【Episode 014 – Someone Like Me (1)】
Whether it's law review or moot court competition, joining in the first place isn't easy. You have to submit a personal statement and writing samples, and of course, you have to interview.
"It's not easy, but still, hyung, you have such rich practical experience, so wouldn't you crush it?"
"Crush it, what are you talking about... The kids here are incredibly articulate."
If you win a major international moot court competition like Jessup, it brings tremendous honor to the school, so not only scholarships but also other financial sponsorship and support from professors is enormous.
Therefore, individual participation is impossible, and only elite students selected through the school's moot court committee can participate representing the school.
In truth, it's a burdensome task for students who have just entered law school. Thus, they usually participate starting from their second year, and first-years typically apply after spending a year observing and listening.
That said, it wasn't as though first-years had no opportunities at all.
Because it was such a long-standing program, there existed various moot court competitions, from small-scale tournaments held within the school to competitions participated in solely by the eastern university league.
"They say it'd be good to try... Honestly, I'm not sure if I can do it because my English is lacking."
"Wouldn't you like to try it with me?"
"With you?"
"Yes. First-years can participate in the Immigration Law Moot Court Competition too. We can form our own team and apply."
One of them was the Immigration Law Moot Court Competition (The NYU Immigration Law Moot Court Competition).
A competition hosted annually by NYU, mainly participated in by schools on the East Coast.
First-years could participate, and above all, rather than being individually selected through the school moot court board, like-minded people could form a team and take part.
"The Immigration Law Moot Court Competition? Hmm..."
I had asked him about it before too.
"I'm not sure. Whether this is something I should do..."
He had hesitated just like that back then as well.
From Dongwook-hyung's perspective, it could be somewhat risky. A sixth-year lawyer with practical experience participating in a moot court competition was somewhat awkward from a Korean way of thinking, and he seemed to think that if he participated and the results weren't good, it might be worse than not doing it at all.
At that time, I couldn't convince hyung because I wasn't confident myself. No, I hadn't even tried.
This time is different.
"Hyung, you challenged the JD program because you wanted to work at an American law firm, right? Then wouldn't this be like a good practice game?"
I later heard that hyung had wanted to do it too.
"I entered the JD program instead of the LLM because I wanted to work at an American law firm, but I think I couldn't challenge it because I was afraid of English and afraid of what others would think, and I regret that."
Those were his words.
"A good practice game...?"
Hyung's eyes changed at the word "challenge."
'With that look in his eyes, it means he'll do it.' Dongwook-hyung was won over.
"What about you guys?"
"I'll do it."
Of course, Sein showed interest.
"Me too. My brother said if I had the chance, I should definitely try it once. Of course, he dismissed me saying someone like me couldn't even join a team, let alone participate in a competition. So I want to do it even more. Count me in."
Surprisingly, Michael showed interest too.
"Great. Since a team can have anywhere from two to four members, the four of us can do it. I'll email you the details. Ah, we also need a coach."
"A coach?"
"I'll ask Professor Madison about that."
"Okay!"
"Suddenly I really want to go to school."
Perhaps it was the wine from dinner, but even though it could be seen as burdensome, everyone's eyes sparkled as if they were participating in something exciting.
That made me feel even better.
"But, Heon-ah, will you be okay?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"With your research assistant work, and having to keep up grades in all those courses?"
Of course I'm okay. Just from the fact that I've returned, I truly feel like I drank ten Red Bulls.
It was partly true that Jennifer Lin had ignited my competitive spirit.
"What are you all talking about so passionately? Try some of the cake Sujeong brought. I couldn't help myself and took a bite first, but it's so delicious."
Huh, now that I thought about it, I hadn't seen Sujeong.
I had been too caught up talking about moot court to notice, but she had been in the kitchen.
"Wow—amazing. This cake is so delicious."
"Right?"
"Where did you buy this?"
"It's a patisserie in Soho, and really all the other desserts are delicious too. Shall I give you the address?"
"Yes!"
*
I had planned to just have lunch and leave, but it was so fun that we had dinner too, and it was past nine when we finally left Dongwook-hyung's place.
"Ah—it's been so long since I ate so well and so much! Thank you, Heonje. For inviting me to a gathering like this."
From his expression, it wasn't just empty words.
