Jitsu -A different story-

What Shizune just said was the truth, that memory was still in her head and she couldn't help but think about it as she told Rena what had happened.

…

…

"I'm sorry Kurono-san, could you repeat that?" Shizune sincerely believed that she had misheard or misunderstood what Kurono said, but it was nothing like that.

"Yes… I asked you if you would like to go to dinner with me." Kurono had a serious look on his face and Shizune could see that, but she thought he was joking again.

"Oh, yes, I would like to, although the way you asked me it seemed like you were asking me out on a date, hehe." Shizune thought it would be the situation where there would be the typical exchange of jokes between them, but she didn't count on how Kurono would act.

"That's because it is."

"Eh?"

"Shizune-san, would you like to go on a date with me?" Hearing that question, Shizune went completely still as she tried to make sure that she wasn't dreaming, but seeing those dark eyes looking at her so directly waiting for an answer, she realized that she had been silent for a long time.

"I..." It was the only thing that could come out of her, the surprise she had taken was enough for her to process everything. Shizune felt that she already knew Kurono enough to know when he was playing with her, but this time it was different, she could feel the sincerity in his words.

It had been a time since they met and became close, and Shizune couldn't deny that Kurono was someone very nice and interesting, besides being attractive to her, but she had never imagined that he would ask her that.

The silence had lasted the entire time that Shizune was busy with the chaos in her head, and Kurono was starting to get a little uneasy about it, but once he heard Shizune's words, he couldn't help but a cheerful smile appeared on his face.

…

…

"Did you accept? Tell me you accepted!" The emotion that Rena was expressing was something that Shizune had never seen, her eyes seemed to be shining as well as an aura of uncontrollable joy was covering her, and overwhelmed Shizune barely letting her answer.

"Yes, I accepted his invitation."

"Kyaaah!" A rather strange yelling of emotion for a normal person was what came out of Rena, she herself had seen all the interactions between Kurono and her mom, and she knew the whole story very well, so she understood that all this was inevitable, but it still made her very excited. "This is something very special, we must…!"

But before she went on to express what she wanted to say, she had to pay attention to Shizune when she saw the look of doubt on her face.

"Why do you have that face? Aren't you happy, Mom?"

"It's not that, I really feel very flattered that Kurono-san invited me, but..."

"But…?"

"Is okay? I'm not sure why he invited me, I'm nothing special, maybe he's just doing it to be nice to me." Those words fully reached Rena, but it didn't take even half a second for her to respond besides hitting her mother's head with her fingers.

"Ouch... And why was that?"

"For you to stop saying and thinking nonsense! Do you really think Kurono-san can't see what a beautiful woman and wonderful person you are?! You can tell just by the fact that he invited you to date, it is obvious that he is interested in you."

"But we are only friends…"

"That excuse won't work with me, now tell me honestly, do you like Kurono-san?"

"Eeehhh?! Why are you so direct?!"

"Because if I'm not, we won't get anywhere! I want you to look deep inside yourself and find that answer, think about the time you've shared with Kurono-san and how you've felt, and stop avoiding your feelings."

Shizune wanted to quickly deny that, but as much as she tried, she couldn't do it. It was true that she hadn't known Kurono for too long, but so many things had happened, in addition to sharing pleasant moments that made that little feeling gradually grow in her. She still had her own doubts, doubts that she had since before she met Kurono, but just remembering the moment when he invited her out on a date and how happy she was, was enough for her to want to beat herself up for acting like a silly, and all her negative thoughts seemed to vanish at that moment so that the answer she was looking for appeared and she was able to say it.

"Yes, I like Kurono-san."

"Okay, now…" Without saying anything else, Rena had hit Shizune's forehead with her fingers again.

"Ouch... Why again?"

"So you don't forget what you just told me, but also..." Shizune was surprised as Rena suddenly hugged her tightly as more words came out of her and made her feel quite special. "I want you to know that I'm very happy for you and that you have my full support, don't let Kurono-san escape from your hands."

"Thank you, Rena... Although you don't think it's a bit fast, I barely accepted that I like Kurono-san."

"Do you want to lose more time? Now the perfect opportunity has appeared for you to advance with Kurono-san, you can't miss it. Tell me, when is your date?"

"Tomorrow night, he told me that he would come for me to take me to a restaurant."

"Tomorrow? That limits us a lot! Tomorrow, you have to clear your agenda because we will spend the whole morning looking for the perfect outfit for you. I am sure that if we didn't, you would wear a set of clothes that you keep in your closet."

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Shizune's question was sincere, she didn't think Rena should exaggerate so much, it wasn't the first time she had a date in her life and she knew the important points, besides that she had quite acceptable clothes to wear.

"You don't understand, Mom. This is a very special occasion, and your goal is to catch Kurono-san with your charms, so you have to look amazing tomorrow. I assure you that we will find the perfect clothes that match you to look even more beautiful and show off your figure so Kurono-san can't take his eyes off you."

"But…"

"No buts, so get ready because tomorrow is going to be a busy day!" With those last words said by Rena, in addition to Shizune's nervous look and blush, the night continued its course waiting for the next day and everything that would happen.