Jitsu Musume -A different story-

"Is that…?" That question couldn't even be formulated properly as the shock Kazumi was experiencing was too much at that moment. Her gaze couldn't move away from Kurono and Shizune's figures for a few seconds, but when she did, she saw everyone else's expressions of surprise and disbelief.

"Nee-san…" Like Kazumi, Akira was trying to ask if what she had just heard was real, and at the same time, many ideas and thoughts were running through her mind as she used her hands to cover her mouth to emphasize how surprised she was.

"What you just heard is completely true." Noticing the situation, Kurono's voice was heard in the room as he used his hand to lightly grab Shizune's. "I proposed to Shizune."

With that sort of confirmation, the surprise from before grew again even though it was already at its limit, but at the same time, Kurono's words made everyone snap out of that state, and the first to recover was precisely Akio.

"Kurosawa-san, Mother… Congratulations!!" It went without saying that the volume and emotion with which Akio spoke at that moment was enough to surprise everyone, but that didn't stop him from continuing to express what he was feeling. "This is great news! You two really make a great couple and you have my full support. I could really say a lot of things, but I just want you to know that I'm really happy for you."

Akio's surprised expression had already been replaced by a big smile due to the news, and as mentioned, he had been the first to move and give those words of support to both Shizune and Kurono. They were about to thank Akio for his words, but Akira's voice didn't take long to come when she heard her brother.

"Nee-san… I know this isn't a joke or something since it's something very important, but I can't help but feel a little strange…" Although those words seemed a little difficult to fully understand, everyone kept silent so as not to interrupt Akira. "Obviously I'm very happy for you, you're one of the people I know who deserves to be happy the most in this life… And although I'd ​​be lying if I said that the possibility of you and Kurono-san making this decision never crossed my mind, this news is a big surprise in itself, but, even so, it's not necessary to think too much about it. This really is a happy moment, so I want to share with you my best wishes and the happiness I'm feeling for you."

Akira had approached Shizune as he said that, so she had heard his words perfectly.

"Akira-chan…" Shizune perfectly felt Akira's feelings, and although she was about to respond properly, her voice hadn't stopped at that moment.

"Kurono-san, just like Akio said, I want you to know that you and Nee-san have my full support, so please continue to love and care for her with all your heart." Now it was Kurono's turn to feel how those words carried many kinds of feelings.

"You have my word that I will continue to make Shizune happy, even beyond that, Akira-san, but I will also make sure that my actions are what prove it." Those words were not only an answer for Akira, but it was also an affirmation that Kurono wanted Shizune to hear, which had happened and had made her feel a warm feeling brewing within her.

Akira didn't say anything else and simply gave them both a smile as he stepped back a bit to give space for the new figure approaching Shizune and Kurono.

"Did you think about it a lot?" Although they could both hear that question, Kurono knew it was specifically directed at him.

"You have no idea how much… But there's nothing I want more right now." Kurono gave that answer without any hesitation, and that could be noticed even more since his eyes were completely focused on Kazumi's.

"Sigh… I guess that's enough." Unexpectedly, Kurono felt Kazumi getting even closer to him to the point of hugging him, which gave a scene quite full of warmth for that simple action. "Maybe it's repetitive, but I'm really happy for both of you."

Maybe those words were something that both Kurono and Shizune hadn't stopped hearing, but it was also true that they showed the support they were receiving, as well as the joy of the others upon hearing the news, so they appreciated that response very much.

"Listen, Kurono. You know that I'm not good at saying something deep in these types of situations… But I can say that I'm one of the people who know you best in this life. Although we are not directly related by blood, I have always considered myself your sister, and you, to me, are the brother I love with all my soul." Once that was said, Kazumi moved away a little so that her sight could focus on Shizune. "Shizune, Kurono may be a little complicated in some aspects, but I think you are already aware of all that, haha… Ever since I met you, I have noticed the love you feel for him, so I just want to ask you to continue taking care of him as you have until now."

"Don't worry, I have never thought of doing something different from that, after all, I have learned to love everything about Kurono, and I want to continue doing so no matter what." Returning a little of the feeling of the words previously said by Kurono, Shizune wanted to demonstrate her own ideas in the same way and accompanied by the smile she expressed, Kurono was captivated once again.

"That makes it so I have nothing else to worry about. You both really are made for each other, it's not just a simple opinion, but that's what you've shown me in all the time they've been together, so I have no reason to say anything against it, just keep loving each other the same and be happy together." Kazumi was the one who walked away this time while saying those words, although that didn't stop her from leaving one last sentence while pointing at Kurono with her finger. "What I said before is also for you. Keep taking care of Shizune, and don't go hurting her in any way, after all, she's also my precious friend."

Unlike her usual joking attitude, anyone could notice the seriousness that Kazumi had at that moment, and although her words didn't seem strange, Kurono also took them very seriously since hurting Shizune was the last thing he wanted in this life.

Once Kazumi walked away and returned to her seat, everyone's attention, but especially Shizune's, was focused on that figure that was a little far away in front of her. It could be said that everyone had already accepted and understood what Kurono and Shizune wanted to share with them, although it also had to be said that they had already thought that all of that would happen at some point... It was obvious that everyone had adopted a feeling of happiness and excitement for the news, but there was still that person missing who would surely have the strongest opinion and feelings to express specifically for Shizune.

That person could not be other than Rena, and she was also aware that everyone's attention was on her, but at the same time, she was experiencing the same feelings of surprise as at the beginning, but seeing how everyone properly expressed what they felt, she could not help it any longer.