Something is on my mind

"You sure you're doing fine?" Molly asked.

"..."

This wasn't surprising, not much at least. Although she had a clue about the situation, Nicole could not bring herself to show any form of worry in front of Molly. Her face remained as still as it used to be when staring at the news.

"Here, we have a bystander with us today." Underneath, the name 'Oris Gleni' is shown. "Sir, what did you experience last night?" the reporter asks.

"Well, it was... very strange. I had this dream of myself in my childhood and thought it was real since I could talk and all that stuff. But when I tried to wake myself up, I realized I wasn't able to. Seconds later, I was back in the 'present' present." The interviewee scratched their head, turning here and there as they tried to find the correct words to describe what happened. "I- it's very confusing- I know, but... um, I cannot say it's anything pleasant, that's for sure..."

"For now, this is what info we can provide at the moment, back to y-"

Molly turned off the television as he glanced back at Nicole with worry.

"Answer my question, Nicole. I- is there anything wrong?"

"..."

Still, it was nothing of the man's concern to be worried about her. She stared at the wall and back at her food, not even meeting Molly's gaze despite the latter's attempt at trying to do so. Though they just met yesterday, it all felt like he had known her ever since. The "dance" they had, the topics they liked, and the movies they liked; all seemed like the very stars aligned for them to meet.

And yet, seeing her face like that... brings him great worry.

"Tell me what's wrong already!" he yelled, slamming his hands on the table he immediately stood up.

"...nothing..."

It was anything but nothing.

There had been many times that she had lied, that she had made stuff up, such as knowing this place despite having acquired it through [REDACTED]. But the things about the movies, the jokes, and the food- all of it- were genuine.

Even her feelings toward him.

Many thorns in her throat form as she tries to bring herself to say it as if a cactus had been growing inside her body. Her supposed words all turned to dust as she was held in a chokehold, unable to bring the truth about her true existence, her true purpose. Lumps form in her otherwise cybernetic throat as she attempts to muster up enough will to say it. But before she could...

"Oh, I see..." Molly murmured, looking down as he sat slowly. "I... I apologize for... shouting like that."

"No need, it's nothing. I guess it shocked me as well..." she replied, trying her best to smile.

"Right, it's just a coincidence..." he continued eating his breakfast. "Nothing more..."

The two ate their food in peace as Nicole took a handful of the dish and placed it in her mouth, chewing it slowly before swallowing it. The taste was exquisite; that, alongside the fried texture and flavor of the garlic butter made the experience feel like fireworks of savory goodness explode in her taste buds.

A spoonful of rice mixed with the egg made the consistency of the flavoring -alongside its well-seasonedness- causes it to have a slight tang that allows her to relish each bite. The sophisticated method of cooking as well as the extreme way it tickles her palate, paved the way for further appreciation of the meal, despite its simplicity.

Soon after, the two finished their meal with absolute delight.

"You gonna go somewhere, Nicole?" he asked, having donned his uniform and sprayed a specific perfume.

"Ehhhh, no... I'll just, ermm, stay here" she replied, flashing a smile.

"Welp, I... gotta go now.." Molly slowly opens the door and leaves the hotel.

"Take care!" she waved her hand and went back to the table, turning on the television and continuing to watch the news. The gentleman comes down the anti-gravitational elevator as he checks his watch, showing a time of 8:12 AM.

He walks over to the guard, greeting him "Good morning!", smiling as he goes over the holographic gate, the latter nodding in response as opens it.

Waiting for any incoming vehicles, he reaches for his phone, puts his earbuds on, and playing some beats. Scrolling over his playlist, he presses the one indexed as "lo-fi", and begins listening to them as Molly stares at the sky.

The beat was extremely relaxing and mellow. Not too loud but not too quiet. The melody was easy to follow, with a beat per minute of 120, he twiddled his thumbs and bopped his head as he went along the rhythm.

Soon enough, a vehicle came close to him as Molly raised his arm, causing it to stop slowly.

He heads inside the machine, suiting himself as he crosses his legs and hands the driver the money. "Nujabes Corp."

"On it sir." the driver nodded.

The vehicle took off as it slowly accelerated. He glanced at the windowsill of the car, looking at the beautiful trees and buildings passing by him as the once casinos brimming with light are overshadowed by the illuminating sun atop them all. People along the sidewalk and into other institutions -all who are doing their daily lives- were whizzed by, like a large blur moving.

The car slowly stopped as the blur dissipated, unveiling the residents once again as he got out of the vehicle and greeted the driver "Thanks..", nodding as he smiled.

Meanwhile, Nicole continued to watch the television, having her hand placed slightly atop her right cheek and crossing over her nose.

"Oh golly, oh gee~~! Pinnochio's nose longer it gets~! You must be lyin' aren'tcha?"

"You must be lyin' aren't 'cha?"

The same phrase echoed over and over, as the next few lines from the TV were all but blocked by the truth piercing her wall of lies.

"...."

There were no words. As if the show had taken them from her as if the very reality knows about her actions. Honesty is a great policy, they said.

But what if that same thing would be the cause of your partner's pain? Is that enough of an excuse to tell him that?

"..."

Nicole looked down, glanced at her hands and said.

"Maybe I should tell him..."