Collision of Verdicts

Under Siege

The following day, Jungkook and Taehyung's teams gathered in the conference room, a sense of unease lingering in the air. Namjoon, Yoongi, Jin, and Jimin sat at the head of the table, expressions somber as they looked over the room. The tension from the previous week had only intensified, with threats now spilling over into their lives outside of the case.

Namjoon took a deep breath, addressing the group. “We’re going to lay down new rules and protocols for everyone’s safety. No one goes anywhere alone. Always have someone you trust with you, day or night.”

Yoongi added, his gaze sharp, “And don’t underestimate these threats. They’re not just trying to scare us; they’re trying to wear us down, make us back off. But that’s exactly why we can’t.”

Jungkook looked around the room, his eyes locking with Taehyung’s briefly. There was a silent understanding between them. No matter the danger, neither of them would give up on this case. But as he glanced at Taehyung’s slightly bruised face from the scuffle, a fresh wave of protectiveness surged within him.

Taehyung nodded, his voice calm but resolute. “We can’t let them win. Min Jiha deserves justice, and we owe it to her to keep going, no matter what they throw at us.”

Jin spoke next, “For the coming days, I’ll be coordinating with security agencies. And if any of you notice anything suspicious—even the smallest detail—I want you to report it immediately.”

As the meeting continued, they detailed the plans for protection: private security for their homes, emergency contacts, and scheduled check-ins. There was a tension of unspoken fear, but each team member understood the stakes and accepted the precautions without hesitation.

---

Throughout the week, the threats escalated.

On Tuesday, Jisoo received an envelope in her office mailbox. She opened it to find a single slip of paper that read, “Stay out of our business, or you’ll end up just like her.” Her heart raced as she looked around, feeling eyes watching her from every corner.

Shaken, she reported it to Jin and Yoongi, who assured her they were doubling security at the office and checking CCTV footage for anyone suspicious. Taehyung noticed her pallor as she returned to her desk, and he leaned over, his voice soft.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his concern clear.

Jisoo forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just… this case is getting under my skin.”

Taehyung put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’re all here. Remember, none of us are alone in this.”

---

Next day, Mingyu was driving home when he noticed a dark SUV trailing behind him, staying in his rearview mirror no matter how many turns he made. He sped up, his heart pounding, but the SUV matched his pace, inching closer until it was practically tailgating him. At a red light, he quickly called Jungkook, his voice low and tense.

“Kook, I think someone’s following me,” Mingyu said, glancing nervously at the vehicle behind him. “I don’t know what they want, but they’re not backing off.”

“Drive towards the precinct,” Jungkook instructed immediately. “Stay calm, and keep me on the line.”

Mingyu managed to keep the SUV at bay until he reached a busy area near the police station, where he quickly pulled over. The SUV hesitated, then sped off, disappearing into the night. Even after it was gone, the unease lingered, a reminder of how closely they were being monitored.

---

By Thursday, each team member had their own stories of close calls and warnings. Soobin found a message scrawled in chalk on his car windshield: *Stay away from the truth if you want to stay alive.* Yeonjun's apartment door was vandalized, the lock tampered with, and he returned home to find a chilling message spray-painted on his wall: This case will bury you.

That evening, they all gathered again in the conference room, the weight of the week’s events pressing down on them. This time, no one spoke initially; the silent tension was a testament to everything they’d endured.

Namjoon broke the silence. “We’ve all experienced threats now. This is their attempt to weaken us, isolate us. But remember why we’re here.”

Jungkook leaned forward, determination etched on his face. “They’re desperate. They’re trying to shake us up because they know we’re onto something.”

Yoongi nodded. “Every threat just proves we’re getting closer to the truth. And we’re not going to stop.”

Taehyung met Jungkook’s gaze, the resolve in his eyes steady. “They don’t scare us,” he said quietly. “We’re here because of Min Jiha. And as long as we’re all together, nothing will stop us from finding justice for her.”

Jungkook placed a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, his voice gentle but fierce. “Then let’s finish what we started.