Girl Next Door

Chapter Four

Eight-thirty in the morning, and Kyosuke suddenly awoke, remembering that today Risa was coming over. He quickly got up, made his bed, and ran downstairs.

That day Matsuko was planning to run some errands. Hinako decided to come along and help with the groceries.

"Kyosuke," said Matsuko, "me and your sister are just gonna go to the supermarket to go run some errands. Take care of the house, okay?"

"Yes, Mom," said Kyosuke.

"Let's go, Mom," said Hinako, combing her hair.

"See you later, Onii-san," she said, waving cheerfully at her brother. Kyosuke waved back.

"Come on, Hinako," said Matsuko, as she and her daughter exited the front door. Kyosuke then locked it.

After that, Kyosuke was a little unsure of what to do next. Risa was coming over. He has to manage the house and prepare food for the both of them. Luckily he was an experienced cook since childhood, so making something in the kitchen shouldn't be hard for him. Kyosuke was a man of the house and he never let down his mother when it comes to chores.

Later when all was finished he wiped his hands and headed for the couch, waiting for a knock on the door. He whistled a tune as he waited for his friend.

Ten to fifteen minutes later a short knock was indeed heard on the door. He knew it was Risa and rushed to the door to welcome her.

As he opened the door, he saw her standing with her hands behind her back, grinning.

"Good morning," said Risa warmly.

"Ah, Risa," said Kyosuke, slightly smiling. "Good morning. Come in."

As Risa entered the house, she looked around, her hands still behind her back.

"Where are Mrs. Matsumaru and Hinako-chan?" asked Risa.

"Um, they went to the supermarket to buy something," Kyosuke replied.

"Oh," said Risa, nodding. She smiled as she put her index finger to her lip. "So... That means it's just the two of us." 

Kyosuke's heart began to thump. "Y-Yeah, you're right."

He clasped his hands together, unsure of what to say.

"I'm hungry," said Risa out of the blue.

"Oh," said Kyosuke. "Right. I made something for us." He motioned Risa to join him at the wooden table covered with the food that he cooked.

"Oh, so you prepared food for us," said Risa, smiling sweetly. 

They knelt at the table together, taking their share of Kyosuke's homemade omelet rice, but not before saying "Itadakimasu" (in Japanese means "I gratefully receive". Always said before mealtime.). Then they ate their breakfast.

Kyosuke had been observing Risa the whole time. Unlike the night before, she was rather a gentler eater today. That surprised Kyosuke a bit, but he was relieved when he saw Risa eating the way she did when they were children. 

"Wow," Kyosuke thought to himself, "Risa sure looks pretty. She grew her hair." Risa's hair was at shoulder length when Kyosuke last saw her, and the difference now amazed him. "She's taller too." He was staring at Risa's face and hair at first but then his eyes dropped over to her torso, specifically her bosom. As it seems, Risa had grown buxom through the three years she and Kyosuke had been separated, and now she has a noticably large bust. "And her breasts--" As he thought about it he suddenly realized that he was taking advantage of her and it seems she did too.

"Kyosuke," said Risa in a rather uncomfortable manner, "what are you staring at...?"

"Oh... Nothing, nothing," he answered, laughing sheepishly.

Risa suddenly blushed and put her right hand on her chest, feeling embarassed.

"Damn it," Kyosuke muttered, "now I made her feel uncomfortable." He hastily tried to find a way to fix the situation.

"I'm sorry," he said, bowing his head. Risa was surprised by the sudden apology.

"It's just you've changed a lot since we last saw each other," he continued, "and I'm just not used to that. We've known each other for years, but it feels like we've only known each other yesterday."

Risa looked rather concerned. Kyosuke looked very emotional, much more so than when the two of them were younger. Then she gave a gentle smile.

"You're not used to my new look, huh?" Risa said with a slight smirk. "Well, why don't we try to get to know each other again?"

"Huh?" said Kyosuke.

"Let's go for a walk around the neighborhood," said Risa.

"But who's gonna take care of the house?" said Kyosuke.

"Oh please, just for a few minutes?" begged Risa, smiling sweetly. "That way you wouldn't have to feel uncomfortable around me next time."

Kyosuke didn't know what to do. Then after a short moment, he said, "Okay, if it helps."

"Tee-hee," giggled Risa.

They got up from the table, left everything they were doing, and headed outside to have a friendly walk around their neighborhood.