GTLTGIDES chapter 46

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Eunsoo had gotten up early in the morning to prepare this meal for me.

There was no reason to refuse.

If anything, I was excited and full of anticipation.

With a fluttering heart, I picked up my spoon and waited, following Eunsoo’s instructions.

Since there was only the final touch left, it didn’t take long for Eunsoo to finish today’s dish and bring it to the table, one by one.

“It’s my first time making it, but it’s pretty good, right?”

Eunsoo placed his hands on his hips, boasting proudly.

It was a cute display of confidence, so typical of her, but it was justified by the quality of the meal.

Steaming, fluffy rice, a clear bean sprout soup that looked refreshing just by sight, and a thick rolled omelet that could only be described as perfect.

With the side dishes we bought on our way home yesterday, the breakfast spread was complete.

It was amazing to see a meal set on our dining table, which had been collecting dust.

And the fact that Eunsoo made it himself was truly touching.

“Really… Eunsoo, you might be a genius….”

“Ehem.”

He puffed out his small chest with pride, looking the cutest in the world.

Is it even fair for such a being to exist?

As the protagonist of this world, he really does have it all!

‘If you’re jealous, become the protagonist yourself.’

No one had pointed it out, but I arrogantly declared it to myself as I raised my spoon.

“Thank you for the food.”

“Please, enjoy.”

This was the food Eunsoo had made for me.

With a solemn heart, I took a large spoonful of rice, dipped it into the soup, and brought it to my mouth.

And I was at a loss for words.

“…….”

Unfortunately, I was speechless, not in a good way.

The soup was salty. So salty, it almost stung.

Thinking I might still be half-asleep and imagining things, I tried the soup again, but it was the same.

Salty. Definitely salty.

How could such a meticulous child, with a pride that reaches the sky, end up with this result? It was bewildering.

‘What should I do? If Eunsoo tastes this, He’ll be so disappointed.’

Even if it’s his first time, the idea that he failed at making something himself wouldn’t sit well with him.

His high pride wouldn’t allow it. he might be so shocked that he’ll never want to cook again.

‘It must’ve been just a one-time mistake….’

The rice turned out fine. I even tried the rolled omelet, and it was so well-made that I felt sad for the five times I’d failed at it myself.

The only problem was the soup.

I chewed on my rice slowly, contemplating how to avoid Eunsoo finding out.

This meal was monumental for me because it was the first one Eunsoo had made for me.

I didn’t want to waste any of it.

I quickly scanned my surroundings.

He hadn’t made much, just enough for two people for breakfast.

Even from the portion, you could tell how meticulous he was.

I held back, feeling like my tongue was being numbed by the saltiness, and gulped it all down in one go.

Then, with a bright smile, I asked,

“Eunsoo, can I have another bowl?”

“This one’s mine, though.”

“But I want to eat a lot of the food you made. Is that okay?”

“Sigh, I guess I have no choice. If you’re going to say that, I’ll let you have it.”

Eunsoo smiled shyly.

There were still the side dishes, after all.

He could have rice with those.

Worried he might ask for a bite, I quickly mixed the rice with the soup and stuffed it into my mouth.

“That was delicious.”

If I drank water right away, sharp-eyed Eunsoo might catch on.

So I forced down the overwhelming thirst and smiled.

“It was the best in the world. Thank you.”

But that statement was genuine. Even if it was salty, it didn’t matter.

There’s no way food made with Eunsoo’s thoughts of me could taste bad.

After clearing the dishes, I came back and hugged Eunsoo tightly from behind.

Eunsoo looked at me with a pure, childlike smile, clearly happy that I had enjoyed the food.

He’s so lovable. How did such a treasure come to be in my life?

“Ahjussi.”

“Hmm?”

“You said no kissing on the lips, but can I kiss you on the cheek?”

“Should I do it?”

“I wouldn’t mind… but sometimes I want to do it too.”

“That’s fine.”

“Really? No take-backs, okay?”

“Yes. You really can.”

“T-Then I’ll do it now!”

He was so urgent about it.

Eunsoo immediately put down his spoon and turned his entire body towards me.

