Forty Three : Confrontation

Kim Namjoon POV,

February 26, 2020,

"Namjoon~aaah!", Suga's voice calling me

"Ye, I'm coming," I replied, getting out of the toilet and walking toward the practice room

I just finished a video call with Sora in the toilet, because Jhope and Jin always bothered me when talking to her. When entering the practice room, I found all the members gathered in the middle of the room around our dance coach.

"Tomorrow we will perform on Mnet without an audience. It will definitely feel quiet because there aren't ARMYs cheering for you, but I hope we still show our best, understand?", Said Son Seungduk

"Ye, hyung", replied Jimin and Jungkook

"Arasso", said Jin

"We will practice 'ON' with the dancers after this. So get ready", said our coach again

"Yee!", We replied in unison

We then walked towards the corner, where we kept our bags and belongings.

"No ARMY? Aah, it will definitely feel different", said V gloomily

Ye", said Jungkook sitting on a chair

"We can't do anything, currently the government prohibits people from attending concerts and other music shows. But I'm sure ARMY will support us at home", said Jimin, patting V's shoulder

"Ye. Arasso", replied V sighed

"Come on, cheer up everyone!", I said to them

I know the current situation is beyond our control. Things weren't like this when we left for America a few weeks ago, things were still going on as usual. But when we returned to Korea a week ago, everything changed immediately.

The spread of this virus is already in a dangerous status, even thousands of people have been infected. I started to realize this situation when we had our album release press conference. In the large meeting room, not a single reporter was present in person. The press conference this time was conducted online and broadcast worldwide.

I feel a feeling of emptiness in my heart as I stare at the empty chairs in front of us. It made me realize how this virus could easily change the state of the world.

And at this time, feelings of sadness and emptiness came to me again when I heard what our coach said. There will be no ARMY cheering on our comeback tomorrow. I took a heavy breath and rubbed my face.

* tring

There is one message coming.

"Kim Sora ssi is still in Minerva. Everything is fine. Nothing suspicious", the contents of the message

My hand moved quickly to write a reply to the message.

"Arasso. Gomawo", I wrote briefly

I turned off my cell phone and put it in my bag. The practice will last 3 hours this afternoon. I have to focus on this training, at least right now there is someone guarding Sora there, I thought.

I walked towards the center of the room, where our choreographer was briefing the dancers.

Well, I've been hiring a bodyguard for Sora for more than a month. She doesn't know it, of course. Every day this bodyguard always send me some news and information about her.

So far, nothing strange or suspicious has happened. But according to him, Sora seems to have started to notice his existence.

———————————— 4 hours later

"Your dinner is in the next room. We have to be in the office at 8 o'clock to fit the costumes that you will wear tomorrow", said Sejin, our manager

"Gomawo hyung. Yorobun, let's eat, I'm so hungry", said Jin as he stood up

"Ye", replied Jimin and V, who immediately left the practice room following Jin

"I'll take a shower first", I replied, wiping the sweat dripping down my neck

"I'll take a shower too", said Suga walking toward the bathroom

We just finished dance practice for tomorrow's show. Our dances this time was very tiring, but we are happy to finally be able to show our hard work in front of ARMY.

After showering and changing my clothes, I went straight to the dining room. All the members sat around at a large table full of containers filled with food.

"Namjoon~aah, yeogi (here)", said Jhope patting the empty chair to his left

"Hoba! What are we eating tonight?", I asked while looking at the table

"There are fried chicken, mandu (fried dumplings), Jajangmyeon and dosirak (bento box) with galbi (beef ribs). What do you want to eat?", Asked Jhope.

"Woaahh...", I said staring in amazement at the food on the table

"Have you finished eating?", I asked the other members

"I just started eating", said Suga, chewing mandu

"Okay..I will eat, thanks for the food", I said while taking chopsticks and opening a container filled with Jajangmyeon in front of me

Jin, V and Jungkook went to shower after I started eating, while the others were still chatting with each other. I had only finished a half of my meal when Sejin and Kang Yeonso came over to me with serious faces.

