Jitsu -A different story-

If someone were to ask Shizune what she was feeling, she could easily tell that she was experiencing a sort of déjà vu. Her gaze was moving between the figures of Kurono and the man called Nao since a second ago she had just asked if she had heard correctly, and the fact that she was feeling that sense of déjà vu was because something similar had happened when she first met Kazumi.

"So… Nakamura-san is the owner of this restaurant?"

"Hahaha… For the third time, that's right, Yotsuba-san." Once she was fully aware of what that meant, Shizune unconsciously started to feel a bit more nervous, but at the same time, she was curious as to why the restaurant owner was fulfilling the role of the receptionist. "I can also try to imagine what's on your mind, Yotsuba-san. How is it possible for the restaurant owner to be standing at the entrance to greet customers? The truth is that the answer to that question is quite simple, and that is that it is actually rare for me to do this."

Despite that explanation, Shizune did not fully understand what it meant, but fortunately, it would not end there.

"I have an employee designated in this position, but when I know that clients that I really value personally will come, I like to take it upon myself to receive them in person, this being the case of Kurosawa-san." Shizune had to say that the first impression she had after hearing that was that Nao was someone a bit strange… But after listening a little more, and Kurono also joining in the explanation, Shizune understood that Kurono and Nao were business partners or something, so she felt that the relationship between the two of them was no longer so strange.

"I see… Now I don't know if I was rude in some way…" The moment everything became clear, Shizune began to feel nervous once again. She understood and knew quite well that she was a bit ignorant regarding Kurono's professional life or relationships, perhaps one of the reasons was because Shizune didn't usually ask about it much, and another reason was because Kurono didn't feel it was very relevant to mention.

Sure that was how he thought, but for almost anyone else, to actually understand and know all the connections Kurono had would be something they couldn't help but be surprised by, and the fact that Shizune was somewhat nervous was due to that, as well as the small idea that she might perhaps do something that would embarrass Kurono, but as always, Shizune was also exaggerating the situation a bit.

"Haha, you don't need to think that way, Yotsuba-san. Also, you didn't do anything that could be considered rude, rather I would say that I am the one being rude since I am interrupting your time with Kurosawa-san." Shizune wanted to say something in response quickly, but the moment she opened her mouth, she had to close it since she really didn't know what to say. This same thing caused both Kurono and Nao to laugh lightly, although that reaction caused Shizune to feel embarrassed. "In any case, once again, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yotsuba. It may be a little late, but if I may, I would like to say that the two of you make a very good couple."

…

"Haha… I'm sorry if it was a little awkward. Once Nakamura-san starts talking it's kind of hard to stop him." Noticing Shizune's slight silence, Kurono thought about letting that comment out to get her attention.

"Huh? Ah, I'm sorry if I seemed distracted, it's just that I feel like you know some pretty interesting or important people, are you friends with the prime minister or something?" Coming back to reality, and focusing on Kurono's friendships, Shizune couldn't help but joke around.

"Well… I'll just say that nothing is impossible. You never know what kind of acquaintances someone you know has." A couple of laughs came from both of them in response to the small talk, but as if that itself indicated the true start of the date, the waiter came over to deliver the menu, as well as to serve some water to both of them before leaving since both Shizune and Kurono wanted to see the menu before ordering.

"I didn't pay much attention last time, but… There are a lot of dishes… And the prices are a bit exaggerated, aren't they?" Shizune simply said what was on her mind, and that made her look around a bit to see if anyone had heard her, but the only person nearby was Kurono.

"You don't need to pay attention to the price, in the end, no matter how delicious the food is, what you're really paying for is the experience of eating at a place like that. I once went to a restaurant where the prices weren't listed on the menu, and in the end, the bill was really exaggerated." Shizune could understand what Kurono said, although that didn't help much since she would shake her head when she saw something that caught her attention, but she saw the price at the same time.

Shizune had really focused a lot on the menu, but she also noticed when Kurono stopped looking at it and couldn't help but speak.

"Do you know what you're going to order?"

"Not really, but I remembered that last time I was the one who ordered for both of us, so this time I want to leave this responsibility to you." Kurono let a small, amused smile form on his face, and that was especially because he could see Shizune's expression firsthand before she spoke.

"B-But… You're just making things more complicated for me." If Shizune was already undecided from the start, now with Kurono's idea it was even worse, although she didn't reject it either, which ended up in Shizune spending a couple of minutes even more focused on the menu until she finally decided.

Shizune was more curious about an Italian-style dinner, which consisted of a bruschetta al pomodoro starter, carbonara as a main dish, and tiramisu as a dessert, although she had to ask Kurono what exactly some of the dishes were. Kurono had no problem accepting Shizune's decision, but just like her, he didn't know exactly what the other dishes were besides the carbonara, so they had to ask the waiter once he came back to write down both their orders.

…

"Sigh… I feel like it's a bit complicated, if I was alone in this place I think I would have wanted to escape and go home a long time ago." Once again, Shizune couldn't help but let out what was on her mind, and those same kinds of comments were what made Kurono laugh a little, but at the same time, he understood what Shizune felt.

"Don't worry, after all, we just have to focus on what I told you before. It may be a little different than usual, but with the simple fact of being together nothing else matters." Kurono had taken the opportunity to reach out his arm and take Shizune's hand as a simple detail while saying those words. "So, let's just enjoy the date, each other's company. For me, tonight you are the most important to me and everything that deserves my attention."

Shizune had noticed Kurono's action, but she didn't reject it, and once she finished listening to what he had just told her, a cute smile actually appeared on her face as she also took Kurono's hand with the same strength as him, and she told herself that just by being with Kurono, it was already a wonderful night.