Bogum went away and Tae rushed to the washroom. He could feel his whole body was shaking, his breathing was much quicker, and his eyes were painted in red. His ears were not ready to believe what he just heard. Looking at the mirror he started talking to himself.
Tae: No, Tae! Calm down! Jungkook can never kill someone, impossible. You know that more than anyone, don't you? Yes, he can never do it. So, don't stress out. He needs you there, yes! You have to hurry up.
He changed his dress and got down as soon as possible. It was a trip of 10 team members. excluding Jungkook, they were 9, so all of them decided to attend the hearing as Jungkook's friend.
A number or unexplainable feelings were running inside Tae. He won't say that he's the strongest person on earth, but at that moment, he felt hopeless. He was afraid, afraid that something bad might happen to Jungkook, afraid that he won't be able to save his Jungkookie.
Soon, two constables took Jungkook to the court room. When he was passing by Tae, Tae held back his wrist, meanwhile Jungkook looked at him with a warm smile. Bending down on his knees, he took Tae's hand in his palm and caressed his cheek with another hand. That's the moment Tae realized that he had tears on his cheek, that was wiped away by Jungkook just now.
JK: (smiled) Why did you cry, Tae? Hey, come on! I will be alright. Trust me, OK?
Tae looked at Jungkook who was holding a gentle stare with deep affection in his eyes and nodded silently. Jungkook patted his head and moved towards the bar.
Tae's POV: Alright, I'll trust you this time. Please be alright! I'm begging you. I don't know what happened last night. But I know one thing. You can never harm anyone innocent.
As soon as the judge, prosecutor and the officers arrived, the clerk brought out the Bible and made him take an oath of stating the truth. The starting was quite assuring for Tae as the witness proved it to be an accident, not murder. He described the incident as-
"I was on the way back to my home. Suddenly I heard a scream and looked back. It was Mr Jungkook trying to alert the people around, probably because the brake failed and he couldn't control the steering. So he was shouting. Later Miss Rose came across the path and got hit by the car."
Tae thanked God and grabbed the hand of Bogum who was sitting beside him with same suffocation holding inside. They looked at each other and nodded in assurance.
"Yeah, the officers checked it already. But that very car you're talking about, was loaded with Cannabis and Steroids. How to explain that?", stated the prosecutor.
Tae felt like someone just grabbed his neck and choked him.
"Also, this one, PCP, widely known as Angel Dust, was found in his pocket. As a public prosecutor, I'm accusing him for Drug Tracking. The verified documents are right there with legal papers. You may check it out"
"What", Tae stood up from the bench and shouted out. Bogum held him down forcefully and made him sit back. Tae looked at Jungkook, just to find him holding a creepy smile on his lips. That's the moment Tae knew something went out of hands.
"So, under Federal Drug Law", the prosecutor continued, "Title 21, Section 841 makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally "manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance."
The Judge, who was quiet for this whole time, finally decided to take the lead. He looked at Jungkook and stated, "Mr, Jeon Jungkook, are you pleading guilty of the crime? You have the right to deny the accusation or keep silence. You can consult with your attorney before the next hearing."
JK: No need, your honor! I'm pleading guilty.
Judge: Who else is involved in this business with you?
JK: Sorry, your honor, I'm just a mare supplier and I work alone. About the dealer, we, suppliers don't know a single thing. It's always anonymous and confidential.
Judge: OK, then. As it's your first offense, moreover, you surrendered yourself, you'll get the penalty of 3 years. As for the fine, you'll have to pay $2 thousands within your penalty years.
Jungkook didn't bother to look around when he was being dragged by the constables to the jail. He knew what he could possibly see, and that's something he's afraid to face most at this moment. So, he just looked down and followed the officers who was leading the way.
There was a facility for the family and friend of tourist criminals that they could meet the criminal once before leaving the country. As everyone already lost their mood to continue the tour, they decided to listen to Tae, who had been pleading them for last three hours.