"Hyung, what's wrong?", I asked after swallowing my food

"Wae?", Said Jhope followed by curious looks from Suga and Jimin

"Namjoon~aah, haven't you read the message on your cellphone?", Asked Seijin

"Not yet. I turned off my cellphone during practice", I said, looking for my cellphone in the bag

"Something has happened to Kim Sora. Raynold just called me because he couldn't reach you earlier", said Yeonso with a worried face

"Sora? What's wrong?", I asked in surprise as I stood up

"Kim Sora ssi?", Asked Jhope, frowning

"What happened? Is she hurt?", Asked Suga as he put his chopsticks on the table

"Ye. She was attacked by someone while in the parking lot of Minerva and she was unconscious. She is currently on her way to the hospital", said Sejin looking at me anxiously

"What ?!", I said almost screaming. "Ottoke? How is she? Is she seriously injured? I have to meet her, I ... how could that be ?! Who did it?", I said frantically

"Namjoon~aah, Namjoon~aah, calm down .. calm yourself", said Suga approaching me

"Gosh!", Said Jimin holding his forehead

"I have to see her now, hyung please take me there", I begged Sejin

"Namjoon hyung, calm yourself. Take a breath, calm down", asked Jimin looking at me with concern

"Can Namjoon not participate in the next schedule? We will only do the costume fitting, right? I think there is no problem if he doesn't come", said Jhope to Sejin

"Are you sure you want to see her now, RM?" Said Sejin looking at me

"Ye hyung. I'll be careful. I really want to know her condition", I replied while shaking my legs nervously

"Arasso. I will accompany you", replied Sejin

"Go Namjoon ... calm yourself", said Suga patting my back

"I will ask Soobin to take you to the office," Sejin said again to Suga, Jhope and Jimin

"Ye", replied Jhope

Sejin, Yeonso and I walked quickly left the room. While in the car, I turned on my cellphone and saw 3 messages and 5 missed calls from Raynold, the bodyguard I had hired to look after Sora for the past month.

"Just now Kim Sora ssi was involved in an argument with a man named Park Minwoo. The man looked angry", the first message

"I interrupted them, and at this time the man had left Minerva. It seems that Kim Sora ssi will also come home. I will inform you later", the second message

"Sora is injured! I'm on my way to the hospital. I followed Sora to leave Minerva, but she was lying near her car and Park Minwoo was there", the third message

Jeez, why is this happening?! I massaged my forehead and pressed my head against the window.

"Calm down Namjoon~aah", said Sejin looking at me sympathetically

"I can't, hyung. The thing I was afraid of has happened", I said, lowering my face

My stomach felt nauseous, my palms were wet with sweat and I kept moving my legs in nervousness. When our car arrived at the hospital, I walked hurriedly into the emergency room.

"We are looking for a female patient named Kim Sora," Sejin told a nurse behind the nurse station

"Please wait a moment", she said looking at the computer screen in front of her

"Kim Sora ssi is in the fourth bed on the right. But sorry, you can't visit her at the same time, we have a protocol, considering the situation right now", said the nurse kindly

"Arasso. Thank you", said Sejin

"I'll wait outside", said Yeonso pointing out the door

"Ye. Can you meet her alone Namjoon~ah?", Sejin asked me

"Ye. Thank you hyung", I replied

"Ne. I'll be waiting for you there. Let me know if you need anything", said Sejin, pointing to the door leading to the lobby

I nodded my head and left. I quickened my pace down the hallway. I can't think clearly, I'm so worried about Sora that my chest feels tight.

I saw a young man in the Minerva uniform standing in front of a bed with the curtains closed around it. I immediately ran over to him.

