Ms.Yoo : Did... Did you find Ji Han oppa?

Dr.Ban : Onh? Not yet. They didn't find anything from the bandit club you had addressed. Don't worry, the police is looking for him. And before he's in their grab, you will stay at their child care centre. They will provide you the best security there.

She was least concerned about her safety at that moment.

Ms.Yoo : What happens to Oppa when he is caught?

Dr.Ban : Well, since he is also underage. He will receive a rehabilitation treatment. And after looking at the severity of the matter, the court will decide whether it would be safe to continue your upbringing together or otherwise.

Seeing her silent and upset, Dr.Ban softened his voice a little.

Dr.Ban : Do you still want to live with your brother?

Ms.Yoo : Afterall, he is my only family left. I don't want to be left alone.

Now empathizing with her, Dr.Ban exactly knew what it felt like to be left totally alone. And suddenly, by an unforeseen calamity.

Hours later, the psychiatrist found himself rewinding through the conversation he had with Ms.Yoo. In the empty apartment he owned. The corners of giggles and glitters that he used to return to in the past were now cheerless and dingy.

There was a peace. A tranquility that he hated to have. He longed for the chaos that resonated through the doors and walls.

He longed for his past.

Nonetheless, not to brood long on the bygones, he sat by his study looking through Internet in his laptop.

Although, the crime officials did not put him in any kind of research or investigation. That was exactly what his coping mechanism had been. Over the years, he has developed a peculiar interest to look for the hidden.

And the indistinct girl from his memories, was on his active search since five years. He has been trying to reach her perseveringly. And so far has not met any success.

Maybe he was failing to look in the direction she was actually resting by. Maybe she was already very close to him.

Closer than he would hope for.

.

.

Next morning
Eun Ha Su Set Production Agency

.

.

Dan Hwa's steps initially slowed down, finding the person she was looking for. In the wide corridor, bright curtains of beam stringed inside through the glass boundary wall.

Director Baek's walk gained a pace once again, inching closer to the intended team member.

Dan Hwa : Ryu Illustrator-nim.

Abstracted all along, the Illustrator who once used to be an Intern, slightly flinched to her direction. Ms.Ryu bowed to Dan Hwa with a nervous greet.

Ms.Ryu : Oh, Baek Team Jang-nim, my apologies. I was not idling. I-I will get back to work-

Dan Hwa : (-cutting her off-) Easy. Taking a small break is fine.

The Illustrator calmed down at her warm remark and lightly smiled. Having Dan Hwa to turn towards the city view, Ms.Ryu also followed her and stood quiet.

Dan Hwa : Nam Team Jang-nim called a while ago. And he asked about you.

Ms.Ryu : (-flustered-) Ye, about me?

Dan Hwa : He did not see you at his wedding or hear from you ever since. So he was worried, if you are doing well. I wanted to say, you are fine.

Dan Hwa looked at her and placed a blunt question. Only making Ms.Ryu more intimidated and anxious.

Dan Hwa : But, are you really doing okay?

Ms.Ryu : I-I guess...

Although the junior hesitated for a few moments, but with Dan Hwa's knowledge about her unrequited affinities, Ms.Ryu felt an easement and freedom with her. Therefore, the latter peeled the wraps of her unexpressed words. 

Ms.Ryu : I really wanted to see him one last time. But that being on his wedding day, I couldn't muster the courage to see him married. Thus, I didn't attend the ceremony.

Being the only person to be well attuned of the younger's situation, Dan Hwa saw the need to talk her out on it. Only then, can she pay the entire focus on her work. Just how Dan Hwa appreciated her team to be. Perfect.

Ms.Ryu : I feel like it's better that I didn't get to see him one last time. I tell myself that I lost my last chance now. I cannot have it back. It just gives me a push to move forward. 'Guess, giving up is the only option I have afterall.

Dan Hwa : No. You are wrong.

Ms.Ryu looked at Dan Hwa innocently at her abrupt and forthright words, waiting for a follow up.

Dan Hwa : We always have two options—give up or let go. And I don't want you to choose the former.

Receiving a silence from the Illustrator, Dan Hwa designed out a real life example to fable it for her.

Dan Hwa : Your first project—the BTS concert stage. Do you think you can handle or extrapolate a similar situation optimistically in future?

