***
Daily life was flowing far more smoothly than he’d thought it would. Section Manager Kim seemed satisfied that no more tabloid rumors were spreading, even while worrying about Muyoung not leaving his house, and CEO Choi occasionally reached out to discuss his next project. Muyoung could only feel apologetic since the circumstances weren’t favorable enough for him to make a decision right away.
There was only one day of filming left. Going back and forth to the filming site for such a long time while having to worry about what came next had been Muyoung’s daily reality, but now that he was in a situation where he had to take a complete break from work, he didn’t feel as afraid as he thought he would.
There had been times when it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to do anything at all, let alone work. There had definitely been a period when a day passed, then two days, and even lying down staring at empty space felt heavy and difficult. This sensation of gradually improving—maybe this was what it felt like.
“Oh right, the phone call…”
While flipping through his calendar because of his schedule, he suddenly remembered that he needed to reschedule his checkup appointment. He retrieved his phone, which he’d practically abandoned since he was alone at home. He found the hospital’s phone number he’d saved after his first visit and pressed it. After inquiring that he wanted to consult directly with his attending physician, he had to wait a moment again.
─ Yes, this is Lim Hyunsu.
“Hello. This is Lee Muyoung. I’m calling because I have something to ask.”
─ Has there been any problem in the meantime?
“I’m fine now. But I suddenly went into heat and used an emergency suppressant. I think I need to get examined again because of that issue.”
─ You suddenly went into heat? When did this happen? That’s faster than expected… Were there any side effects like the suppressant not working well or feeling dizzy?
Even through the receiver, Muyoung could clearly feel that Lim Hyunsu was surprised. There was a limit to what Muyoung could explain over the phone, but he had to explain the whole story and set an appointment date. There was also someone who needed to come with him.
“I fell asleep after using the suppressant, and I received an IV during that time. That’s probably why I was okay.”
─ You really should come in for a visit. I’ll let the reception desk know. When you’re connected, they’ll set up a visit schedule for you right away.
“And…”
─ Yes, please go ahead.
But it wasn’t easy since this was the first time he was talking to someone else about something like this. Even though he was just revealing that he was in a close relationship with someone. With the hand not holding his phone, he rubbed his palm against his thigh unnecessarily before barely managing to get the words out.
“There’s someone who will visit with me, and he’s an alpha. He knows about my condition. Would it be possible for us to consult together?”
─ Is this someone you’re seeing?
“…Yes.”
Some noise came through the receiver and Lim Hyunsu’s voice couldn’t be heard. Muyoung knew it was perfectly normal since he was in the middle of work, but it bothered him. Even knowing that even this thought was oversensitive, the gap between what his head knew and what his heart accepted wasn’t easily narrowed.
─ I apologize. Something suddenly came up that I had to handle.
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”
─ Where were we. You said the alpha visiting with you is someone you’re in a steady relationship with.
“…Y-yes, that’s right.”
Even though no one was watching, Muyoung lowered his head as if heat was rising. It hit him that he and Dowon were in a relationship bound by a clear definition. It was also strange that he was becoming conscious of something like this when he needed to set a date to visit the hospital right away.
─ I’m glad to hear he knows about Lee Muyoung-ssi’s situation. It would be better if you both came to get examined and check your levels again. It’s better for both of you to know your conditions and how to respond. We’ll also check again at what level your trait abnormality is.
“Then, I’ll make an appointment right away.”
─ …Yes, then I’ll see you that day.
Only after barely managing to answer did he finish the call with Lim Hyunsu. He was able to put down his phone after setting up a checkup schedule with the hospital reception desk that was connected right away. As soon as he turned off the screen, Muyoung laid his head on the dining table and exhaled. He’d gotten over a small mountain, so now it was time to get over a big one. Before that, it seemed he needed to get some fresh air for a bit.
Thinking he should drink something, he opened the refrigerator door but closed it again at the sight of it being so empty it felt barren. He couldn’t even remember when he’d last stocked it, so even though he hadn’t expected much, he felt deflated. When he opened the kitchen cupboard, he noticed the tea he’d received as a gift. It was what Dowon had sent along with coffee.
While boiling water, he put a tea bag in a mug and smelled the scent of the dry tea leaves. The scent felt unfamiliar, probably because he’d barely drunk any except for the one time he’d made it when Dowon came to his house. He poured the boiling water over the tea bag, brought the cup over, and sat back down at the dining table.
