GTLTGIDES chapter 53

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Seeing my unusual expression, Eunsoo also became visibly worried.

I quickly forced a smile.

“No, I’ll come with you. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, so don’t worry about anything.”

“…?”

I said it to ease his worries in case something happened to Eunsoo when I wasn’t aware, but my heart felt like it was being crushed.

I’m just an ordinary B-rank guide. Is there anything I can do against ‘Polwel’ to protect Eunsoo?

Especially now that the plot has diverged from the original story?

‘Let’s not entertain weak thoughts.’

I smiled as I met Eunsoo’s puzzled gaze.

It’s pointless to worry. Whether I can do something or not isn’t what matters.

For Eunsoo, I’ll do whatever it takes.

“What is it? Is something going on?”

“No…”

“Don’t dodge the question. Tell me honestly. What’s going on?”

I guess my words were too abrupt.

If I don’t come clean, the sharp-witted Eunsoo will start digging and won’t stop until he gets it all out of me.

But it’s okay.

Just like with Cha Junsung, there’s something I can tell Eunsoo that’s not related to the Elizabeth Polwel matter.

“Eunsoo.”

“Yes.”

“Always remember this. You don’t need to remember every word from people filled with prejudice.”

Eunsoo’s eyes widened, as if wondering why I was suddenly saying this.

But I didn’t stop speaking.

It’s something I need to say before we head to the Management Bureau, which is full of people who would tear his apart the moment they see him.

“You’re a precious person. So it’s okay to be selfish. Just listen to those who cherish you…”

I trailed off without finishing my sentence.

Because I realized there could be people who cherish Eunsoo but still hurt him.

Like those three espers who loved Eunsoo but took too long to admit their feelings.

“No, there could be people who hurt you even if they cherish you… So just listen to those who see the good in you, not your bad points.”

I finally came up with a decent thing to say.

Eunsoo, who had been listening quietly with wide eyes, smiled softly as if melting away.

“Like someone who drinks my bland soup without complaint, saying it’s wonderful?”

“Yes, someone like me.”

Saying it made me feel a bit embarrassed.

But I didn’t say anything wrong. I’m the person who loves Eunsoo the most in this world right now.

I’m his one and only guardian who would do anything for him.

After a moment of thought, Eunsoo came closer to me.

“You worry a lot. Sometimes, Ahjussi, it seems like you carry all the worries of the world by yourself.”

‘I only worry about you.’

But it seems Eunsoo’s words aren’t entirely wrong.

To me, Eunsoo is the world right now.

My worries about his are like all the worries in the world.

“But, Ahjussi, don’t worry. As long as you don’t abandon me, it doesn’t matter what others say.”

“…Why would I ever abandon you?”

“I know. So, this is enough.”

Eunsoo suddenly grabbed my hand.

He held it tightly with both hands and placed it on his chest, as if holding something precious.

Her blue eyes softened, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

“When we come back, you’ll still hold my hand, right?”

“Of course!”

Seeing his so spirited put my mind at ease.

Yeah.

There was no need to overthink.

Eunsoo is a strong child.

Probably even stronger than I think.

I smiled softly, following Eunsoo’s lead.

“If today’s business ends quickly, how about we go somewhere fun?”

“Oh, I’d like to visit an amusement park if we do.”

Eunsoo said with sparkling eyes.

Why an amusement park all of a sudden?

Eunsoo and an amusement park—that’s such an adorable combination, but the Eunsoo I know prefers staying at home, so I didn’t expect his to mention such an active place.

“I really want to go to an amusement park with you, Ahjussi!”

“Well, sure. Should we… go?”

It’s good that Eunsoo is showing interest in outdoor activities.

Though… I’m not sure if Yong Heewoon’s weak body could handle intense rides, let alone my lack of experience with such places.

However, since Eunsoo wants to go… I have to take her, what choice do I have?

‘By the way, how much is the admission fee for an amusement park these days?’

…I really hate how I’m always worrying about money.

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After entering the government building with Eunsoo, we were separated to hear each other’s stories.

