Girl Next Door

Chapter Ten

Immediately after Kyosuke woke up the next day, he remembered what he had to do. Risa was mad at him, and he must apologize. Today was the second day of school, and he took it as an opportunity to talk to Risa about what happened the other night.

He quickly got dressed, ran down the stairs, wolfed down on his breakfast, and hurried outside with Hinako in tow.

"Onii-san," said Hinako, "what's the rush?"

"Nothing," Kyosuke replied rather frantically. He then hastily headed out the gate and leant on the fence to wait for Risa.

"You're acting weird," said Hinako, half-frowning. She closed the gate behind her as she got out.

A few minutes later Risa gently opened the gate to her house and made her way out. As usual, she was cheerfully greeted with a hug by Hinako.

"Good morning, Onee-chan!" said Hinako, giggling.

"Morning, Hinako-chan," replied Risa, smiling at her.

At that Kyosuke decided to take the opportunity to talk to Risa. He was about to initiate conversation when she walked past him, as though he wasn't even there.

"Huh?" Kyosuke thought to himself. "Is she avoiding me or something?" He sighed.

Today's walk to school wasn't like yesterday's. Risa and Hinako walked alongside each other while Kyosuke tagged along behind. She hasn't spoken to him since last night. Kyosuke was convinced that Risa was mad at him.

"She doesn't want to talk to me?" he thought. "She must be very pissed. Oh God, what have I done?" He hung his head in shame.

Later on, the three reached the curve that led to Hinako's school. Risa and Hinako waved goodbye to each other before Hinako turned around and walked to her school straight ahead. Then Risa and Kyosuke continued their walk to school.

It was sort of an awkward silence as they walked. Kyosuke looked at Risa. She looked as if she was walking all alone. She had a blank expression on her face that people usually have when they are alone. Kyosuke sighed.

"She's totally ignoring me," he thought. "I have to cut to the chase. Now."

It was a minute or so before Kyosuke spoke.

"R-Risa?"

She did not respond. She just kept walking as if no one was speaking to her.

Kyosuke gulped. "Listen, I'm sorry about what happened last night."

Still no response.

Kyosuke stopped walking.

"Risa, please..." begged Kyosuke.

Risa had walked past him when he stopped, but after he spoke those words she too stopped walking. She turned around and faced him.

"What?" she finally spoke. A serious expression was on her face.

"Risa," said Kyosuke after a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"Didn't mean what?" replied Risa, arms folded.

Kyosuke sighed. "That night, when I saw you changing. It's just, your window was open and-- I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm truly sorry."

Risa turned to her right, arms still folded.

"Hmm..." she hummed.

"Can you forgive me?" said Kyosuke, turing to his left.

It took a moment before Risa spoke.

"Well, most boys are like that anyway," she said.

Kyosuke looked more even depressed after hearing Risa say that.