GTLTGIDES chapter 58

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In response to my words, Rex seemed somewhat relieved and even a little happy, as he faintly smiled.

But there was still some lingering regret, as he didn’t let go of my face, staring at me intently.

“So, can I kiss you?”

I quickly crossed my index fingers in front of my lips to form an X.

“Not with personal feelings involved.”

“Why? Am I that bad as a romantic partner?”

“No! It’s not that. Not at all.”

How could he be?

If I thought he was a terrible romantic partner, I would’ve separated him from Eunsoo long ago.

I may be living quietly, but I’m confident there’s a lot I could do if I put my mind to it.

But that’s not the case.

The Rex I’ve known up until now may have a childish side—a bit excessive at times—but when it matters, he’s a responsible and reliable man.

He’s also become a lot more caring since the rehabilitation project.

At this rate, he’ll stand in front of Eunsoo like a shield, protecting his from the harsh storms that will come his way.

Because I know Rex’s strengths and charms so well, and because I actually like him quite a bit, I don’t know how to reject this confession.

But I quickly found an excuse to temporarily postpone the situation.

“It’s just… I’m not in a position to be in a relationship right now. It’s difficult.”

“Because of Polwel?”

“…Yes.”

So he knows.

The information relay was oddly selective. I wonder what Cha Junseong, the informant, must have felt…

It’s a complicated thought, but it’s good that Rex knows what kind of nonsense Polwel said to me.

It will make things easier to sort out.

I quietly nodded. Rex looked at me for a long time, seemingly unsatisfied with my answer.

Then his face drew closer, his broad forehead lightly bumping into mine.

“But why is that a reason to reject me? Wouldn’t it be better to say we’re dating? I’m an S-rank Esper, you know.”

“How could that work?”

I laughed. What nonsense.

I closed my eyes, rolling my forehead lightly against Rex’s solid one, and whispered.

“I told you. I like you a lot too, Rex. But it’s obvious I’d be a burden to you, so I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

Rex is indeed an impressive S-rank Esper.

He’s often underestimated because of his childish antics, but among Espers, he’s an elite who went through the most prestigious Esper training academy.

He’s wealthy, strong, and has a straightforward personality that makes him well-connected.

But an Esper’s power is inevitably tied to a Guide. No matter how capable an Esper is, without a dedicated Guide, there’s a limit.

With Eunsoo’s abilities gone and me, the only Guide in Special A Team, being terminal and essentially a cripple, Rex is currently an unwelcomed time bomb wherever he goes.

Using Rex to fight Polwel would only harm him in the end.

I don’t want to make things difficult for Rex. I’ll deal with it on my own.

“…”

Rex fell silent at my words.

“Ouch…”

Just as a subtle silence fell between us, a sharp pain shot up from my waist.

It was because Rex was holding me tightly with his large, strong hands.

“Rex… You’re holding too tight…”

“S-Sorry…”

“…”

For some reason, his voice was shaky.

He hasn’t been rough with me lately, so I was about to ask why he was acting like this.

But as soon as I opened my eyes, I couldn’t help but stare at his face, my lips parted.

Rex’s face was flushed red.

His blue eyes, swirling with countless emotions, were locked onto me, and his lips were tightly pressed together.

…It was a face that only someone in love could make.

Looking at his face, it finally sunk in—I realized Rex truly liked me.

“Uh…”

In an instant, my face flushed with heat. It felt like my heart had tripled in size and was pounding furiously.

Unable to meet his gaze any longer, I lowered my head.

Rex, who had exhaled a hot breath, rubbed my waist—probably where his handprint had left a mark—with his palm and leaned his head on my shoulder.

“Did it hurt? I’m really sorry… I, honestly… It drives me crazy when I see you struggling alone, insisting you won’t cause trouble for me or anyone else, even when it’s not your responsibility, and you don’t hold back from getting hurt in the process.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you…”

“But! What drives me even crazier is that I like that about you. I can’t just leave you alone. Damn it. I’m really going insane here.

So, I won’t stop you. I won’t ask you to go out with me right now. But, Heewoon.”

