Chapter 91

“’Tune it’?”

As Na-Yool once again picked at his choice of words in bafflement, the tiredness on the detective’s face deepened.

“The law is objective. It might be nonsensical, but you and Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon are equal. It’s unfair, but it is what it is. Attempted rape will of course not be recognized, and even if he is charged with sexual assault, as a first-time offender, it is likely that he might just get probation. In fact, this is enough for the prosecution to drop the charges. Considering that he is a first-time offender, and that the two of you were dating—”

“…Why in the world is our past relationship so important? We’re not even dating now.”

“This is not the point, but rather—”

“—Dating someone doesn’t mean I give them the right to rape me whenever they want.”

“First, calm down and think rationally, Ms. Kim Na-Yool.”

With her mood completely stuck in the mud, Na-Yool could not feel even more rational. Yet somehow here she was, first forced to listen to a sex offender and now a detective advising her to think rationally. Clearly, a case of the pot calling the kettle black!

“Anyway, whether I agree on a settlement or not, since sex offense is no longer a chingojoe offense—” [T/N: chingojoe is a category of crimes which cannot be prosecuted without an official complaint by the victim. Sexual assault used to be part of it, but not anymore. I think here Na-Yool is implying that even if she agrees to settle and not sue, her simple testimony could be enough to get Sang-Hoon charged anyway.]

“Yes, he might be prosecuted just the same. But the existence of an agreement might influence the outcome. Because it will be favorably considered during the verdict.”

“Then I would rather die than sign an agreement.”

“What I mean is, whichever the case, and setting aside the possibility of charges being dropped, the outcome will be far less than the pain you feel as a victim. Instead, a monetary compensation might be—”

“I am not sitting here because I lack money.”

She had let Si-Jin bully her for 2 years for the sake of a high salary. How much of it did she unintentionally save because she did not have the time to spend it? Na-Yool thundered in a piercing tone, like stabbing at the detective’s conscience.

“And there are more charges. Physical assault, stalking.”

“Forget about stalking. This person has no history of trespassing, and since it’s a minor offense, it will be closed with just a fine of a few thousand won.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Right now, the only charge you can get settlement money for is the physical assault, Ms. Kim Na-Yool. But this person is on the losing end, and he seems to be quite scared of his situation. If you ask monetary compensation for clear physical assault tied with sexual harassment and mental damage, even if he thinks it’s excessive, he will certainly agree to it. But I hope you’re aware that, even if you do so, the fine won’t be much.”

“……”

“You must make him pay somehow. And you deserve to be compensated properly. Don’t you think so?”

“If accepting ‘proper compensation’ allows him to live as if nothing happened, then no.”

“…You must consider thoroughly which is more advantageous. It’s too early to decide yet. Also, it looks like he acted that way in a short fit of anger, but he doesn’t seem to be a bad person in the first place…”

Damn Sang-Hoon and his fake ‘law-abiding citizen’ looks! Was the detective the only one tricked by that shell? No, Na-Yool did too.

Of course, if their first encounter had been at a police station, or if she had witnessed Sang-Hoon threatening an ex-girlfriend, she would not have been fooled like the detective.

“The person himself recognized the gravity of his actions and is feeling very remorseful. He seems like a nice person. You have no idea how many bastards are unrepentant even after being arrested…”

“And here I thought I heard it all! Never did I expect to hear one day that someone who got dragged to the police station for beating a woman after failing to rape her is ‘nice’.”

“Truth is, nowadays, we see many well-behaved youngsters coming here for similar reasons.”

“Because the country has gone to the dogs?”

“It’s not like that. Just that, because they broke up and can’t move on, because they still love their ex so much… Well, it’s this kind of reason, but whatever the case it’s just sad to look at for us, elders. Is it really necessary for things to get to this point?”

It was painful to face someone totally oblivious to the simple fact that if a criminal had not committed any offense in the first place, it would not be ‘necessary’ to arrest them. Not once, but twice in the same day. And even more so when one was her ex turned criminal, and the other the police detective in charge of the case.

“Honestly, most of them are people who can repent and live on the right path again. I know you must hate him, but he is a normal man.”

All normal men must have died out before she realized then!

If such men were considered ‘normal’, would their extinction not be in the world’s best interest? Na-Yool’s extreme thoughts seeped through her glare like a curse put on the detective, who avoided her eyes, overwhelmed by her crushing aura.

“…Anyway, didn’t you date him because you, too, thought he was such a good person? Whatever you sue him for, the punishment will be insignificant. But if he gets a criminal record, it will last for a lifetime. So how about thinking carefully whether it’s worth taking it so far, and whether you hate him so much that—”

“I hope it will ruin him for a lifetime, though.”

“It also happens that victims feel regretful later on, wondering if the person got a criminal record because of this one unlucky relationship with them.”

“Dating me is what turned him into a criminal, you say? Are you maybe implying that I compelled him to rape me?”

“No, noo, no such a thing! What I mean is, women are so kind that they end up feeling that way.”

“I’m not that kind, so there’s no problem then.”

“Even if you think so now, towards someone you’ve loved for so long, you especially might—”

“Mention ‘love’ and ‘date’ one more time, and I can assure you I’ll go downstairs and file a complaint against you.”

Even without one more mention of it, Na-Yool had planned to do so anyway on her way down. Dare to make her feel guilty again! What a joke… Na-Yool’s muttering was so flagrant that her grievance could be read on her lips. The detective shook his head, troubled.

“I’m sorry about that. I simply meant to make sure that you will not have regrets later…”

“Yes. If I sign an agreement, I will regret it forever. So, no regret for not settling.”

“I just want you to think about it. Even for just a few days. Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon is currently not in any position to go against you, Ms. Kim Na-Yool. Call your price, and the settlement money will probably be set at twice the fine value. Besides, don’t the both of you still have a whole future ahead? If an agreement is not reached, the victim will usually continue to mind and be in pain. Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon is reflecting a lot on himself, and swore that he will never get near you again, so…”

The fact that Na-Yool had to be thankful for being beaten by Sang-Hoon was a horrifying reality. Had she not been bleeding when the police arrived, they would have most likely let him off with a simple warning. Na-Yool stared intently at Sang-Hoon sitting a little further away, who was being interrogated. Despite the distance, she could clearly see through his pretended sincerity at answering the questions.

“…If you agree to settle, he will be too thankful to even bother you again.”

“All I want is for him to be properly punished. Not to negotiate any settlement money.”

“For now, don’t be hasty and…”

“I won’t sign any agreement. Not for the physical assault, and neither for the sexual harassment.”

“Ms. Kim Na-Yool, the more you persist, the tougher it is for you.”

“Then so be it. I won’t settle.”

“There will be no heavy punishment anyway, so—”

“—Hello, I am Ms. Kim Na-Yool’s attorney.”

An unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupted. Na-Yool quizzically turned her head to look for its owner. But before her eyes could land on him, they first landed on a hand resting on her shoulder.

Somehow, familiar.