“Maybe…”
Muyoung, who had been listening, carefully brought up a story he’d been thinking about for a while to the two.
“After finishing current filming, could I take a break from activities?”
“…Completely? I only scheduled advertisements, but you won’t even review incoming scenarios?”
“It’s not like I’ll rest for that long. Just appropriately… I think I need time to think alone. And as CEO-nim and Section Manager-nim said, I want to get a health checkup and do some management.”
It was something he’d been thinking about since before the incident happened. It was becoming burdensome to not show his pain. He needed time to look after himself with even a little leisure. He’d kept postponing because of schedules, but he was desperately realizing he’d reached a point where he could no longer just ignore it. The excuse that it was because of the tabloid incident that happened was also good.
“…Right, you must be tired now. Can’t even go home.”
Section Manager Kim, while agreeing with Muyoung’s words, also gauged CEO Choi’s reaction. It was because he knew CEO Choi was relieved that there was a possibility contracts for works or advertisements that had come to Muyoung would be concluded. Above all, it was a time when the spectrum of roles coming to Muyoung was gradually expanding. Both Section Manager Kim and CEO Choi knew well that such opportunities wouldn’t come many times.
“If that’s what you want to do, I can’t stop you… First think about it more and let’s talk again later.”
CEO Choi, who showed reluctance, also wasn’t unaware that the incidents of the past few days would have some impact on Muyoung.
He’d been pretending to be an actor who’d settled peacefully in this world more than expected, but in the early days there were many times he experienced ridiculous things. There was industry hazing that came from being a rookie, and there were many pimps knowingly or unknowingly pestering around Muyoung. They were brokers who attached themselves to young actors in their debut period, approaching secretly saying they’d connect them with sponsors while enticing them by guaranteeing significant roles in works. Of course, even until now he appropriately refused and moved on when such proposals came, but CEO Choi knew well that didn’t mean he was a guy without acting ambition. He thought he was enduring well and had overcome crises in his own way, but after even this kind of thing happened, Muyoung had reason to be exhausted.
“Actually, it’s my job to prevent things like this from happening no matter what you do, so I’m also shamefaced… So I’m asking, but don’t misunderstand.”
CEO Choi, who paused for a moment, looked at Muyoung with an anxious face.
Since this was also a first, Muyoung unconsciously straightened his posture and faced CEO Choi. Had another problem arisen? Or… had some story reached CEO-nim? Muyoung’s anxious eyes carefully looked at CEO Choi.
CEO Choi carefully spoke to Muyoung who couldn’t even hide his terrified expression.
“…Are you thinking of moving to Han Dowon’s company?”
“…”
But the story he heard was something he hadn’t thought of at all, so he froze for a moment without being able to reply. CEO Choi, who somehow misunderstood such a Muyoung, let out a short sigh then continued hurriedly.
“No, it’s not that I’m saying something to you, I’m just really pathetic. I know it would be a good opportunity for you and it’s a much bigger company than us so there would be many opportunities. If it’s for you to do well, everything’s fine, but I was so upset thinking maybe you can’t even say it because you feel sorry toward me and Section Manager Kim…”
“No…! No, CEO-nim. I’m not going anywhere. It’s not like that.”
“Huh? It’s not…?”
Now a dumbfounded sound flowed from Section Manager Kim who had been sitting quietly beside them. Only then did Muyoung realize he hadn’t properly explained to them. It was easy to be misunderstood. It was a thought those who didn’t know his relationship with Dowon could have. He should have properly explained as Dowon had recommended from the start. He urgently protested that it wasn’t so, but the awkwardness and doubt that didn’t fade hovered around them.
“It’s really not like that. I have no thoughts of moving to J Ent. I’ve never talked about that either. Just… I met CEO Han by chance and ate and drank, that’s all. Of course, this time he did help me quite a bit… CEO-nim and Section Manager-nim don’t need to worry. Really.”
“I see… So that’s it. Well, I was certain it was like that…”
CEO Choi, who was muttering something hollowly, scratched his head awkwardly. It was clear that this was what worried him most among the things to discuss after meeting Muyoung.
“Actually, that’s right. When you’re acquainted with someone like CEO Han, what would be lacking that you’d stay at our company? Even I want to tell you to move.”
Section Manager Kim also replied with a somehow regretful expression and leaned his body on the sofa.
“Hey, Section Manager Kim. You’re acting like this when you were the one who opened your mouth first just in case?”
“What? If Muyoung moves, I’m going to ask to move too. CEO Choi can take care of himself or whatever.”
Muyoung, who had been worried while watching the two bicker as if they’d never worried, finally burst into laughter. This was rather better. It was fortunate it passed vaguely. Muyoung, who had inwardly worried whether another question might be given, soon shook his head and slowly relaxed his body.
