Answer: Louder Than Bombs

Chapter 2. Broken puzzle

*BTS dormitory*

  For the first time in many years, the dinner was held in complete silence. Everyone was thinking about what they heard and read. Jin didn't even touch the food. Jimin and Hoseok exchanged worried looks, but neither of them dared to start a conversation. They didn't know what to say and from which note to start with. Jungkook waited for further instructions from Namjoon. The leader could always find the right words and develop a plan for further actions, but now even he did not know what lays ahead for them all. He wanted to console and cheer up his guys, but he was surrounded by continuous questions to which he didn't know the answers. Why has everything changed so dramatically? Why is there suddenly not enough room in the music industry? Why a group with 7 years of experience is forced to compete with rookies? Namjoon was scared not only for his gang but also for ATEEZ. And also for TXT, who just got a place in KPOP, and they are already about to be kicked off the stage.

- So, say something, I can't sit like this! - Yoongi was the first to break the depressing silence. - We are not sitting at a funeral, after all.

- Not yet...

- Jungook, this joke is out of place right now. - Taehyung slapped the younger on the shoulder.

- Are you also tormented by the fact that we were assigned to compete with newcomers, and not with EXO or SHINEE? - Jimin asked.

- Yes, that's what I thought. It feels like they, in this case, want to get rid of ATEEZ... - Jin agreed. - They are not rivals for us.

- I wouldn't say... - Namjoon interrupted. - To be honest, I'm surprised that they didn't get the victory as the best rookie group. They deserved it. Didn't they? - The guys nodded.

- What if... we lose? I don't want to give up the music! - Jimin covered his face with his hands.

- I didn't win a Grammy...
- Yoongi, stop it! Guys, what's wrong with you? - Hoseok stood up and took his place at the head of the table. - We're BTS! Of course, we will win! Look, ATEEZ has vocalist Jongho and we have Jungkook! The maknae (maknae - the youngest of every group) nodded happily. - They have the leader Hongjoong, and we have RM! They have Yunho - and you have me! Mingi - Suga! Wooyoung - Jimin! Jin - Seonghwa! Yeosang... - Hoseok froze.

- Wait for a second, there are 8 of them! - Tae stated.

- The rules do not say about the need for an equal number of group members. I checked, - Namjoon said, and sighed, leaning back in his chair. - Yeosang is not our biggest problem. I spoke with Suho right after we got back. They were not included in the number of participants. EXO wasn't even contacted and informed yet.




*ATEEZ dormitory*

- 8 against 7?

- I re-read the rules, there are no violations in this. - Hongjoong read the rules over and over, over and over, but he couldn't find anything new. The text was almost learned by heart.
 - Hyung, what if we win... everyone will hate us? - Mingi looked at Seonghwa.

- Why?

- Well... Then we'll be the group that ended BTS.

  Hojun was ready to object, but with what? A double-edged sword - either they stay, but the biggest fandom in the world hates them, or they voluntarily leave.

- And if we win by fair game... how can they hate us? - Seonghwa began. Hongjoong looked at him with such hope, with such warmth. He needed support now. Any support. And Seonghwa knew that. - The rules will be announced all over the world, and fans will understand that we simply have no other choice. Self-sacrifice, of course, is a noble cause, but there is a question of life path and career. Friendship and love. And our love is expressed in music. We all have no choice but to accept this test. And besides, I'm sure BTS will ask their fans not to be angry with us. They also understand everything.

- The list of participants has not come yet? - San asked.

- No, not yet. I think tomorrow... - the phone rang in the room. Hongjoong didn't find his cell phone right away, he always left it in places where phones are not usually put: under the sofa, in the refrigerator next to the eggs, in Yunho's pocket, under Seonghwa's pillow. - Hello?... Oh, yes, hello Namjoon-hyung! What a surprise... Yes... Yes, we also were sitting and discussing it, ha-ha... Do you mind if I don't comment?... Why then?... What?... - behind his back already gathered seven deeply interested pairs of ears. Wooyoung even wanted to get closer, but was stopped by Seonghwa. -... Good. Thanks for sharing... No, I haven't spoken to anyone... Yes, and good luck to you too. 

- What? What? Do they offer a draw? - Mingi blurted out at once.

- Do they want to surrender? - Jongho suggested.

- Okay, quiet! - Seonghwa reassured them. - What did Namjoon say?

- EXO is not included in the list of participants. EXO wasn't even contacted and informed yet.