Caught off guard at her sudden change of topic, Ms.Ryu took a moment to answer her.

Ms.Ryu : I learned this from you, 'whatever is it, we have to try our best'. And we have an experience too, so I think we would not hesitate giving it a try.

Dan Hwa : Exactly. But, if we had feared that those artists would injure themselves and asked the authorities to reschedule or relocate the concert. Do you think you would have this same confidence?

The little one couldn't respond boldly anymore. And taking her silence as an answer, Dan Hwa continued on.

Dan Hwa : That's what giving up does to us. It limits our possibilities way before we even try.

Ms.Ryu : W-what about letting go?

Dan Hwa : Acceptance. Manager Ko did look desolated and lost before. But after he accepted his faults and the situation, he started to look more bright and lively. He simply let it go for the peace of his mind. He freed himself from the guilt now that he has repented enough. 'Letting go' does just that.

More than sermonizing Ms.Ryu, Dan Hwa seemed to reassure and defend her own choices against the rebellion inside her. That, she did try to walk up to a psychologist and not give up. And that, choosing to seal that door forever was a harmless deed of letting go and acceptance.

She debated that she brought herself to accept her inner infirmities, the mayhem and the unsettling emotions. But, has let go of the stubborn hope to potion herself with the remedy. Comprising to the fate of affluence she was born with.
Where, the price of those privileges costed her a fortune of eunoia. Her mental wellbeing.

Dan Hwa : More technically, giving up traps you in the fears that you are scared to face. Letting go, on the contrary, grants you the freedom that you deserve, as someone who has suffered for long enough.

Ms.Ryu, never expecting a spellbinder session from Dan Hwa, was learning a new side of her's. Her intellects and excellencies were not demarcated only to her work, the Illustrator noted.

Dan Hwa was more than just a cold mouth with an upfront attitude. More than what people stereotyped her of. Something, Ms.Ryu had a newfangled admiration for.

Her insights induced an enlightenment in the Illustrator that she was unable to comprehend before.

Dan Hwa : Which do you think would give you the push to move on?

Ms.Ryu : The latter.

Dan Hwa experienced a satiation run through her body. If not for herself, she was happy for the little one. It was a content to watch the alleviation of her sulk to curve up into a sincere smile.

Dan Hwa : That's right. You are a fast learner.

As if satisfaction was not meant to be something long lived in her, Dan Hwa received an unanticipated text. She opened the group chat to an emergency meeting, Mr.Lee has alerted everyone on.

Dan Hwa raced towards the conference room, boldly. To face, whatever may come. Ms.Ryu followed her speed just right, taking after Dan Hwa's professionalism.

In a jiffy, Mr.Lee explained the matter in short to the limited gathering.

Mr.Lee : It is a music video project. And the CEO specifically assigned it to Team Baek.

"But, Baek Team Jang-nim, we are already full on schedule," one of the members expressed his objection.

Mr.Lee : That's right. He is clearly challenging us. Or shall I say targetting Director Baek. If we fail at any of our current projects, he will earn grounds to dismiss the Team leader.

Ms.Ryu : Ouh, what shall we do now?

Dan Hwa did not take long, to straightforwardly place her views on the overwrought subject.

Dan Hwa : Whether a challenge or a targetted strategy, the best has to go out from us.

Mr.Lee : But, this will be both physically and mentally very exhausting. The projects we currently have on our hands are taxing a lot already.

Dan Hwa : Designer Lee, we do not have a better option here. Even if I am going to be dethroned, I might as well fight for it before accepting a defeat.

The rookie set designer next voiced his genuine concern, "But, what if he assigns us to more projects?"

Dan Hwa : Well, he wouldn't be able to do that. According to the company rules, under tight circumstances, a team can be signed to only one extra project beside the general three slots.

Like a harmonized system, designer Lee continued her words and concluded it calmly for the juniors to understand better.

Mr.Lee : The employee welfare council will get activated against him if he breaches ahead of the rule. Therefore, four projects is the maximum capacity of a team.

Ms.Ryu : Ah, that's a relief then.

Although, it appeared very impossible, Mr.Lee was determined to stand by Dan Hwa in all her decisions. There were no debatable reasons to slip out of the situation. Nor was it going to be any easy.

