Chapter 14
The Head of Student Affairs' face drained of color.
The Deputy Director, the second-in-command of the organization, was this enraged? This was a matter that could cost him his livelihood if he messed up.
Oh, it's a misunderstanding! Absolutely a misunderstanding!
The Head of Student Affairs, having blurted out whatever came to mind, turned his gaze towards Songtan with the softest look he could muster.
Uh... Trainee Songtan? When did I ever mention expulsion? Hmm?
You said just now, during the interview, that even without a digital record, if the Head of Student Affairs pressed the issue, I could be expelled...
The Deputy Director's eyes narrowed further.
No~ I wasn't saying I'd expel you! It was just a heads-up that something like that *could* happen if you were unlucky, *just in case*. Hahaha... You've really misunderstood.
The frantic Head of Student Affairs tried to play it off with a forced laugh, but the chilling atmosphere showed no signs of returning. Cornered, the Head of Student Affairs pleaded as if he were the wronged one.
"And you said it yourself at first: that you left school because you were involved in school violence!" "Because it was true. Although I took legal action against the Perpetrators, I couldn't continue attending school. I needed time to heal my emotional wounds. What's wrong with that?"
In an atmosphere where he somehow seemed to be becoming the Bad Guy, the Head of Student Affairs just gaped like a goldfish.
School Principal.
Yes? Ah, yes. Deputy Director. Please speak.
At the chilling tone, the School Principal answered in a stiff, military-like manner.
"Did I hear that correctly?" "Well... that is..."
"It sounds like you were threatening a Trainee who was a Victim of school violence... Am I misunderstanding?" "Th-threatening? No, it wasn't that. It was merely to inform him of the gravity of the situation..."
*CRASH!*
What kind of dog-shit situation is this!? Huh?
The Deputy Director slammed his hand down on the desk. Startled by his force, the Head of Student Affairs unconsciously clutched his knees. He was usually mild-mannered, but was known for his uncontrollable temper once angered.
"Head of Student Affairs." "Yes, Deputy Director."
I'd like to hear a proper explanation, wouldn't you? Tell me, in your own words.
Well... that is... I merely received a report that Trainee Songtan left school due to school violence. As the Head of Student Affairs, I felt it was necessary to verify the truth. Ah~ So you just cornered him first? Is that even grounds for expulsion in the first place? What do you think, School Principal?
The School Principal spoke in a meek voice.
"Ahem, it is not grounds for expulsion." "Yes, of course. What kind of insane organization would disadvantage someone for being a victim of school violence? Do you want to be buried by public opinion?"
"Ah, no, sir." "And even if he were suspected of being a Perpetrator, is there any record of it? Huh? Head of Student Affairs? Speak up."
Th-that is...
The Head of Student Affairs, having nothing to say, slowly lowered his head.
There wouldn't be, would there? If there were, his admission wouldn't have been possible in the first place. So you called him in under the guise of an interview, didn't you!? To gently threaten him into admitting it himself. Am I wrong? No, sir! I truly didn't intend to go that far....
If you didn't intend to, then on what grounds did you conclude this Trainee was a school violence perpetrator!? Your words don't make sense!" "............."
The Head of Student Affairs, struck dumb, just bit his lip.
"Are you a judge?" "As the person responsible for Trainee management, I was just doing my job..." "Responsible? You chose your words well. How do you intend to take responsibility for threatening an innocent Trainee, digging up an unrecorded incident based on an unverified story? Head of Student Affairs?"
Seeing the silent Head of Student Affairs, the Deputy Director spoke in a low voice.
"You have committed a truly shameless act that has damaged the organization's trust." "I-I was wrong. Please forgive me, just once..." "You should ask for forgiveness from the wronged Victim, not me."
The frantic Head of Student Affairs grabbed Songtan and pleaded.
I made a big mistake. I should have investigated properly before holding the interview... Please, forgive me generously.
Songtan calmly nodded at the desperate voice.
"Understood."
The Deputy Director, who had been silently watching, clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, how good is it to admit it and wrap things up cleanly?" "Haha... That's right, Deputy Director."
"Ah! And an audit will soon be conducted on you." "What!? No, but we just wrapped things up well, why..."
I also received some reports, you see. We're just verifying the facts, so don't worry too much. It's just a formality. A formality.
The Head of Student Affairs' complexion grew even paler. Though no one is entirely clean, he had far too many skeletons in his closet. It was practically a death sentence.
And so, Songtan inadvertently earned the title of the first Trainee to get rid of the Head of Student Affairs.
Though it was an unofficial record no one knew about.
***
The Chungju Station Weapon Rampage Incident shocked the entire nation. Just as its aftershocks began to subside, a flood of major media reports burst forth.
"Citizen Hero Who Stepped Up for a Child... Revealed to be a Police Academy Trainee"
"No Uniform, But a Mission... The Hidden Identity of Chungju Station's Righteous Man"
"Chungju Station Weapon Rampage, Citizen's Courage to Stop It Bare-Handed... He Was a Police Trainee"
"Amid Criticism of Police Absence, the 'Hero' on the Scene Was Actually a Police Officer"
It was belatedly revealed that the citizen who single-handedly stopped the Weapon Rampage Incident at Chungju Station was a Police Trainee from the Central Police Academy. On the afternoon of the ○th of last month, an incident occurred on the Chungju Station Platform where a man wielding a weapon threatened citizens. The field quickly descended into chaos, a perilous situation that could have led to mass casualties.