Up until that point, I had been casually searching for amusement parks to go to with Eunsoo.

‘But thanks to the three espers, I’ve managed to cut down on my expenses this month, so an entrance fee of about 100,000 won…’

I can afford that. It’s not like I’d ever feel it’s a waste to spend money on Eunsoo!

…Or so I think, but spending such a large sum of money for just a day of fun makes my heart flutter with anxiety.

‘It’s not like the entrance fee will be the only expense…’

Having never been to a place like that, I had no idea how much it would cost.

Food and snacks inside are bound to be more expensive than outside, and if you consider souvenirs to buy for the child…

But not long after entering the investigation room, I felt embarrassed about myself for fretting over spending just a couple hundred thousand won to spend time with a child.

If I could be with Eunsoo, no amount of money should feel like too much.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Maria Polwel, the aide and right-hand woman of Elizabeth Polwel, appeared in front of me.

Naturally, I was expecting an investigator to come in and ask about my cohabitation with Eunsoo, so the moment I saw the blonde woman I met just yesterday, my blood seemed to drain from my body.

Whether he knew how I felt or not, Maria just kept smiling pleasantly.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Oh, yes… Thanks to you, I’m feeling much better.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Clearly, he wasn’t showing any hostility toward me.

Her demeanor wasn’t any different from yesterday.

Her slightly awkward speech, the friendly smile on his pretty face—He was the type who could easily gain the favor of others.

But I couldn’t treat his the same as I did yesterday, now that I knew who he really was.

“That’s strange. Why are you so tense? I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“…”

“Are you suspicious because it seems like a strange coincidence? Or do you think this is deliberate? But yesterday was truly a coincidence. I found out later that the person I was meeting today was you.”

I didn’t know how to respond to this unexpected situation.

I kept staring at his with a stern expression, and Maria Polwel laughed again.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Maria Polwel. Polwel, does that name ring a bell? I’m sort of Jake’s cousin.”

As expected, he was indeed from the famous Polwel family.

To avoid suspicion, I should appear surprised, but I’m terrible at acting.

Especially in an unexpected situation like this.

Even without looking in the mirror, I knew what I looked like—my face stiff, frozen in place.

“Would it be too much for me to say that your expression suggests you were expecting this revelation?”

“I never agreed to meet with anyone from the Polwel family. I think I’ll take my leave now.”

But there was no need to make excuses.

I had no intention of talking to anyone from the Polwel family anyway.

In this matter, I was the victim. Jake Polwel was the perpetrator.

Does it make sense to have a victim meet the perpetrator’s family without any prior consent?

Especially when it wasn’t even a separate attempt at contact, but rather a sudden encounter in the investigation room under the pretense of Eunsoo’s case?

There was no reason to stay and talk. I stood up straight away.

“Mr. Yang Heewoon.”

But then, with a voice that was devoid of emotion, so much so that it made his earlier cheerful demeanor seem like a lie, he called out to me, stopping me in my tracks.

When I turned back, he was smiling again as if nothing had happened.

“Please, have a seat. Mr. Yang Heewoon, you are a victim but also the guardian of the perpetrator, aren’t you? Act accordingly.”

“…What do you mean?”

Perpetrator—could he be talking about Eunsoo? I was so taken aback that I couldn’t speak.

And yet, Maria Polwel wasn’t done spouting nonsense.

“Mr. Yang Heewoon, you’re not exactly blameless either, are you? We have evidence that you frequently visited the convenience store where Eunsoo used to work. It seems unlikely that you were just a regular customer, given how often you went there and how long you stayed. It looks like you were aware of Eunsoo’s situation or identity, which would explain your actions.”

“That’s…”

“Yet, not once did you attempt to report this to the authorities. Why not? It seems enough to suspect you of aiding and abetting.”

“…”

“We are also considering the possibility that the two of you conspired to kill Jake Polwel. While nothing is confirmed yet, we have found quite a bit of evidence suggesting you two communicated in secret.”

“Ha…”

My mouth hung open, unable to close.

I was too stunned to speak.

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