006 – When Cornered, Take Off Your Pants
“Looks like a complete Colosseum.”
Standing at the center of the circular arrangement of desks, I felt like a Roman gladiator.
The students sitting in a circle really did resemble the movie audiences watching a famous gladiator with interested eyes.
The only slightly uncomfortable point was that the female students weren’t looking at me but at the class president.
Class president Jeong Yi-seon looked around as if it was routine business, then stood calmly.
“The side arguing for the retention of the d*ath penalty has to cover more sensitive points, so it wouldn’t be right to make Namjin, who just transferred, do it. I’ll take the ‘Retention’ side. Is that okay?”
It was quite considerate of him to offer to take on the difficult topic.
Does that mean he’s that confident?
He did say he prepared for Yeongmun High entrance exam, so he must be well-versed in debating.
“Alright then, I’ll take the abolition side. Don’t change your mind later.”
I’m not one to refuse kindness, so I nodded.
Getting a good starting position to earn Points? If this leads to meeting Seugal, there’s no reason to refuse.
“Then I’ll start. There are 35 countries that constitutionally maintain the d*ath penalty. Among them, the developed countries everyone knows are the U.S. and Japan…”
President Jeong Yi-seon kept talking smoothly as he looked around.
Honestly, I was impressed.
Why would a high schooler know how many countries retain the d*ath penalty?
“Among ten heinous criminals, four of them commit another heinous crime. That means every time they serve a simple term and are released, at least four innocent people become victims.”
His voice carried definite strength even if I didn’t agree with the content, and there seemed to be a charisma that could capture the audience.
I had expected someone who was class president in this special class would be exceptional, and indeed he was great. Does he have a concept related to ‘eloquence’?
“Also, the tax money spent annually on managing and supervising a single heinous criminal amounts to 80 million won. It’s hard to overlook the financial aspect.”
Money matters.
Perhaps it was this that resonated with the kids, as sighs of “Huh-” came from here and there.
This isn’t good.
At this rate, fewer kids might think my opinion is right when it comes to the final voting!
“So, is it because of the money problem that we should retain the d*ath penalty?”
“Should people d*e because of money?”
At my harsh question, the president closed his mouth for a moment and looked around.
“It’s not just about money. Haven’t you heard of this before? For some victims of terrible crimes, the best thing the perpetrator can do is vanish from the world.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that.”
“Some people don’t even seek a sincere apology from the perpetrator. They just want them to disappear from their sight, to vanish from the world. Do you remember the Kim Gwang-ji incident a year ago?”
“…”
“The child s*xual abuser Kim Gwang-ji, who served a 15-year sentence and was released, was stabbed in the heart by an unknown assailant and died. When this happened, people cheered.”
I knew about that incident too.
The world was in an uproar as the just judge ‘Judge’ had executed the violent criminal that the judicial system had released.
Most of all, ‘Judge’ started a spree of killing violent criminals like Kim Gwang-Ji and even threw down a challenge to the police, mocking the existing judicial system.
“The research findings indicate that the more violently ‘Judge’ condemned violent criminals, the lower the crime rates became. I see ‘Judge’s actions as akin to the d*ath penalty. It instills fear.”
“True, I heard that when there were rumors of the resumption of executions, criminals began behaving properly.”
“In prisons, the d*ath row inmates who were previously unruly also became disciplined.”
It felt like more of the class was leaning toward Jeong Yi-seon’s perspective.
With my heightened sixth sense, out of the twenty-eight kids present, nearly twenty seemed to agree with the class president.
Honestly, in this era of dopamine addiction, bringing up the example of a monster who gives people satisfaction by killing violent criminals, what could I possibly counter with?
Saying, “Killing is still bad. No matter what!” here would only make me sound overly rigid and boring to the stimulus-seeking seniors.
Then, here comes the kick.
“Isn’t executing someone just too simple?”
#####
There’s an expression called “chef’s kick.” It’s like the chef’s secret technique that determines the identity of the dish. A kick no one else could think of.
With confidence in my leg strength, I, Nam Jin of the leap, also have a kick.
“d*ath penalty is a problematic solution because it’s overly simple. Do the 106 countries without the d*ath penalty keep criminals alive just because they’re stupid and sentimental?”
“Too simple? I’m curious why you think that? Can you explain more?”
Honestly speaking, I thought violent criminals deserved to d*e.
Just “killing and finishing them off” is too simple.
“I believe everyone deserves a second chance. Even someone who seems like trash may turn into a splendid recycled product if used correctly.”
I deeply admired Seugal who had given me a new lease on life while I was rolling around a shack.
My source of life, the goddess of luck who gave me a second chance.
In a sense, this debate was my confession to her.
“Recycling?”
“What’s he trying to say?”
In the moment of expectation rising on everyone’s faces by my heartfelt emotional appeal, I opened my mouth to deliver the decisive kick.
“So, give criminals a second chance by sending them somewhere uninhabited, like an island, to work in a radioactive beryllium plant!”
“…Labor?”
“…What…!?”
“What the heck?”
“Anyway, leave them with just the minimum necessary for survival, and have them donate organs to sick people. Regularly extract their bl**d to contribute to the bl**d supply-.”
The economic value of one human body.
Minimum 200 million won.
I, who had been harassed by loan sharks over organ trade, knew that better than anyone.
“If you just execute them, that’s 200 million won down the drain! 200 million won! Do you know how many instant noodles that is? By UNICEF standards, it can provide vaccines for 3,960,000 people!”
