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SEOL AH : Producer Hyuk, this is not an acceptable way to-

PD. HYUK : I am sorry, we can't afford to work with a plagiarist right now.

SEOL AH : Being respected as you are, isn't this a little unethical to call him that? You have known and trusted him for years now.

PD. HYUK : Seol Ah-ssi, even if I say I trust him. How would you handle the public? They are all against him at this moment. Having him, would chase away all our audience. I am sorry.

SEOL AH : But-.. Hello? Hello!

She looked at her screen to see it flashing "call ended" and sighed heavy, in frustration. The only shows left for cancellation, were also called off now.

SEOL AH : I mean, how can these people be so hopeless and irrational? How could they believe a false accusation that easily?

NJ : Don't you believe it?

Seol Ah was lightly startled by his sudden voice and looked at him reflexively. She noticed his plastered hand, holding a cup of coffee as he casually sipped from it.

SEOL AH : Do I have to believe it?

He, then, sat himself on the sofa‐ with the believed safe distance‐ five feet, apart from Seol Ah.

NJ : Well, everyone does.

SEOL AH : Does everyone believing something make it the truth?

Her tactful response had Namjoon at a loss of words. Thus, he breathed a few moments in silence.

Seol Ah's never ending confidence and optimism, that he once had when he wasn't alone. When he strived through any hurdle, any storm that tried to meddle the boat, the seven of them were sailing in.

To save them, he became the shield and withstood any thunder striking on them.
That Namjoon was unable to save himself now, unable to shield himself and quietly had the endless bullets pierce through him.

NJ : You don't have to side me only because you're my manager. You have the freedom to differ.

SEOL AH : If you would remember, the first time I came in for the interview. No matter what, I held my opinions and views about K-pop. I did not force myself to like or dislike anything just for the sake of the job.

Her words invariably rode him to that day. He couldn't agree less with her for he decided to hire the manager, who had an individuality and was brave enough to proudly stick to her visions.

SEOL AH : Likewise, with my 'freedom to differ' being intact, I have made my choice of side. I have seen you work blood and sweat for this album. Faith brings hope and belief brings trust. And I have both for you.

Her thoughtful words flickered a faint spark of light in the darkness of his insides. But it soon died, for the negativity that filled in him didn't let it burn into a fire.

NJ : It's all... over.

SEOL AH : Truth is the end of every story. It's not over, until the truth is known.

NJ : Truth, you say? Me plagiarizing, is the only truth they know.

SEOL AH : What they know could be a lie too. In fact, it is. Now, you are the only one who knows that and must reveal it. 

NJ : Not happening, Seol Ah-ssi. It's too big a fight that I don't have the strength to win. 

SEOL AH : How did you accept it so soon? If for instance, a strange couple comes and claims in the court, that you are their biological son but your parents easily accept it and say "why do we have to prove it?". How betrayed and ditched would you feel then?

NJ : Huh? (-looking at her, confused-) 

SEOL AH : You are doing the same thing to your music right now. You just abandoned them too easy.

Namjoon finally walked through her actual point and never had he been so naked faced and guilty to his work— that he claimed to adore to his peace. Maybe he believed it wrong.
Unbinding of the misconceptions, made him even more raw and unsettled.

SEOL AH : Just like that couple saw, in you, a fortune‐ they attempted to grab some. Similar is this. Since your work is a treasure. Someone would definitely try to steal it from you. You are the rightful owner, you have to protect them with all your might.

Namjoon barely functioned to speak, at point. And Seol Ah wasn't expecting any words from him either.

SEOL AH : I know I am your manager. Probably the agency-.. in your case, the manager, handles all your public affairs. But, I need your cooperation and support. If the victim admits to be the assailant himself, can the police help him find the actual culprit?

NJ : (-quietly-) Nobody would trust me now.

SEOL AH : We don't need 'trust' if we don't have any. You only have to trust yourself. "All you is need is you."

Namjoon experienced a shiver in his spine. The words he once penned down, coming from her, seemed so much healing and impactful.

In his recent title song 'words', he tried to sprinkle insights on the importance of words in a human's life.

Although, the mortal often at times of dejection, prefer to stay in solitude and away from the noise.
Simple assuring words, sometimes, can be the luring melody to the wreaked soul.

Words spoken in the right time are the words spoken right.
Be it any medium coming from. To some, it maybe a song lyric. To some, it maybe a sign language. To some, it maybe just written against their skin. For every means that it travels, heart is the only one—common to all—that is receiving it and feels the solace of conveyance.

Seol Ah, unintentionally, turned out to be that source of words to Namjoon. Not anything extravaganza but so simple‐ assuaging the complexity of his emotions at that moment.

Moments.

Moments of bliss, moments of laughter, moments of frustration, moments of grim. The vagueness of a moment tests the human about its duration in their lives. One wishes to last the happy ones longer or the sad ones lengthier; it all depended in their minds, the center of all the consciousnesses.

Namjoon, having the transient moments of hope, didn't let it blow out this time like the dead flicker from minutes ago.

NJ : Can you make an appointment with a good lawyer? We need to know the legalities of the matter to be present against the lawsuit they filed.

Immense rush of dopamine spread a smile over her lips in an instant, as Seol Ah heard him speak like the Namjoon she had known.

SEOL AH : Of course! I will look out the best legal advices for you.

Seeing her filled with enthusiasm, he hated to be the one dulling the ambience and smiled, a little forced however.