Either way, Dan Hwa was the CEO's prime target. Any slack would only hamper her reputation and credibility. The last thing designer Lee wanted from the matter at hand. Furthermore, he saw himself responsible in a way for Dan Hwa's current distress.

Henceforth, Mr.Lee no longer indulged himself into a debate but rather marched on Dan Hwa's directions.

Mr.Lee : So, I guess we should divide the labor right away.

Dan Hwa : When's the meeting with the MV director?

Mr.Lee : It's today. He purposely informed us now. The project was contracted a week ago.

Dan Hwa barred down the indignation she was experiencing from the iniquitous and wicked actions of the CEO. And walked on the higher road with a breath of confidence.

Dan Hwa : All right. Designer Lee, I want you to be the acting Team Leader at the Drama shoot today. I will head on to meet with the MV director.

Mr.Lee : Don't worry about the drama. But, will you be fine alone?

Dan Hwa : Well, we are short at workforce. Each one of us has to play as many roles as possible. If required, release a few trainees into the field. We could use some help, and they would get their practicals.

Mr.Lee : Ye. Roger that.

Dan Hwa : But, where do I have to go?

Light anticipation in the air, Mr.Lee pronounced the information very casually. Who knew, what awaited her later through the day.

Mr.Lee : Bighit entertainment. It is a BTS music video this time.

Nothing out of the ordinary, Dan Hwa simply entered the data in her system. And was on her way to meet the MV director, while the rest of the projects continued like before.

And the trainees were also alerted of the situation, that they would be substitutes for a few official members. So that the latters can join hands in the making of the music video sets.

As professional of her, Dan Hwa patiently waited a little for the director to ring in the meeting inside the BigHit building.
Moments later, they could be seen having the discussion first with team leader Baek, later with the Designer in the same person.

The creative team of BigHit explained the themes and concepts of their new Single. And the frame work of the sets that they were looking for.

As an adept of the sets, Dan Hwa was successful to assure the clientele of a good work with her diplomatic and cordial words.

Dan Hwa : How much time do we have?

"The shoot is scheduled after a month," the director continued, "so the latest, three weeks."

It was, to put simply, insufficient for building six different sets—considering the tight number of workers her team had.
Mr.Lee was right, she thought. It was going to be extremely exhausting.

Nevertheless, the director in her couldn't let her upset the clients. Thus, she didn't let any worry surface her body language and concluded the meeting smoothly.

Walking out towards the elevators, she received a call from designer Lee. Dan Hwa summoned a ride while she answered it.

Being distracted explaining the situation, she did not register the preoccupied elevator and simply entered it as she conversed.

Dan Hwa : (-over the call-) Yes, they want six. Seems like you have to stick with the Drama while I handle the music video set.

The unidentifed male figure grew conscious of her presence as she stood herself near the closing doors. The elevator began its motion once again, as he neatly wiped the corners and cheeks of his face. The tears he couldn't bottle earlier and remained in the elevator for another round to settle himself back.
Little did he know, he would have to entertain a guest in the short while.

After the end of the call, Dan Hwa's free attention went to the reflecting surface of the doors. And soon to the figure she didn't bother to notice before. He stood by the diagonal corner from her and had no face covers.

What alerted her ears more were the little sniffs coming from him. She did not look back but took curious glances at his reflection. It was not long that she recognized the blurry image. And realized that she was in the Bighit's 'artist and staff exclusive' elevator.

But the instant she reached out to press the button to the next floor so she could swap out, the figure spoke freezing her hands.

"Excuse me, are you perhaps the set director for the new MV?"

Dan Hwa did not look back at him and slightly bowed to the side with a greet. Just so that, he was comfortable and less mortified.

Dan Hwa : Ye, I am Director Baek. Annyeonghaseyo.

"I see. Annyeonghaseyo, I am Jimin. One of BTS." He identified himself to her with a formal bow, still having her back faced to him.

Dan Hwa : Ah, ye. I apologize for the inconvenience. I mistook this for a general elevator.

Dan Hwa, feigning her oblivion to his identity, sneakily pressed the button to the first floor of the building.

JM : Oh, it's all right. I actually have a favor to ask you, if you don't mind.

Dan Hwa : Ye, I will try.

JM : . . .

_______

Did I clown you?
They did meet though, I simply added a cliffhanger to what he says.
Please don't hunt me down.
🤡