Jitsu -A different story-

Just like before, Shizune was concentrating on watching through the passenger seat window as Kurono's car moved at a somewhat fast pace through the city streets. Not long ago, both she and Kurono thought it was time to leave the restaurant, firstly because they had already finished dinner and spent a lot of time talking, but another reason, and the most important one, was that they felt like they wanted to have some more privacy between them.

Therefore, Kurono paid the bill and both of them left the restaurant being seen off by Nao while they thanked him for everything. Kurono retrieved his car, and without asking Shizune, he began to drive towards the place that was in his mind, being that this same thing did not go unnoticed by Shizune and some questions came out of her with curiosity, but Kurono was firm in not saying anything.

All of that had ended in the current situation. Shizune believed that Kurono would drive his car in the direction of his house… But as the streets passed by, Shizune noticed that they were heading in the direction of the apartment. Shizune felt a little confused because of this, she didn't believe that Kurono was taking her back and that everything would end there, but still, she continued to remain silent, simply stealing a few glances from Kurono from time to time.

In the end, Kurono didn't drive to the apartment, but it was true that the direction he took took them to a place somewhat close to it. Despite everything, Shizune felt somewhat disoriented, largely due to the darkness of the night since it was quite late, and she was about to ask Kurono where they were, but he still didn't answer and simply got out of the car slowly.

Shizune was still confused and her curiosity was growing by the second, but it wasn't long before Kurono arrived at the door where Shizune was and opened it to help her out, and it was then that, looking around again, she finally realized where they were.

"This is…" Even though Shizune didn't feel lost anymore, she still didn't know what they were doing in this place. She was about to try to ask Kurono once more, but he just kept silent before taking Shizune's hand and starting to walk in a specific direction.

Shizune hadn't refused Kurono to take her hand, and even though many questions were on her mind, she didn't ask anything else and just let herself be carried away by whatever Kurono had planned.

It wasn't long before Kurono stopped, and the next moment, he sat down on a bench that looked too simple before motioning for Shizune to sit next to him. Shizune did just that, and once everything became clearer, she felt the fingers of her hands intertwine with Kurono's as if in this way they were expressing that they were there for each other.

Shizune's eyes scanned the surroundings before her sight was completely focused on Kurono. The image of the night was perfectly visible to her but accompanied by that, Shizune could see how part of nature was surrounding them at that moment.

Tall trees with lush leaves, a well-groomed path that anyone could walk on calmly, and more vegetation meticulously cared for so that, during the day, a beautiful and calming landscape was shown was what was precisely in the surroundings, but even so, that same night landscape had its own beauty, and at the same time, the image of Shizune and Kurono sharing a small kiss full of many feelings between them was perfectly combined resulting in an even more beautiful view in its own way.

"Hehehe… You know? I've been waiting for this all night." Once they separated, Shizune tilted her head slightly, and a cute smile appeared on her face after saying those words.

"You don't need to say it, actually, there were many times when I felt a great need to kiss you during dinner." Continuing the topic a bit, Kurono said his honest thoughts.

"I see… Even though I wouldn't have rejected you… I think it would be kind of embarrassing if so many strangers saw us, plus maybe someone would feel uncomfortable…" When Shizune heard what was on Kurono's mind, she unconsciously imagined that same scene in her mind, but even though she was sure that both she and Kurono wouldn't have minded doing so, she also felt that it wasn't the right place to show their displays of affection, that's why she was a little nervous thinking about everything that could have happened.

That very thing had made Kurono laugh a little at her, and in response, Shizune pouted a little, she was even about to scold Kurono a little since he had mentioned everything, but before that, Shizune had to stop herself as, once again, she felt her lips being captured by Kurono's before both were wrapped in a warm kiss until they separated again.

"I understand what you're saying… But now there's nothing and no one that can stop me from doing it." Shizune felt embarrassed hearing Kurono's words, mainly due to the seriousness with which he said it, as well as the fact that he was looking at her so directly.

"So… Is that why you brought us here?" Shizune was already pretty clear about where she was, but for anyone who hadn't guessed yet, both Shizune and Kurono were now sitting on the bench in that park where their whole story began long ago.

"You can think of it that way, but also… This place is full of memories, don't you think?" Shizune had to agree with that. That park was the same as always, the one where she and Kurono really met, and that over time, had become a very special place for both of them.

The memories of spending many afternoons together, simply talking and appreciating each other's company were quite present in both of their minds, and the simple fact of thinking about them had made a calmness take over Shizune, and in turn, she felt happy remembering how that little friendship had transformed into the love she now feels for Kurono.

She had been a little lost in it, and it was so much so that she hadn't even noticed the moment when Kurono had let go of her hand until she came back to reality the moment she felt something being placed on her legs.

"Hehe… It seems that I was right in the end." Shizune had opened her eyes in surprise before turning her gaze once more to Kurono, but when she saw the guilt-free expression he had, she could only laugh before turning her attention back to what was on her legs.

Shizune could see a small box that was clearly a gift from the shape it had and how it was decorated, her gaze turned once more in Kurono's direction as if she was waiting for permission to see what was inside, and without waiting much for his nod, Shizune began to carefully open the gift until she discovered what was hidden inside it.

"These are…" Shizune didn't finish saying what was on her mind due to the small surprise, but while that was happening, one of her hands had gone to her chest while touching something very special to her.

That was the pendant that Kurono had given her when they had their first date. Shizune took great care of it and it was rare for her not to carry it with her since having it with her brought back many precious and happy memories, and relating to that, Shizune was now focused on that new gift she had received from Kurono.

In short, it was a pair of earrings that almost anyone would say looked beautiful simply because of their design, maybe there wasn't much more to mention, but when Shizune noticed the small blue stones that were part of them, she quickly related it to that necklace that Kurono had given her a long time ago.

She took them to see them much better, she was already thinking about trying to put them on so that Kurono could see her wearing them and ask him how she looked with them, but just when Shizune was about to do so, her sight focused on the box once again, and at that moment... She realized that that was the real surprise that Kurono had prepared for her.