The Devil Judge [BL Version]

Ga-on's curiosity was palpable as he gazed at Kang Yo-Han, his eyes searching for answers. "If justice doesn't exist, then why involve yourself in this rigged game? Is there something you're trying to make right, or something you regret?"

Yo-Han's gaze held a mix of contemplation and something deeper, a hint of vulnerability that was rarely visible.

He held Ga-on's gaze for a moment before a quirk of a smile touched his lips. "You know, you once mentioned that being judgmental was an 'old fogey' quality."

Ga-on's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, the shift in topic catching him off guard. "What does that have to do with..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Yo-Han's lips were pressing against his cheek, a brief yet surprisingly intimate gesture. 

"Just focus on healing," Yo-Han's voice was a soft murmur, his gaze lingering for a heartbeat longer before he turned and left the room, leaving Ga-on to his stunned silence.

Ga-on's fingers touched his cheek, the sensation of Yo-Han's kiss still lingering. His mind raced with a mixture of emotions, his thoughts in disarray as he tried to process the unexpected moment. There was something in Yo-Han's actions, something unspoken that left Ga-on both bewildered and intrigued.

As Ga-on stared at the doorway, a blush dusted his cheeks. The mansion held more secrets than he could have imagined, and within its walls, he had discovered not only the enigma of Kang Yo-Han but also a connection that seemed to defy reason.

Ga-on's fingers danced over the keys of the phone as he dialed Soo-hyun's number, a mix of amusement and warmth in his eyes. As the call connected, he braced himself for the onslaught of questions he knew would follow.

"Ga-on! Oh my god, are you okay? Is your face okay?" Soo-hyun's voice crackled with concern through the phone's speaker.

Ga-on chuckled at her rapid-fire interrogation. "Yes, Soo-hyun, I'm fine. My face is intact, don't worry."

There was a brief pause before Soo-hyun's playful yet exasperated voice came through. "Your personality might be terrible, but at least you have a nice face. Pfft. I can't believe I'm worrying about you."

Ga-on's lips curled into a smile. Soo-hyun's concern was endearing, even if her delivery was typically straightforward. "I appreciate your concern, really. But I'm safe now, so you can relax."

Soo-hyun's voice shifted from concern to a mix of shock and disbelief. "Wait, did you say you're safe now? Where are you staying?"

Ga-on hesitated for a moment, knowing his next words might trigger a reaction. "I've been staying at Kang Yo-Han's place."

Soo-hyun's response was immediate, her voice a mixture of disbelief and panic. "What?! Are you out of your mind? Get out of there, Ga-on!"

Ga-on laughed softly, his heart warmed by Soo-hyun's protective nature. "Soo-hyun, calm down. I know what I'm doing. This is a chance for me to gather information."

Soo-hyun's voice was filled with urgency. "I don't care if it's an information goldmine. It's dangerous, Ga-on. You need to leave."

Ga-on's tone softened, his voice gentle yet firm. "Look, I promise I'll be careful. I won't take unnecessary risks. And I won't stay longer than I need to."

Soo-hyun's frustration was palpable, her words a mix of worry and exasperation. "You're impossible, Ga-on. You better keep your promise, or I'll personally come over there and drag you out."

Ga-on chuckled. "I know you will. But trust me, I'll be fine. Just focus on taking care of things on your end."

Soo-hyun let out a long sigh, her voice more resigned. "Fine, just... be careful, okay? And call me if anything happens."

The weight of unanswered questions hung heavy on Ga-on's mind as he reached out to Soo-hyun. The request he was about to make was no small feat, and he knew it would require delicate handling and a level of discretion that bordered on the impossible.

"Soo-hyun," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and apprehension, "I need you to access Yo-han's family records. I know it won't be easy, but I have to know more about his past, about his family history."

Soo-hyun understood the gravity of the request, her expression reflecting the complexity of the task at hand. She nodded, a resolute glint in her eyes. "I'll try, Ga-on," she promised. "It won't be a walk in the park, but I'll do my best to dig up whatever information I can."

With that assurance, Ga-on felt a small measure of relief wash over him. The journey into Yo-han's past was one shrouded in mystery, and he was well aware that uncovering the truth would be a challenging endeavor.

As he returned to his bedside, the ache in his body seemed to intensify, a constant reminder of the toll this investigation was taking on him. Ga-on glanced at the pills on the table, a fleeting temptation to numb the pain that gnawed at him.

With a resigned sigh, he reached for the pills, swallowing them down with a gulp of water. The relief was almost immediate, the pain ebbing away as he settled into his bed. Exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the trial and the weight of his quest for answers, Ga-on soon drifted into a deep slumber.

The night passed, uninterrupted by the restlessness that had plagued him in recent days. Ga-on slept soundly, his dreams a tapestry of uncertainties and possibilities, each thread weaving together a narrative that held the key to the truth he sought.

And as the first rays of morning light spilled into the room, Ga-on stirred, his consciousness slowly returning. He had slept the whole night through, a respite from the turmoil of his waking hours. But with the dawn came the realization that his journey, both within and outside the courtroom, was far from over.

**

On the day of the trial, Ga-on entered Yo-han's room who was getting ready for the court, surprising him with his early presence. Judge Yo-han raised an eyebrow, his usual sardonic expression softening slightly.

"Ga-on," he remarked, "you're up early today."

Ga-on took a deep breath and offered, "Yo-han, if you need a witness testimony against Young-min, I can provide one. I saw him being aggressive on the road not too long ago."

Yo-han arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Did you witness anything else?"

Ga-on hesitated for a moment, considering whether to reveal the full extent of what he had seen. Then, with a touch of craftiness, he replied, "No, Judge. That was all I saw."

A small smile played at the corners of Judge Yo-han's lips, his sharp eyes twinkling with amusement. "Is that so? Well, thank you for offering to testify but no need."

Ga-on returned the smile, understanding the unspoken exchange between them. He knew that Judge Yo-han had seen through his lie, that he had been aware of the incident on the road the previous day when Young-min had hit Ga-on with his car and Judge Yo-han had taken matters into his own hands by damaging Young-min's vehicle in retaliation.

To be continued...