AAGULT Ch 114

Chapter 114

Aiden’s testimony, while similar to that of the other witnesses, carried more weight because he was the nation’s only S-rank Guide and the president of the Guide Human Rights Association.

He emphasized that Jaeha had been subjected to long-term gaslighting, had been a test subject for illegal drugs produced by the organization, that he had helped others even within that environment, and that he had not resisted when they attempted to arrest him. There was no sign of hesitation or uncertainty in the delivery of these statements.

“Guide Ye Aiden, are you testifying now that he is not the perpetrator?”

The prosecutor posed the same question he had once asked Mr. Dowon. It was a question that carried a certain weight depending on who answered it. It wasn’t likely, but if Aiden defended him now only for Jaeha to later commit a crime, Aiden’s position could be jeopardized.

“Song Jaeha-ssi is…”

The man began to speak. Sitting in the witness stand, wearing the dazzling white uniform unique to Association Guides, he turned to look at Jaeha. Their eyes met. Jaeha did not look away.

His lips moved. Then he slowly turned his gaze back toward the prosecutor.

“…someone who deserves to stand in the sunlight.”

Why would he say something like that if he didn’t even truly love him?

Those words struck deeply, stirring an unsteady feeling within. Unlike before, it wasn’t a wave of gratitude or heart-fluttering emotion.

Looking at him with a face filled with faint confusion and doubt, Jaeha saw Aiden once again close his mouth with that uniquely wounded expression. In the end, Jaeha gave up on trying to understand him. He still liked him and felt sorry for him, but Aiden’s emotions were not something Jaeha was obligated to carry.

The trial proceeded in this way. It seemed to be moving faster than the average trial. Before he realized it, the judge was announcing the verdict.

“The defendant is classified as a member of the organization, but based on the investigation, testimony, and psychological evaluation, he is recognized as a victim who was coerced into participation.”

There were no murmurs or signs of tension. After all, this was more or less a staged performance, and Jaeha had overheard someone mention that the Association had already spoken to the judge. Even so, this moment was still special for Jaeha.

“Accordingly, this court finds the defendant not guilty.”

Because, whether or not he had intended it, Jaeha had lived as a criminal for over six years, weighed down by guilt and sorrow for the harm his actions had caused others.

He had heard it said countless times—“You’ll get used to it,” “Even your conscience softens eventually”—but Jaeha’s conscience had never softened. It had always remained sharp, pricking at him like a star candy’s jagged edges.

“However, the defendant shall participate in a two-year rehabilitation program under the Association’s supervision, as a measure for public safety and the defendant’s own recovery. All associated costs will be covered by the Association.”

That was why he felt so happy. Just like Aiden had said, he finally felt like someone who was allowed to stand in the sunlight… and that he wouldn’t have to be pierced anymore by his sharp, unforgiving conscience.

It felt just like the time he first left the orphanage and stepped out into the world. A slight anxiety about the future, but above all, a fluttering sense of anticipation and subtle excitement filled Jaeha’s chest.

In the silence, the gavel struck three times.

Bang, bang, bang.

“This concludes the trial.”

That was the end of it. Jaeha was no longer officially a criminal. From now on, he could walk the streets or go wherever he pleased without needing the permission of the Association or the boss.

That realization brought to mind the section labeled “gaslighting” in the psychiatric report.

Yes, now he could admit it objectively. The boss had pressed down on and suppressed him for a long time.

And now, he felt as if he might finally be free from that control.

…Of course, if he were to face him again, he might still flinch from learned fear or reflexively read the room. But even so, he was confident that he wouldn’t be coerced into doing something he didn’t want anymore.

Jaeha was finally free…

After the trial ended, people began to slowly rise from their seats. Since most of them were familiar with one another, some even engaged in light conversation.

“Sigh…”

Jaeha exhaled slowly. As the tension drained from his body, he was suddenly overcome with a strange drowsiness. Just as he was about to rise, someone spoke to him.

“Jaeha-ssi.”

“…Ah,  Dowon-ssi.”

It was Dowon, who had testified earlier. Why had he subconsciously expected Aiden to speak to him first? He gave a sheepish smile as he turned to face him.

“Uh… thank you for your testimony.”

“I only stated the facts.”

The calm, composed smile on a face so similar to his own was both fascinating and, somehow, enviable. Would he ever be able to carry himself with such ease?

