Twisted Love's

Episode 9

"See you tomorrow!"

Whoa ... Just one more day closer to the weekend.

When I got home from work, a fancy car stopped in front of me.

Bizarrely. Isn't it a bit late for someone to come to the Animal Institute, right?

I was just about to get past that wax-polished car when the window slowly came down.

"Wanna go home?"

Huh huh? I know that voice ...

"What?!" I'm appalled.

I know that voice sounds familiar! It's Nolan!

"What are you doing here, Nolan?"

"I'm on my way home, and I happen to be passing through this area."

"really? How coincidental! I'm surprised you saw me!"

"Drivers always need to pay close attention to their surroundings." Nolan said proudly.

"Oh... Yeah..." I don't know how to respond.

I'm sure he's the kind of guy who has the perfect driving record.

"Hurry in."

"What's? Really?" I can't believe Nolan would give me a ride.

"Do you really think I'll leave you even when we go to the same place?" Nolan stepped out of the car and opened the passenger seat.

"Thank you, it might be impolite if I refuse." As I sat down, Nolan pressed the accelerator and took us away.

"I'm actually a little surprised..." I said.

"About what?" Ask Nolan.

"... That you didn't see me and just left. But my prejudice was wrong. You really stopped and called me."

"What kind of person do you think I am? Oh my..." Nolan sighed in disappointment as he turned on the turn light.

Oops.. Maybe my words were a little harsh.

"You got plans tonight?" Ask Nolan suddenly.

"I'll just browse through some newspapers. Nothing special, really." My answer.

"So, you wouldn't mind if I took you somewhere, would you?" He asked while turning the wheel, taking me in a different direction.

"It's okay, but where are we going?"

"You'll know when we get there." Nolan wouldn't tell me.

"OK..."

Going somewhere at this hour, can only mean we will go eat or drink.

In that case, he took me on a path meaning he wasn't fed up with me, at least not yet ... That's relieving.

The place he took me was named Le Miroir, a prominent hotel in Kaleido.

I've never been here before. This place is so fancy that I can understand why everyone talks so much about...

"Don't just stand looking at everything. Come on." Nolan.

"Ah, Okay..." I hurriedly chased after the fast-paced Nolan.

The elevator we were riding took us so high that my ears were buzzing, and we came out upstairs with an elegant bar lounge.

The luxurious rooms and the twinkling candles made me forget that we were still in the middle of the city.

Does Nolan come here often?

I started following him from behind, but he suddenly stopped.

"Welcome!"

"Aah!" I was shocked to see who appeared in front of us.

"Ryan?!"

What the hell is he doing here?

"What an interesting couple that showed up today." Ryan welcomed us.

"So this is where you work. I know it sounds familiar ..." Nolan said indifferently.

"You forgot? I guess that means you didn't come to see me, did you?" While Ryan led us to our seats with a smile, Nolan whispered something into his ear.

I remember him saying that he was a bartender. So this is where he works ...

To get a job at a place as high as Le Miroir, he must be talented!

"Please, make yourself comfortable..." We sat on the elegant sofa as Ryan returned to the counter.

"A beautiful place. Do you come here often?" My toot.

"Never." Answer Nolan briefly.

"really? You walk here like you know this place." I don't believe in his words.

"If I come here often, why did I forget that Ryan worked here?" Ask Nolan back.

"You have a point too." I said.

"I tend to avoid places that serve alcohol when meeting with my clients. Some drinks can change people."

"It must be hard being a lawyer, huh?"

While we were having our light conversation, Ryan came back, holding two cocktail glasses.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." In front of us, Ryan arranged two drinks in very contrasting colors.

"Huh? But I didn't order anything." I said confused.

"I ordered it for you." Nolan.

"Your own is called 'Imperial Fizz'. I hope you like it." Ryan said as he winked at Nolan.

"Thank you! It looks very colorful, and it smells like lemon!" I looked at the clear yellow cocktail, the smell of fresh lemon filling my nose.

Ryan parted with a smile, and returned to the bar counter.

"Can we...?" Nolan took his glass and looked at me.

"Oh.. Cheer!" I hurriedly picked up my glass and pressed it against his glass.

I drank a mouthful, a perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors running down my throat.

"Enak! It feels so refreshing!" I exclaimed.

"I'm glad you like it." Nolan.

Thanks to its good taste, I found myself quickly swallowing the rest of my drink. And order another one.

"Is your job going well?" Nolan asked suddenly as he downed his drink.

"I love my job and think it has a great purpose, but I'm not so sure about it going well ..." My answer.

"Is there a problem?" Ask Nolan again.

"It's not a problem, I'm just in a different opinion to one of the people I work with."

“That sounds interesting. So, what do you think?"

"Well, it's not that exciting, but ..." I explained to him briefly the argument that Timo and I had before.

"We can work faster to save the leopard if we have a common opinion between us. But I lost confidence... Maybe Timo's right." I let myself complain, alcohol helps me to spill my emotions.

Meanwhile, Nolan listened to me quietly.

I**though he might criticize me, but he didn't do it at all. Maybe he cares more about animals than I think ...

When he lets me talk like this, it's easy to start rambling...

So, I kept talking, and mostly about myself.

"Timo thinks that Animal Institutes and shelters are more useful to us humans than to animals."

"Reservation place?" Nolan's question looked interested, he raised one eyebrow.

"Yes. There are so many animals that can't find a home. Which is then often sent to research institutes."

"What's worse for animals? A negligent owner, or sent to one of those places?" My toot.

"If they can live happily in an institution, that doesn't sound so bad." Nolan.

"That's a big deal. I heard they used animals for experiments. And the shelter knows it too. But they still send animals despite knowing what's going to happen to them."

"really?" Nolan crossed his legs and touched his jaw seriously.

"After all, that's what Timo said. I don't know how much of it is true..."

"If that's true, it's very interesting." Nolan.

"Which part? You really think so?" I was confused about what that meant.

I wonder if Nolan will side with Timo.

"I understand what Timo said. He may be right, but I don't like that..."

"Why?" Ask Nolan.

"Without institutes or shelters, animals out there in need of help can never be saved."

"But if people respect and value animals as they should, we don't need to be around them."

"Both ways are good for animals, but only one is truly human." My next.

"And that's why you have different opinions." Nolan.

"Rubber. But if we humans continue to argue, nothing can be done. That's why I really want to be on the same page as Timo." I took a deep breath and gulped down the contents of my last drink.

Simultaneously, Nolan shook his hand and another drink was brought to the table.

"Thank you." I drink it again.

*Nolan is a good listener.

It was nice to be able to talk loose like this and throw away all the burdens that were on my chest.

I wonder if he knows I'm stressed and invited me here. If so, he's a really good person*.

"Do you agree with Timo?" My toot.

"Who knows what the right answer is? That's a debate for someone in your field. I can't comment." Answer Nolan.

"I think so too."

He asked so many questions, I think for sure he had an opinion ...

"Will it change your opinion if I say I agree with Timo or anyone else?" Ask Nolan.

"Not really. I just want to know what you think about this matter." My answer.

"It is not right for me to judge his opinion when I only hear it from your mouth. The only fair way to form an opinion is to listen to each of your opinions and reach a conclusion from there."

*I should have realized it. He's a lawyer...

I think part of me wants Nolan to side with me* ...