GTLTGIDES chapter 40

* * *

It was a call, but something about it felt different from usual.

Rex often pushed me without much consideration, but it was odd for him to call me out this late.

Almost instinctively, I checked his location, and sure enough, he was right outside my apartment.

I quickly grabbed my coat and went outside.

The familiar figure with red hair waved as soon as I stepped out.

“Hi, Heewoon…”

His usual lively demeanor was nowhere to be found. He seemed calm, almost subdued.

Still, he managed to smile as he greeted me.

He always made an effort to follow the three conditions I had asked of him.

“Rex, what’s going on? Why did you come all the way here?”

“Well…”

Rex hesitated before opening the trunk of his car.

The trunk was packed full of stuff.

Toilet paper, various cleaning supplies, towels, shampoo, slippers…

“Take these.”

“What… what is all this?”

“I just… bought a bunch of things. You haven’t been home in a while, and since there’s someone new in your place, I figured you’d need a lot of stuff.”

Wow.

Of all people, I never expected Rex to be the one to think of this.

Maybe he realized how out of character it was for him, as he scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“I remembered that kid didn’t have any belongings… I bought some clothes too. I didn’t get any shoes since I didn’t know the size, but the clothes are free-sized, so they should fit. If not, you can just wear him a few times and throw him out. I wasn’t sure what products you usually use, so I just asked for the best ones. They shouldn’t be too bad.”

“But it’s not just clothes and necessities, is it? Are you sure it’s okay to give me all this?”

“Eh, it’s nothing special. Don’t worry about the things that look expensive. I just grabbed some stuff that’s been lying around at my place for a while.”

Lying around, my foot. There was a shiny tablet and a phone, barely out of his packaging, and both were the latest models.

I examined the items, pondering for a moment before making a decision.

“…Thank you. I’ll use him well.”

It was a generous gift.

But rejecting it wasn’t really an option, considering my current situation wasn’t exactly great.

Taking care of a sick child in the hospital was hard enough, but now I had a growing teenager to look after too.

To be honest, I was on the edge. Not emotionally or in terms of time and effort, but financially.

I wanted to accept what I could.

‘It’s probably an investment for Rex’s future too.’

Normally, with his status as an S-rank Esper, wealth, and looks, it wouldn’t be hard for him to win someone’s heart.

But unfortunately, this is the world of the complex “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy”* story. Other characters like Elliot or Cha Junseong aren’t lacking in any department.

To stand out among him, he needed to score some points early on.

In times like these, it was better for both of us if I just accepted it without making a fuss.

“I’ll help you carry the stuff.”

“No, if we split it up, it’ll get done faster.”

“It’s fine. I can carry it all at once.”

“But there’s so much…”

“I can do it.”

And he really could.

It was quite a lot, but with his large hands and strong build, he bundled everything together and lifted it all at once.

Without even breaking a sweat, he carried it to my front door.

All I did was follow behind him like an idiot, my mouth hanging open as I watched his broad back.

‘He’s amazing…’

If it were just me, I would’ve struggled with it all night, going up and down the stairs five or six times, probably ending up with sore muscles.

He was like a hero straight out of a movie or cartoon.

Seeing all those items piled up at the entrance made me feel secure.

How much did all this cost…?

How much did this reduce my expenses for the month?

The stress that had been building up to my head quickly melted away. Even the humid night air felt refreshing.

I carefully closed the door, worried that Eunsoo might wake up.

“Thank you so much. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”

My bank account would probably scream in protest at the idea of buying something Rex would enjoy, but considering all he gave me, I could splurge just once… maybe.

“No, that’s not necessary. Heewoon.”

“Hmm?”

“Uh, well…”

“What is it?”

“…At the hospital, I said something awful to you. I’m sorry. I know it’s really late, but I forgot to apologize…”

“It’s okay. You didn’t really mean it anyway.”

I smiled softly.