“…Yes.”

“Lean on me a little more. If it’s because I’m not reliable enough, I’ll become someone you can rely on…”

Every word Rex said was filled with a sincerity so intense it was almost palpable.

And the depth of that sincerity was also a measure of his affection for me.

It was sticky like honey, sweet and fragrant.

Caught off guard by his sudden confession, I wrapped my arms around his back again.

“I’m leaning on you.”

If I hadn’t trusted him, I wouldn’t have asked him to hold me.

As I hugged him tightly, wanting my sincerity to reach him, Rex’s lips touched my forehead.

It was a tender kiss that set my heart aflame.

“Can’t we kiss for real? Just like we usually do. I won’t ask for more. I’m sorry, it’s because I’m being selfish.”

“No, it’s okay. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Not at all.”

Loving someone isn’t a sin. If it were, I’d be an even bigger sinner than Rex.

A criminal so guilty that even a death sentence wouldn’t be surprising.

And I’m happy. For every word Rex said to me.

“I’m… I’m sorry for receiving affection I can’t return…”

“It’s okay. Just accept it. It’s affection I want to give.”

My face burned.

It’s unfamiliar. Rex, who used to be childish and self-centered, when did he become so dependable?

No, if I think about it, there were already many times when he was reliable.

I’ve received his help several times, especially when I was entangled with Jake.

But perhaps because of his confession, it felt like he was making a much larger impact on my heart, leaving clear footprints as he stepped in.

While the affection I was receiving for the first time made me feel fearful, it also made me curious.

I wondered what it would feel like to kiss someone who loved me.

Anyway, I’d have to guide his mucosa later.

If I think of it as practice, it’s not something unforgivable.

I closed my eyes first.

As if praising me, Rex’s large hand caressed my cheek.

Then his warmth and breath drew closer.

Just before our lips met, Rex let out a short sigh.

“I’m nervous…”

It was a strange thing to say after all the kisses we’ve shared.

But I understood. I’m nervous too.

It feels like my heart might explode.

If our lips really meet like this, won’t I become one of those rare cases where someone dies of a heart attack while kissing?

“Rex, uh…”

Considering Yang Heewoon’s frail body, it might be best to stop here.

I tried to push him away, but as if he read my mind, Rex pressed his lips firmly against mine.

And the moment our lips touched, I had a unique experience that I hadn’t felt in all our kisses before.

Rex, perhaps thinking that my body wouldn’t be strained since he had already guided me once, fully revealed his feelings to me.

The problem was that because of his earlier confession, the barrier around my heart had completely collapsed.

A sweet, warm sensation poured into me from Rex.

It was likely his sincere feelings of love.

Unlike the usual heat and painful sensations, this dizzying warmth seemed to awaken every cell in my body.

“Heewoon… Heewoon…”

Every time our lips parted, his voice, filled with affection as he called my name, softly seeped into me, doubling the rising heat.

“Ah…”

As I accepted all of this into my body, I had to admit it.

While I had been drawing a line, ignoring the fact that Rex would be Eunsoo’s future husband, the man Eunsoo would love, he had truly brought me deep into his heart.

The hand that caressed my back, and the other hand that somewhat blatantly stroked my waist, were both hot.

I wondered what attraction Rex found in Yang Heewoon’s pitifully thin body, but there was undoubtedly desire in his touch.

He really wanted to spend the night with me.

Not simply to chase pleasure, but to love this body with all his might.

“Rex… I…”

Obediently entrusting my body to his hands, I stood on tiptoe, bringing my lips closer to his.

The feelings of love that poured into my body instead of his usual intense sensations were so warm.

That bliss captivated me.

I had tried to forget the pain in my heart with the physical pain brought by those sensations, but this was several times more effective.

However, Yang Heewoon, with his poor stamina, couldn’t maintain his tiptoes for long.

In the end, I had to lean halfway against Rex’s large, firm body to keep my balance, but suddenly, I felt something.

“Ah…”

What it was… In this atmosphere, after hearing his love confession, there was no way I wouldn’t know.

…Even though I wished it wasn’t what I thought it was.

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