A very heated discussion was taking place in a courtroom between a six feet four inch tall and stout form of a defence lawyer and a very contrastingly five feet five inch short and petite prosecution counsel. The first meeting of the latter with the former had indeed left the shorter one shocked and quite intimidated. But the very scene that was now going on in front of several spectators left no room for doubt on how strong a mouse could come at an elephant if it had enough guts to.

“Will you only realise what such discrimination to the victims does when a close one of yours succumbs to these shallow societal norms and pressures, eventually giving up their life in the process? Does all those simple yet alarming statistics and graphs not make you realise that many precious lives; those individuals who could have pursued greatness in their promising futures; hang themselves, jump off the bridges and in many other ways; end their lives because of the discriminations they face due to their uality; their ual preferences? Why is it so important to label a person based on their ual orientation and ignore the achievements they work hard for all through their lives?” she huffed after her ardent argument.

“Because it’s not natural.” the defence lawyer argued back.

Nari huffed under her breath and whispered to herself, “Your body is not natural, you giant. I can be judgmental too.” but that didn’t really go unheard by the defence lawyer. Before he could retaliate, she immediately started talking again, effectively ignoring the defence lawyer’s previous argument.

She approached the judge’s associate while looking at the judge himself, “Your honour, this is the written testimony from the main witness of the incidence, Mister Cho Kyuhyun, testifying in detail of what had happened that night. The witness couldn’t be present in the court today as the victim is currently in hospital after being subjected to a car accident; prompting the witness to take care of the latter.” Nari presented the document to the judge’s associate; the testimony the younger Cho had apparently given to Nari and police before Sungmin’s accident. The document was then passed to the judge for observation. “There is no basis of bias in the presented testimony as the witness also happens to be the offspring of the accused.” Nari further enumerated.

“I object, your honour! The witness and my client have been on bad terms way before the said incident apparently took place. There’s a high possibility that the witness gave the testimony in a fit of anger and petty revenge with his father over family matters.” the defence lawyer griped.

“Your honour, the testimony was given in front of the police and I a good week after the incident took place. The witness was, by no means, pressured or in a foul temper when testifying against the accused. We have footages to prove the same and can submit a copy to the court later.” Nari interjected.

“Objection overruled then.” the judge calmly pronounced. The defence lawyer dejectedly took his seat back on the bar table. Nari gave a vainglorious leer to the opposition party; the lawyer seated at the bar table and his client sitting in the dock.

“Article thirty-one of the Korean Human Rights Committee Law states that, no individual is to be discriminated against on the basis of his or her ual orientation.” she continued.

“And the article ninety-two of the Military Penal Code singles out ual relations between members of the same as ‘ual harassment’, punishable by a maximum of one year in prison. That means Mister Lee Sungmin is instead to be put behind the bars for having committed a ‘reciprocal ’ to my client’s son.” the defending lawyer smirked as he left his seat once again, standing face to face with Nari after striding all the way to where she was; of course, Nari had to crane her neck upwards to look at the other’s face. She was sure going to sport an aching nape by the end of the proceedings.

“Well, I believe it is my right to question you now that you have brought the ual up. Did you perhaps ask Mister Kyuhyun or Mister Sungmin if they had , let alone about who topped whom when having the said ?” the court room suddenly reverberated of laughter at this question whereas the defending lawyer’s face turned a deep shade of red in sheer embarrassment.

“I don’t think that’s important to know!” he however exclaimed in defence.

“While I think it indeed is important to know that detail. After all, you are accusing my client of committing reciprocal and hence requesting him to be put behind the bars for that very reason. Shouldn’t you be able to prove who penetrated whom?” she smugly smirked as the defence lawyer’s face started sporting another deeper shade or red; out of anger and frustration along with embarrassment.

“Then, then…I believe Mister Kyuhyun needs to be put behind the bars instead for this act, or better yet both!” the lawyer had begun to lose his confidence; which had become quite apparent with his stuttering tone.

“According to what law, may I ask?” Nari calmly retaliated as she crossed her arms across her chest haughtily.

“According to article ninety-two of the Military Penal Code, of course!” he hit back.

“All right, in that case; and by no offence, I believe your client made a huge mistake appointing you as his lawyer. Please let the court know whose case are you currently defending?” Nari amusedly interjected; all while keeping her composed posture intact. Well, her nape had started to feel the pain though.

“I object!” the lawyer interjected while looking at the judge incredulously.

The judge simply questioned, “Objection over what? Her question makes sense to me.” he hid a small smile.

“Thank you, your honour.” Nari smiled at the judge and looked back at the defence lawyer. “So, I’d like to know your answer. Because as far as I remember, neither the victim nor the defendant, belong to an ongoing military background. How is article ninety-two of the Military Penal Code applicable here then?” this was enough prompt for the defence lawyer to sweat in nervousness. He gave a quick glance to his own client and noticed how the other had his face covered with angry scowls directed towards Nari; soon directing the same expression to his own defence lawyer. “Furthermore, the article you are trying to hold onto isn’t even legit. To refresh your memory, please be reminded that that very article is currently under a legal challenge after the military court ruled in 2010 that this law is illegal, saying that homouality is strictly a personal issue. So your arguments are invalid anyway.” She unfolded her arms and rubbed at her aching nape.

She then confidently yet politely faced the judge while bringing her arms to her sides; taking the opportunity to move away from the defence lawyer’s almost giant form. “Your honour, please allow me to cite a few articles that are mentioned in our constitution.” Assured by the subtle nod of the judge, “Article ten, chapter two; rights and duties of citizens states, all citizens shall be assured of their human worth and dignity and shall have the right to pursue happiness. It shall be the duty of the state to confirm and guarantee the fundamental and inviolable human rights of individuals.

Article eleven states that all citizens shall be equal before the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, social or cultural life on account of , religion or social status.

Article thirty-seven, states that freedoms and rights of citizens shall not be neglected on the ground that they are not enumerated in the constitution. The same article also stating that the freedoms and rights of citizens may be restricted by act only when necessary for national security, the maintenance of law and order, or for public welfare. Even when such restriction is imposed, no essential aspect of the freedom or right shall be violated.

When the constitution; that makes our society; has nothing against the rights of the ual minority; in this case, of gays, then how is a civilian harming and physically assaulting an innocent fellow citizen on the grounds of their lifestyle justifiable? If anything, the defendant has exactly committed a crime by going against these very articles constituting our national and human rights.”

The defending lawyer suddenly got worked up; striding towards his client’s dock and heavily hitting against the wooden railing in annoyance, “But there is no law or article that condemns discrimination on basis of ual orientation either!”

“So, I guess I can then pass ist slurs on you without fearing condemnation by law, right?” Nari’s retort was so quick and sharp the defence lawyer was left baffled. “And since there is no law that condemns discrimination, there is definitely the law that also protects human rights and punishes the assaulter for harming an individual physically. And you are currently to defend your client on this accusation as well, might I remind you.”

At this point, the entire Shin family couldn’t help but be immensely proud of the lady of their house. Ahra was definitely impressed by the older lady as well.

“Abraham Lincoln had once stated those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. If we go by these words, then the defendant doesn’t deserve the freedom of pleasing his clients and business partners by offering them same- entertainers in high-profile adult bars either.” Numerous murmurs erupted at this. “Your honour, the pictures on the screen here clearly show how the defendant woos his clients; by offering such obscene entertainment.” the elder Cho’s face considerably lost further colour upon the open display of his act in the courtroom on the big flat screen.

“I object! This evidence has no value in the court as it has b