I was more upset when he tried to stop me from taking Eunsoo than when he left me with those absurd accusations, but I understood now.

Eunsoo had done something dangerous, and given how badly he was hurt, it wasn’t surprising that Rex was overprotective.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I must’ve worried you a lot. I’ll be more careful about my safety from now on.”

“I’m glad you’ve thought it over. Your safety is the most important thing. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

Rex’s red hair swayed in the night breeze.

His gaze on me was so intense that even the occasional gust of wind couldn’t cool it down.

I knew what Rex wanted.

He was a “kissing freak,” and every time he saw me, he wanted a kiss.

His large hand touched my cheek.

“…Can I?”

“Uh, do you need guiding?”

“No, I don’t need guiding.”

“…”

‘He could’ve just said he needed guiding…’

If he said no so bluntly, it would turn into a personal kiss rather than something necessary for guiding. I couldn’t back out of this one.

I lowered my head, unable to meet Rex’s eyes to reject him, but he gently cupped my cheek and made sure our gazes met.

Even in the dark, his eyes burned with a blue flame, full of desire.

“I want to.”

“Ah…”

Now that our eyes were locked, I couldn’t move, as if trapped.

At the same time, memories flashed through my mind.

Rex, who greeted me with a slightly downcast demeanor, Rex, who hesitated as he showed me the trunk full of necessities, and Rex, who carried all those things in one trip when I would have struggled all night on my own.

The strong, reassuring back that walked ahead of me.

And now, that same Rex was looking only at my lips.

…My lips aren’t worth enough to make Rex so desperate.

“Um…”

What should I do? It’s not like it really matters enough for me to forcefully refuse.

Rex just likes kissing, that’s all. I also received a lot of gifts today, so I felt like I should repay him somehow…

After hesitating with my mouth open, I made up my mind.

“You can, but keep it short.”

“Short? Why?”

“Well…”

I could make something up, but lying isn’t really my style.

“…Eunsoo told me not to.”

“Why do you listen to her?”

“Because… she’s part of my family now.”

“…So she’s more important than me?”

“That’s not it. Don’t say strange things. You know I’ve been loyal to you too.”

“…”

I’ve done everything you’ve asked for. I’ve worked hard to guide you.

I don’t get why you’re saying such twisted things now.

“Right…”

The awkward standoff dragged on, and Rex’s thumb began to impatiently rub my lips.

“Heewoon, what about you?”

“Me?”

“You don’t dislike it, do you?”

“For me… it’s fine.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

“No, it’s not.”

My mouth was shut. At the same time that his warm lips swallowed my words, I found myself trapped in Rex’s broad embrace.

Even if he claimed that guiding wasn’t necessary, Rex, unlike Cha Junseong, couldn’t completely cut off the natural flow of things.

The warm sentiment was transmitted to me, making my body heat up quickly.

“Rex, mmm…”

At first, I tried to resist Rex, who suddenly overwhelmed me, by tensing my body.

But sometimes, people have a contrary side.

The more you’re told not to do something, the more you want to do it, a bad habit like that.

Perhaps I’m no different from anyone else, and even though I knew this action was a taboo that Eunsoo had forbidden, I didn’t find it entirely unpleasant.

In fact… it seemed even better than usual.

My brain stopped thinking, melting away like marshmallows, becoming soft and pliable. It was incredibly sweet.

Was it because the kiss wasn’t painful?

Was it because my body was heating up?

Or was it because I truly had a bad habit and was even more excited just because Eunsoo said not to?

“Ah, don’t, um.”

“It’s okay. Focus.”

It wasn’t okay.

I suddenly became afraid that things might become too genuine.

I tried to force my lips to close. But every time I did, Rex would tempt me further by pressing his lips deeper.

Since I didn’t respond properly and tried to escape, it seemed like Rex was coming closer to hold me tighter.

I was grateful and happy… and I hated myself for wanting him to hold me even more.