* * *
“Ah, tomorrow’s the first day of the self-sufficiency retreat filming,” Siyoung sighed as he checked the calendar.
Time had flown, and the first day of filming was now right around the corner.
That also meant it was nearly time for Siyoung to face Hyun’s icy stare.
“How about this: Sera, you go on the shooting day, and I’ll meet him on the last day. He won’t be monitoring the shoot anyway, so we just need to get through that day.”
“Then I’d feel guilty.”
“The cruelest thing you could do to me is quit as Jeonghyun’s manager, Sera. I’m fine with this.”
“…Then, during the filming period, I’ll help with the paperwork, too. I’d feel bad doing nothing at all.”
They agreed to swap roles for the filming period.
While Yeonseok grumbled, “Playing with Sera is no fun,” he didn’t seem too bothered.
“That brat’s temper….”
If people knew what he was really like, they wouldn’t be so fond of him.
But all they saw was the polished version on TV, and Siyoung couldn’t help but think how unfair that was.
Then again, maybe Jeonghyun was well-suited for his job.
With that kind of personality, fitting into regular work life would be tough no matter what.
“Then again, he was born with a silver spoon, so maybe he was never meant to work for anyone else. He’d probably have just set up his own studio and lived well on his own….”
Siyoung remembered the paintings he’d seen Jeonghyun create during their college days.
He didn’t know much about art, but even he could tell Jeonghyun’s work was extraordinary.
Jeonghyun was someone who painted in a way that seemed completely mismatched with his personality.
While Yeonseok and Jaeyoon had poured money into securing their spots, Jeonghyun had gotten into college as the top practical student.
Their school was the one most art-focused high schoolers, including Siyoung’s younger brother, Jooyoung, aimed for.
Jooyoung had been accepted, but with a better scholarship offer at another university, he chose to go elsewhere.
“I could tell he was immensely talented even with my limited understanding of art. Plus, he had a well-off family… I figured he’d go abroad or set up a studio for himself.”
As prickly as Jeonghyun was, he’d looked truly dedicated while painting.
Siyoung had thought, “So he really loves art,” but suddenly, Jeonghyun had stopped. Sure, what he did now suited him, but it felt like a waste.
“Well, it’s his life, not mine. No point in me getting hung up on it.”
Thinking he should focus on his own matters, Siyoung glanced around carefully and pulled out the ultrasound photo he’d received from the hospital yesterday.
“Can’t believe this little body already has arms and legs.”
This week’s scan still showed a barely defined form, but Siyoung could see tiny limbs developing, and it felt strangely real.
“I hope the baby looks like me. Both personality-wise and appearance-wise.”
So that nobody could ever guess who the father was, not even if Siyoung someday crossed paths with the other three.
“At around 12 to 15 weeks, a belly starts to show… but since you’re a male omega and it’s your first pregnancy, it’ll likely show a bit later. Even when it’s fully visible, it’ll be smaller than a typical female pregnancy.”
“Then, generally, when does it become impossible to hide for a male omega?”
“It varies, but usually… around 18 to 20 weeks, it’s noticeable even with clothes. With the colder weather in 10 to 12 weeks, wearing thicker clothes or outer layers might help for about a month.”
Three more months, then.
With thicker clothing, maybe four.
Considering how attentive the others were, it wouldn’t be easy to last that long.
When he quit, how much severance pay would he get?
Siyoung pondered his options.
Moving was doable.
With some thriftiness and taking advantage of various support options, he thought he could make it through a year on his own.
“Daycare’s usually too soon at a year, but there are decent support programs for single omega parents… Maybe I could find a facility that offers room and board. Jooyoung’s just started his job, and it’d be too much to rely on him right away….”
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“!!”
Startled by the familiar voice behind him, Siyoung quickly tucked the photo away.
Jaeyoon tilted his head, looking curious.
“What’s got you so jumpy? What was that just now?”