The sunlight coming in through the veranda caught his eye. The patterns carved on the floor were so bright they spoke of the heat that still hadn’t faded. This time in the quiet house where no sounds could be heard and only the tea’s fragrance spread subtly wasn’t bad.
─Rrrrr.
The tea seemed too hot to drink right away, so he was quietly waiting for it to cool when his phone suddenly rang. It was Section Manager Kim.
“Yes.”
─ Hey, Muyoung-ah. Where are you?
“At home, obviously. You already know that.”
While rubbing his finger on the dining table and satisfying Section Manager Kim’s curiosity, Muyoung chuckled at his own silliness. He held the warm cup then released it, blankly watching the rising steam.
─ It’s polite to ask even if I know. You know the wrap-up filming is tomorrow, right?
“Yes, I know. You said it seems like we’ll only need to film for one day, right?”
─ That damn writer gave us trouble until the very end, so we were on edge thinking we’d be in big trouble too, but fortunately we didn’t get swept up in that chaos. I heard the leads and the roles that frequently overlap with them are in total chaos right now.
Muyoung unconsciously nodded along to Section Manager Kim’s words.
It had been hard on Muyoung too, having his feet tied down for a while because of the script that kept getting delayed, but the staff and lead actors who had to run until the end with that schedule were still on site. He was slightly confused about whether he should feel fortunate that he didn’t appear often or feel sorry for himself as a supporting actor whose face didn’t appear much on screen.
Any filming site became tense and difficult for everyone as it approached the end, but this drama had been particularly rough. Even for himself, who had relatively little filming, it might have felt that way because he’d barely held on so precariously.
“But we got through it safely. And nothing happened.”
─ Right, that’s fortunate. You… I was really worried because you went through that incident and even got sick…
“…I’m sorry.”
─ I’m not saying this to get an apology. They’re having a wrap party, can you attend?
“I should go to the wrap party. When is it scheduled for?”
─ There hasn’t been an official announcement. But they said they’ll probably have dinner while watching the final broadcast together. After all, if the wrap party article comes out together with the final episode, the ratings will go up. It seems like the production team is complaining but would rather get it over with quickly.
“Well, that makes sense too…”
It was times like this when he realized that his circumstances were different from the people doing the actual work. Attendance wasn’t mandatory either, so he didn’t feel like going. He also wanted to avoid the situation of running into Seo Kyungju, who was still awkward only to himself… But since he didn’t have any schedule and if he didn’t even attend the wrap party, CEO Choi would probably worry more, so for now he made up his mind to go.
“For now, please tell them I’ll go when it’s announced. I don’t have any schedule anyway…”
As Muyoung pulled over the calendar and was checking the dates, he suddenly remembered the hospital checkup date he’d just set. He’d set it to avoid filming, but it was quite close. But he hadn’t realized it was the day before the final broadcast. Since they’d inevitably have to drink at the wrap party, should he have thought about that instead?
─ Right. I’ll contact the company after a while and get some sponsorships too.
“You don’t need to go that far…”
─ Muyoung-ah, these days even managers need to dress well. If you look shabby in photos taken by reporters, it all becomes a mark against you.
“No way. I’ll dress well.”
Since he didn’t go out much unless it was for a project, and most advertising shoots and such involved wearing prepared clothes, Muyoung rarely paid much attention to it. He thought it was fine as long as he was neat, but while he wondered if he’d been too complacent, he felt more strongly that it was strange to evaluate and create talk about something like wrap party attire.
─ Okay, you just need to wrap up your filming well first. Is there anything else I should know about?
“Oh right, I’m going to visit the hospital the day before the wrap party.”
─ The hospital? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?
“…No, I’m just going for a trait checkup so you don’t need to worry.”
─ Really? Then should I come with you? Let me check my schedule.
“No. This time I’ll just go on my own. It’s fine.”
Thinking it would be better to know than not know at all, he told him in advance, but Muyoung was flustered by the offer to come along. Section Manager Kim seemed to think nothing of it. Fortunately, after Section Manager Kim said he had to drive and hung up the phone, Muyoung stroked his heart that had lurched for no reason.
Only then did he drink the tea that had cooled to just the right temperature. Along with a much richer fragrance than what was spread in the air, the fresh, characteristic taste of tea spread across his tongue. It didn’t seem like anything else had been added to it, but the lingering aftertaste that remained for quite a while was unique.
