GTLTGIDES chapter 37

I’ve thought a lot about what to do with Eunsoo.

How could a minor survive in the world without a guardian? Someone has to be there.

But who should take on that role?

The government? The administration?

A youth protection organization? Or perhaps the future husband, an Esper?

I agonized over it, but the answer was clear.

Me.

I had to take care of Eunsoo.

‘Eunsoo, when you finish this investigation, I’ll probably have completed my discharge process as well.’

‘So… why don’t we live together?’

‘Even if it’s just for the half-year until you become an adult, let’s live together. What do you think?’

Eunsoo seemed surprised by my words, but he nodded with a pleased expression.

Getting permission for us to live together wasn’t as difficult as I expected.

Although Eunsoo was a rebellious boy who rarely listened to adults, he had been by my side during the entire two weeks I was hospitalized.

In fact, they were planning to ask me to take him in if I didn’t do so myself.

Of course, our cohabitation wouldn’t be completely free.

There would be constant surveillance, and Eunsoo would have to wear a bracelet with a built-in tracking and protection device, in case he tried to run away.

But still, it’s something. For the next six months, I could be Eunsoo’s temporary guardian.

I completed the discharge process.

The doctor advised me to stay longer to monitor my condition, but I knew my health wouldn’t fully recover.

If I stayed any longer, my condition would likely be exposed, so I had to leave the hospital quickly.

I packed my few belongings and headed to the investigation room to pick up Eunsoo, who should have finished his questioning by now.

“Hey, Yang Heewoon!”

A loud voice called out my name from behind.

I turned around to see Rex, as expected. He hurried over, huffing and grabbed my shoulder.

“I just don’t get it. Why are you taking him with you? Just leave him in a shelter!”

“Keep your voice down. What if Eunsoo hears you?”

I quickly pulled Rex aside.

How far were we from the investigation room? His loud voice could have cost me 30 points if Eunsoo had overheard us.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that I’d already shown my childish side, he’s just making things worse.

It’s frustrating to see him throw away any goodwill he might have gained by helping catch a thug and getting him out of the convenience store.

And now, he’s also losing my favor. A shelter, really? Just hearing that annoyed me.

“Rex, do you even know what the conditions in those shelters are like? Every time a large gate opens, dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people lose his families, his jobs, his sense of purpose, and end up in those shelters. What do you think the conditions are like in a place that houses those people? Do you think they have warm water? How many people share a room? Is his privacy respected? Is the floor warm? Are basic medical services even provided? Do you have any idea?”

Rex fell silent at my words. Maybe Cha Junseong would know, but not him.

Of course, ‘Yang Heewoon’ and I have never set foot in a shelter. But in the story, after the midpoint of ‘Gate of Heaven’, when the frequency and scale of gates increase, the conditions in the shelters are described a few times.

Elliot eventually sees the horrible situation and starts a welfare project that improves things significantly by the story’s end, but that’s not now.

To think of leaving Eunsoo in such a place.

A child who had already closed off his heart after being shunned by the world, how cruel would that be?

Just imagining it is terrifying.

“And besides, Eunsoo has just come out into the world. This is the most important time for him to adjust to society. How could I abandon him like that? Stop talking nonsense.”

“So what! The shelter sucks, so what! Are you going to take responsibility for everyone in the shelter? What are you going to do, show pity for every single one of him?”

“That’s exactly it! Since I can’t take responsibility for all the kids in the shelters!”

I gripped Rex’s wrist tightly and stared him down.

This was my final warning.

Don’t interfere in my life.

“I’ll take responsibility for Eunsoo at least.”

I turned away immediately.

Damn. Blood was rushing to my head, making me dizzy. But I couldn’t show any weakness.

If I showed any signs of vulnerability, Rex would undoubtedly start ranting about how a weakling like me has no business taking responsibility for a child.

I gritted my teeth and walked as steadily and quickly as I could.

But before I could take three steps, I had to stop.

“That bastard did to me what he did to Jake!”

“…What?”

It felt like I’d been hit on the back of the head with a club. This was a shocking revelation.

