Jitsu -A different story-

"Stop looking at the clock so much!" Lately, Rena tended to raise her voice to express her feelings, and her voice was mostly directed at Shizune. "Akio indeed said they would arrive at noon, but there will surely be some delay. "You make me nervous if you stare at the clock."

The reason for Rena's scolding of her mother seemed to be quite clear. Several days had passed after the celebration in the apartment, everything had continued normally and without anything surprising to mention, and thanks to the passage of time, today was the day that both Akio and Kurono would return from their trip.

Akio had told Rena that they would arrive around noon, so it could be later or earlier than that. Although Rena was eager for Akio to return safely, that feeling of hers didn't keep her as busy since she was dealing with Shizune's attitude because seemed to be even more anxious than her.

"I'm sorry, it's just…" Shizune escaped from that situation due to Rena's voice, although she didn't explain much.

"I know, I know. You miss Kurono-san, but waiting like that doesn't help at all, it's better to find something to distract yourself." Sometimes Rena felt like she was exchanging places with her mother and it was her responsibility to help her in this type of situation, and although she didn't mind doing it, she still felt a little strange.

"Rena is right about that, Nee-san. How about we start preparing lunch? That will surely serve as a distraction." Akira joined the conversation with that suggestion, and although it seemed completely reasonable, she actually said it because she was already hungry.

"Sigh… I guess that will do. I'm also sure Kurono and Akio will be hungry once they arrive, so it's for the best. Do you want to help, Rena?" Shizune was able to calm a little that feeling that was keeping her busy, and she was already thinking about what to prepare next when she got up from the couch.

"I'll have to apologize for today, the truth is that I want to rest as much as I can, my back has been killing me these days." Rena made herself as comfortable as possible on the couch while she said all that.

"I guess these are signs that the time is near." Shizune saw Rena's state and several ideas were already forming in her head.

"Yes, I'm a little worried that it could happen at any moment… But I'm fine, don't worry too much. Actually, I was starting to get pretty hungry too." Shizune and Akira laughed a little before starting to move, they also told Rena that if she was busy with anything she just needed to call them.

For her part, despite the situation and the complicated parts of it, Rena could tell that she really enjoyed the attention she was given every day, which would be an aspect she would miss in the future, but she probably wouldn't have time to think about all those things because of the adventure that awaits her. That made her stay a little thoughtful while she was alone in the room.

She was about to be a mother, she was going to give birth to a new life, one that has been developing inside her and that right now she feels is the most precious and loved. Whenever she was alone, she concentrated a lot on it, and couldn't help but touch her belly, causing many feelings to be generated in Rena.

"Hehe. I hope everything goes well, I'm sure you will be a very healthy and strong little. Everyone is excited for you, and I hope you like being part of our family. I will make sure that I and your father give you all the love and care in the world, I want you to be very happy… I want you to be as happy as I have been… I want to be as good a mother as mine has been to me..." It was obvious that Rena's words carried with them an incredibly sincere feeling of warmth and affection, all directed towards her child, although at the same time, she also focused on the past, on the fact that Shizune was always there for her despite everything for what had happened.

Rena has always kept this in mind and the love she has for Shizune is no less than any other, she is eternally grateful to her for everything she has done, and at the same time, Rena wants all the happiness possible for Shizune...

"I'm sorry… It seems like your mom is very sentimental, hehe." Rena had to wipe away some light tears that threatened to come out of her eyes while a cute smile formed on her face. There were many feelings she wanted to express to Shizune, many she had kept to herself over the years, but she would make sure to find the perfect moment in the future, the one where she could tell her how much she truly loved her.

…

…

"Well, I think it's all ready." Shizune gave a small sigh when she finished the food she had planned, while, next to her, Akira watched everything with a surprised face.

"Don't you think it's a bit much, Nee-san?" Akira turned his gaze towards Shizune with that question.

"Eh, why do you say that?" Shizune didn't understand Akira's reaction, but if someone else was there, maybe they would have the same reaction as Akira.

On the kitchen table, which looked perfectly arranged, right now there was a large amount of food that perhaps one would think was prepared for a big party. It was generally different Japanese dishes such as Sukiyaki (Meat and vegetables), Toridango nabe (Chicken dumplings), Gyozas, Donburi (Rice with different ingredients on top), among other things; which was the reason for Akira's surprise since she had only concentrated on preparing the ingredients while Shizune did her magic.

"Don't worry, Akira-chan. I'm aware of how much Kurono and Akio can eat, so we won't have any problems finishing everything together, hehe." Shizune's simple laugh didn't leave Akira completely calm, but there wasn't much to do, besides the aroma produced from all the dishes near her was whetting her appetite.

In reality, it was already two in the afternoon and both Kurono and Akio had not arrived, Rena already knew that they were both late since Akio had called her, but she did not say anything to Shizune since she was quite focused on cooking, but now that had finished, the first thing Shizune had done was look at the time and it was enough to worry her a little, but that worry would not last long as she heard how at that very moment they had just opened the front door.