Jitsu -A different story-

"It's not true…" A look of disbelief had taken over Mio's face due to what Shizune had just told her. "You really have a daughter, Shizune-san? And not only that, you're already a grandmother?"

"Hehe, that's right, Mio-san, and no, I'm not lying to you." Maybe it was a little fast, or it was because Shizune didn't have a lot of experience meeting many people. Still, she didn't have any qualms about talking about her life with Mio, although the biggest reason was that Mio was asking those kinds of questions and Shizune felt somewhat confident talking to her.

"But… I really thought you weren't that much older than me…" Mio looked more interested in Shizune after knowing her age as well as some aspects of her life, and she also wondered if she could look the same as Shizune when she was her age.

"I'll take that as a compliment, though I was also a little surprised that you're only twenty-six, I feel like you're more mature compared to your age." Shizune's opinion wasn't a lie or unfounded as it was formed after talking to Mio a bit more and learning about her life as well.

She actually worked as a high school teacher, and she also took care of her younger brother alongside her grandparents. Her parents had separated when she and her brother were young, and they hadn't had the responsibility of taking care of them as they each looked out for themselves and made their own lives. All of that had made Shizune try to imagine that kind of situation and how difficult it must have been, and in that way, she couldn't help but have a very good opinion of Mio as she had also had enough confidence to talk to her about it and explain how she had worked hard so that that same situation didn't affect her life and her brother as much.

As if it were some sort of line to follow, during the conversation Mio's questions appeared about the fact that Shizune had been married in the past since she understood that Rena was already older and that her relationship with Kurono was recent, and appreciated the fact that Mio had been quite honest with her, Shizune talked a little about the past, which no longer carried as much pain as before.

Needless to say, Mio had a troubled expression since she didn't think that Shizune's past was that deep, but besides that, she knew that it was better not to focus on those aspects, and instead, she focused on the present since it seemed that Shizune had experienced a lot of happiness due to how she explained everything.

The conversation between the two had continued quite calmly once they got to know each other better, but, still, they both knew that they couldn't stay inside the hot springs all night, but they had to leave after a while.

"I would like to continue talking with you, Shizune-san. Do you want to try the sauna?"

"Is there a sauna here?" The slight surprise on Shizune's face was quite honest as she didn't remember hearing that there was such a service in the ryokan.

"Yes, it's one of the few things I read that there was around here, and I felt that it's perfect after the hot springs, but it's just my idea, maybe you have something else to do or you want to go look for Kurono-san." Mio was excited as she had come to the hot springs alone since her friends had fallen exhausted and wanted to rest a bit in the room, so having Shizune's company was quite nice for her, but she didn't want to get in the way of Shizune's time either.

"I'm really curious now that you mentioned it, plus I'd also like some company… I'm sure Kurono won't be too worried, so let me accompany you." Needless to say, that answer made Mio have a big smile on her face, so she dragged Shizune along with her.

The sauna area was actually in the same location as the hot springs, just through a different entrance. Both Shizune and Mio took the time to look at some instructions that were nearby explaining some aspects of the sauna, and feeling that it was enough, they both entered with only a towel covering their bodies.

The first thing that appeared before them was a room large enough for several people to enter, the walls were made of cedar wood as was the structure of the seats divided into several levels, which made for a light, quite characteristic aroma, but the main thing was the warm temperature of the room that would make anyone who was there for a few seconds sweat, but it wasn't an uncomfortable temperature, and at the same time it gave a rather enveloping feeling of relaxation.

"It's not much different from what I imagined." All of this was a new experience for Shizune since she had never entered a sauna, but, still, she had a slight idea of ​​what it must be like.

"Hmm… I thought it was one of those steam baths, but it seems that it is a dry sauna." Mio was not very experienced in this regard either, but at least she knew the types of saunas and could identify which one they were in.

Without saying much more, Mio was not very shy and simply took off her towel before placing it as a kind of pillow on one of the seats. She sat on top of it, and stretching a little, she began to better experience the warm climate and the feeling of relaxation that it gave her.

"Come, Shizune-san." Mio was quick to pat the area of ​​the seat that was near her for Shizune to sit on, and following that indication, Shizune repeated the same thing that Mio did, taking off her towel and approaching to use it as a seat.

Shizune also began to experience the same relaxation as Mio, but still, both of them started talking to each other again just enjoying the atmosphere.

"I must say that Kurono-san hit the jackpot with you, Shizune-san." She hadn't taken the time to look closely before, but when Mio was able to see Shizune's body in all its splendor when she took off her towel, she couldn't help but have her ideas, ones that made her think that she had lost a battle that never existed in the first place. "By the way, can you tell me how you two met?"

Although Kurono was unknown to Mio, she had already heard a bit of Shizune's description, but besides that, she hadn't had the chance to hear the story between them, so she had to ask.

"I think it will take a while, but if you want to know…" As Shizune had said, it took her a while to tell the whole story that was present between her and Kurono. It made many memories come to mind, and a cute smile adorned her face at all times while Mio listened attentively and various expressions changed on her as she listened, although most of the time she was quite caught up in what Shizune was telling.

There were also many questions from Mio, which Shizune duly answered, and so, the time they spent enjoying the sauna was accompanied by that heated talk until the end of the story came.

"I must say, I'm a little jealous of you, Shizune-san." Those were the words that came out of Mio the moment Shizune finished speaking, and she felt a little confused until Mio continued explaining. "Your story is really beautiful, everything that happened between you two and the natural way it developed… It's like you were destined to be together, and from what you told me, even I can understand that you both honestly love each other."

Shizune didn't know what to say in response. Honestly, it was the first time she took the time to tell the whole story to someone who had nothing to do with her, so Mio's reaction was something she paid a lot of attention to.

"Shizune-san, I really hope and wish you all the happiness possible, maybe it's a little exaggerated on my part, but after knowing everything you told me, I feel that you and Kurono-san should be together and that nothing should separate you." Shizune noticed the seriousness with which Mio said those words, she had even taken her hands while looking her straight in the eyes, but despite the situation, Shizune took it calmly.

"I really appreciate your words, Mio-san, and don't worry, right now I'm very happy with Kurono, there's nothing that stops us from staying together, and just like you, I also hope that the future is full of happiness, hehe."

"I'm glad to know that you think that way... I wish I could find that person made for me and experience a beautiful love story..." Mio had let go of Shizune once she also calmed down, but a second later she had let out that thought accompanied by a sigh.

"Don't worry, Mio-san. You are still young and beautiful; you will surely find the right person. Maybe it may take a while, you just need to think about my case, so don't be discouraged, but above all… Never forget to love yourself." Shizune didn't know if they were the right words, but the memory of her past self-had come to her at that moment, and what she had just said was something she should have done a long time ago…