"How is Sora?", I asked him

"Huh? Who are you?", Asked the young man

"Me? I'm Sora ssi's boyfriend, how is she doing now?", I replied quickly while trying to peek the curtains

"Aah..Sora noona is inside, the doctor is still checking her condition. Her head was injured because of being hit by something. She just regained consciousness. The doctor is currently examining her right now", he explained

"She just woke up?", I breathed a sigh of relief

"Ye", he replied, looking at me

I glanced at the name written on the young man's uniform.

"How did this happen, Park Yunsu ssi?", I asked

"Eh? Honestly, I don't really know for sure. Noona left Minerva to go home, then shortly after that, Ray Lim ssi -our customer- ran into Minerva saying that Sora noona was attacked and was unconscious. When I arrived at the place where noona fainted, I saw Park Minwoo -he is noona's friend- was fighting with Ray Lim. Then I called the ambulance and the police", he replied with teary eyes.

"Park Minwoo attacked Sora?", I asked, widened my eyes

"I don't know. At that time Park Minwoo kept saying 'I didn't do it. I saw someone dressed in black running towards the highway'. that's all I saw. I was very worried about Sora noona at that time, so I didn't pay attention to my surroundings", he replied in a choked voice

I rubbed my head, trying to calm myself. Then the curtains behind me opened, a doctor and a nurse came out of the room.

"How is she, Bangsanim (Doctor)?", I asked them

"Are you her relatives?", Asked the doctor

"Ye. I'm her fiancé", I replied quickly

"Arasso. Kim Sora ssi is conscious and her condition is quite stable so far. Her head was injured due to a blunt force impact, the bleeding has stopped and we stitched up the wound. However, Kim Sora ssi still has to undergo further observation, to find out whether she had a brain concussion or not ", explained the doctor

"Arasso. Can I see her now?", I asked again

"Ne, you can meet her in turn. Don't make her stress and think too hard. We will inform you again when the inpatient room for Kim Sora ssi is ready," said the doctor.

"Kamsahamnida Bangsanim ", I said while bowing to them

When the doctors and nurses left us, I turned to Yunsu.

"I'm going to see Sora now. Thank you for your help Yunsu~aah", I said nodding my head to him

"Ye, hyung. I'll wait outside and contact my friends in Minerva", he replied

I opened the curtains slowly, my heart racing with nervousness. I felt my eyes blurry filled with tears when I saw Sora leaning back and looking at the ceiling of the room. Her face was pale and her head was wrapped in white bandages.

She looked vulnerable and helpless. I felt a tightness in my chest, I shook my head and tried to shed tears. I took off my mask and walked towards her. Sora shifted her gaze to me and tried to sit up straighter.

"Jagiya~...", she called softly

I ran to her and hugged her tight. I wanted so badly to protect this woman, but I failed. Guilt filled me at this time.

"Mianhae. I'm sorry Jagiya~", I said hoarsely

"Why are you apologizing?", she asked, I felt her hands hugging my body

"It must hurt, right? I'm so sorry you have to experience this", I said releasing my hug and cupping her face with my palms

She just shook her head and smiled at me.

"Do you know who did this, Jagi?", I asked

"Ani, I don't know. I only heard footsteps and when I turned around my head hurt", she said, frowning

"I heard you fought with Minwoo before?", I asked, stroking her cheek

"Ne, we argued. Minwoo was angry because the police keep seeing him even following him wherever he goes. I said that I don't know about it. But he was very angry and yelled at me in front of everyone in Minerva", she replied with a sad face

"How dare he did that to you!!", I gritted my teeth in anger

"Yes, we argued, jagi. But he didn't do anything", she continued

"Then?", I asked again

"Then my employee asked him to leave Minerva. And after that I left Minerva to go home," she said, looking at the ceiling. "When I arrived in front of my car, I had trouble finding my car keys. Then I heard footsteps and suddenly my head hurt and I didn't remember anything else," she said holding her injured head.

"Did you hear or see anything suspicious before that?", I asked again

She frowned, trying to think.

