Jitsu -A different story-

Leaving aside the little trick they both made, Shizune continued explaining everything she talked about with Kazumi regarding her birthday, making it clear at the end that they would celebrate it with a small party at Kurono's house in the company of everyone since Shizune wanted it to be like that and enjoy spending that moment with the people she loves.

In the end, Kazumi gave up on some ideas she had after hearing Shizune's opinion, although the main reason for Shizune's rejection was that Kazumi had ideas that were too exaggerated or that made her a little embarrassed, but in the same way, they are ideas that only they knew. The subject of birthdays was something they gave a lot of importance to, over the last year they obviously celebrated Akio and Rena's birthdays, and due to Shizune and Kurono's relationship, as well as Kazumi's friendship, everyone took the opportunity to celebrate them in the same way, most of them being at Kurono's house due to the space and comfort, that's why Kurono didn't find it strange everything he heard from Shizune, and he was also aware of the plan that was there for her birthday.

At the same time, Shizune felt somewhat excited about her birthday, and that was something unique so to speak. Going back a moment to the past, before she even met Kurono, it had to be said that Shizune didn't really enjoy her birthday.

Of course she was grateful to still be alive, to receive congratulations on that specific day, or that the people she loved did some things for her or simply dedicated their time to accompany her… But at the same time, Shizune couldn't put aside those negative feelings that had only increased with the passing of the years.

The idea that she was getting older, the idea that she was alone… Just having the thought that she was turning one year older made her feel that way… But now, if she had the chance to go back in time and be able to talk to herself, leaving aside any kind of temporal paradox or similar that could destroy the universe… Shizune would take the time to talk to herself, tell her about everything she had learned in all this time, that she should put aside all the bad and concentrate on the positive aspects of her life.

She would tell her to start living her life, to appreciate everything she had, that she wasn't an ugly old woman that nobody cared about like she thought, and most importantly, that the future would be full of happiness, a happiness that had made her learn and understand all that… But also, Shizune believed that it was best to leave everything as it was, it was true that her past had been partly sad because of everything she felt, but in the end, and despite that, in the present, there was not a single trace of that, and now she felt alive and full of happiness again as she once was…

…

…

"Isn't there something we have to hurry up for this time?" Once the dessert on Shizune and Kurono's plates had completely disappeared and the waiter had taken away all the dishes they didn't need, our dear couple had the opportunity to simply focus on each other again, so Shizune began with that somewhat curious question that Kurono quickly understood.

"Your question just makes me think that you really expect some kind of surprise from me."

"Well… I'm free to have some ideas, hehe." Shizune felt it was quite funny how Kurono kept trying to avoid talking about it any further.

"If it turns out that I didn't prepare anything, would you feel disappointed?" Even though Kurono understood why Shizune asked that question, he chose to continue playing with the topic a little more… But Shizune's answer would leave him a little speechless.

"No, not at all." Shizune shook her head before that smile that had accompanied her face most of the night reappeared, and her attention focused on Kurono. "I wouldn't have any reason to feel that way since the happiness I feel from being with you is enough for those feelings to not be important, but mainly, after all this time I think I know you well enough. I know you love me; I know you care a lot about me, but also, I'm aware of all the details you have with me and you always find ways to make me even happier."

Kurono wanted to affirm that even more, he wanted to tell Shizune that, for him, making her happy and making her feel loved by him was what was always on his mind when he was with her, but just at the moment he wanted to speak, those same words were trapped in his mouth before falling silent, and it had actually remained that way to the point that Shizune began to feel curious about what was on Kurono's mind.

"I'm sorry about that, it's just that I couldn't help but remember something." It was Kurono's turn to shake his head a little. In this way, he seemed to have returned to reality, and with just a glance at Shizune's confused expression, Kurono continued to say what was on his mind. "I was thinking about our first date."

Needless to say, Shizune's curiosity increased even more after hearing those words. "Actually… I was really happy on that occasion, the fact that you had accepted my invitation, that we could enjoy dinner, and share all those moments was too special for me, plus I couldn't take my eyes off you and every moment I wondered how such a beautiful woman in every sense had given me that opportunity." Just by hearing that, Shizune felt somewhat embarrassed since she thought that Kurono's words were a bit exaggerated, but at the same time, Shizune also felt happy for Kurono's flattery. "But besides all that, there's something I forgot to tell you."

Shizune was already feeling her heart beating a little faster since she was a little caught up in the memories, as well as in Kurono's words, which she continued to listen to attentively.

"I had planned to confess to you that same night…" Even though for anyone else those words wouldn't be surprising, the reality was that Shizune was actually experiencing a great surprise.

"So…?" Shizune unconsciously tried to ask what had happened to stop Kurono from pursuing that idea, but he would beat her to it before the question was finished.

"I was scared." It was simple enough, but Kurono was honest with his words. "It was like I told you that time. You had become someone important to me, and spending time with you had been something I enjoyed more and more as the days went by, whenever I gave myself enough time, you were the only thing that was on my mind, and in the end, I knew that I had honestly fallen in love with you, but at the same time, I was afraid that by telling you my feelings, all of that would be destroyed, and the fact that I was trying to leave my entire past behind made everything even more difficult."

Now that Shizune was truly aware of Kurono's past, she could better understand everything she was hearing, and if she thought seriously, the situation was somewhat peculiar, since, like Kurono, Shizune felt a fear similar to what Kurono had experienced.

"I thought that night was going to end like that, that I couldn't say or do anything about it. I kept telling myself that maybe there would be another chance in the future, but I think I was once again trying to lie to myself." Shizune didn't want to say anything even though she had a lot to say at that moment since she wanted to hear everything that Kurono had in his mind. "But right now, I'm really thankful that that happened."

With just those words, Shizune understood what Kurono meant.

"With just that, my mind was completely cleared, those feelings I was experiencing had become firmer, and even though that night we parted without me being able to tell you directly what I felt… That little accident gave me the greatest gift of that moment… So, you could say that that was the most beautiful accident that could have happened to me in my entire life."