At that moment, a man volunteered to be a hostage in place of a child, and even used his quick wits to subdue the culprit. At the time, he left the scene without revealing his identity, but subsequent verification revealed him to be a Central Police Academy Trainee.
In an interview with our publication, the Trainee explained why he concealed his identity:
I didn't think who I was mattered in that situation. I was taught that protecting the safety of Citizens is a natural duty for anyone who dreams of becoming a Police Officer, and I believed that. ‘Police Officers must first be by the side of Citizens in times of crisis.’ I merely acted according to the values I learned.
As this fact became known, some public opinion reacted positively, even amidst the criticism surrounding the police's response, calling it 'an example that showed the true essence of the police.'
In response, a police official stated:
“This is an example where the spirit of citizen protection, emphasized in police training, was realized in the field, going beyond individual courage.”
and announced that appropriate internal recognition for the Trainee's meritorious service was being considered.
With content that made dopamine surge just by looking at it, social media and online communities were absolutely buzzing.
└ Wow... to see that knife and still volunteer to be a hostage instead of a child. He's a true Police Officer.
└ Agreed... If all Police Officers were like this, they'd never be called 'dog-cops.'
└ *Gah!* He subdued him so cleanly. He's a real manly man. This is what a true tough guy is.
He risked his life to save a child, shouldn't he get a big award?
But if he messed up, he would've been screwed. If the culprit had gotten hurt, he'd be arrested for assault. That's the law in our country, a country full of happiness where perpetrators are protected, but victims aren't.
Agreed. Self-defense wouldn't be established, so it fulfills the illegality element. Considering it's a first offense, I bet my right testicle he'd get a suspended sentence for aggravated assault causing injury.
Public opinion, which had been negative towards the police, instantly flipped, and netizens became desperate to find out who that Police Trainee was.
Rumors circulated: he was a special recruit from the national judo team, or a wrestling special recruit. No, he was from the special forces. All sorts of rumors spread, but his identity was never revealed, and as time passed, the hot issue slowly subsided, as it always did.
Only the nickname, Chungju Super Intern Cop, was left behind.
***
"Aren't you regretting it? Why not reveal your identity now?" Lee Seung-ho whispered to Songtan as they walked towards Chosim Hall.
No thoughts on it. Songtan replied indifferently, and Lee Seung-ho thumped his chest.
You're just letting this precious opportunity slip away? You're practically a police hero right now. It's not enough to just go around telling everyone... If things go well, the National Police Agency Headquarters might even call you in. I'm not really interested.
Oh, for goodness sake...
Lee Seung-ho shook his head. Wasn't it a golden opportunity everyone dreamed of? He couldn't understand the Youngest Member's choice to kick it away. But Songtan wasn't being stubbornly unreasonable without cause.
It's not good if my identity becomes known.
From the perspective of someone whose goal was to catch criminals in the Field, having his identity known was a significant disadvantage. There was a risk that suspects might recognize his face. Since he had already secured all the benefits he could, there was nothing to regret.
Sigh, do as you please. Anyway, you're a strange one. I don't know if I'm talking to a twenty-two-year-old who just got discharged from the military... or an enlightened monk...
Lee Seung-ho, who had been muttering to himself, looked around as if something had just occurred to him.
Hey, did you hear? The Head of Student Affairs suddenly quit. But they say he didn't leave on his own; internal affairs got rid of him. Why?
Obvious, isn't it? Either he did a lot of shady stuff behind the scenes, or he did it openly.
Another group of Trainees, marching in formation, approached from the opposite direction.
Lee Seung-ho, spotting one person among them, acknowledged him.
Yo, Han Gitae.
But Han Gitae walked right past, either not hearing or pretending not to hear. A displeased Lee Seung-ho frowned.
That bastard's completely lost it too. Looks like the rumors are true." "That he was disciplined?"
So you know too? I thought he was good at first, but he was a shady bastard. Being the Overall Head Trainee and all, tsk tsk. If he keeps this up, he might be completely out of the running. For what?
"The Top Student award, I mean. It'll definitely be reflected in his evaluation... It's a fatal blow." "Still, his grades are so good, wouldn't he get it anyway?"
I don't know. With a scary cheetah climbing up from below, he's probably shitting bricks.
Lee Seung-ho wrapped an arm around Songtan's neck with a playful smile.
But why are you suddenly working so hard? Your theoretical subject scores have gone way up too.
Just... I thought it wouldn't be bad to try something I haven't done before, for once.
What kind of novel bullshit is that?
Seeing Lee Seung-ho-ho's bewildered expression, Songtan merely offered a meaningful smile.
***
The final 25-week training course at the Police Academy concluded, and trainees were deployed to the field from the 26th week. Songtan was assigned to the Banpo Police Substation in Seocho Police Station.
As it wasn't an area with high public safety demand, his practical training was smooth, and he received top marks. This was because he made a decisive contribution to finding a hidden camera suspect that everyone else had missed, thanks to his keen observation skills.
Thus, all 8 months (34 weeks, 1190 hours) of training was completed.
Exactly two weeks before the graduation ceremony. An announcement regarding the government award recipients for the 310th Class graduation ceremony was posted on the Central Police Academy Website and the Trainee Bulletin Board.
Affiliation: Central Police Academy
Name: Songtan
Proposed Award: Presidential Award
Meritorious Service Summary: Admitted as a new Police Officer of the 310th Class at the Central Police Academy, he diligently pursued his studies during the training period, achieving the most outstanding academic results among the graduating class, thereby serving as a role model for others.
The news that an ordinary Trainee, not the Overall Head Trainee, had taken the Top Student award spread throughout the academy in an instant.