“Oh, nothing… you startled me, so I just reacted. It’s… really nothing.”
“What’s with the hiding, then?”
“I….”
Siyoung stammered, unable to come up with an excuse, but thankfully, Jaeyoon backed off, giving him space.
“Never mind. If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to. Don’t worry.”
It was a relief that it was Jaeyoon who saw this.
If it had been the other two, they would have snatched what was in his arms to inspect it, and without a prepared excuse, he couldn’t imagine the trouble that would follow if they discovered the photo.
‘I’ll have to be more careful next time. I thought I’d have no reason to come here again once the remodeling was over.’
“I heard from Yeonseok. He said you’re thinking about quitting the company.”
“Guess he couldn’t keep quiet…”
Apparently, Yeonseok had spilled the beans, despite being told not to.
It was foolish of him to have trusted him.
“…You didn’t tell Jeonghyun, did you?”
“Nah, probably not. Otherwise, he would have dropped everything and come straight here.”
Jaeyoon shook his head with a wry smile.
While it might only slightly disappoint Yeonseok and Jaeyoon, Hyun would surely be troubled by it.
Without Siyoung, there was no telling if Seo-ra could continue managing Hyun’s schedule.
Without a temporary manager, Hyun would have to handle the work himself.
“Well, you kind of brought this on yourself. You should have been nicer to the people around you. Now everyone’s leaving, and you’re the one who’s struggling.”
“Anyway, I heard this has been stressing you out. You should’ve just told me. Here I was, unknowingly pestering you.”
“Is that why you came all the way here without even calling?”
“If I had called, you would’ve run away.”
Siyoung averted his gaze, unable to deny Jaeyoon’s words.
When people demanded answers, he could dodge by laughing it off, but Jaeyoon’s gentle, worried tone made it hard to respond and left him feeling oddly helpless.
“…Sorry. It’s a personal matter, and I didn’t want to burden you. I can’t rely on you guys forever, either, so I didn’t want to share it.”
“Even if we can’t fix everything, there’s a saying that sharing worries halves them. We’re friends, so instead of struggling alone, it’d be better if you talked to us.”
Jaeyoon pulled a chair over and sat in front of Siyoung.
Siyoung had a feeling he knew what was coming.
“Look, you don’t have to see it as asking for help. Plenty of people join companies through referrals. It doesn’t have to be because we’re friends…”
“I still don’t want it. I’m grateful, though. Thanks to what you said back then, both Jooyoung and I got the opportunity to work here. But… I can’t keep relying on you all, and I want to stand on my own.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
Even aside from this situation, he had never intended to stay here permanently and was considering looking for another job someday.
If he hadn’t had the kid, he probably would’ve applied during this year’s recruitment season.
If that had been the case, he might have asked for some information—maybe even a small favor—but that was no longer an option.
Once he left, he planned to cut ties with all three of them as well.
“You’re right; it’s your decision to make. Just… if you’re ever in doubt, please don’t keep it to yourself.”
“It’s not a big deal, and I felt awkward bringing it up since you recommended this job in the first place.”
“Well… I never thought you’d stay in this line of work forever. You’re diligent, and honestly, it’d be a waste of your education. You had pretty good grades, too.”
“…Not after I tanked them in my third year. My GPA’s too shaky… who knows how things will turn out.”
By the time he finished raising his child until they could go to daycare or kindergarten, he’d be of an age where he’d have little experience besides working at an entertainment agency.
It would be difficult to enter the company he had aimed for during school.
‘No, I should look on the bright side. It might actually be better to get into a smaller company if I want to live without getting tied up with these guys again. Besides, I missed the last chance because I was too picky with my grades, so hopefully, it’ll be easier this time around.’
“And nothing’s been decided yet, so it’d feel weird to talk about it now. Don’t worry too much.”
Jaeyoon frowned, pouting slightly, as he encouraged him not to keep his problems to himself in the future.
* * *
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Love this