Twisted Love's

Episode 20's

Nolan and I haven't seen each other in a while.

Since that fight, we managed to live our lives like in a separate world.

"Good morning, Julia."

"Oh. Hi, Miguel."

I was just about to leave for work when I met Miguel at the entrance, he had just returned from a morning jog.

"Go to the office, Julia? Very early on..."

"Yes. There's a new project I'm working on and I have a lot to check out."

"So that's why you're not jogging anymore?" Ask Miguel.

"Sorry! I'm too busy with work ..."

"I'm glad to know it's not because you hate me or something."

(Huh? Why do I hate Miguel?)

"What do you mean?" I asked when he smiled at me.

"I thought you might avoid me."

"Of course not. That's ridiculous." I shook my head strongly to deny it.

"good. Then you don't care if I offer you a solicitation?"

"Um, no?" I was just about to ask Miguel what that meant, but he went on for me.

“Then when your work is done, I will ask you to run again. I will always welcome you well."

"Of course, thank you Miguel." I nodded, sending Miguel and his pleasant smile to the lounge.

(I want to know what it's all about ..)

* * *

At the Kaleido Animal Institute, the leopard area is undergoing reconstruction.

In retrospect, this all started because of the one conversation I had with Timo.

It was the same time when the four of us decided to go together to the pool ...

"In my humble opinion, leopards live in areas that are quite close to their natural environment. What do you plan to do about the change?" Ask Timo.

"Land, water, and plants .. I want to make everything identical to where the wild leopard Kaleido will live in the future." My answer.

"We have enough data for temperature and humidity, but we have to go back and verify the rest." I added my statement.

"That's gonna suck .." Timo sighed with his hands covering his forehead.

"You know how when you move to a new place, everything is so different that you have to get used to it?"

"Compare it to when you're just starting here, you can relax and work faster now that you're comfortable with the equipment, don't you think?"

"I think you can say that." Timo was trying to understand my parable.

"I think it applies equally to the Kaleido leopard." I said.

"Hm ..." Timo looked beginning to ponder.

"If we imitate their surroundings as closely as possible, I think they'll be able to relax faster." Timo rubbed his jaws seriously, furrowing both of his eyebrows before agreeing with me.

* * *

With the new plants coming up tomorrow, things will definitely develop quickly here.

A sigh slipped from my lips as I faced the area of the Kaleido leopard, still typing data onto my laptop.

Today marks almost two weeks since our quarrel.

I don't know what's on my mind *until I say that to her.

I felt trapped in the emotion for a moment until I said it unintentionally*.

And now I regret doing it.

I'm sure it's the same for Nolan...

"Darwin! We're doing a water quality check, so we need you in the office."

"All right...!" Timo's voice brought me back to reality, I quickly put the rest of the numbers into the data.

I can't let my mind wander! I need to focus on working here!

I better keep Nolan out of my head. Moreover, there was nothing to be fixed other than just worrying about it...

I raised my head high, putting the whole mess behind me.

* * *

Window shopping in the city sounds good...

But then again, I don't have the slightest clue about the style or what looks good for me to wear...

I had to drag Joy to help me the next time I got out.

Without anything better to do, I walked aimlessly down the sidewalk on the main road.

Oh yea! I can go and visit Ryan's bar again!

But wait ... That's where Nolan and I talked about the shelter...

I excitedly raised my hand to wave the cab just to pull it back a moment later.

I guess I just have to sit quietly in my room and write my readings...

"Only today?"

Huh huh?

I turned to the voice behind me, finding someone I never imagined I could see.

Whyyy?! What is Nolan doing here?!

My heart was pounding not only by chance, but also because he approached me first.

I know we're not on good terms at the moment, but we can't stay that way forever ...

At least I'll say hello to him.

"Happy afternoon." My broom.

Ugh. It was really awkward, even for me.

"I think you mean night."

"Eh, yes ..."

Of course Nolan would say that.

And again, it was nice to see him still acting like himself.

"Perfects. Now come with me." Nolan grabbed my arm and took me away.

"What is this?!" While my eyes were wide open in shock, his stomping made me stumble forward.

“Wait a minute! Perfect, what?! I guess not!" I set my foot down and fought to fight the pull.

"Oh, so you've learned to defend yourself?" He said in a mocking tone, his eyes looking at me cynically.

What's with that look?

Encouraged by his words, I stared back at him.

"I learned from someone not to trust anyone."

I refuse to let him rule me again!

I gathered as much sarcasm as I could in my answer.

However, Nolan seemed to find it funny and chuckled.

"W-What are you laughing at?!"

"That naive little girl is now growing up, huh?" His lips twitched happily.

"I'm sorry for being naive, okay?!" I called out to her, even though I just sounded like a sneer.

"Just don't be so helpless, okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

Nolan held his hips and looked everywhere other than at me.

"I said you should be more careful, Julia."

"It's not my fault they came to pick me up..."

Could it? Is he really worried about me?

I peeked at her face curiously, only to see her bowing with a face confused by what I said.

"Pffts...Hehe ..."

He looks silly doing it, I can only laugh.

"Why laugh? You're weird."

"I can't help it." I said with difficulty holding back the laughter.