Enough with Dying as an Extra chapter 16

* * *

At some point, Sia got sick of porridge.

Once, he even lunged at me while I was eating a sandwich.

Ever since then, I ended up eating the same bland porridge Sia did.

Because of that, this morning was no different—I shoved spoonfuls of tasteless, watery porridge into my mouth.

Unlike Sia, who looked downright miserable about eating it, I didn’t particularly care what I ate.

As always, I sat next to him, silently finishing my share while he made a face like he was being force-fed poison.

When I was done, I gathered the empty bowls and got up from bed.

Now that breakfast was over, it was time to head to my office—where my lovely stack of paperwork would be eagerly waiting for me.

As I stood up, Sia, who had already emptied his bowl ages ago and curled up in the farthest corner of the bed, fixed his gaze on me, following my every movement.

Normally, the moment he finished eating, he’d scurry off to the chair by the window and glare at me from behind it until I left the room.

But today, something was different.

I met his eyes, wondering what was up.

For some reason, he kept fidgeting with his lips, as if he had something to say.

I paused, waiting.

He lowered his body like he was about to pounce but only poked his head out slightly, stealing glances at me before finally asking:

“Are you going to work again today?”

“Yeah.”

“I wanna go too.”

His sudden words made me tilt my head.

Sia was always unpredictable, but this was new—he had never once asked to follow me anywhere before.

“I’ll just be working. There won’t be anything fun for you to do. If there’s something you want, I can bring it back for you, so just stay here and play.”

“No! I wanna go too. I’ll just do whatever I feel like while I’m with you. You’re not seriously planning to leave a poor little kid all alone, are you?”

“For the last time, stop calling me ‘you.’ It’s Vivi. And weren’t you the one who said you weren’t a kid?”

“Fine, Vivi. I’m not a kid, but I am young.”

The way he said it so firmly made me let out a dry laugh.

I tapped my cheek in thought.

Over the past few days, I had learned a few things about Sia.

He might have a pretty face, but his personality was no different from a back-alley thug.

And above all, his stubbornness was… truly something else.

Leaving him behind clearly wasn’t an option. I sighed and nodded.

“Do whatever you want. But don’t get in the way of my work.”

“Hmph! I won’t be a nuisance. Do you even know who I am?”

He jutted out his chin with a huff, and for some reason, it made me feel strange.

Just a second ago, he was acting like a kid, and now suddenly, he wasn’t?

Completely self-indulgent.

Shaking my head, I settled into my wheelchair.

Sia, who had been watching me quietly, suddenly trotted over.

“Want me to push you?”

I glanced at his thin wrists and small frame and chuckled faintly.

If word got out that I made someone like him push my wheelchair, I’d be absolutely crucified.

I met his sharp, upturned eyes and shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

“Really? But why do you always use a wheelchair?”

“It’s Vivi, not ‘you.’”

“Okay, okay! Vivi. But seriously, why?”

“Because of grown-up reasons.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not sick, right?”

“No.”

“Then it’s fine.”

Muttering as if that was all that mattered, Sia pursed his plump lips.

The way they jutted out like a duck’s bill made me smirk as I lightly tapped them with the back of my hand before leisurely rolling my wheelchair forward.

“Follow me, Sia.”

He grumbled something about not being a dog but still trailed after me without complaint.

Without being asked, he even shut the door behind us.

Personality aside, he was naturally adorable.

On the way to the office, we ran into about four employees.

Every time, Sia would stiffen like a board, his whole body bristling as he clung to my side and darted his eyes around.

He probably thought he was being subtle, but it was painfully obvious.

I didn’t bother pointing it out.

When we arrived, the office master was buried in documents, greeting me without looking up.

“Lord Vivisian! You’re finally here. I was wondering why you were taking so long today. I even started worrying that you might be—”

He cut himself off, finally lifting his head.

The moment he spotted Sia, his face twisted into a grimace.

“…What’s with the cat?”

I was pretty sure I heard him mutter something about a ‘kitten’ under his breath.

I sighed and glanced around.

Sia had disappeared.

Of course, he was now hiding behind my wheelchair, glaring daggers at the master.

“A cat? He’s a baby.”

“I’m not a baby!”

Sia snapped, momentarily forgetting to glare at the master and instead stomping his foot in frustration.

Then, as if unable to contain his irritation, he suddenly bit my ear.

I rubbed the sore spot, ignoring his antics.