"Ah!", Groaned Sora while holding her head

"I'm sorry Sora, mian. I shouldn't ask you many questions. It's okay", I said hugging her

"Mian", replied Sora, sobbing

"Ani, you don't need to apologize", I said stroking her hair

"I'm afraid, Jagi", she sobbed

I let go of my arms and wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks. My heart hurts seeing her like this. I didn't say anything, I only hold her again, let her cry in my arms.

"Sora~aah !!", a woman's voice came as the curtains around us opened

I let go of my hug and looked where the voice came

"Sunmi~aah!", Said Sora wiping her tears

"Sorry, I was too worried so I didn't see that ... uh ... I'm sorry. I'll wait outside", said Sunmi embarrassedly

"Gwaenchana, you can come in", I replied

"Jagiya~, I have to take care of something for a while. Sunmi will accompany you... I'll be back as soon as possible", I said squeezing Sora's hand

"Ne", she replied, nodding

"Sunmi ssi please accompany Sora for a moment, I have something to do for a while", I said to Sunmi as I walked over to her

"Ye ..", she replied

I saw Sunmi hugging Sora tightly and I close the curtains behind me. I walked into the lobby to meet my manager.

When I arrived at the lobby, I felt anger and hatred in me. I walked quickly to the man with glasses who was sitting on a chair in the corner.

"How dare you come here!", I said angrily, pulling Minwoo's front shirt

"Namjoon~aah!", Shouted Sejin, approaching me

"Let go of me!", Said Minwoo trying to remove my hands from his clothes

"What are you doing here ?! How dare you!!", I said in a low threatening voice

"RM ssi, please calm down", said Raynold. "He's not the culprit. Park Minwoo ssi has been questioned by the police, he arrived at the scene after the perpetrator fled. Everything was recorded on my car dashboard camera", he continued trying to keep me away from Minwoo

I let go of my hand and pushed him away.

"I don't care. You shouted at Sora in front of the crowd!?", I said while gritting my teeth

"I didn't mean to do that, I'm sorry for what I did. That's why I come here to apologize to her", he replied in a high tone

"Stop! Please behave yourself! This is a hospital!", Sejin said sharply to both of us

I took a deep breath and I saw Minwoo combing his hair with his hands.

"We need to talk!", I said to Minwoo

"Hyung, please take care of the inpatient room for Sora. I'll talk to him for a while," I said to Sejin

"But Namjoon~aah ..", said Sejin worriedly

"Gwaenchana..I will try to restrain myself as best I can. You don't need to worry", I assured him

"I trust you..please don't be reckless ..", he said, looking at the two of us and walking away to the emergency room

Meanwhile Raynold went across the lobby, watching us both from afar.

"What do you want to talk about?", Asked Minwoo tidying the front of his shirt

"Did you do all this? All the terror and everything?", I asked sharply

"Gosh!! I'm sick with all these accusations! Why there's no one believe in my words? I have nothing to do with everything that happened to Sora!", Minwoo replied holding back his emotions

"You must know why no one believes you, right? Because you did something like this before to Sora! Everyone will immediately suspect you when it happened again", I said

"But I have an alibi when all the terror happened to Sora", he said with a grin

"Then why are you whining and shouting at Sora about the police who came to see you? It's not her fault that the police keep looking for you. Grow up!", I said sharply as I took one step forward toward him

He grinned. Those eyes. There was something in his eyes that made the hairs of my neck stand.

"You don't know what I can do. Ugh! Idols like you lecture me about behaving like a gentleman. Haha, it's really ridiculous ...", he said with a mocking laugh

"I don't want to see you around Sora again. Stay away from her, stay away from Minerva ...", I said threateningly

"Or what? You will dance and sing in front of me? Huh! Don't make me laugh! You don't deserve to be Sora's boyfriend. Where were you when she received rude messages? Where were you when she received threats ?? Aahh! Yes .. yes .. you are busy dancing and admired by the little girls, right?", he chuckled, his eyes staring wildly like crazy

I clenched my hands at my sides, holding back my anger.

