The results of the first round of the bar exam were announced. The names of the five members, including myself, were all on the list of successful candidates.
On the day of the announcement, we all gathered for the first time in a long while.
Smiles never left anyone's face.
"It feels great to all pass the first round together. Everyone, raise your glasses. Let's toast."
Oh Hyun-woo raised his glass with a smile, and everyone else followed suit.
"To our success in the first round of the exam! To our friendship!"
"To our friendship!"
The sound of clinking glasses echoed cheerfully.
We continued the celebration, basking in the joy of our success.
Oh Hyun-woo approached me and poured me a drink.
"You said you weren't going to take the exam anymore, right? Aren't you disappointed?"
I added ice to the drink and replied.
"Well... holding on to disappointment would just be a waste of time. You guys are about to start preparing in earnest."
Oh Hyun-woo nodded and glanced at the three of us who were chatting.
"This is probably the last time we'll all gather before the second round. Those who passed the first round don't have to attend classes, so there's no penalty in terms of grades."
At Seoul National University Law School, if you pass the bar exam while enrolled, you don't have to attend classes, and it won't affect your grades.
"Yeah, the second round is different from the first. It's going to be tough to prepare. I think it's better not to do it half-heartedly."
"That's true."
Oh Hyun-woo, who had been nodding, suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! My grandfather wants to meet you. Find some time."
"Your grandfather, the Chief Justice?"
"Yeah, he said he wants to meet you when he heard your name. What's your deal? For my grandfather to want to meet you just by hearing your name..."
"......What does he want from me?"
"I don't know. How can I know what my grandfather is thinking?"
At that moment, Yun Jae-ha interrupted, looking at me.
"Oh! My dad also wants to meet you."
Even Yun Jae-ha's father, the head of a famous law firm, said that.
It seems my name has spread quite a bit.
'Of course, it's impossible for the news not to spread, but it's not a good thing.'
I nodded slightly, hiding my complicated feelings.
"Even if I don't have time, I'll have to make it. I'll contact you separately soon."
"Okay~"
Oh Hyun-woo's expression turned amused.
"My grandfather has never shown interest in my friends. But even your family? That's surprising. What's your deal, Kim Mu-hyuk, hahaha."
I deflected the question and changed the topic.
"Are you still thinking about becoming a prosecutor? Will it be okay?"
Oh Hyun-woo's face turned bitter as he raised his glass.
He clinked his glass against mine.
"My grandfather wants me to be a judge. But even if I become a judge, I'll just be walking the same path he did..."
He downed the drink in one go.
"I want to become a prosecutor and reach the top. I don't want to be known as someone who succeeded because of my grandfather's influence. My brothers all chose to be judges, but I don't think I can do that. I'll try to persuade him. If it doesn't work, I'll just do it anyway. Haha."
A self-deprecating laugh revealed Oh Hyun-woo's inner struggle.
I patted his shoulder.
"You'll do well in any position."
"Thanks."
At that moment, Myung-soo butted in.
"What are you guys talking about? Let's all cheer. Here, take a drink. Hyun-woo, take one! Mu-hyuk, take one~"
Myung-soo, who seemed to have had quite a bit to drink, was slurring his words.
"Oh! This guy is causing trouble again. He's always like this when he drinks. He gets even more outrageous."
Oh Hyun-woo shook his head, but he didn't seem to mind. Everyone laughed and watched.
Myung-soo kept clinging to me, whining.
"Mu-hyuk~ My friend Mu-hyuk!"
"Ugh..."
I pushed his grinning face away.
Seeing him cling so persistently, something came to mind.
"Want to hear a funny story?"
Everyone looked at me with interest at my sudden question.
"Remember when Myung-soo and I went to a nightclub for the first time when we turned twenty? He got so drunk and liked a girl who came to book us..."
"Hey! Stop it. Don't tell it!"
Myung-soo tried to cover my mouth, but it was too late.
Yun Jae-ha and Oh Hyun-woo quickly held him back, urging me to continue.
By the time Myung-soo stopped struggling, everyone was looking at him as if he were crazy.
Myung-soo glared at me murderously.
"Bad guy. I'll kill you."
Everyone burst out laughing at Myung-soo's grumbling.
"Myung-soo, you're a man, a man!"
It was nice to be able to laugh so freely with friends, even if it was just for a moment.
I couldn't always live in a state of tension.
While laughing and sipping my drink, Han Min-kyung tapped my arm.
"Let's go get some fresh air. My head hurts."
I got up with Han Min-kyung and went outside the bar.
I stopped a section chief who was about to approach me and walked over to her.
"Congratulations."
Han Min-kyung, who had been looking at the night street, turned to me.
Her face was slightly flushed, probably from the alcohol.
"Thanks to you. I'll definitely repay you when I succeed."
"Repay me? Is everything else okay?"
"Yeah, it is."
"You'll pass the second round without any problems. Don't think too much and focus on your preparation."
"Thanks, really..."
Tears welled up in the corners of Han Min-kyung's eyes.
I turned my head slightly, pretending not to notice.
"Let's go back. The others are waiting. Myung-soo will start causing trouble again."
Han Min-kyung grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.
"......Are we friends?"
"Huh?"
Surprised by her sudden question, I turned back.
"Friends... or... how about a girlfriend?"
Her face was even more flushed than before.
I tried to remain calm as I replied.
"You're attractive as both a friend and a girlfriend. But I don't have the capacity to have a girlfriend right now... I haven't even thought about it."
This isn't the time for a relationship.
Moreover, if I were to start a romantic relationship with Han Min-kyung now, the goodwill I've shown her might be seen as a calculated move to create a debt.
Han Min-kyung nodded slightly, as if she had expected this, wiped away the tears in her eyes, and said firmly.
"I must be a bit drunk. Forget what I just said."
I watched her walk back into the bar. I stood outside a bit longer, pretending to get some fresh air, before going in.
"What! What were you two doing outside?"
Sure enough, Myung-soo teased us.
I shook my head and sat next to Yun Jae-ha.
"Your dad said he wants to meet me, right?"
Yun Jae-ha, who had been talking to Oh Hyun-woo, turned to me.
"Yeah. Dad said he's met all the other friends but not you. He said he's managing the others because they're all going into the legal profession, but it's surprising that he wants to meet you, even though he said you're not interested in the legal field."
In fact, this was one of the reasons for the gathering.
Oh Hyun-woo's and Yun Jae-ha's families form a cartel in the legal profession.
My grandfather has approached them several times, but he couldn't win their hearts with money.
"I'll meet your grandfather first, then I'll contact your dad."
"Okay! Hey, what are you doing? We won't be able to gather like this until after the second round, so let's drink!"
Yun Jae-ha poured drinks into everyone's empty glasses.
"Let's all have a drink! Let's all pass the second round at once! We can do it!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank.
The party continued late into the night.
The next day.
I entered my grandfather's study as usual in the morning.
"So, how's the debt collection going?"
"Yes, I'm starting with the ones that are due."
My grandfather leaned forward, showing interest.
"They're not the kind to give up easily, right?"
"Many of the companies that took out loans don't have the money to pay. But the collateral my grandfather secured is more valuable than the loans, so I gave them the choice to either pay the money or hand over the collateral. Most of them managed to gather the money and pay it back. For those who resisted, I took the collateral."
My grandfather smiled slightly, pleased with my handling.
I smiled back and brought up the topic.
"Do you know Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok?"
"Chief Justice Oh? I know him. That uptight guy?"
"Yes, he's my friend's grandfather. He wants to meet me. I plan to meet him soon. He seems to know I'm your grandson."