Girl Next Door

Chapter Six

A week has past since Kyosuke's friend Risa returned from America. Kyosuke had never been happier in his life. He and Risa have been seeing each other ever since. Though elated, Kyosuke was rather confused. He wasn't sure if the happiness he was feeling were feelings of friendship... or something more.

It was Monday morning, and for Kyosuke, it is time to be heading back to school.

He got up immediately at eight in the morning, fixed his hair, changed into his school uniform, and went downstairs to have his breakfast.

Kyosuke was to go to his first day in high school, in Yoshiba High. The uniform consists of a black jacket and blue tie over a white shirt and gray pants. On the left breast of the jacket is a golden school logo shaped like a shield with the letter Y in the middle.

As he knelt at the wooden dining table and ate his breakfast, Kyosuke was joined by his sister Hinako, who was dressed up for her first day of her third year in junior high. She wore a white sailor fuku with a red bolo tie around the collar. The blouse is paired with a short pleated red skirt.

"Morning, Onii-san," said Hinako as she knelt at the table across from her brother.

"Morning," replied Kyosuke, sipping on his green tea. "Ready for school?"

"Uhuh," answered Hinako as she dug in on her breakfast.

Kyosuke looked up at the ceiling.

"Too bad," he thought to himself, "me and Risa won't be going to school together." He sighed as he spun his chopsticks on his fingers. "Oh, man. I wish we could spend more time together. You never know when she's gonna pack up for abroad again."

As soon as the two finished their meal, they got up, put the dishes in the kitchen sink, grabbed their school bags and headed for the door.

"Be sure to close the door on your way out, Hinako," said Kyosuke as he slid the front door open and  made his way out.

"Yeah, I got it," replied Hinako as she hastily made her way out through the door. She then slid it shut.

"Oh, I'm so excited," said Hinako, obviously elated.

"Me too," replied Kyosuke. He was smiling but at the same time having a feeling of discontent and loneliness. He thought of Risa.

"I wonder where Onee-chan is gonna study," said Hinako out of the blue, her hands joined behind her back.

"I don't know," replied Kyosuke, sighing. "Probably in the city. Her father does want her to have good education."

"Yeah," put in Hinako.

As the two of them exited the front gate, Hinako closed it behind them. But as they walked towards school, a familiar voice was heard from behind them.

"Morning guys," came the voice, "Off to school?"

Kyosuke knew very well whose lips that silky voice emanated from. It was Risa's.

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact we--" 

As Kyosuke turned to meet Risa, he noticed that she was wearing a white sailor fuku under a black sweater paired with a short pleated gray skirt. Tied around her collar was a blue ribbon. On the left breast of the sweater was a golden shield-shaped logo with the letter Y in the middle. Kyosuke's eyes widened as he realized that it was his school's uniform.

"Y-You're wearing my school's uniform," Kyosuke said, quite shocked.

"I know," replied Risa, smiling cheerfully. "That way we could walk to school together like we did in elementary school. Tee-hee."

Kyosuke's lips widened into a smile.

"T-That's great," said Kyosuke, quite elated. 

"Onee-chan!" exclaimed Hinako as she ran giggling up to Risa and gave her a big hug.

"Oh, Hinako-chan," Risa said, patting Hinako's head and giggling.

"After I graduate junior high," said Hinako, "I'm going to the same school as you guys. Tee-hee."

"That's good," replied Risa, smiling at her.

"Well, what are you guys waiting for?" put in Kyosuke, chuckling. "We're gonna be late on the first day of school."

"Right," said Risa.

So the three of them walked along the sidewalk towards their respective schools. Kyosuke and Risa walked side by side while Hinako skipped along behind them like a little girl. 

After three minutes, the three reached an intersection. 

"Well, my school is this way so..." said Hinako, indicating the street to her right. "... see you guys later."

"Bye, Hinako-chan," said Risa, waving at her. Hinako waved back.

"Take care, Hinako," said Kyosuke, waving as well.

"I will," replied Hinako, walking away but still looking at Kyosuke and Risa and waving. "Bye."

After waving goodbye at Hinako, Kyosuke and Risa then continued their way to their school.

Kyosuke stared at Risa as they walked along. A smile was on her face as she hummed a tune as they walked. She seemed to skip along to the tune. Kyosuke couldn't help but smile.

Then Risa turned to him and said, "Hm?"

"Oh, nothing," Kyosuke replied, quickly turning away. "Just it's been quite a while since we walked to the same school together and... it truly feels nostalgic."

Kyosuke gasped as Risa suddenly took his left arm.

"Well, I bet this is gonna be fun," said Risa, clinging to Kyosuke's arm and giggling. Kyosuke smiled awkwardly though.

Four minutes later they reached the gates of Yoshiba High.

It was a big school. The huge campus had four buildings: The main school building, the auditorium, the stadium and the library. As the two went past the open gate, they saw many other students walking and looking around in the campus. Kyosuke himself was looking around for any familiar faces back in junior high. Risa, having spent three years in an American middle school, found no one familiar, but was confident she was going to make new friends.

Looking around, Kyosuke caught sight of his friend Takeru waving at him.

"Yo, Kyosuke!" shouted Takeru. He caught sight of Risa as well. "Who's that girl he's with?" he wondered to himself.

"Takeru!" Kyosuke shouted back. He and Risa went and approached him.

The two boys proceeded to bump fists like they usually do.

"Wow, you're early today," said Kyosuke sarcastically.

"Well," replied Takeru, rubbing the back of his head, "You gotta have a good first impression on the ladies. And speaking of ladies..." At that, he turned to Risa.

"Oh, hey, Takeru," said Kyosuke, "Guess who." He motioned to Risa.

Kyosuke, Risa and Takeru have known each other since third grade, but it seemed as though Takeru didn't recognize Risa at once. He had to look her in the eye up close and scrunch up his eyes.

At last Risa spoke.

"It's been a long time, huh, Takeru-kun?"

At that, Takeru instantly recognized her voice.

"R-RISA-CHAN?!"