Jitsu -A different story-

"What did they say?" That question had just come from Kurono, and although it initially seemed to lack context, Shizune answered it to clarify the situation a little better.

"Rena said that she would tell Akio as soon as he got to the apartment so they could pick us up at the station." From Shizune's words, it could be deduced that she had just called Rena to tell her that they were already going back to the city, and as a result of that, in addition to feeling a little calmer since she knew that Shizune was fine, Rena told her that she would wait for both her and Kurono at the station.

Some important things to comment on were that, indeed, both Shizune and Kurono were right now inside the train, which was already on its way to the city. They had already left the town behind without any problems, although it also had to be mentioned that, after Shizune gave the news to Mio about her engagement, the latter burst into excitement as well as flooded Shizune with questions and congratulations while telling her to tell her everything in detail.

Something similar had happened once Kurono approached them since he noticed the commotion, which Mio took advantage of once again to congratulate them and wish them all the luck and happiness possible, although she also took the opportunity to say that they should not forget to invite her if they had a big wedding, causing both Shizune and Kurono to laugh a little since they still had to think and plan many things for it.

In the end, Shizune was able to say goodbye to Mio, and both she and Kurono took another taxi to take them to the train station, resulting in the current situation.

"That's good to know. I hope Akio had a good driving experience." Kurono made that little comment, and although it seemed a little out of place, he had actually said it because, before coming on the trip with Shizune, he had left his car in Akio's care.

The main reason was that he didn't feel like leaving it at home or in a parking lot, but on top of that, it was because Akio had gotten his license not long ago, and since he had the slight idea of ​​getting a car and had mentioned it to Kurono, he lent him his just so he could drive around the city or go to work a bit so he could get used to it a bit.

At first, Akio had refused since he felt it was a big responsibility, but after Kurono's insistence and giving him all his reasons, he finally agreed; so, from the words Rena said on the phone, at least Kurono knew that his car was fine and that they would pick them up from the station in it.

"It would really help him a lot to have his own car, although I see it more from the aspect that if any emergency arises it would be a great help." Shizune also let out her thoughts, although that topic would not last long between them either. "Sigh… I feel a little strange."

"Strange in what sense?" Noticing Shizune's sigh, as well as her expression, Kurono was quick to ask.

"You don't need to worry. I'm not feeling bad or sick, what I mean is that, on the one hand, I feel excited to return to the city, but I also feel nervous about the news." Hearing those words, Kurono could better understand Shizune's feelings.

"I guess it's inevitable… The truth is I feel the same way, just thinking about what others will say… It's not like I think there will be problems involved, it's just that it's something very important in our lives and I think it will be a big surprise." Trying to get all of Shizune's attention on him, Kurono took her hand, causing the scene where they both intertwined their hands as well as their feelings to repeat themselves.

"Well… I think it really will be a surprise, but I also think that some people we know have already had this kind of idea." Shizune's words made a lot of sense actually, but in the same way, both she and Kurono didn't know what awaited them once they arrived in the city. They already had Mio's example firsthand, but being only a recent friend of Shizune and not someone like part of her family, she and Kurono were quite expectant of the reactions of their acquaintances.

"Yes, I understand… Actually, even I had thought about it a long time ago."

"Oh, really?... May I ask since when?" Shizune's curiosity was triggered at that moment. Out of all the possible people, she was the one who had been the most surprised by Kurono's proposal. She was practically the target of all of Kurono's feelings, and the reality was that at no point did she imagine or had there been a clue that told her that he was going to propose to her during the trip, so she felt very curious.

"Maybe some people would think I was a bit impatient, but the idea had already come to my mind just before Makoto-kun was born." That had honestly surprised Shizune, but she didn't interrupt Kurono. "And maybe I would have rushed everything a bit, but I was aware that you would be busy helping Rena-san, so I put the idea aside until now."

"I see… I think I would have thought everything had been too fast if you had done it at that time as well." Hearing that, Kurono felt a bit embarrassed by that idea, but Shizune's next words would make that feeling not last long. "But just like now… My answer would have been yes, and it doesn't change the fact that everything became completely special."

Smiling at him, Shizune couldn't help but look at Kurono at that moment. She also wanted to show him that she was there with him at that moment, and although her actions seemed a bit simple, for Kurono they were enough to calm his heart and be moved at the same time.

"Do you know that I love you?"

"I know, but never stop repeating it." Perhaps both of their lives would have some changes just like Shizune had said, and at the same time, no one really knew what the future held for them, but in the end, what they were sure of at that moment was the decision they had made, as well as the love they felt for each other, and for both of them, that was enough and the only thing that mattered to them.

…

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…

As the hours passed, and following the movement of the train to its destination, the rural landscape that both Shizune and Kurono had grown accustomed to in the past few days had disappeared as it was replaced by the views that indicated that they were back close to reaching the city.

As Kurono had told Shizune before, she fully experienced how long the journey back was. This time she didn't feel the need to sleep, so she was awake the whole time, but luckily, Kurono was awake with her, so they were able to enjoy that time together as well… Mainly because they were flirting with each other most of it.

The train had arrived safely at the station, and after hearing the voice indicating that it was now safe to get off, Kurono and Shizune followed the directions as they grabbed their luggage, and as soon as they got out, a familiar feeling, or rather, a familiar atmosphere greeted them.

The next thing they did once they made sure they hadn't forgotten anything was to leave the station so that Shizune could then look around for Rena. At first, she didn't see her anywhere, she was even thinking about calling her, but she gave up on that idea once she saw someone in the distance raise their arm high and wave it to greet her, and it was obviously Rena.

Shizune couldn't help but let a smile form on her face at that very moment. Maybe it was true that it had only been a week since she had parted ways with Rena, but that didn't mean that Shizune didn't miss her enough. But now, in addition to feeling happy at seeing her again, many more feelings were generated in her, some that she would have to understand and share with her, but that, at the same time, represented that new happiness that had been born in her.