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GOLDEN STRING ( Taekook )

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The first fire storm

The headlines were merciless.

“Scandal Escalates: Sponsors Pull Out Amid Taekook Drama.”

“Horizon Entertainment Faces Backlash Over Alleged Idol Romance.”

“#CancelTaekook Trends as Fans Demand Clarity.”

The handholding wasn’t a scandal anymore.

It was war.

Jungkook stared at the television in the Nova practice room as a reporter with overly bright lipstick rattled off the damage: two commercial contracts suspended, three major fanbases calling for statements, one minor sponsor suing for breach of “moral image clauses.”

And then, the final blow:

“Nova Entertainment has scheduled an emergency press conference tomorrow afternoon.”

Jungkook’s breath caught.

They hadn’t told him.

He wasn’t invited.

⸻

Taehyung was pacing his room in the Horizon dorms, ignored texts piling up as his phone buzzed like a hive. Jimin stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him unravel.

“You need to sit,” Jimin said.

“I can’t.”

“You need to breathe.”

“I can’t, Jimin.”

Taehyung finally turned to him, eyes wide and red-rimmed.

“They’re going to bury me.”

“They’re not,” Jimin said calmly.

“They are. You don’t understand. They want a clean image. They want me to disappear quietly so the group doesn’t suffer.”

“You think Jungkook will let that happen?”

Taehyung faltered.

“I don’t know,” he whispered. “I don’t know anymore.”

⸻

At Nova headquarters, Jungkook was ushered into a sleek, mirrored boardroom where half a dozen men in suits sat in silence.

The CEO, Mr. Kwon, didn’t look up from his tablet.

“We’re clearing this up tomorrow,” he said finally. “We’ve arranged a statement. You’ll read it.”

Jungkook didn’t respond.

Mr. Kwon continued. “You’ll say there is no personal relationship between you and Mr. Kim Taehyung. You’ll emphasize the importance of professionalism and your gratitude to the fans.”

Still silence.

Mr. Kwon finally looked at him. “Do you understand?”

Jungkook’s voice came low and sharp. “And what if I don’t read it?”

The room tensed.

“You’ll be suspended,” another exec said coldly. “And if you refuse completely… you’ll be terminated.”

A cold shiver ran down Jungkook’s spine. But he didn’t blink.

⸻

That night, Taehyung got a call.

Jungkook’s voice was strained. “They want me to deny everything.”

Taehyung sat down hard on the edge of his bed. “Are you going to?”

There was silence.

Then, Jungkook whispered, “I don’t want to lose everything, Tae.”

Taehyung’s breath caught. “You mean… me?”

“No,” Jungkook said, and this time he sounded desperate. “I want you. But they’re making me choose between the career I’ve built and the love I just found.”

Taehyung closed his eyes. “Then don’t choose. Let me.”

“Tae—”

“No. You’ve worked too hard for this, Jungkook. I’ve seen you bleed for it. If I’m the reason you lose everything…”

“You’re not.”

“If I am,” Taehyung said, voice cracking, “then I’ll walk away.”

“Don’t do that.”

“I’ll survive.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

But the truth was, it already hurt more than anything else ever had.

⸻

The next day, Seoul’s largest news networks were all gathered at the Nova Entertainment building. Flashes went off in rapid bursts, the press hall buzzing with murmurs.

Jungkook walked to the podium slowly.

No smile. No mask.

Just him.

He looked out at the cameras. Then down at the card prepared for him.

He held it in his hands for a long time.

Then he set it aside.

The murmurs grew louder.

He looked into the lens.

“My name is Jeon Jungkook,” he said. “And I’ve been told to lie to you today.”

Silence fell.

“I was asked to deny that I have any personal connection with Kim Taehyung. But I can’t do that. Because I do.”

The hall exploded with questions. His manager stood up. Security moved.