering in his heart, Lee-eum was unknowingly entering the hotel.
Startled, he tried to regain his senses and reverse, but Choi Won-joon smiled, placing his hand on top of the steering wheel. Seeing that, he felt that he was being completely charmed by this crazy man.
『Side Story of Mangjong(The Vanished) End』