“…You’re not seriously planning to keep that unruly thing with you, are you?”

“He’s just a kid.”

I shrugged and stood up from my wheelchair.

The moment I stopped paying attention to him, Sia calmed down.

I scooped him up and set him on the chair by the window.

“Stay put here and behave.”

“What? You make it sound like I cause trouble or something.”

Sia grumbled indignantly, and the master let out a dry laugh.

“Who was it again that broke a knight’s ribs on his first day and even punched Lord Vivisian?”

Neither of us responded.

“…Anyway. Just stay here. If you want something, ask. If you’re not feeling well, let me know.”

“Yeah, yeah, just get to work already.”

He waved his hand dismissively.

I watched him for a moment before settling in at my desk.

The ever-growing mountain of paperwork loomed before me.

After a quick glance at the sheer volume, I got to work.

I was about halfway through when Sia quietly approached and rested his hands on my desk, peeking at the documents.

There was nothing confidential there, and he couldn’t read the difficult words anyway, so I didn’t bother stopping him.

Taking the chance to rest, I set my quill down and leaned back.

Sia, standing on tiptoe to flip through the papers, examined them for a while before abruptly turning to me.

“What are you doing?”

“A duke’s work.”

“I know that! Is it fun?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then why don’t you just quit? There are tons of people who want to be dukes. Why does it have to be you?”

I hummed, impressed by his sharp question, and stroked my chin.

“…Sia, you’re smarter than I thought.”

His face contorted like a demon’s.

Then, without warning, he launched himself at me and started clawing at my chest—without using his nails, at least.

I let him, unfazed by the outburst.

After throwing his fit, he suddenly slumped, completely melting into my lap.

“…My head hurts.”

“You were throwing a tantrum just a second ago, and now you’re suddenly tired? Honestly, Sia, I think you’re busier than I am. You nap, eat, read books, make a mess, beat me up…”

“You teased me first!”

His indignant expression was so ridiculous that I burst out laughing.

Still grumbling, he shuffled around and curled up on my lap.

I was sure he climbed up intending to attack me.

And yet, within moments, he was curled up snugly, purring contentedly like he belonged there.

As he reached for the quill, he hesitated and stared blankly, wondering how such a person could exist.

Then, unable to hold back, he burst into laughter.

In the process, he accidentally touched the child’s cheek with his ink-stained hand.

The stark black mark stood out even more against the pale skin, making it impossible to suppress his laughter.

Noticing his reaction, Sia realized something was wrong with his face.

Rubbing his cheek vigorously, he stared blankly at the dark smudges on his hand.

Then, as if realizing something was amiss, he let out a low growl.

“…Vivi!”

The boy, visibly upset, began biting down on his fingers, and he had no choice but to plead.

“I’ll wash your face. It’ll definitely come off.”

“It better come off! If it doesn’t, I’ll make you look just like me!”

“Sorry. But Sia, you still look cute even with ink on your face.”

“…Is that really the point right now? Are you messing with me?”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”

He apologized sincerely and called for a servant to bring a basin of water, then personally wiped the ink stains off Sia’s face.

Only after confirming that his face was spotless did Sia finally settle down, adjusting his position on his lap.

He expected Sia to get off, but instead, the boy remained seated calmly.

Finding it curious, he simply watched.

Noticing his gaze, Sia raised an eyebrow as if to say, “What are you looking at?”

Amused, he shook his head.

With a bored expression, Sia sat on his lap, glancing around.

About ten minutes later, he was already breathing softly, fast asleep.

By the time he noticed—having been focused on his work—he couldn’t hide his disbelief, frowning slightly.

“What on earth is this kid thinking….”

He murmured in wonder, gazing at the peaceful face.

His master, who was struggling with paperwork nearby, overheard and responded offhandedly.

“What else? He’s a cat. Looks to me like you’ve been chosen, Sir Vivi. Congratulations.”

The tone was anything but congratulatory, and he found himself chuckling despite that.

“I won’t be able to stay with him for long, so I shouldn’t get too attached.”

He whispered softly, brushing the child’s smooth, downy cheek with the back of his hand.

His skin was warm and soft, so unlike his own.

As he gazed at the boy—so undeniably alive—he turned away.

Outside the window, sunlight as warm as Sia’s body drifted lazily in the air.

How long will I live?

Before I die, I need to send Sia away.

But… will I be able to?

* * *