GTLTGIDES chapter 39

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“E-E-Eunsoo…”

My heart nearly stopped. I barely managed to exhale.

Wow, I didn’t expect him to get this close so suddenly.

It was close, but safe.

I barely managed to block Eunsoo from kissing me. Thank goodness I had a towel in my hand.

“What were you trying to do?”

“Kiss.”

The word rolled off his tongue so casually, it made my head spin.

A kiss! Eunsoo tried to kiss me! I couldn’t believe it!

There was only one reason why my innocent Eunsoo had turned so mischievous.

‘I knew I shouldn’t have done that in front of him…’

From the moment he was brought into this world, the first thing he saw was Espers and me kissing. That must have left such a strong impression that he now thinks a kiss is the basic form of greeting.

Sure, in some foreign countries, a light kiss might not mean much, but this is Korea.

And, if I had to say, I’m a bit of a traditionalist who believes that lip-to-lip kisses should be reserved for lovers.

Especially if the other person is a minor!

…People might scoff and call it an old-fashioned view, but that’s how I feel.

“Eunsoo, how old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“And nineteen isn’t considered an adult, right?”

“…Right. If Korea’s standard is twenty, then I’m not an adult yet. But in other countries I am adult. ”

Eunsoo tried to pull my hand away, but I held on tightly, determined not to let go.

My body, already weakened, couldn’t hold out for long, but thankfully, Eunsoo wasn’t the kind of child who would torment someone who was ill.

As soon as Eunsoo loosened his grip, he fixed his eyes on me, his voice filled with emphasis.

“In this country, you’re still a kid, and kids don’t kiss adults on the lips.”

“You’re really picky about weird things for someone who’s so wild….”

“What?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Eunsoo mumbled as if sighing and moved away from me, his lips jutting out as he sprawled onto the sofa.

It didn’t seem like he was going to pounce on me again. I relaxed my body and studied his face.

…Does he really want a kiss? Should I do it?

I’ve thought about giving Eunsoo a kiss many times before. Actually, even now, I want to.

The current Ye Eunsoo is my precious, soft little one from childhood, after all.

‘Thinking like this… makes me feel like a dangerous adult….’

But since Eunsoo asked for it first, maybe just once would be okay?

“Hey, Eunsoo.”

I called out cautiously, and he raised an eyebrow, as if asking why I was calling him. He had the attitude of a rebellious teenager.

So cute.

“Well… I can’t kiss your lips, but I can kiss you here instead.”

Smooch.

I pressed my lips against his cheek.

Ah, it was just a brief touch, but it was so soft and tender. As expected, he’s adorable.

“…What was that for? All of a sudden?”

Eunsoo looked at me with surprised eyes, his body stiffening.

He wanted to kiss me on the lips, but didn’t like getting kissed on the cheek?

This is bad. I quickly pulled away and was about to apologize when Eunsoo grabbed me.

Then, tilting his chin up arrogantly, he said,

“Surprise kisses are bad. But if you do it one more time, I’ll let it slide.”

“What do you mean, let it slide?”

I burst out laughing. He could’ve just asked me to kiss him again.

But he’s so cute. I couldn’t resist, so I immediately gave him another kiss on the opposite cheek.

Then Eunsoo’s face softened. His pale cheeks turned rosy, and his eyes and lips curved into a warm, gentle smile.

He looks like a mochi. He’s seriously too cute.

I can’t believe he’s showing his happiness so openly. He really is just a child.

But at the same time, my heart ached.

To think he’d be so happy over such a small gesture of affection.

How starved for love must he be to react like this?

‘It’s okay. I’m here now.’

For the half a year I’ll be with him, I’ll shower him with all the love he missed from his parents. I’ll love him with everything I have.

Until this child becomes an adult, I’ll give him the love of a parent, and later, the three espers will overwhelm him with the love of a partner.

Our Eunsoo didn’t receive love before, so from now on, he should live surrounded by it.

Soaked in love, I’ll make sure no one can say that Eunsoo grew up unloved.

As a bonus, I gave him a kiss on the forehead too. Then, hugging his small head, I whispered,

“Eunsoo, I love you.”

“…You’re lying.”

“Huh?”

“How can you say you love me? How long have you even known me, and what have I done for you to love me?”

Eunsoo spoke gruffly, but he didn’t push me away.

Instead, he hugged me tighter than I was hugging him, as if he would never let go.

