It’s not your child chapter 5

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“You’ve worked hard.”

“The photos came out amazing! Maybe it’s because you look great in the first place, even the B-cuts feel like A-cuts. You did well, and we’ll contact you again once editing is done.”

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard too.”

“You’ve worked hard—!”

The photoshoot wrapped up not long after.

Hyun, having obediently followed the photographer’s directions, bowed slightly and made his way over to where Siyoung and Sera were.

“So, there’s nothing left to do now, right?”

“Sera, you haven’t eaten lunch yet, have you? If you’re okay with it, would you like to—”

“No, I plan to eat at home.”

Siyoung had only asked out of politeness, but Sera’s quick refusal made him nod, thinking he must be exhausted.

After all, it’s a rare early finish today, and no one would want to linger around Hyun’s face for longer than necessary.

Oblivious to the subtle exchange between the two, Hyun changed his clothes, wiped off his makeup, and approached Siyoung, who was busy packing up.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I’m not sure. Nothing really comes to mind.”

Although he wasn’t exactly starving, Siyoung had no appetite.

It didn’t really matter what they ate. So, he passed the decision on to Hyun.

“Just pick whatever you want.”

Hyun, still looking a bit sulky for some reason, shrugged on his jacket and motioned for Siyoung to hurry up and leave.

Siyoung thought about how he couldn’t leave until everything was packed up, glaring as Sera nudged him.

“Siyoung, there’s not much left. I’ll take care of it, so you can go first.”

“I feel bad leaving you to do it all.”

“I’d rather deal with physical exhaustion than mental fatigue. Just take him and go.”

Sera whispered this, pushing Siyoung lightly, urging him to leave.

Siyoung felt a bit guilty leaving his to handle it alone, but given his reasoning, he figured it would be okay.

After thanking him, he left the dressing room.

“If you don’t care, let’s go for Korean food. It’s better than suddenly eating something heavy when you haven’t had anything.”

“Sure.”

Anything would do as long as it filled his stomach.

Siyoung thought this as he slumped into the passenger seat and started dozing off.

He was pretty sure he’d slept a lot last night, so why did he feel so sleepy?

Maybe carrying a baby is more exhausting than he thought.

He was still nodding off when they arrived at their destination.

“Welcome. How many?”

“Two. A private room, please.”

“Certainly. This way.”

It was a restaurant that looked expensive at first glance.

This is why he didn’t like getting treated.

But Siyoung had a feeling that if he refused, Hyun would show up at his house, so he decided to just quietly eat.

“Two Set A meals, please.”

“Right away.”

Without even asking, Hyun ordered for both of them and stared directly at Siyoung.

Avoiding his gaze, Siyoung muttered,

“Why do you always order whatever you want?”

“Because your preferences are obvious.”

“…”

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to at least give him the chance to choose.

Grumbling to himself, Siyoung took a big gulp of water.

“Eat, then we’re going to the hospital.”

“I told you, I’m fine.”

“That’s not for you to decide, it’s for the doctor.”

The whole reason Siyoung agreed to eat with him was to avoid this nagging about going to the hospital.

Yet here they were, the nagging just getting worse.

Shaking his head, Siyoung replied,

“If you’re going to keep talking about this, I won’t eat with you anymore. Stop nagging.”

“…Then at least by next week…”

“If I really don’t feel well, I’ll go. I hate being sick too, you know? But if you’re that worried, focus on doing your job properly. It’s partly your fault, after all.”

“Then stop overbooking your schedule.”

“See, that’s exactly what I mean. You’re not the only one involved. There are so many people tied to your work, so stop acting like a child.”

Siyoung shot back, nagging right back at Hyun.

It was true that Hyun’s schedule had made things hectic, but he couldn’t complain about being busy thanks to Hyun’s rising fame.

‘At least I’m making more money…’

The company was generous with compensation and bonuses for the extra work, so he couldn’t complain too much.

Besides, it was really Sera who was busier because of Hyun’s schedule.

Siyoung mostly handled paperwork, which wasn’t too overwhelming.

The problem was that his job didn’t just end with paperwork.

Sometimes, to help out Sera and to keep his from quitting on a whim, he had to run around to locations he didn’t even need to be at.

