Lavo Standard (24) (12-7-09)

On Sunday, a week after the arrest of Crystal--which suspended the business of NORA--after Suzan’s writing for finding Daryl was finally published, her family was in Ueno Zoological Gardens. The weather was fine and even just walking through the crisp air made every member feel comfortable. Inside the zoo, the family enjoyed seeing a variety of birds and animals like a red panda, tigers, gorillas, monkeys, a polar bear and elephants, looking at souvenirs with stuffed animals and accessories, and having lunch.

The Shinobazu Pond, with lotus leaves afloat on its surface, was under the blue sky. After the family left the most crowded areas, the silence around the pond seemed to be enhanced by the panorama of the downtown buildings standing outside the zoo. The family was walking along the rim of the pond on their way back home.

“Did you like it?” Suzan generally asked Katz, Juno and Daryl.

“I did a lot, wanna come again!,” Juno precluded responses from her siblings.

It was all good for Suzan to ascertain that neither Juno nor Daryl dragged any noticeable trauma after they were terrified by animals in the hands of Crystal.

“That sounds good. Let’s have another visit when our schedules can afford it,” said Suzan.

“How about you, Suzan? Did you have a fun time?” from one side of Suzan, Mathew asked.

“Ah, I actually did,” Suzan turned a smile to her husband.

“And, Lois and Mel?,” Mathew, followingly, turned to Lois and Mel walking after the couple.

“How amazing those animals looked,” Lois said, while Mel, walking on one side of him, nodded.

Meanwhile, Libro, with Akichalo and Takeko, was staying in Suzan’s house. Mischievous enough, these three had entered Lois’ room, even though it seemed to be tacitly prohibited to do so, and were viewing his paintings. Amongst all, there were ones of Libro himself, the griffin and the bear-/gorilla-like creature.

“(I think I look better than this),” Libro was frowning at a painting of him.

“You are overestimating yourself, aren’t you?” said Akichalo from by Libro, who immediately ran away onto the outside of the room. Libro, ticked off, and Takeko went after him.

Afterall, Libro was accepted by Suzan.

First, due to the appearance similar to the infamous one of the H1N1 virus, Libro stirred up public concerns after he was broadcast and put under the spotlight in connection with Suzan’s ploy.

Although Suzan initially suspected that he would provide adverse effects to people around, judging from his attitude and deeds, the core behind which eventually contributed to bailing out Daryl, she concluded that he was kind and friendly over a health threat he had been posing, feeling obliged to secure his life to welcome to her house. After the arrest of Crystal, Suzan explained to the public via the media that Libro was harmless and her important family member and turned down requests from scientists who wanted to conduct research on him. As a result, Libro was doing well in the Suzan family.

Meanwhile, although Crystal was arrested in Residence C, Suzan was longing to see her again after she was released.

Back then at the moment of the arrest, from the brightness of a UFO afloat high in the night sky, a green human-shaped alien, a different form of the bioscientist, was witnessing the carry of Crystal to a police headquarters.

“I just wanted to give her a bit of help, though,” said Tim.

***

As Christmas was approaching, students of NORA, both men and women, and both adults and kids, after it resumed its business operation, were taking classes while waiting for special ones for the celebratory day and its eve.

Keyron, meanwhile, had begun working at a nursing home as a caregiver.

The death of Jade, or the loss of his partner, was a shocking determinant, having had him give up pursuing a steady position in the comedy field. Although his attachment to comedy remained alive, instead of just putting up with reliving memories with her during each of his street performances, he chose to find a job into which he could hopefully parlay his comedy skills.

Thanks to the custom of gathering information to write stories, he had known that the demand for caregivers was high as it was not impossible for him to get the license and find a working place within months, even considering factors about his age.

This morning again, Keyron would induce laughter amongst a group of the elderly in the nursing home.

During the meeting early in the morning, however, there was the introduction of a newly-employed female clerk.

“Jade!?,” Keyron was astounded into tears.

“I kinda like a weird kind of Christmas gift,” said Tim in the sky.

On the exact day of Christmas, through the windows of the house, it seemed that Suzan’s family was having a party.

“It’s weird,” said Tim.


END