GTLTGIDES chapter 45

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“Ahjussi, you said you love me, right?”

“Of course!”

I’m your guardian.

If I didn’t love you, I couldn’t be your guardian.

Deciding to become your guardian means I’m willing to give up a part of my life.

“I love you very much, Eunsoo.”

“Do you say you love those people too?”

“Huh? No. No way. We’re just colleagues. Nothing more.”

“….”

Eunsoo looked into my eyes as if he was trying to confirm the truth.

Did I not earn his trust? I swear, under the sky, not a speck of shame…

‘Well…’

I can’t lie. With all the physical contact, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t swayed.

Just recently, I almost crossed the line with Rex because of a kiss…

“But still! I could confidently say that we hadn’t crossed the line yet. Even if I gave my body, I could firmly declare that I had no intention of stealing his heart.”

I met Eunsoo’s gaze head-on without avoiding it.

“The one I love is only you, Ye Eunsoo.”

“Then that’s enough.”

Fortunately, it seemed that my sincerity had reached him. Eunsoo smiled brightly, as if satisfied.

Her soft, white hands touched both my cheeks.

“As long as you only love me, and as long as your heart doesn’t change, I can endure it.”

“Yeah. That’s a relief.”

I didn’t even know what he meant by ‘endure,’ but I just smiled back, happy that the child was smiling at me.

---

Ever since Eunsoo came home, the one and only room had become his bedroom, so the living room became mine.

Having lived in a small room for a long time in my previous life, I thought, “What’s the big deal about living in the living room?”

But I must have grown too accustomed to having a room.

Even though it was just the difference of a door and a wall, living in the living room was quite uncomfortable.

The sounds of people walking, talking, and cars passing by filtered in without any barriers.

And now, I was woken up by some rustling noises.

“Ugh…”

I opened my eyes to a blurry view of the kitchen, where a small light was on and a tiny figure was doing something.

“Eunsoo… you’re up early…”

What time is it?

I groped around my pillow to find my phone.

I couldn’t see the numbers clearly, but… it was probably 8, or maybe 9…

So our Eunsoo is a morning person, huh?

Or maybe he woke up because he was hungry… Do we even have anything to eat?

Either way, I couldn’t just lie down snoring when Eunsoo was already awake. I had to get up…

“You can sleep more.”

“Mmm…”

…but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my back off the bed.

My body felt sluggish and heavy, probably because I’d had trouble sleeping due to all the noise seeping in from outside.

Even though I managed to pull the blanket halfway off, I heard footsteps approaching, and soon the blanket was pulled back up to my chin.

…It was warm.

Especially the hand that touched the corner of my eye.

“Sleep well.”

His whispering voice was like a magic spell that put me to sleep, and I closed my half-open eyes completely, drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.

---

How much longer did I sleep?

When I checked the clock, it had been about an hour, maybe two.

Even though I hadn’t slept for long, my body felt lighter.

It was all thanks to Eunsoo’s ‘sleep well’ that I was able to sleep so soundly.

‘He really is my lucky angel…’

I jumped up from bed.

I couldn’t wait to thank Eunsoo for letting me sleep so well!

“Uncle, you’re awake? I still need to finish up a bit more, so just wait a little longer.”

“Yeah! Thanks to you, I slept really we— Ah.”

And then I saw the reason why Eunsoo had been busy since the morning, and it was truly shocking.

On the stove, soup was bubbling in a pot.

Steam was rising from the pressure cooker, and Eunsoo, though a little clumsy, was holding the frying pan steadily.

Wearing an old apron I didn’t even remember buying, Eunsoo had perfectly positioned himself in the not-so-large kitchen.

He declared confidently, looking at me with his big eyes:

“Since Uncle can’t cook, I’ll do it from now on. You’re banned from the kitchen now, to save the ingredients.”

My jaw dropped.

Goodness. He’s going to cook instead of me, the great Ye Eunsoo from “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy”.

‘He used to live just as carelessly as I did…’

If I had neglected myself because I was too busy and didn’t care about life since my end was near, Eunsoo, on the other hand…

He had always been the type who didn’t pay much attention to household chores, even though they were essential for his daily life.

