I don't think he really was the 2nd ML. He was there more to show how the MC evolved as a person and got over his own biases. Kinda like the right person, wrong time thing. It was MC's own biases and fears that stopped him from every pursuing Gido but he improves and then dates the ML.
Am i the only one that feels like gido having feelings for mc is kinda unnecessary? I just dont feel like hes a 2nd ml at all :/