Jitsu -A different story-

A little over a week had passed since that situation, Shizune was hoping to see Kurono again some other time, but she didn't have a way to communicate with him or anything like that, so she left that feeling for another moment, and now, she was right in front of her daughter listening to what she was saying.

"You must go out!" Was what Rena said as she had her arms crossed under her chest and gave her mother a serious look.

"But you said I shouldn't do it."

"Yes, but when it's late. I'm just telling you to go for a walk, it's not healthy for you to be at home all day taking care of me." Rena understood that Shizune was in her overprotective mode ever since she told her that she was pregnant, but she also needed some alone time and to forget about all the 24/7 care.

"And if you need me for something?" Shizune had her doubts and really didn't know whether to accept her daughter's suggestion, but it seemed that Rena's insistence on her was stronger than her doubt.

"I'll handle it! Now here's your bag, I put enough money for you to buy whatever you want, so go outside and enjoy what the city has to offer."

…

Shizune couldn't win the battle and had to give up as she left the apartment and started walking down the sidewalk making her legs carry her anywhere. It was almost noon so the sun was perfect besides being summer, the typical sounds of the season could be heard in the air as well as the laughter of the children who came and went from time to time.

'She told me to go for a walk, but I don't know what to do.' That was the thought that was in Shizune's mind at that moment, she didn't know much about the city since she had come along with Rena to take care of her during her pregnancy due to Akio having bought the apartment where they lived at the moment.

She continued on her way at the same time that she looked around her seeing everything that appeared, she even managed to appreciate how a young couple passed by her and they gave her a quick greeting and then continued on her way, causing more things to think appeared in her mind 'It's good to be young.' She kept walking until she remembered that place which she could not ignore since it was close to there, she just needed to turn the corner of the sidewalk to get to the small park from the last time, but just at that moment, she felt her body hitting another person who was trying to do the same as her, and she had quickly raised her eyes to better see that person and apologize.

"Sorry, I didn't think that..."

"No, I didn't see where..." The reason for the sudden silence between the two was that they realized and recognized each other by saying the other's name at the same time.

"Kurono-san?"

"Shizune-san?" Both questions seemed to be unnecessary at that moment, but they had come out unconsciously. In front of each one was the person who had not left their mind in the last week and it seemed to be a resounding coincidence to meet in that place, so Kurono did not take long to express what same.

"It really is a coincidence to meet here." That was what he said as he let out a small nervous laugh.

"Yes, it really is." Shizune had also cracked a smile and it could be seen that the atmosphere between the two seemed to relax as more words were said.

"And what are you doing here? I don't want to bother you if you're busy or something like that." Kurono asked intending to calm down the situation a bit.

"No, you're not bothering me. I'm just taking a walk, what about you?"

"I went out to stretch my legs a bit. I do it from time to time to clear my mind."

"I see, I know what you mean."

"I was just coming from the park. Would you like to go have a seat and have a little talk?" Kurono's question seemed to come at just the right time as Shizune didn't think much of it and gladly accepted his suggestion.

They both walked shoulder to shoulder until they reached the same bench they remembered, they sat next to each other and it didn't take long for them to start talking about anything.

"Thanks again, Kurono-san."

"I already told you that you don't need to thank me so much, that already happened, let's leave it in the past. Better, how about you tell me about yourself, Shizune-san?" That question seemed to have taken Shizune by surprise as she didn't know what to say.

"From me? I'm sure nothing is interesting to tell, how about you start?"

"Me? Sounds good. What exactly do you want to know?" Seeing that Kurono agreed, Shizune didn't hold back as she began to question him.

"Well, how old are you? What do you do for a living? What are your interests? That kind of thing." Kurono really didn't expect so many questions to come to him, but he didn't stop when he started to answer.

"I'm thirty-four years old and I work in a small company a little bit near here, and regarding my tastes… I guess I like to exercise and enjoy nature besides reading."

"You seem to be a pretty healthy man, hehe." Shizune's laugh took Kurono by surprise, and he couldn't help but stare at her for some reason.

"And what about you, Shizune-san? I'll return the same questions you asked me." Now it was Kurono's turn to fight back and obviously, he took Shizune by surprise.

"Eh... Don't you think that's a bit unfair?"

"No, now it's your turn, I'm all ears." A somewhat mocking smile on Kurono's face was what Shizune could see, but in reality, she was also having fun with the talk they were having.

"Right now, I don't dedicate myself to anything since I'm new in the city. Regarding my tastes, there is nothing special, I guess I also like to read and enjoy the calm, it really is enough to feel completely at peace, although neither it bothers me to share it with someone else, for example, this moment, hehe, and… Regarding age…" There she was hesitating to answer, she wanted to tell Kurono that he shouldn't ask a woman that, but she didn't really want to lie to him at that time, so, with her voice a little lower, she answered that question. "I just turned thirty-eight recently."

"Thirty…?" That question that came from Kurono was misinterpreted by Shizune. Her age was something sensitive for her since it made her remember all the time that had passed and how lonely she had felt at that time, she thought that Kurono would feel strange or even put an excuse to say goodbye after knowing that for some reason, but what she heard next was enough to make her stop thinking about unnecessary things.

"Sorry if I was surprised, but I could have sworn you weren't over thirty, you look really young." Kurono's surprised face was totally genuine and that made Shizune feel that it was too funny.

"Pfff... Hahaha! Stop kidding Kurono-san, you don't need to exaggerate so much." Shizune had given that laugh to feel a little safer and move the subject away as if it were a simple joke, but it seemed that Kurono was being the sincerest that he could.

"I'm not kidding, Shizune-san. You are a very beautiful woman and you don't look like you're actually that age, that was enough to confuse me." The sight of those deep dark eyes that were on her accompanied by the closeness and honesty behind them had made Shizune go silent at the same time that she tried to hide the blush that she felt on her cheeks at that moment.

…

…

Silence reigned after that scene, Kurono had also realized what he had said so he also kept silent for a few seconds, but after they were both aware of each other, their conversation resumed to the point where they were at that moment.

"And why did you come to the city?" That question was asked by Kurono and Shizune didn't take long to answer.

"My daughter Rena got married recently and she came to live with her husband, she is also pregnant, so I took on the task of taking care of her throughout the process."

"Oh, congratulations, Shizune-san!"

"Hehe, thank you Kurono-san."

"You and your husband must be very happy about the news." Those words had come from Kurono with total sincerity, but just when he realized both the atmosphere and the look on Shizune's face, he knew that he said something wrong, and upon hearing the words that Shizune said next, were enough to understand everything.

"Actually... My husband passed away many years ago..." That memory had appeared in Shizune's mind and it was still painful for her, she knew she didn't have to remember it, and Kurono's voice at that moment made her ignore it.

"I'm sorry, Shizune-san..."

"Don't worry, Kurono-san, you didn't know. You don't need to apologize."

"Yes, but…"

"Let's just forget about it, this is a nice moment and it's not necessary to get gloomy. Come on, smile Kurono-san." Kurono knew that Shizune was forcing the situation, but he also wanted all that to happen. It was a nice moment and it wouldn't be right to ruin it, so he followed what she had told him and gave the best smile he could while seeing the same smile that, before his eyes, was really lovely.