"No.113334, your trial will begin effective immediately," one of the officers bellowed out loud as he slammed his baton across the railing.
Jae Taejin didn't even realise it was him before another guard starting taking him through a corridor. Jae Taejin walked with the mask of calm, but inside, his heart was a jackhammer. Every step echoed like a countdown.. The Courtroom was massive—wooden panelling rising like walls in a boxing ring, the lights above above blindingly bright, like surgical beams burning into his skin, as if there was no place to hide beneath that white glare. he heard countless voices speak above him. Yet he could barely see the figures as he was trying to adjust to the light.
"Look at this raggedy kid."
"Eurgh that pungent smell coming from this godforsaken animal..."
"of course these type of people commit such heinous acts."
" I told you didn't I ,these system bred brats without real parents or a proper education living like bred through rats, just become villains and gang members when they get older ruining our almost perfect society. I hope this one gets sent to juvie for the most time possible dirty scums they all are."
Jae Taejin was shocked that all these people in the jury position spoke so blatantly with oozing disgust about him. "How the fuck was this meant to be his trial." Taejin thought before he was cut out of thought.
"Order! Order!" the Judge said with a commanding authority, his grizzled weathered face looking serious with a mane of greying hair covering his head he held a solemn expression at the whole room.
A lady walked towards the Stands with Leo D'Amore, she blared out her name. "Madame Kim Min Jae. Avc&co criminal Defense lawyer working their for the last 8 years and currently a prosecutor for this case." The Judge nodded "Today we are here for Mr Jae Taejin from Jeuryongi Orphanage been in this system since he was 3 get the facts right here and now, " The Judge bellowed, the rest of the courtroom nodded. "He is represented by a state given Lawyer Mr Jungi Soo", walking towards Taejin was a middle aged looking lawyer in a half ironed suit he had a cranky not wanting to be here sort of look in his eyes, Jungi Soo glared at Taejin like he didn't want to be there representing him at all but was forced to do so.
"alright Mr. Jaejin Tae."
"err my name is Jae Taejin."
"that's what I said, is it not? You thug," Jungi Soo barked at him.
"Enough let the poor kid catch a breath", a older looking gentleman in the Jury stand stared at Jae Taejin his eyes looking pretty sad but sparkled with hope.
"Enough silence everyone", the Judge said loudly.
"Order in the court"
"May the prosecutor present her case." The Judge said.
Madame Kim Min jae got up and walked to the stands."Ladies and gentlemen," she began with a slow smirk, "we are here to process justice—swiftly and fairly. The defendant, a small percentile of the failing parts of society, brutally assaulted a citizen of status, Leo D'Amore, son of a current top 80 ranked Hero hailing from the overseas nation Italia, Francesco D'Amore. This isn't simply just about violence. It's about uncontrollable disgusting violence. A growing disease in our society—these delinquents with no homes, no rules, no fear of consequence."
"SHUT UP." Taejin screamed out angrily.
"How's any of this fair when when That scumbag-" Jae Taejin pointed to Leo D'Amore in one of the stands.
"QUIET" the Judge blared, a rush of wind pushed through the room and Taejin felt a huge weight push onto him like he was suffocating.
"Shut your fucking mouth you stupid delinquent" Jungi Soo whispered glared daggers at Taejin. "Let me do the talking you uncivilised fuc-."
"I apologise for this erratic behaviour." Jungi Soo bowed down, the Judge nodded sighing.
"Well now then with all of that out the way."
"Sorry Madame continue on with your case."
Madame Kim stepped forward again with a little smirk in her face as she looked at Leo D'Amore.
"Your Honour, I'd like to present photographic evidence of the injuries inflicted upon my client—bruised ribs, fractured cheekbone, significant blood loss. All caused by this... street rat."
A screen lit up. Photos of Leo's bloodied face filled the room. The crowd gasped.
Jae looked down. Not because he felt guilty, but because he knew this court didn't want context. It wanted drama.
"Do you deny the charges?" the judge asked.
Jae looked up, locking eyes with the judge.
"No," he said plainly. "I did it."
The whole room erupted again.
"This hood rat look at how he seems proud of what he's done."
"These street scum just never learn."
"Look at this incessant mess saying i did it he didn't have to tell us we already knew looking at him."
"But—" Jae tried to speak.
It was like the whole Jury stared at him like he was a freak experiment let out loose, then one voice spoke out, "I think we should hear from the defendant and anyone who wishes to back him", the same old man stared around the courtroom it seemed no one was going to back Taejin, not even his so called "state given lawyer", Taejin realised he had to back himself.
"But he was hurting people!" Taejin shouted, rising to his feet. "That bastard beat kids half to death. He humiliated them! He—he shoved my head into a toilet just because I talked to a girl. He—"
"Silence in the courtroom!" the judge slammed the gavel.
"You hear all these wicked rumours this despicable brat is trying to sprout."
"No What he's saying is true I wish to oblige to be the witness for your defendant.
"And you are...?" Kim Min Jae asked, glaring suspiciously.
"I'm a fellow student at Geumryong High, the names Dong Seok" he looked across the whole courtroom eyeing down Leo D'Amore and the whole Jury area before giving a hearty grin to Jae Taejin.