Jitsu -A different story-

"Kurono-san, I'm not dreaming, right? Please tell me that this isn't a simple dream that my head created." Shizune's pleas were the first thing that reached Kurono's ears after telling his true feelings. The tears that came out of her had already stopped, but it seemed that she was desperately looking for confirmation that all this was real, and without thinking of something better, Kurono had once again approached Shizune and joined his lips with her letting those same feelings speak for him.

"Tell me, did that feel real?" They had separated again at the same time that Shizune returned to reality and was convinced of it. It was not a cruel dream what was in front of her, it was real, the touch, the warmth, and the feelings that Kurono transmitted to her were true, she was really feeling relief and happiness that she couldn't describe as well as a huge blush once she realized of all.

"Kurono-san..." Shizune was about to say something, but it seemed like Kurono wasn't going to let her.

"No, I'm not going to hear any more of your doubts. I think I've already made it very clear, but I'll repeat it as many times as necessary... Shizune-san, I like you, but especially, I like who you are, a beautiful cheerful woman full of interesting things to share. I know you don't feel that what I say is true, but I'll make sure to repeat it as many times as necessary, so…" A new silence appeared at that moment, but Shizune knew it was because Kurono was getting ready, she had listened carefully to all of that and couldn't help but feel happy, she also wanted to express several things, but she just stayed silent as she listened to those words that she completely longed for.

"Shizune-san, I don't know if I'm enough for you, don't think I'm someone perfect or at least, you know how I really am, but what I've told you is all I feel for you, I don't even want to think about losing you because of some misunderstanding between us or that you end up hating me for some reason, so… Would you like to be part of my life from now on?"

Those words, although perhaps somewhat difficult to really understand if it were not the right person, were enough for new tears to appear in Shizune's eyes, but unlike the previous ones, they did not give off any trace of sadness, instead, giving off unprecedented happiness being almost impossible to stop as it was Shizune's turn to respond.

"I thought that ours was a simple friendship between two adults, but it seems that I only wanted to fool myself… Maybe it all started because I felt grateful to you, but as time passed, I realized that I was not afraid to show myself to you, Kurono-san." Kurono kept listening to Shizune's feelings that time without missing a single word. "And I didn't know at what point, but I didn't see you that way anymore, you had become special to me too, I felt happy every time I was with you, and at the same time, it hurt me since I had all those negative thoughts in my head... I will believe everything you said, Kurono-san, and I don't know if I'm good enough for you either, but… I want to be a part of your life and continue to feel this happiness that I'm experiencing right now and share it with you."

It was no longer necessary to say anything else, both had said what they kept in their hearts, the happiness they felt could not be described in words, not even they could really express it, but just seeing the scene that formed around them was enough to understand that everything would be fine from now on…

…

…

The park had long since been left behind as Shizune and Kurono walked through the city streets towards the apartment. It might not have been a scene much different than the ones they had experienced in the past, but now, anyone could tell a slight change had occurred between them.

"And… Since when do you like me? Hehe."

"Let's see, I would say it was love at first sight."

"Um... You're kidding again... Kurono-kun."

"It's just that I like to see your embarrassed face... Shizune-chan." And upon hearing that, Shizune had once again obtained a new blush on her cheeks.

"I really can't get used to it!"

"Well, you were the first to change the way you called me, I say it's fair."

"But…"

"Yes? Shizune-chan."

"Ummm... You're mean to me... Although it doesn't bother me as long as it's you." Shizune had said that last thing in a low voice to prevent Kurono from hearing her, but it was useless.

"Is that so? Then I won't hold back from calling you that even if there are other people with us."

"N-No, it's too embarrassing!" The previous scene seemed to be in the past with only the positive parts of it remaining. They had both spent the afternoon in the park enjoying each other's company, they were able to experience the changes in their new relationship, and especially, Kurono kept in his mind every embarrassed expression that Shizune made every time he praised her or when he got close enough to her to make her nervous.

Shizune had already made sure to invite Kurono over for dinner again as she wanted to express everything she felt in any way possible. Kurono had accepted without any problem and right now Shizune could be seen hugging Kurono's arm as they continued on their way and joked around from time to time without losing the unique feeling between them.

The door quickly appeared before them and Shizune didn't hesitate to go through it accompanied by Kurono, but when they entered, there was a rather peculiar silence.

