Twisted Love's

Episode 3

So my first day in Kaleido ended, and it's morning now.

"Hm? It smells good..."

Woken up by the delicious aroma of coffee, I immediately got ready.

Then I decided to peek into the cafe in the lounge...

"Good morning, Josh."

"Good morning, Julia. Did you sleep well last night?"

The good aroma of coffee hit my nose as Josh who was wearing an apron turned to greet me from behind the table.

"I slept for so long, it felt like I had just woken up from hibernation."

I sat at the counter grinning.

“Then, how about breakfast to refresh you? Maybe the sandwich and coffee suit your taste?"

"It's a good fit, thank you."

"All right."

I could hear cups and plates crackling behind the table when I suddenly heard a frown of paper from behind me.

I turned around and looked at the back of Nolan's head as he sat on the sofa reading the newspaper.

"Congratulations pa-" I immediately stopped.

Should I greet him?

He was very focused on the newspaper.  I think I'm just gonna bother him.

Realizing I would greet her later, I turned to face the counter just as someone walked in from the courtyard.

"May I have a glass of water, Josh?"

I turned around and faced a new voice from my seat on the counter.

"Well.." Just then, my eyes met the owner of the voice as he took the cup from Josh.

The Olympic! Wait, he's got a name - Miguel! Geez! He's really tall!

Her slippery footsteps grew louder as she walked towards me.

"Good morning, Julia."

"Good morning, Miguel."

"The swimming pool is still pretty cold this time of year."

He must have gone swimming. Look figure. You won't get that athletic body without doing anything...

My eyes were glued to her as Miguel drank water with a towel covering his wet chest.

"You must really like Josh so much that coming to the cafe is the first thing you do in the morning."

"That's because I still can't use the kitchen in my room ..."

Right now, I lack cooking ingredients even just to make a simple breakfast.

"It's okay, don't hesitate to come here as often as you want."

"Josh gets very lonely if no one stops by."

"Even if you can cook for yourself, it would be best if you stopped by. The more the better ..."

Did Miguel come here just to accompany Josh?

"Hehe, I must've stopped by!"

What relief! I was a little nervous coming to the cafe earlier, but not anymore!

As I was thinking that, Miguel began to stretch his limbs to the side of the counter.

Holy hooch! I couldn't take my eyes off her ... The body is very good ...

He stood up and finished his routine stretch.

Oh.. Oh gosh..

I looked back at the sofa where Nolan folded his newspaper and stood up.

"Miguel, you're fussing."

"Oh, are you here?  Good morning to you too, Nolan." Miguel replied without flinching at the rude remark.

"Huh... You sportsmen are always noisy. It makes my head hurt."

“What news is there today? What's title?"

"And you changed the subject as if it was nothing ... You're on the front page again.  Wanna see?"

"Not to."

“Forget the news, Miguel. Don't you have anything else you need to do?"

“Such as drying yourself before a walk. How many times have I told you?"

"Yes, yeah.. I-i know. Lately you've been as chatty as Joy."

"There's more to worry about than just water." Putting aside the criticism, Miguel cheerfully rubbed his head with a towel.

"Whether it's important or not, it's disrespectful." Nolan spoke while rubbing his temples in pain before sitting on the counter.

Aren't friends? They have very opposite personalities ...

"Pulse.. Good morning." Good morning." Trying not to hurt his ears more than he already has, I offered Nolan a gentle greeting.

Whahuh? Did he forget about me or what?

"Um, I moved here yesterday .."

“Hey, Nolan - I know you're shy and so on, but don't pretend you don't know her.  It's not like you have worse behavior than me, is it?"

Huh huh? He pretended not to know me?!

"Don't be stupid, I just forgot his name. Good morning, Julia. Josh's? Please the usual."

"I am too." Miguel sat on the seat between Nolan and me.

"I feel like the two of you will say that - I've prepared you two's meals before. Your food's done, Julia."

Josh put a plate full of small sandwich pieces in front of me.

He then serves Nolan and Miguel's food as well.

"Wow! Looks delicious!" I looked at my plate.

"You always think one step ahead, Josh." Nolan said casually.

"Looks good as always. Thank you!" Miguel grabbed his breakfast.

Funny how their 'ordinary' breakfast looked like a different world.

Nolan's order is coffee with fruit salad neatly arranged in a cocktail glass.

Miguel has a bowl of grilled chicken and steamed vegetables with soup on the side.

Not to mention smoothies too ...

"As always, yours is a special menu, Miguel." Josh said as he wiped his hand.

"Thank you, Josh. I can't imagine a better breakfast than this." Miguel stuffed a piece of chicken into his mouth without slicing it first.

“Chicken in the morning? Just thinking about it has made my stomach churn ... " Then Nolan gracefully slipped the piece of fruit between her lips.

Eating together is a great opportunity. I need to find out more about them.

"Miguel's? What does this special menu mean?"

"Oh. My trainer asked me to get some nutrients and calories every day."

"Josh's been so good at making me a meal plan I like and getting what I need."

“The food is also very good.  Very good, I hope I don't have to leave this place."

"Being an athlete must be hard. What do you do if you have to eat out? Did you eat all of it?"

"When I eat somewhere, I write down what I have so Josh can fit it."

"Oh, so. So that means special menu ..."

Being an athlete, Miguel must have thought about everything seriously.

"Are you childhood friends?"

"There's no choice but to be stuck with her for so long."

"How long have you known each other?"

"Since High School, so, what's it like... ten years, isn't Nolan?"

"Why are you asking me? Didn't you already know?"

"Anger as usual."

Miguel grinned while shrugging his shoulders.

"Hehe.." Their funny fights made me smile.

"It must be nice to have someone who understands you well."

"Trust me, I never asked for it." Nolan wiped his lips with a napkin, without ever changing his flat expression.

"Hey, that's my word." Miguel rolled his eyes before swallowing the entire smoothie in one gulp.

"Thank you, Josh." They stood together.

Hehe. Because it's so different, they must get along well. He had been a friend for ten years.

After getting up from his seat, Nolan quickly left the cafe.

"I have to go too. Don't mind Nolan ... He's a good man, even though he's acting that way."

"I think so too. Oho! I must hurry! I'll be late too!"

"You work near here, don't you? Have fun at work."

"Yes, thank you."

Miguel waved his hand and disappeared in the hallway.

Even though he looks stiff on TV, Miguel seems a very good person.

Even Nolan looked cold at first, he was already good enough to sit down for breakfast with me.

Staying here feels good enough, a great start.

After thanking Josh for the meal, I left Lilac Court and headed to work in high spirits.