The emotional provocation directed at everyone around and the discourse on the pragmatic monetary benefits!
Strange expressions began to spread across the face of my debate opponent, President Jeong, and the other students exchanged confused glances.
「Name: Geum Tae-sung」
「State: 《Shock》 – Completely taken aback by an opinion that was entirely unexpected!」
「Name: Cheon Yura」
「State: 《Doubt》 – Skeptical about the radical opinion just heard.」
Great, just as I expected, they’re confused.
Here comes my ace card!
“Please, give me just one vote! Just one! I’d like to earn some points! I’ll take off my pants right now if necessary! Please see my sincerity!”
#####
“The voting results show Yi-seon received 19 votes. Let’s applaud.”
Clap clap clap.
The kids clapped as instructed by the teacher.
President Jeong garnered 19 votes. With a class of 30 students, that’s more than half.
“I guess the kids like me more. Still, your perspective that one d*ath row inmate could save four million lives was pretty novel.”
The president extended his hand and smiled with white teeth. He was handsome, with a good personality and excellent communication skills—truly a peer among my kind.
“If only I could’ve taken off my pants, I probably would’ve gotten 10 more votes. It’s such a shame.”
I guarantee, if everyone could’ve seen the truth in my pants, no one would have known how the voting would’ve turned out. It was quite unfortunate that my ultimate move was stopped by the teacher.
So, my vote count was…
“Teacher, 11 votes would be 110,000 points, right? You said one vote is worth ten thousand?”
I acquired an impressive 110,000 won through this simple debate alone!
Honestly, if I’d received five votes, I’d have considered it a success, but with 11, it counts as a huge success!
“You really are quite talented, talking such nonsense and still getting 11 votes, Hanamjin!”
Right.
Eleven votes.
If one vote is mine, who gave me the other ten?
Curious as I wandered back to my seat, I saw Baek Yeo-ul reddening her face while looking at me and moving her lips like she had a lot to say.
“Hey! I was embarrassed for you! What kind of debate was that? Why mention taking off your pants?”
「Name: Baek Yeo-ul」
「State: 《Overcommitted》 – Having experienced being thoroughly embarrassed in front of people, I sympathize with you immensely.」
“Bangdaengi, did you vote for me?”
“…I’m not a bangdaengi!”
Baek Yeo-ul’s small shout.
She snorted with a “hmmph” and added,
“I did it because I thought if I didn’t, you wouldn’t get any votes. Do you know how embarrassing and humiliating that’d be? I still kick my covers away at night thinking about it.”
“Did you have a similar experience? What was the topic then?”
“…”
She glared at me while blushing red.
It seemed unpleasant memories came flashing back.
But, who cares!
The important thing is that I earned 110,000 points!
“Bangdaengi, would 110,000 points be enough for me to attend the same special class as Seugal?”
“I’m not a bangdaengi! And how can you attend any special class with just 110,000 points? If you want to meet Seugal that much, go to ‘Noble’ during lunch.”
“Noble?”
“Here at Yeongsa High, even the cafeteria has a class system. Noble is like a high-end restaurant where you pay 50,000 points per meal. Michelin-starred chefs cook there, and their pudding is especially delicious!”
One meal for 50,000 won?
Honestly, it seemed insane, but if I could meet Seugal there and get her to say “softly softly” twice, it seemed like a worthy investment.
Seugal, my light.
Seugal. Me.
In the future, Seugal and I will move from being just related to becoming one.
Fusion…
Huhuhu…
As I was happily daydreaming and loosening my lips, Baek Yeo-ul poked me in the ribs.
“Why are you trying so hard to meet Seugal? Do you like her?”
“Huh.”
“…”
At my nonchalant reply, Baek Yeo-ul’s expression grew very serious, her trembling lips parted, and she let out a very deep sigh.
“Hmph, I don’t know what you like about her, but she’s not the kind of person you think she is, so don’t get your hopes up. Didn’t you ask about my debate earlier?”
“I did.”
“My debate opponent was Seugal. We were in the same class in 1st year. Because of her…”
“Hey! Nam Jin! You were pretty fun! I’ve never met anyone who debates like you before!”
Pfft.
Then, someone approached and grabbed my shoulder.
A tall boy with an eyebrow scar that made him look like a rebellious biker type.
He looked like someone who could ride motorcycles easily.
“I’ll guide you to the cafeteria! Oh, by the way, my name’s Geum Tae-seong.”
His casual approach showed excellent social skills.
Just his presence seemed to intimidate Baek Yeo-ul, who, about to say something, closed her mouth and lay down at her desk.
It was lunch time, but perhaps she didn’t feel like eating.
Grrr…
Then came a strangely loud sound that echoed as if it came from a faraway temple.
Eek!
Baek Yeoul lifted her head from lying down, startled.
「Name: Baek Yeo-ul」
「State: 《Panicked》 – She seems quite flustered that her stomach made a sound!」
Such a strange person. If she’s hungry, she should just eat.
“Hey, Bangdaengi, let’s have lunch together.”
“…I’m not hungry! I ate a lot for breakfast!”
She replied without getting up.
The shattered LCD screen of Baek Yeo-ul’s smartphone, placed on her desk, was still broken into a myriad pieces.
Leaving that aside! The thought of meeting Seugal at the cafeteria made my tailbone tingle!
My love, Seugal, wait for me…!
#####