Mingyu's POV: Talking about Tae, he looked so devastated, those painful eyes and shaking lips were more than enough to prove what he was feeling inside. Since we left the court, his tears never stopped, no! Not for a f*cking second. Why wouldn't he cry though? We all know how close they are.
And that bl**dy Jeon! Bro can't be serious, can he? Man, he's my best buddy, I know him from his vein to nails. He's daring, that's true. But drug supply, are you kidding me? And we had been here for barely a day. Than how the hell he became the drug supplier within these 7 to 8 hours?
I'm sure that jackass is hiding something, something that'll bring more chaos if disclosed. Judging by his way of handling the matter in court, he's clearly been planning to hide it since the beginning. But what on earth is he hiding? What made him so determined to take the blame of a crime he'd never do?
He signed and patted Tae's shoulder as they've already reached the central jail. The officer took them to the meeting port. All of them were eager to meet Jungkook but they let Tae take the lead. Cause only one person was allowed to talk to Jungkook.
Taehyung, on the other hand, abruptly entered the room and sat in front of Jungkook. Gently holding those cuffed hands, Tae looked at Jungkook who was putting a blank expression.
Tae: Are you alright, Kookie?
Jungkook's heart fluttered when he heard "Kookie" coming out of Tae's lips. But as he decided, he nodded slightly looking at the boy with no emotion on his face.
Tae: Would you please tell me what happened? I know you didn't do anything. You can never do it, Kookie! The Jungkook I know, always stands for justice, might be a little bit mischievous, but kind by heart, can never think of doing something that will hurt people, will make people suffer.
Jungkook blink once, but didn't open his mouth yet. He wanted Tae to split out everything he had been holding for God knows how many hours.
Tae: Why are you doing it, Kookie? You're hiding something, aren't you? Don't be like this. You can tell me anything, literally anything. You know that, right? I'll never judge you. But you can't just keep silence for all time. Tel me what happened. We can sort it out together.
Jungkook leaned forward and wiped out the tears of Tae's cheek.
Tae: I called my Hyeong. He's a lawyer, you remember, right? Hyeong said we can appeal for another hearing. And if we can prove the legal innocence, you'll be bailed then. OK, I understand, you might have your reasons for pleading the guilty, but you have a career, Kookie! You can't waste yourself behind the bar. I won't allow it, never! You're about to join National Team, you forgot?
Tae kept looking at Jungkook who was looking down. After almost two minutes, Jungkook decided to break the silence. So he jerked Tae's hand away.
JK: (chuckled) You won't allow it.... and who the hell do you think you are, Kim Taehyung? If you think that you know me so well, then let me tell you one thing. You haven't seen my dark side yet, dude! I've been doing it for years.
Tae: I'm not gonna believe that.
JK: (shouted) Oh, shut up, will you? If it wasn't for you last night, calling me by my name in front of the police after making troubles exactly in that same bar I went to deliver the drugs, how could I possibly get caught, huh?
Tae flinched in fear and stood up, looking at those fire eyes. He finally understood what happened.
JK: Tsk! What did you just say? "I'll never judge you", huh? Now I understand why Goff left you. You're really annoying, you know? And my career? Oh, come on! Stop pretending! Just say that you need me for practice. No, wait, you made troubles on purpose last night, didn't you? Well, V! You're living up to your name.
Tae was too stunned to speak.
JK: Oh, let me tell you another thing. I pitied you as an orphan kid, you know? So, stop taking those things seriously and behave like you can control me just because I was clinging around you. It was fun to play around with a pathetic sentimental pouting kiddo who's all talk, has absolutely no qualification for surviving this competitive world. Attitude and ego are the only things you got. If it wasn't for me, you didn't even have the courage to face your ex (rolled eyes). But now, I'm done playing with you, Kim!
And he left, leaving a distressed Taehyung trembling in shock. As he lost balance while carelessly walking out the room, Bogum and Mingyu rushed in and caught him in time.
Tae didn't utter a single word on their way back to hotel, not even on the whole flight from USA to SK. Seemed like everything JK said or did, has made Tae lock his soul up in a cage.
Was it an end for him ? Hell, NO!