‘Please, Eunsoo…’

Looking back, something did seem off. Unlike Cha Junseong, who was always busy, and Elliot, who had a sensitive personality, Rex was a straightforward type who did his job without letting his emotions get in the way.

Yet, this time, it seemed like Rex had accumulated as much or even more emotional baggage as the others.

“You seem to think of that kid as just an innocent, good-hearted child, but you’re wrong. They’re dangerous. Don’t take him with you. How can you know what they’re thinking?”

“Oh…”

For a moment, everything went hazy, and then a stabbing headache hit me.

The fact that I pushed Jake to the edge in the first place was already a deviation from the original story.

And now, I had even gotten involved with Rex. Honestly, what was that kid thinking, pulling a stunt like this?

‘They probably never considered the consequences of his actions…’

They likely didn’t realize how serious his actions were. There had never been anyone around to teach him that.

“Heewoon.”

I was lost in a pitch-black void when I heard a gentle voice calling me, and I opened my eyes.

Rex was standing in front of me.

His strong, broad arms reached out to embrace me, and as I nestled into his warm chest, I caught his familiar scent.

“Heewoon, I just want you to stop being in pain…”

“…”

“I hate seeing you hurt. Seeing you lying there, pale as death, not moving at all… it was…”

Rex couldn’t finish his sentence. But even without his words, I could feel the depth of his despair.

His emotions, raw and unfiltered, washed over me.

‘It’s so intense. It hurts.’

This pain was a measure of his concern for me. It hurt more than the emotional turmoil; it pained my heart.

I reached out and hugged Rex tightly.

“I’m sorry for making you worry. But… Eunsoo is really okay. Trust me.”

“…”

“Do you think I’m lying?”

Rex shook his head.

It was fortunate that we were a guide and an esper.

Through guiding, I could open my heart completely to him. I could share my feelings without any filters.

“If that kid tries to hurt you in any way, call me immediately.”

“…Rex.”

“Promise me. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night or the crack of dawn, just promise.”

There’s no way Eunsoo would ever harm me.

The Eunsoo I know is a bit stubborn and has a twisted personality, but he’s a kind and gentle kid.

Rex’s worry was clearly excessive. But I understood his feelings.

In the end, it was my fault. I hadn’t taken care of myself, and that hurt him.

“Yes. I promise.”

If Rex asked for a kiss as he usually did, I was more than willing to oblige.

But this time, Rex simply held me close for a long time. And I, too, just wrapped my arms around his back and leaned against him for a while.

I hoped my heartbeat would reach Rex, so he could be reassured that I was still alive.

I felt a pang of regret as I took Eunsoo home after finishing the investigation.

The characters in works tagged with “#MultipleLoveInterests” like the novel “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy”usually tend to be extremely jealous.

It’s one of the key elements that make the story interesting, watching the characters vie for the main love interest.

Will it cause problems later because I took Eunsoo with me?

What if I end up being treated like some side character?

‘No. It’s still better that I’m the one taking care of Eunsoo.’

I can’t fully trust any of the three of him, considering the early parts of the original story and the current situation.

And most importantly, Eunsoo is still a minor. Knowing full well that “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” is an explicit, mature novel, I can’t just leave him to the wolves.

‘Yes. It’s better for him to stay with someone who’s going to disappear soon.’

It’s only fair. It wouldn’t be right to let one of him monopolize Eunsoo during such a vulnerable period in his life. That would definitely affect the ending.

‘Me, a side character…’

My lips twitched. It’s only for a brief period of less than six months, but still, it feels like a promotion from being an extra.

I felt a bit sorry for Eunsoo, though.

-Beep.

When we arrived home, I punched in the code on the digital door lock. The door clicked open with a clear sound. I turned to Eunsoo and smiled.

“The code is 1128. You remember where the house is, right? This is your home now, so make sure you find your way here.”

“…”

Eunsoo quietly followed me, holding my hand. He looked at me blankly.

“Come in.”

As soon as I opened the door, I remembered.

When was the last time I left this house, and what state it was in at that time?