Jitsu Musume -A different story-

Rena carefully took Makoto, and Akio came closer to take him in his arms, leaving Rena free to repeat the action of almost everyone and approach Shizune and Kurono. Rena's gaze went back and forth between them, but especially, Rena saw that ring in her mother's hand, and at the same time, she understood and accepted what it meant.

"Mom..." As she sensed it, Rena felt like the words were stuck in her mouth without coming out, even though an infinite number of things to say kept appearing in her mind.

"Yes, Rena?" Noticing Rena's state, Shizune tried to support her a little since she wanted to know what she wanted to tell her at that moment. It was true that Shizune greatly appreciated the words she had received so far, but Rena's opinion was the one that carried the most weight and that mattered to her above all others.

"I feel like I want to tell you so many things… I feel like there's so much inside me, but I can't find a way to express myself properly." Although not everyone could see it, Shizune was aware of how Rena's expression changed a little as her voice began to crack slightly. "I know that all your life you cared and tried to make me happy, so that I never lacked anything, and I want you to know that I've always kept that in mind…"

Shizune once again experienced the small surprise and warmth of hearing Rena's true feelings and thoughts.

"But I've also been aware that you've been putting aside your own happiness for a long time, and that, believe it or not, hurt me a little since, just like you wanted it for me, I also wanted you to be completely happy…" Kurono also noticed Rena's state, and as if trying to tell her to take a seat next to Shizune, he moved a little so there was enough space on the sofa. "I'm sorry… I know that everything I'm saying kinda ruins the happy moment that this must be… But I had to say it this way."

Rena was a little busy trying to hold back those feelings that were attacking her, but it wasn't having much effect, although she understood Kurono's action and took a seat next to Shizune before continuing to speak.

"Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, maybe I'm assuming feelings that you may never have actually felt, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I understood it that way." Hearing Rena's words, Shizune had to agree that she had dedicated a large part of her life to taking care of Rena without thinking of doing anything different. It was her way of forgetting all the bad thoughts or memories that constantly hurt her, but right now she couldn't say anything in response since Rena didn't seem to want to stop. "But now… And I know I've already told you this in the past, but ever since you met Kurono-san, ever since you started to relate to him, up to the point where you realized your feelings, I felt and noticed that you had obtained a new happiness, one that only belonged to you and that had become very precious at the same time."

Many of those present had to agree with Rena's words, mainly because they were also there in many of the moments, as well as in the development of the relationship between Shizune and Kurono, and any of them could tell that said relationship had changed each of them.

"Maybe what I'm saying isn't anything incredible… But that doesn't matter." It was then that Rena closed her eyes before taking a long breath.

As until now, no one wanted to interrupt that moment, and waiting for Rena to feel ready for what was coming next, Shizune noticed how she opened her eyes again, but they carried with them a couple of tears that soon ran down Rena's cheeks while her voice was heard again.

"Mom, I love you. Thank you for everything you've done for me, and just like you told me a long time ago, I'm not going to walk away from you in any way, I'll always be there for you, and I'll always be your daughter, the one who loves you and for whom you are the most important thing in her life." It went without saying that Shizune was caught up in the feelings expressed by Rena's words, although she was not the only one who was experiencing it since everyone present understood what those words really meant. "So, don't worry about me. It is largely because of you, all your care, all the love and attention you gave me that I am here right now… I am very happy."

It hadn't even been a few minutes since Rena had sat down, but she had to get up to continue with the actions that were in her mind. She hadn't finished saying those last words that were in her heart, but to do so, Rena took her mother's hand, the one that carried that ring so special to Shizune, and in addition to that, she also took Kurono's hand and then joined the hands of both while Rena used her hands to hug them.

"Kurono-san, I just want to thank you. I want to thank you for loving Mom, for worrying about her, for taking care of her, but above all, for accepting her just the way she is." Kurono had also felt the need to say something in response to Rena's words, but since he had been repeating himself, it wouldn't be possible since he didn't want to interrupt her. "Needless to say, I have nothing against the decision you both made, nor do I have any doubts regarding the feelings of both of you, and as I said before… Mom, I am very happy right now, but now… I want you to prioritize your own happiness above all else."

Like Rena, Shizune couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the feelings surrounding those words, although possibly what had infected her the most was the attitude of her beloved daughter and knowing those small but important feelings, she had kept hidden. Shizune couldn't deny what Rena had told her, she couldn't think of any kind of excuse that would make her go against it, but in the same way, Shizune didn't have a reason nor did she want to deny the happiness she was experiencing and that she wanted to continue doing so in the future.

A warm hug was not long in coming the moment Rena finished speaking, the warmth that that small action gave Shizune was something that made her feel more sentimental, but at the same time, it gave her the perfect opportunity to return the gesture to Rena without holding anything back. Shizune had long since told herself that there was nothing wrong with thinking about herself, there was nothing wrong with being a little selfish, but above all, she had accepted that she also deserved to be completely happy.

Besides Shizune and Rena sharing that moment, everyone else had a small smile upon seeing that scene. It seemed like everyone had said their main thoughts after hearing the news, they could possibly say many more things, but the thought that was running through Akio, Kazumi, Akira, and Rena's heads was quite similar, and once Rena separated from Shizune, leaving her with a small but beautiful smile as a sign that she had already let out everything that was in her heart, she couldn't help but say that same thought.

"Mom, Kurono-san… We are all happy for you, and for that very reason… It's time to celebrate!" Accompanying Rena's shout, Kazumi joined in with several similar applauses and shouts while Akira and Akio also congratulated Shizune and Kurono once again.

That same scene had made both Shizune and Kurono feel once again the support and happiness from all the people who were important to them, but above all, a feeling of tranquility filled them completely, a feeling that told them that everything would be fine in that uncertain future.