Collision of Verdicts

Fractures and Fusions

The newly renovated headquarters of Kim’s Law Firm buzzed with activity. It had become a beacon in the heart of South Korea’s legal community, attracting attention not just for the impressive merger of two prominent law firms but also for the star-studded cast of lawyers now working within its sleek, glass walls. From the managing partners Namjoon and Seokjin, who shared a spacious corner office on the top floor, to the elite partners and their respective teams below, the firm was a powerhouse of talent—and drama.

Namjoon and Seokjin, despite the pressures of work and wedding planning, found moments of peace in their shared office, often stealing glances and quiet words of reassurance to each other. But the same couldn’t be said for the floors below.

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Jimin sat quietly in his newly furnished office, staring out at the Seoul skyline. The news had been relentless ever since the merger was announced. Every tabloid and news site seemed to be obsessed with the lives of the lawyers at Kim’s Law Firm, particularly their personal relationships. Jimin scrolled through his phone, reading yet another headline:

"Will Jimin and Yoongi Reunite? Former University Sweethearts Now Under One Roof!"

He felt a lump rise in his throat, his fingers trembling slightly as he locked his phone and set it on his desk. The memories of his relationship with Yoongi, their time together during university, and the painful breakup that followed flooded his mind. It wasn’t just about rekindling old feelings—the media was turning their private lives into a spectacle.

A soft knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts. He composed himself, taking a deep breath before calling out, “Come in.”

The door creaked open, and Jimin’s heart nearly stopped when he saw who stood on the threshold.

It was Yoongi.

For a moment, neither spoke. The silence between them was thick, filled with years of unresolved tension and buried emotions. Jimin’s eyes searched Yoongi’s face for some sign of the man he once loved, but Yoongi remained as impassive as ever, though there was something flickering in his gaze—something Jimin couldn’t quite decipher.

“Yoongi-hyung,” Jimin greeted, his voice softer than he intended. He hadn’t expected this confrontation so soon.

Yoongi stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. His expression was calm, though his hands were tucked into his pockets, a sign of the unease he tried to hide. He met Jimin’s eyes, and for a brief second, there was a flash of something—regret? Longing?—but it disappeared as quickly as it had come.

“I saw the news,” Yoongi began, his voice steady but quieter than usual. He walked toward Jimin’s desk and stood across from him. “I know it’s a lot to deal with.”

Jimin nodded, trying to mask the hurt that had begun to surface. “It’s not like I wasn’t expecting something like this. I just didn’t think...they’d drag our past into it.”

Yoongi leaned against the edge of the desk, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before returning to Jimin. “That’s why I wanted to come talk to you. I don’t want you to worry about any of it. We can be civil with each other. We’ll get through this.”

Jimin’s brow furrowed, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “Civil? Is that all we’re going to be now, hyung? After everything? After what we were?”

Yoongi looked away, his jaw tightening. He had prepared himself for this conversation, but hearing Jimin’s voice tremble with disappointment made it harder than he anticipated.

“We’re not who we were back then, Jimin,” Yoongi said, his voice low but steady. “People change. You’ve changed. I’ve changed. We can’t pretend like nothing happened between us, but we also can’t let it affect what’s happening now.”