Even as he thought this, Jaeha’s gaze shifted subtly to Dowon’s side. Someone was standing next to him—a woman who appeared to be in her later years, dressed neatly and leaning on a cane, staring at him with a kind expression. She somehow looked familiar, but he couldn’t recall from where. Her stare was so direct that it was impossible to ignore, and Jaeha instinctively looked to Dowon for an explanation.

Dowon chuckled softly. He gestured toward her with one hand as if making introductions and began to speak.

“Do you remember when I told you we were family?”

“Ah, of course. That’s not something I could forget…”

It was certainly a difficult thing to forget. After living his whole life believing he had no family and was born a complete orphan, he had learned that there was still a connection—of course he remembered that moment.

“This is my grandmother. That is… your mother’s cousin.”

“Ah…”

Now that he thought about it, he remembered hearing that his mother had been born quite late in life. Jaeha floundered. What was the proper etiquette when meeting an elder relative? He gave a quick bow, then hastily clasped his hands together in a formal gesture—it was a mess.

He felt like crying. What if she didn’t like him for not being polite enough?

“Ah, hello…”

“……”

“It’s… um, it’s very nice to meet you. I’m Song Jaeha.”

“So you’re… Jaeha.”

But contrary to Jaeha’s worries, the woman didn’t seem to care about his awkward manners. She simply reached out and gently cupped his cheek with a look that seemed ready to cry. Compared to Jaeha’s large, sturdy face, her wrinkled hand was much smaller, yet radiated warmth. Jaeha froze stiffly.

“You look like Daeun.”

“Uh… my mother?”

The unfamiliar name took him a second to recognize. The word “mother” still didn’t come easily to him, and he repeated it in a rough voice.

“Yes… Daeun’s parents were quite busy, so I practically raised her. I guess that makes me something like your grandmother…”

“……”

What was he supposed to say in this situation? The elderly woman looked like she might cry any second but tried her best to smile kindly. Her gaze was filled with warmth and affection. It was a look one would give to real family. A kind of love he had never even imagined receiving in his lifetime.

“You probably don’t remember, but Jaeha… I saw you when you were a baby. After ‘that incident,’ we all thought you had died…”

Eventually, she couldn’t hold back anymore and broke down in tears. Dowon wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gently patted her in a respectful, comforting manner. She was a stranger to him, but seeing her cry so sorrowfully made his heart ache.

“Look at me, getting emotional… I’m sorry…”

“Ah, n-no, it’s okay.”

“Grandma, it’s alright. You’ve found him now.”

Dowon soothed her quietly. Then he turned to Jaeha with an awkward but gentle smile. It looked so much like Jaeha’s own smile in the mirror that it left him with a strange feeling.

“Of course, I know it’s hard to believe something like this all of a sudden. If you’d like, I’ll prepare some documents or evidence. I should’ve brought them today…”

“It’s okay. Really.”

Honestly, why would anyone pretend to be the family of someone with nothing? And Jaeha had known Dowon for quite some time. He wasn’t the type to tell such a lie.

“I wanted to sit down and talk over a meal, but… I heard you’re pretty busy today.”

“Ah… I do have a briefing soon.”

It was a briefing related to the gate, and since he had agreed to enter, it was a mandatory meeting. The woman, who had barely stopped crying, reached out and clutched his arm hesitantly.

“Yes, I heard you’re going into the gate. Do you really have to go…? I heard it’s dangerous. Can’t you back out? We’ve only just met…”

Her voice was still soaked in emotion, heavy with concern. But since Jaeha had already committed to the gate’s strategy team, he could only smile awkwardly, his brows furrowing.

“Uh… I’ll be okay. I’ll come back safely. When I do, let’s… let’s have a meal together.”

“Of course we will, my dear.”

She gently patted his arm and eventually let out a deep sigh. The worry didn’t leave her face.

“Jaeha-ssi. If there was any pressure or unfair treatment in your decision to participate…”

“There wasn’t. Really.”

Of course, that was close to a lie—there had been vague pressure—but Jaeha responded, convincing himself it was a white lie told with good intentions.

“…There was no helping it this time.”

Dowon also let out a deep sigh.

“There won’t be a next time.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Things like pressure or unfair treatment.”

“……”

Jaeha had already said there hadn’t been any pressure, but Dowon seemed oddly certain. The elderly woman beside him shared the same look. Well, considering his personality, that much confidence was to be expected.

“We’re actually quite wealthy.”

…That part he had not expected.

“Huh?”

Jaeha blinked dumbly. Dowon smiled. Then, with utmost gentleness, he repeated,

“Jaeha, you’re wealthy now too.”