Did he want to give because he liked being loved?

Kids at Eunsoo’s age usually wouldn’t do such cute things out of embarrassment.

I felt a mixture of joy and sadness.

But in the end, joy won out.

If it’s come to this, maybe it’s okay for his to grow up as a child full of affection.

Eunsoo’s so cute; He’ll be incredibly popular.

I can already imagine the three Espers melting under his small acts of affection and cuteness.

‘Hah, our kid is so dangerously charming… this is bad.’

At this rate, he might end up with not just three Espers, but eight of them by his side.

While I was lost in these thoughts, waiting for Eunsoo’s kiss, nothing had touched my cheek yet.

“…….”

“Aren’t you going to do it?”

Eunsoo, who had been holding onto my arm tightly as if he was about to kiss me any moment, was now just staring at my face.

Even though I slightly leaned in, offering my cheek, he kept his lips tightly sealed.

His pale face was now as red as it could get, as if it was about to burst.

Oh, my. As expected, a teenage boy.

It seems he’s too shy now that the moment has come. He’s too adorable.

I don’t know what kind of whim led Eunsoo to try a kiss before, but that must have been the odd moment.

This reaction is more typical.

I mean, what kid would want to kiss the cheek of a middle-aged man?

After much deliberation, Eunsoo finally spoke.

“T-Today… can you do it instead?”

“Of course! I’d love to!”

I immediately planted a kiss on the child’s blushing cheek.

Once wasn’t enough, so I did it multiple times.

Laughing at how it tickled, I hugged the giggling Eunsoo.

It was the happiest morning in the world.

But the start of the afternoon was terrible.

I threw it all up.

Everything I had eaten.

“Ah… it was the first meal Eunsoo made for me….”

I can’t believe I just threw up all the love and care Eunsoo put into it.

It feels like my heart is being torn apart.

I should have digested it and made it part of me, somehow!

Damn this body of mine.

I don’t understand why it has to make such a big deal out of something just being a bit too salty.

The one saving grace was that I had sensed something was off and left the house.

At least I didn’t mess up in front of Eunsoo.

Clutching the toilet in a public restroom at the subway station, I went through an ordeal.

“Ah, I’m dying….”

After emptying my stomach until I felt sick, the nausea finally subsided.

I barely made it to the sink to rinse out my mouth.

My stomach hurt, and I felt dizzy.

I should eat something, but I didn’t have any appetite.

I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall.

The face staring back at me from the mirror was pale.

If I went home like this, Eunsoo would definitely notice.

Maybe I should find somewhere to rest until I feel better before heading home.

Bzzzz.

The loud noise made me open my eyes.

And the next moment, I knew exactly what message I was about to receive on my phone.

I knew who would be in the office at this hour.

[C: Field]

Of course.

At this speed, it’s practically automatic.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a macro set up just for this, sending me a “field” message the moment an alert goes off.

“Yes, yes. I’m on my way. Heading there now….”

I bought some mouthwash and rinsed my mouth repeatedly.

I even chewed a mint candy.

Since I was called, I’ll prepare to go, but…

“Can I really do this…?”

My mind felt clouded as if it were filled with a white fog.

I couldn’t think straight and felt dizzy.

Every step I took was unbearably heavy.

Driving was out of the question, so I reluctantly took a taxi.

It wasn’t hard to find Cha Junseong when I arrived at the scene.

Leader of Special Team A.

An Esper among Espers.

Bearing the immense responsibility that comes with the weight of the family he carries on his back, he is always at the center of everyone’s attention.

And above all, with his striking features, tall stature, and broad shoulders, he stood out among the crowd, making it impossible to miss him.

“Junseong, I’m here.”

“Yang Heewoon…”

As soon as Cha Junseong saw me, he frowned deeply.

Wasn’t his reaction a bit harsh, considering I had greeted him so warmly?

“Go to the hospital.”

…There was a clear reason for his reaction.

No matter how well I could fool others, I could never fool Cha Junseong.

His intuition was like a sixth sense.

“No, I’m fine. I just… overate this morning.”

“You?”

“…”