Jitsu -A different story-

"I had forgotten, but besides the whole restaurant experience, the food is delicious." These were the words Shizune spoke once she properly tasted the carbonara she was eating.

Seeing how Shizune was precisely showing a pleased expression and feeling that she looked rather cute like that, Kurono simply laughed to himself as he drank the white wine in his glass. Just knowing that, it wasn't too hard to deduce that they were both enjoying the food, but that didn't mean they wouldn't take the time to talk to each other.

"Did Akira-san arrive today?"

"That's right. She had no problems with her arrival, and from what I saw, Makoto-chan has her completely bewitched, hehe." Kurono had started talking once again giving that question as the start of the topic, but it wasn't a surprise to Shizune since she had already mentioned Akira's visit to Kurono before.

"I see. It's good to hear it, I guess that means you'll have an extra hand that can help you." Kurono meant that if Akira stayed in the city for a while, she could surely help Rena and Shizune with Makoto's care.

"I know, but, believe it or not, lately Rena doesn't have big problems or needs much help to take care of Makoto-chan anymore. She's really gotten used to living with him and understanding what the job of being a mother is." Shizune smiled a little when she said that since, once again, many memories of the last few months were repeating in her mind, but the conversation with Kurono brought her back to reality.

"I never doubted Rena-san, but anyone would think that it would take her some time to adapt to the whole new situation. I've also talked a bit with Akio-kun about it, he always says that he's very grateful to you and Rena-san for all the attention you give to Makoto-kun and that he feels a bit helpless since he's not as present in the aspect of actually taking care of him." Even though Kurono doesn't know in depth everything that goes into taking care of a baby, he can get an idea, either from his memories when he lived in the orphanage or from all the experiences, he's heard directly from Shizune, Akio, and Rena.

"So that's what's been on his mind all this time…" Shizune had a slight expression of surprise, and in turn, Kurono thought that maybe he had just given Akio away.

Shizune had that expression because both she and Rena noticed Akio was a bit strange as if he was more distracted than usual, and if what Shizune heard was correct, she now understood a couple of things.

"Maybe it's a bit nosy on my part, but if you get the chance, I'd like you to tell Akio to try to be honest about what he's feeling, to give himself a chance to talk to Rena. I'm sure that could help a lot." Shizune's attitude perfectly showed that she was a little worried about Akio's thoughts. "Rena mentioned that she was worried about him, she attributed it all to the fact that he must be a bit tired from work, or that having to wake up sometimes at night because of Makoto-chan was taking its toll on him, but it seems that it's something deeper."

Shizune was sure that it was best for Akio and Rena to have a proper discussion, and that Rena would fully understand, but the safest answer was that Rena would explain to Akio that he shouldn't focus so much on those aspects, and that instead, he should understand that he already did a lot for them by caring, by working so hard to give them the best life possible, and by giving them all the love he could whenever he was with them.

"I wouldn't say that your request is being nosy, I had actually already said something similar to Akio-kun when he was honest with me, and knowing him, I think that you shouldn't worry too much. Despite all the help we can offer them, both Akio-kun and Rena-san are an adult couple, both are parents, and they have to walk that path and learn from it, but at the same time, my honest opinion is that both of them can overcome everything that appears in front of them." Kurono had put aside the food while thinking about saying exactly that. Even though the future was uncertain and difficulties were looming at any moment, Kurono was also honest with the trust he placed in the young couple. "Did I say something wrong?"

Kurono's question hadn't come out of nowhere, rather he had said it because, after giving his opinion, Shizune showed a beautiful smile in his direction as well as remaining silent a little longer than usual, which was why Kurono was curious.

"Do you know that I love you?" Unlike anything else, Kurono's question was answered with another question that he hadn't expected at that moment. He was about to answer properly, but Shizune had more to say. "I know it was a little sudden, but just listening to your way of thinking, and because of your words, makes me feel calm about the future. In turn, I couldn't help but want to tell you that I love you in that way, hehe."

Now it had been Kurono's turn to remain silent for a bit, and clearly, that had been the result of Shizune's words. Perhaps it was true that Shizune and Kurono had already been together for a relatively long time, but even to this day, Kurono still felt his heart start to beat faster whenever he heard those kinds of affectionate words from Shizune, and obviously, that was the kind of reaction Shizune experienced when it was Kurono who said similar words.

…

…

The two's date, as well as the small talk between them, continued as the night went on. They had long since finished the main dish and now what they were both experiencing was the sweetness and texture of the dessert, but like before, the silence was thrown away due to the words they exchanged between them.

"I was talking to Kazumi the other day."

"About what exactly?" Someone might think that Kurono was extremely curious about what Shizune said, but, although he was indeed somewhat curious, he actually asked the question since he guessed that Shizune wanted him to ask about it.

"Hmm… The truth is that I wanted to talk to her first to tell her that I would like to go back to the gym." That was an idea that had been on Shizune's mind lately since she felt that Rena was ready to take care of Makoto completely by herself… Although an equally important reason was that Rena had told her to try to get back to it and not to worry about both of them, that she had everything under control.

"If you feel that everything is really in order, then you will return to that routine. Tell me if you are determined, so I can accompany you." Shizune thanked Kurono for his words and clarified that maybe in a week or two she would return to it.

"That was only my plan, but then Kazumi did not miss the opportunity to talk about celebrating my birthday" Listening to that explanation, and at first glance, that sounded a little strange.

Both Shizune and Kurono were supposed to be celebrating their anniversary, and looking back, the reality is that the day they both confessed to each other was the same day as Shizune's birthday... But, cheating a little, both Shizune and Kurono agreed that they would celebrate their anniversary a day before that date. First, to make it a little more special and not overlap with her birthday, they also used as an excuse that the day they realized their true feelings was the day they both kissed for the first time, so everything stayed that way, with their anniversary being a day before Shizune's birthday, and that way it was all more convenient for both of them.