Girl Next Door

Chapter Thirty-Two

The next week, Friday morning, Kyosuke woke up very early, for today he and the rest of the sophomores of Yoshiba are to have their school trip. He went downstairs all clad in his school uniform and brought with him a bag filled with his school gym suit and other essentials. He then joined his mother and sister for breakfast.

"Not fair, Onii-san," said Hinako, nomming on a bit of omelette. "How come only you guys get to have a school trip today while us freshmen get to have classes?"

Kyosuke chuckled. "Don't worry, Hinako. You guys will have a school trip too."

"Did you pack everything you need, Kyosuke?" asked Matsuko.

"Yes, Mom," replied Kyosuke as he sipped on his tea.

"Will Risa-chan be coming?" asked Matsuko.

"D-Definitely," replied Kyosuke. "She said so herself."

"Hey, I noticed you and Onee-chan are getting quite close, Onii-san," said Hinako in an enthusiastic tone. "Are you guys dating or something?"

Kyosuke blushed. "N-No...! W-What makes you say that?"

"I agree, Hinako," put in Matsuko. "Your brother and Risa-chan do get along well."

"W-We're just friends, Mom," said Kyosuke, smiling sheepishly. "I can assure you that."

"You sure?" asked Matsuko mockingly. "Because if I didn't know any better, I'd think you two are on the verge of a relationship."

Kyosuke blushed even more. "M-Mom...!"

Both Hinako and Matsuko laughed.

"Well, isn't it time for you to be going to the train station with your classmates?" said Matsuko.

"Oh, right," said Kyosuke hastily as he rose from the table, grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

"Have fun at the school trip, Onii-san," said Hinako cheerfully, waving at him.

"I will," replied Kyosuke as he opened the door. "Be back tomorrow, guys."

"All right," said Matsuko. "Oh, wait, Kyosuke." She went to the kitchen and Kyosuke stopped, wondering what his mother was up to.

Matsuko returned with a bento and handed it to Kyosuke.

"Mom, you didn't have to," he said, smiling gently. "I got money. I could just buy--"

"Hush, now," replied Matsuko, putting her hands on Kyosuke's shoulders. "Now, off you go, and take care of yourself, son."

"Okay I will," said Kyosuke as he exited the house and slid the door shut.

As he made his way out the gate, he met Risa waiting for him, carrying quite a large bag.

"Oh, morning, Risa," said Kyosuke, smiling.

"Good morning, Kyosuke," said Risa. "You ready to go?"

"Yep," said Kyosuke. He noticed Risa's bag, which looked quite cumbersome. "Wow, that's quite a big bag you got there."

"What? Oh, yeah," replied Risa with a wide grin. "I had to pack my yukata in case there's a hot springs at where we'll be staying."

"Oh," said Kyosuke. "Want me to carry it for you?"

"No, it's okay," replied Risa.

"Please, I insist," said Kyosuke, taking her bag in his left hand, as he was carrying his own bag in his right. "You're gonna have a hard time carrying this around."

"Okay, thanks," said Risa with a smile.

"Shall we go?" Kyosuke asked.

"Oh, yes, please," replied Risa. Then the two walked of towards the direction of the train station where the other sophomores will be waiting for their train to arrive.