"Hmm... It seems like there's no one, didn't Rena-san say she was going somewhere?"

"She didn't tell me anything. Akio has been busy with work these last few weeks, maybe they went somewhere."

"It's true, I had something important to tell Akio-kun, it would have been nice to find it."

"Well, then how about we go to the kitchen? I don't want to leave you alone waiting, you can help me if you want."

"I will do it with great pleasure. I want to enjoy seeing your figure while you cook."

"You know, that was heard from what a pervert would say, Kurono-kun."

"I will be if that's what you want." Shizune couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed about that, she really felt happy to listen to Kurono even though he could be joking, but it meant a lot to her.

They wasted no more time and went to the kitchen, the silence was still present in the whole place, but just when they entered, the scream they heard was enough to surprise them.

"Surprise!" Kurono and Shizune were totally confused, they didn't understand what was happening, and when they saw the decoration that was in place beside the prepared dishes and the cake in the middle of the table, it was even more confusing for them.

"Rena, Akio, what's going on here?"

"Sigh... I knew you forgot about it with the whole Kurono-san thing."

"Forgot…? Oh!" With just that, Shizune knew what Rena meant while Kurono couldn't bear the curiosity.

"Is there a celebration? By the way, good night, Akio-kun, Rena-san."

"Likewise, Kurosawa-san, and regarding your question, today is Mother's birthday."

"Oh... Huh?... Wait, why didn't anyone tell me?! Also, Shizune-chan told me that she had a recent birthday."

"About that... There wasn't much time left for it and I said that without thinking, I'm sorry, Kurono-kun."

"I see... In that case, happy birthday, Shizune-chan!"

"Hehe, thank you very much, Kurono-kun."

"If I had known, I would have bought you a present."

"Don't feel like that, today I have already obtained the perfect gift from you." Those words managed to calm Kurono in addition to seeing that smile that was special to him. The interaction between the two gave off that beautiful feeling, and of course, it couldn't go unnoticed by the person who was in the front row to see them.

"Kurono-kun? Shizune-chan?... Hehehehe, did something good happen that we need to know about?" Just hearing that Kurono and Shizune realized what they had just done, but noticing the look full of interest and the huge smile on Rena's face, they knew there was no going back.

"Rena, Akio... Actually, we do have something important to tell you..." Both Rena and Akio kept silent and paid attention, but they already had a faint idea of ​​what was coming. "You see, Kurono-kun and I..."

Shizune felt embarrassed to say everything clearly, so Kurono took command as he felt he should say it.

"Shizune and I have started a relationship. I hope it won't be any inconvenience for you and that you can wholeheartedly support us." Kurono had said that without backing down. He had to make things clear and he was totally determined to protect his relationship with Shizune, so he first needed to gain acceptance from the people who were close to them.

"Wow, this really is a surprise. Mother, Kurosawa-san, congratulations to both of you. I am very happy for you!"

"Hehe, thank you very much, Akio."

"Those words mean a lot, Akio-kun." That really calmed both of them, they had barely started their relationship and it was necessary to do all that, so hearing that Akio had no problem made them breathe easy, but noticing how the girl who was previously giving off a quite remarkable emotion was completely silent, it made them both worry until they noticed how she was approaching them.

"Mom… I don't need to say anything, just seeing you smile is enough for me to realize the happiness you're experiencing right now, and I know Kurono-san is responsible for it, so… Congratulations, you don't know how happy I am for you, hehe." There was nothing exaggerated, they seemed to be the sincere words that a daughter would say to her mother, and accompanying it with a light hug full of warmth, it was quite a moving sight.

"Thank you, Rena... Thank you for all your support so far, I promise you that this happiness that I feel will not go anywhere."

"I hope so… Now, Kurono-san."

"Yes?"

"I also thank you for making Mom happy."

"Don't mention it, I won't let Shizune-chan be sad even once, you can trust me."

"I will, but there is another thing I want to tell you…"

"What is?" Kurono already felt calm after Rena's words, so anything wasn't going to make his humor go away, but the next thing he heard, it was cold enough to feel a bit scared.

"If you ever hurt Mom in any way..." The next words didn't need to be said for Kurono to understand.

"I-I understand..."

"Okay... Now let's celebrate!" With that last, the celebration had begun while only the future would tell how Kurono's safety would end.