“Alright, I should go in now. Muyoung, you rest too. I’ll consult with CEO Han’s side later and let you know. Section Manager Kim, let’s go out together.”
“Right, it’s late. Let’s go.”
“Oh right, and later let’s go find CEO Han and give him thanks or treat him. Or you can meet him separately.”
At CEO Choi’s casually flowing words, Muyoung nodded. He’d been feeling he should properly thank Dowon once. Since he was the one who had to repay somehow, he didn’t want to make even CEO Choi worry about it.
“I’ll go visit and greet him myself. If you won’t misunderstand…”
“You’ll do that? Okay, then. Rest. I’m going.”
“Muyoung-ah, if CEO Han entices you, go right over.”
Stop it already, will you? Section Manager Kim’s expression fleeing to the entrance while avoiding CEO Choi who bristled and tried to kick his shin was comical. Muyoung, who finished seeing them off with a smile, lay down on the bed as if collapsing.
While slowly closing his eyes and falling into sleep, he thought about what Dowon’s preferences were. Reflecting on the time they spent together, all the scenes that came to mind were just images of Dowon being considerate of him. He fell asleep with a somehow slightly troubled feeling.
***
He sat in the waiting area, leaning his back against the cold white wall. Having made a reservation for a time when there were no people, Muyoung worried ahead of time before even visiting the clinic that had been delayed more than expected. But he was waiting after just proceeding with blood collection without any particular discussion.
Muyoung, who waited briefly while pressing down on his forearm where the needle had gone in and out with gauze, was soon guided into the examination room. Perhaps because he’d become more accustomed than his first visit, it didn’t feel bad. He sat in the prepared seat and waited for Lim Hyunsu, who was looking at the monitor, to speak.
“You couldn’t come on the last scheduled appointment date. Was there a problem?”
“No. It’s not that, I postponed the appointment because of my schedule.”
If he called it a problem, there were separate circumstances where he couldn’t move, but he thought he didn’t need to reveal that much. Whether he agreed with the words that he couldn’t visit because he was busy, he continued to the next question without any particular reply.
“Yes, how were the symptoms in the meantime?”
“The dizziness was a bit severe, but fortunately there was no vomiting.”
“The prescribed medications had no problems? Heartburn, or difficulty digesting.”
“It wasn’t… that uncomfortable, I think.”
Lim Hyunsu, who had been nodding, looked at the arm still being pressed and took out a bandage from the dressing cart prepared beside the desk. When he had him remove his hand and looked, the blood had finally stopped at the spot where the gauze was removed. He lightly disinfected the spot with a red mark with an alcohol swab, put on the bandage, and Lim Hyunsu continued speaking.
“With the blood collected today, we’ll compare it with what we tested last time. If necessary, we’ll also do an ultrasound.”
“Yes…”
He quickly returned in front of the monitor and silence flowed between the two for a while as he watched the screen again. Slowly blinking and placing his gaze meaninglessly on the pen or nameplate placed on the desk, unable to overcome the awkwardness, he tossed out words.
“Is there no possibility of the body improving at all?”
“With medication, there won’t be much change. The cause of Lee Muyoung-ssi’s current pheromone abnormality is clear, but there’s no definite treatment.”
“Then, unless another imprinting occurs… it’s difficult?”
The eyes examining the screen slowly turned toward Muyoung. His eyes that thinly narrowed as he leaned his body against the backrest where he’d been sitting became quite sharp, somehow making strength enter all the way to his toes.
“You’ve developed a lot compared to last time.”
“…Pardon?”
“You weren’t thinking about anything except dying.”
“Ah…”
Lim Hyunsu sharply pointed out. After looking at Muyoung who couldn’t even hide his flustered inner thoughts, he lightly laughed it off and soon turned the monitor to start explaining.
“I don’t know what happened, but there are changes in Lee Muyoung-ssi’s pheromones. It’s not yet to the point where you can be relieved, but…”
On the screen, two graphs showing numerical values by category were displayed in different colors. A voice explaining while pointing out one by one with a monotonous but firm tone rang through the examination room.
“If you look, this part was the most dangerous point.”
The bar of the graph shown by pointing with the pen tip was recording a number outstandingly higher than other values.
“It’s the pheromone emission value. Ordinary Omegas can control their pheromones, so they record stable values. But imprinted Omegas show this value as 0. To give an easy example, let’s say there’s a small opening that continuously produces pheromones like a spring. Originally you can control it to emit only the desired amount. But with imprinting, a stopper that only the partner can open is created. That stopper blocks the opening where pheromones come out and controls it. But suddenly this stopper disappeared for no reason. Whether it overflows and runs wild or dries up completely and disappears, there’s no way to block it.”