“Just don’t make me go through hiring a new manager for you, okay? I’m seriously sick of interviews. I’ve been asking for extra staff, and they still won’t hire anyone.”

“There’s only me, so why bother?”

“And that’s because of you…”

Siyoung glared at Hyun.

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got.

If he didn’t have to cover for Hyun’s mood swings on set, he’d be a lot less busy.

“Your food is ready.”

Just then, the first course of their meal arrived.

Siyoung poked at the food with his spoon, taking out his frustrations.

“Stop messing around and just eat.”

“…”

Reluctantly, Siyoung took a bite.

The dish was light, designed to stimulate the appetite, but it wasn’t enough to really fill him up.

‘I’m hungry, but I don’t feel like eating anything…’

Luckily, the food wasn’t heavy, so it didn’t bother him too much.

While chewing, he kept glancing at Hyun, feeling uncomfortable under his constant gaze.

“Stop staring at me like that, it’s making me nervous.”

At Siyoung’s words, Hyun finally averted his eyes and began eating as well, though not with much enthusiasm.

It didn’t look like he was all that hungry either.

‘If we’re going to eat like this, I don’t even know why we came.’

Watching Hyun pick at his food made Siyoung’s own appetite drop further.

With a sigh, he decided to at least try to enjoy a peaceful meal without any more annoying chatter.

The problem arose when the grilled fish, one of the main dishes, was served.

Normally, Siyoung loved seafood, so he hadn’t thought much of it when he saw it on the menu.

But for some reason, just looking at the fish made him feel nauseous.

‘I didn’t eat that much… Is it just me?’

“You love fish, don’t you? Want mine too?”

“No, I’m not that hungry.”

Normally, he would’ve accepted the offer right away, but this time he declined.

Still, he figured he should eat something, so he picked up his chopsticks.

But the moment he brought the fish close to his mouth, a wave of nausea hit him, and he dropped it back onto his plate.

“Are you really okay? Actually, never mind, I know you’ll just say the same thing again…”

“…I didn’t want to worry you, but I already made a hospital appointment.”

Seeing the determined look on Hyun’s face, Siyoung decided it was better to just tell him.

At this point, it was easier than being dragged to the hospital.

“I’ll take you. No way you’re going alone…”

“No. I’m not a kid, you know? Even middle schoolers go to the doctor by themselves. I can walk just fine.”

“…”

“Fine, you can at least give me a ride home. I’ve still got time before the appointment anyway.”

Maybe the real issue was that whenever Hyun looked at him with that pitiful expression, Siyoung couldn’t help but give in.

Why couldn’t he just be shameless like usual?

What’s with that face now?

“If you can’t eat, don’t force yourself. What time is your appointment?”

“I didn’t expect to leave work so early, so I booked it for 6:30…”

He’d booked it at a clinic that stayed open late, just in case.

It was still not even 3 p.m., so there was no point in going early just to wait.

“…Alright, I’ll drop you off. Go get your coat.”

“You haven’t even finished your food.”

“I don’t have a habit of eating alone in front of someone who can’t eat.”

Even though the full course meal hadn’t been served yet, Hyun stood up from his seat without any hesitation.

He grabbed Siyoung’s outerwear, called over the staff, and told them not to bring out the remaining dishes.

Then, he settled the bill.

Having learned from years of experience that it’s better for his mental health not to look at the prices when eating with the three, Siyoung left without even glancing at the counter.

“Let me know when the results come out.”

“It probably won’t be anything serious.”

“Serious or not, tell me.”

He had bought some time, so now he had to come up with an excuse.

Siyoung fastened his seatbelt and leaned back in the shaky car, his mind racing.

His heart was pounding so hard from the tension that he couldn’t even feel the exhaustion that had been plaguing him earlier.

‘They already nag me just for dozing off, but if I start feeling nauseous, both Hyun and the other two will drag me to the hospital. I have to figure this out somehow…’

Whether he could actually fix it was uncertain, but it needed to get at least a little better.

Siyoung sighed deeply and rested his head against the car window.

His mind was so occupied that he didn’t even notice when the car jolted and made his head bump against the glass.

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