‘In the original story, Ye Eunsoo was so prickly…’

Now he’s relying on me. He’s so cute, and it’s touching.

Eunsoo, six months earlier than the starting point of “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy”, is much more straightforward and adorable, probably because he’s still a fresh teenager.

He didn’t seem to dislike my words; I could feel the rapid beating of his heart.

Listening to the thumping of his heart, I wondered how I should answer Eunsoo’s question. It’s true that I might’ve been too hasty.

After all, our relationship only consisted of a few encounters at a convenience store and getting involved in an incident together, and now I’m saying I love him.

‘I can’t exactly tell him that he’s a character from a book and my favorite…’

Since the truth would only make things awkward, the only excuse that came to mind was this:

“It was love at first sight.”

“What…?”

“Really. When you looked at me with those blue eyes while ringing up my purchases, I fell for you instantly. I couldn’t just leave you alone after that.”

“This guy says the most ridiculous things… Treating me like a kid, then falling for me…”

I guess it’s a hard story to believe.

But I didn’t want to lie. I had to come up with an explanation that wasn’t a lie… What more could I say to make Eunsoo believe me?

While I was pondering, Eunsoo curled up and buried his face in my chest, mumbling something.

“…I love you too….”

“Huh?”

“I love you… too….”

Hearing him whisper those words shyly while hugging me tightly, my heart felt like it was going to burst.

I almost started crying again, which would’ve been embarrassing.

I bit my lips to hold back the tears.

‘I’m so glad I’m alive…’

I know that Eunsoo’s confession of love isn’t genuine.

How could Eunsoo love me when we’ve barely known each other?

He probably said it to win favor with the only adult who could protect him after being suddenly thrust into this world with me.

Even though I know it’s just empty words, I’m still happy. My whole body fills with golden joy.

This life, and the existence in my arms, feel like a blessing.

I mustn’t do anything reckless until my destined death arrives.

I want to stay by this child’s side, cherishing every minute and second of happiness.

I held the small body of Eunsoo even more tenderly.

When I last left this room, I had no plans for Eunsoo to move in.

Nothing was prepared for living with Eunsoo, and because of my sudden hospitalization, I had been away for a long time, leaving a mountain of work behind.

I hurriedly tried to clean up after putting Eunsoo to bed… It was a close call.

‘Especially the refrigerator… it was truly terrifying…’

I almost screamed when I opened it.

I usually don’t keep a lot of food stocked, but it was the worst timing—right after I had gone shopping, thinking I wouldn’t be able to visit Eunsoo’s convenience store, so I’d eat at home. All the fresh produce I had bought was rotten.

‘I should either replace that damned fridge or something…’

If the fridge wasn’t so old, it wouldn’t have been this bad. It was way past time to replace it.

Thankfully, I had bought some convenience store meals for dinner, so I was able to feed him, but I couldn’t keep feeding growing Eunsoo just convenience store and delivery food.

But it wasn’t just the fridge and food that were a problem.

I had barely stocked anything in the house, thinking I’d die soon anyway.

Even essentials like soap, shampoo, detergent, toothbrushes, and toilet paper were running low.

After putting Eunsoo to bed, I spent a long time cleaning the house and checking what we had left before taking out a notepad to list everything I needed to buy.

“There’s so much to buy…”

Even just writing down the things that came to mind filled a whole page.

Eunsoo’s belongings from Jake’s house had now been handed over as evidence.

Even if they weren’t evidence, technically they were Jake’s property.

It wasn’t even certain whether Eunsoo’s belongings would be recognized as his.

‘I wouldn’t want those things even if I could get him… it’s bad luck…’

In other words, in addition to daily necessities, I’d need to buy him a new phone, clothes, shoes, and all the other things he’d need for everyday life.

For now, I’ll start with summer and fall clothes.

Winter and spring clothes will be necessary later too.

Damn four seasons.

Damn temperature changes.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me.

I’m dreading the credit card bill this time.

There’s still no word on whether the welfare project Elliot mentioned has passed, so Hope’s hospital bills will likely go out as usual this month.

And then there’s my hospital bill… If they decide that this incident wasn’t work-related but rather my own fault, I might get billed for part of it.

“Ah, my head…”

My head throbbed again from the stress.

I really hate money. I hate it so, so much…
Since my past life and into this one, it’s been relentlessly tightening around my neck.