"You can't take care of her, you can't protect her !! Have you ever think that maybe the culprit are your jealous fans? Maybe They knew that their "oppa" has a relationship with a woman?!", he said in a low voice

"ARMY will never do that! You look so pathetic Park Minwoo ssi, at this time you are the one who sounds jealous of us. Move on! Live your life, you don't need to interfere in our lives", I took a few steps forward until our faces close to each other

"Sora will realize, sooner or later, that her lover is a weak man who can't protect her at all", he whispered, there was hatred in his eye

"Your words are more suitable for yourself. What did you do before to Sora is so disgusting! instead of protecting her you made her life miserable, that's why she hated you and go away from you. You should look yourself in the mirror!!? ", I said, gritting my jaw

"Shut your mouth !!", growled Minwoo pushing my body so hard that I almost fell

"I love her, I still love her! I tried to make her mine again. but you!! You came and took her from me !!", shouted Minwoo with a red face full of anger

"Are you crazy?! Do you think Sora will accept you back after what you did to her? Wake up! Sora is mine now! Face it Minwoo ssi, you have no hope", I said while clutching his clothes again

Our faces were very close and we were both breathless with emotion. I saw his eyes glistening. I let go of my grip and gasped. Park Minwoo leaned against the wall behind him while grabbing his hair, he squatted down and his body trembled, either from emotion or from crying?

"RM ssi, are you okay?", Raynold approached me with a worried face

I nodded and swallowed hard. I walked over to Minwoo who was currently covering his face with his hands.

"Stay away from Sora. I won't let you come near her again! You better do something useful, cooperate with the police so we can find the culprit as soon as possible", I said ending our conversation

"Come on, hyung", I said to Raynold and leaving Minwoo alone

"I was so worried you were going to hit him earlier", said Raynold looking at me while we walked to the ER

"I hold myself as hard as I can so as not to hit him, hyung. That bastard deserves a beating, actually. But I don't want to make things worse", I replied trying to catch my breath

"Did the police find anything out?", I asked him again

"They are still chasing the perpetrator. I'm sorry RM ssi, I let my guard down. It happened so fast, Sora just came out for a few minutes but when I came out to follow her, she was lying there and Minwoo was calling her name to wake her up. I immediately ran back to Minerva. I tried to ask for information from Minwoo, but he refused and put up a fight ", he explained

"Gwaenchana hyung, fortunately Sora was quickly found because of you. Thank you", I told him

I decided to stay with Sora a little longer, until finally she forced me to go home and prepare for our comeback tomorrow.

"Go home jagiya~, please .... I'll be fine. Sunmi will accompany me tonight. You have to prepare yourself. Tomorrow is an important day. We are all really waiting for your comeback", said Sora holding my hand

"But ..", I said doubtfully

"There's no but! you can visit me after I come back from the hospital," she said

"Alright .. I'll ask Raynold to stand guard in front of your room. Take some rest, Jagiya~...call me if you need anything", I said

I kissed her forehead and giving a soft, deep, passionate kiss on her lips.

"Ahemm....", Sunmi's voice heard from the waiting room opposite the patient bed

"Mian", we immediately let go of our kiss and looked the other way, embarrassed

"Sunmi~aah, I 'll go home. Please accompany her...", I said bowing my body in front of her.

"Ye. Oppa. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her. Fighting!", she said, smiling teasing me

On the way home, I stared at the car window. My thoughts and feelings are mixed. I really hope the police can catch the culprit. This is very worrying already. I rubbed my face and tried to take my mind focus for our comeback tomorrow ...

—————————————————————

Hi....happy new year everyone

Wishing you all have a good, safe and amazing years in 2021 ...

Stay gold ARMY 💜💜💜