Twisted Love's

Episode 6

I left my room in the morning and looked for Miguel to go to training like we promised last night.

Is he already there?

I reached the entrance of Lilac Court to meet her.

"Julia." He raised one hand and waved at me from beside the gate.

"Hi, Miguel. Have you been waiting a long time?"

"Actually, I just arrived. You woke up on time today?"

"of course. I even set two alarms, just in case."

"I'm glad I didn't have to pull you out of bed." Ejek Miguel's.

"I don't fall asleep every day, you know..."

"By the way, when do you usually wake up Miguel?"

"I woke up at five, even though I didn't set the alarm. The sun wakes up because I left my curtains open." in Kaleido the sun rises faster.

"I've been up a long time in the morning for training, now I keep getting up early even if I like it or not."

"Wow..."

"Honestly, I just woke up late yesterday because I'm tired of moving ..."

"With all the more time you get today, you should relax and have a good breakfast. Josh would love it, if you were there Julia."

It's easy to talk to Miguel. He's fun and nice to talk to.

After chatting while stretching, we both walked to a jogging track in Central Park.

"Is this pace too fast for you? I don't want to make you tired before we're done ..." Miguel looked at me as he ran beside me.

"The thing is, I don't even know what speed is good for me."

Besides, if I was too slow, it would only be a nuisance to Miguel.

“You breathe too fast. Breathe a little."

"Will help if you crochet a song to compensate. Is there a song you like?"

"Songs? Um..."

"Jogging with rhythm is helpful. Don't tell me you like heavy metal or anything..."

"W-what?! Heavy metal?! You kidding Miguel?"

"It's okay if you like it, but it's probably a little too fast to use to run."

I was surprised that he really impressed I liked that genre with a serious face.

"I think you got the wrong impression of me..."

Still, I can't think of a good song to sing ...

Hm. I'm not good at singing ...

"I'm so ashamed ..." I covered my face with both hands.

"Well ..if you hum and run with the right rhythm, it makes it a lot easier."

"As for me, I cradle the song at a fast tempo as I run."

"Try it, it might help. Only I'll hear it..." Miguel asked me again.

Since you heard it precisely that I was ashamed to do so from the beginning ...

"Allah ... But just a little." He finally forced me to sing a short song.

"It looks like the song is pretty good. Where'd that come from?" Miguel was impressed with my senandaku.

"This is a song by children from abroad. I learned it when I was a kid, when my dad and I traveled around the world for work. I forgot the title of the song..." I'm explaining.

"Know the lyrics, don't you?" Ask Miguel.

"It was in a foreign language, so I completely forgot. I don't even remember which country it was from."

"Well, I'm sure it's a good country. It was a happy song ... Makes you feel good just listening to it. Whatever place where the song was made was definitely a good place to live." Said Miguel who impressed me with his nature.

"Hehe, yes... Maybe you're right, Miguel."

I never thought of it that way. Now I'm more curious to remember where I've heard it.

"It's like you're getting used to it, Julia."

"I guess so! My body feels so much lighter than before!"

"That means you've found a good pace for yourself."

"Just because I have a great coach."

"As you practice and get faster, you'll be able to sing more of the heavy metal songs you love." Miguel began to mock me again he even put on a serious face of his words.

"Hey... I don't like heavy metal! Stop saying that!" I objected to his strange persistence that I had a wild taste in music.

Crazy one! How could he run while watching my movements like that. He must be in very good shape ...

I mean, he can talk to me and he doesn't even breathe hard ... He's a real athlete.

"Look! It's Miguel!" A little boy exclaimed.

"Excite, Miguel!" Her cheerful answer chased us from behind.

"Mother, look! It's Miguel!" This time it was a girl who was with a middle-aged woman. As we passed through the residential area, cheers and compliments met him at every turn.

"Good morning! Have a nice day!" Miguel gave a friendly reply to everyone.

He is a top athlete, but very good. He must have really loved his fans as well ...

Everyone seemed very happy to meet him.

Even though he had been on hiatus from swimming for a while, it seemed like everyone was still supporting him.

"People must really like you, Miguel." I commend him

"And for that, I'm very grateful. It was their support and encouragement that kept me going."

"Hurry back, Miguel! We're counting on you!" Another voice shouted from a different direction.

"Thank you! I'll do my best!" Miguel shouted back at the old man who shouted as we passed him.

"I wondered ... Since you're not swimming now, what are you doing all day?" My toot.

"When I wasn't at events for my sponsor, I volunteered for swimming." Answer Miguel.

"really? You teach swimming?"

"Yes, someone I know runs a swimming school. I mostly teach disabled kids about the joy of swimming." Her round eyes glistened in the morning sun as she ran beside me.

"The kids are amazing. They have a lot of potential. If one of them likes to swim because of me, I've done my job."

Swimming must mean a lot to him, but ...

"So, hey ... Why did you stop swimming?"

"Well, it's because..." He lowered his gaze down, as if not expecting the question from me.

Did I ask you something I shouldn't have done?

But then, as if nothing had happened, his usual kindness returned to his face.

"I have my own reasons." The answer.

"I understand..." I don't think he's gonna tell me.

Someone like me couldn't even begin to understand the mind of a top athlete.

Maybe it's better not to dig any further ...

"Do you at least have a plan to return?" Ask again.

"Nobody knows what will happen in the future." What he told me anyway. The media was already hunting him for answers, and he didn't tell them anything.

"Maybe I'm just gonna retire."

"What?!" I suddenly shouted, startled by the grim tone in his voice.

What's wrong with her?! Is he serious?!

"What .. I'm kidding. I thought you wouldn't react that way." A casual smile was drawn on his lips.

"Don't tease me like that!" I'm pouting.

"Ha ha ha!" Miguel laughed at me.

With a strange expression on his face, Miguel dashed forward a few steps.

While he was running in front of me, I remembered what they said about him on TV.

Didn't he break the national record just before he went on hiatus?

There was no way someone as good as him would stop that easily...

Miguel slowed down his pace and returned to my side.

"Who knows when I will retire, right...? But at least I had a dream when I retired."

"really? Tell me about it!"

I'm sure he wants to be a swimming coach or something!

"I'll buy a nice cabin on the beach somewhere cozy and warm."

"really? I like that too!"

"And I'll be able to swim whenever I want, no matter the race or the time."

"Do you really like swimming, Miguel?"

"Of course."

"In the meantime I enjoy racing against people and the thrill of winning..."

"If I could swim without caring about anything, I would make it happen." I glanced at Miguel who was staring into the distance with a smile.

I can't imagine how much pressure he's put on to compete and win all the time ...

... But I think I can at least understand why he wants to retire and swim just for fun.

May the dream come true for him someday.