When we left the house, she looked very close to my sister-in-law, and she had even exchanged contact information with Sein.
"Well, that's a relief."
"I usually get along well with people. But everyone seems like such good people."
"Yeah. They are good people."
"Ah—what a relief. They seem like people who will take good care of our Heonje."
"What are you on about."
"Hey, honestly, you came to New York and didn't even call me; do you know how worried I was? I bought you a suit, but you just got mad at me. I thought you were being bullied at school."
"Bullied, what? Is this some kind of high school? Getting bullied."
"These days it's a world where you can be ostracized even at work."
Sujeong had excellent social skills.
She found common ground with people she had just met and got along well with them, and her bright energy made people like her.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"The suit. I got some attention thanks to that outfit."
"Right?! Didn't everyone ask?"
"Yeah."
"Right. Since your girlfriend goes to design school, she should have at least that much taste, shouldn't she? As expected, I thought it would suit you?"
"..."
"Huh? Did I just say girlfriend? Ah—that came out wrong. Female friend. You got nervous, didn't you? Hahaha. But why would you get nervous about something like that? Hahaha."
I had fallen for that side of her too.
"Alright, let's part ways here."
"Already?"
"It's ten o'clock."
"So what, it's only ten. Have you been to the Empire State Building?"
"I have a curfew."
"What?"
"It's the rule of the apartment where I live now."
"Really? You have a curfew?"
"Yeah."
"What time?"
"Eleven."
"What?! Eleven?! Even on a Saturday?"
"Yeah."
"What kind of rule is that? That place is weird. Do you really have to live there?"
"The rent is free."
"Even so... *tsk*."
She looked at me with a puppy-like expression.
Her eyes were so big and moist that it seemed all the city lights were reflected in them.
"Let's go to the Empire State Building later."
"How can we go when your curfew is at eleven?"
"In the winter, it gets dark even at eight."
"Hmph-. Are you really going home?"
"Yeah."
As I started walking toward the subway station, leaving her standing still like a protesting puppy,
"Heonje."
She called my name in a sulky voice.
"What?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I am happy."
"Pfft—I don't think so."
I am happy. Very much.
"Get home safely."
Tap, tap, tap.
She ran up and linked her arm with mine.
"No. I'll go with you."
"Even if you come, you can't come inside."
"I know."
"I can't walk you back."
"I said I know. I'm walking you."
"Jeong Sujeong."
Perhaps because my expression was serious, she withdrew her arm from mine and started walking ahead.
"I don't have a curfew like some people. Let's go, man with a curfew. I'll walk you home."
***
Monday morning,
NYU Vanderbilt Hall, Courtyard.
"Oh, Heon-ah!"
"Good morning."
On the way to school, I ran into Dongwook-hyung.
"We really enjoyed the food you packed for us."
"Really? That's a relief. Your roommates didn't complain?"
"They liked it even more."
"Oh—that's good. Ah, right. I received the email you sent about the moot court competition. First, we have to submit the written portion?"
"Yes."
"I can help with that... ah, but something else first. By any chance, what's your relationship with Sujeong?"
"Excuse me?"
Why that all of a sudden...?
"Ah, it's nothing like that. My wife seems to have completely fallen for Sujeong. I guess the two of them talked a lot in the kitchen while we were talking in the living room that day. She said she's going to meet her today too, so I was a bit worried. I was wondering if our Goeun is bothering Sujeong unnecessarily. Is it okay for her to contact her casually?"
That's not really something for me to say whether it's okay or not...
Someone Like Me (2)
Monday morning,
A cafe between Soho and Nolita.
A meticulously prepared brunch set was placed on the table along with an iced Americano.
"Am I taking up your time for nothing?"
"No, unnie. I only have my graduation exhibition left, so I'm free."
"Really? Then that's a relief... Oh my! This avocado shrimp toast is really delicious."
"Right? Try my jambon-beurre sandwich too. It's really delicious."
"Wow—it's art. What butter do they use? It's totally different from Korea."
"The owner is Japanese, and I heard he opened this shop in New York after studying baking in France."
"It's really delicious. I think I'm going to love this place. What am I going to do. Sujeong, can't we be close friends?"
"Unnie."
"Yes."
"We agreed to just call each other by our names."
"Ah, right. I will. Heehee. Just introduce me to places like this every day. Then, I'll pay for everything."