NJ : Let's get them the proper way.

She heavily nodded with a wider smile ‐ both unable to presume the yet awaiting calamity.

By the end of the day and onset of the dusk, Seol Ah was firmly girdled with the remarks from the few top lawyers she had talked to.

The common notion of each one of them was that, law wouldn't be much of a help to Namjoon. Since, there are generally nil chances to nullify such a claim. And, law is blindly based on evidences. Which, in plagiarism cases, are almost non existent.
They further brought her interest to the absolute need for an agency to Namjoon in that situation.

However fame he had, it was superficial until a situation like present arose. Sad but true, only a few percentage of fans actually support the artist in any controversial matter.
An agency, then, poses as the backbone and sides the artist in any way it is allowed to.

To add— them, having amicable connections with the media and Television, hold the adequate power to defend an artist in their journey, facing any kind of causalities.

Even 'the controversy' would have been dealt with in right time and proper support to Namjoon, if he was managed by a legit company.

As twisted as it was, she inevitably went back to the idea of getting Namjoon sign to an agency. After being faced with the importance of it in his work life as a whole, it was now indispensable.

Others wouldn't take him and he wouldn't take the only left alternatives ‐BigHit and SK.

What could she have possibly done as his manager to help him, a question that was choking her conscious every second.

Talking to him was never an option to her. For, the last thing she wanted, was to upset him even more, by bringing up about agencies. It was previously done in multiple other times, the conclusion was never very buoyant.

There was no way, she could reach out to Bang PD either. His floating emotions about BigHit were still too vivid for her to turn in that direction.

SK, in every instance, prompted to be the best alternative to her. Besides, the plagiarism accusation, coming from an SK artist was of great advantage.

The matter could be closed from a public perspective, gaining back their trust. And could be resolved personally among the artists, thereby helping it settle in peaceful terms.

Nevertheless, the numerous times that Namjoon had warned her against SK entertainment, was nowhere helping her.

She was in a pure dilemma.

The click open of his studio door snapped her back from her marshy thoughts. She looked up at his direction, wearing a simple smile.

NJ : (-casually-) Why are you smiling?

SEOL AH : (-shakes her head-) Nothing special. I am just happy that you've decided to stand for your rights.

NJ : About that, any updates on the appointment?

SEOL AH : Oh, yes. I made it for tomorrow. It's Mr. Wang Deok Gu, a reputed attorney, specializing in Human Rights. On my request, he agreed to meet you at his house instead, to avoid public traction. (-handing him the notepad-) Here's all the information you will need.

NJ : (-studying it-) Thanks.

He comfortably rested himself around the couch as he was diverted by a call, an instant apart.

Holding it to him, he remained still for a moment before deciding to take it.

NJ : (-over the call-) Hello, PD-nim. (-smiles-) How have you been doing?

The change in his expressions were too readable and evident for Seol Ah to know, that it was Bang PD.
Not intending to eavesdrop on him, she quietly cleared her mess off the lounge table, as she proceeded towards her room right after.

However, his words unwantedly caused her ears to pay attention.

NJ : Yes, I am meeting with a lawyer tomorrow. Don't worry, PD-nim. Ask others not to as well. You know me, I will manage everything in the end. (-briefly after-) Yeah~

His voice trailed off, when she entered her room.

She further realized from his words, that BigHit was completely out of the consideration list.

Similar kind to Kim—the zeal to be perfect at her work whatsoever it was, manipulated and impelled her to deliberately walk into the wild woods.

"He needs an agency."

"Even though, he is the victim. Law can do very little. To be more precise, negligible help to him at this point."

"Evidences are almost nil."

"To speak of the worst, if we fail to prove him innocent, he could be incarcerated for atleast five years and would be penalized a fifty million won to the least."

How fair was it, repenting for something one has been wrongly accused of?

For one thing Seol Ah knew certainly, she definitely didn't want Namjoon to suffer through that.

A sudden ringtone brought her back to reality. On the bed, her phone flashed a familiar number that caused the ring.

Taking it to her, she stared at the screen for a few milliseconds before swiping the green icon. If the other line could convince her in any way, she was highly posing susceptible to fall for it.

SEOL AH : (-over the call-) Hello?

__________

😬

Behind the scenes :
Namjoon received a call from the producer Park himself. The one, who contracted with him for a drama ost.

*Over the call*

NJ : I apologize, producer Park.

Mr. PARK : Don't mention it, Namjoon-ah. If I was to veto the contract, I would have it done with your manager. It's quite late, I shall keep it short.

Namjoon, already expecting the call being to terminate the contract, was a little nonplussed at his rather benevolence.

NJ : Pardon?

Mr.PARK : I will give you the time, so make sure to win this fight.

NJ : Producer Park, I don't know how I can repay your kindness.

The voice over the line seemed to carry on the conversation with the same amiability as ever.

Mr.PARK : Do it by winning. I thought about it alot, but couldn't bring myself to doubt 'Kim Namjoon'. However, it is going to be a big one. Careful with every step. Prove your innocence. You must.

NJ : Thank.. Thank you so much, Producer Park. (-holding his emotions-) I shall prove myself. Most definitely.

Mr.PARK : All right, then. That'll be all. Rest well. And, lastly, Producer Park believes in you.

With his last statement, the producer filled the singer with a stronger sense of purpose. Now, to win the trail no matter what, Namjoon experienced a concrete determination in his heart.

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