He was a kid with strong self-love, but he was mostly about pursuing what he liked and didn’t care much about anything else, as long as he could get by.

Naturally, he didn’t know how to cook and often ate convenience store sandwiches.

If it weren’t for the three Espers who, despite their quirks, made sure he ate properly, his diet would have been a mess.

And now He’s voluntarily cooking!

‘How pathetic must I have seemed?’

I’m so touched and happy that He’s cooking, even though he never used to.

But at the same time, my heart feels heavy.

How could it be that, after only two days of staying at my house, this child already feels the need to roll up his sleeves because he doesn’t trust me?

“Uh, hey, Eunsoo…”

“Why do you look like that? Did I do something wrong again?”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m happy! I’m touched that you’re making breakfast for me so early in the morning.”

“Right? You’re glad you brought me here, right?”

Eunsoo’s eyes sparkled with pride, as if waiting for my praise.

Seeing his happy like that was lovely, but… what he said pierced my heart.

“But, Eunsoo. I may not be able to cook now, but I can learn quickly.”

“…Even after that mess last time, you still couldn’t do it.”

“…”

Damn it. I couldn’t argue with the facts.

Honestly, I couldn’t be sure when this terrible cooking skill of mine would improve.

It might be impossible until I die.

But… no matter how terrible my cooking skills are, this situation isn’t right.

“Eunsoo. I didn’t bring you here to make you work. You don’t have to cook just for me.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“If you’re doing it because you feel uncomfortable, or if you’re forcing yourself…”

“Oh, come on… You think I’m doing this because I feel pressured or to impress you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Of course not…! No, no. I mean, yes, I want to impress you! But it’s different…”

“How is it different?”

Eunsoo just opened and closed his mouth, unable to finish his sentence, and then tightly shut his lips.

Her face twisted as he avoided my gaze.

“…This is tough…”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Anyway, it’s different!”

Eunsoo, looking frustrated, reached out and grabbed my hand.

Her lowered eyelashes were long and delicate.

“Just… let me do it, okay? I just want to make sure you eat well.”

“…You want me to?”

“Yeah. Because you’re too thin…”

“…”

I was speechless. So, it really was because I was too thin that he couldn’t stand to look at me anymore.

How badly did he have to hate it to actually cook for me himself, that Ye Eunsoo?

My heart ached. I swore to myself that I would never, ever skip a meal again.

And I was so grateful. Tears welled up in my eyes for a moment. I wondered if I even deserved to be this happy.

Whether he noticed my feelings or not, Eunsoo looked up at me and pouted his lips.

“And stop treating me like a kid. I’m less than half a year away from being an adult, you know?”

“Then let’s take turns. We’ll alternate duties.”

“…But I don’t want to. I could just do it all myself.”

“If you handle all the housework by yourself, the Management Bureau will freak out and take you away immediately. I’d be arrested for child abuse.”

“What? Child abuse? I’m volunteering to do it, so what kind of ridiculous law is that? Absolutely not!”

Eunsoo shook his head vigorously.

His fierce concern for me was so endearing that I couldn’t help but smile.

“Right? So let’s share the work. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. Got it?”

“Hah… Fine. I can’t wait to become an adult; it’s so frustrating.”

He muttered, his lips instinctively jutting out in a pout.

“Do you want to grow up quickly? I’d rather you stay like this for a long, long time.”

“Why? So you won’t have to kiss me?”

Why is he suddenly bringing up kissing…?

“Just because.”

When you become an adult, I won’t be in this world anymore. So I want to cherish the time I have with you as long as I can.

“Because you’re just too cute right now, Eunsoo.”

“…….”

At those words, spoken while holding his gaze, Eunsoo’s face turned a bright red.

All I did was call his pretty because he is, but he seemed so embarrassed by the compliment.

Overwhelmed by his adorableness, I found myself smiling foolishly.

Eunsoo cleared his throat, took my hand, and led me to sit down at the dining table.

“Well, since I made it, you’ll eat it, right?”

“Of course! Definitely!”

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