Girl Next Door

Chapter Forty-Two

Kyosuke and Risa walked for almost twenty minutes before they reached their neighborhood. But just a few blocks away from home, Risa stopped and crouched down on the sidewalk.

"Risa?" said Kyosuke, turning to her. "What's wrong?"

"My legs are sore from walking," said Risa, breathing deeply.

"Come on, we're just a few blocks away," said Kyosuke.

Risa sighed and smiled sheepishly at him. "I can't take another step. I have to rest."

Kyosuke looked at her with pity. Then his brain hatched an idea. He then walked over and crouched right in front of Risa with his back to her.

"Kyosuke?" said Risa, wondering what he was up to. "What are you...?"

"Come on, I'll piggyback you home," said Kyosuke, looking at her over his shoulder.

"Kyosuke..." said Risa, astounded. Then she stood up and got on Kyosuke's back. Then Kyosuke lifted her off her feet and carried her down the street.

"I guess this would be the second time you gave me a piggyback ride," said Risa, smiling gently.

"Nope, it's the third time," replied Kyosuke. "The second time was during the school trip, when you were drunk."

"R-Right," said Risa, a sheepish grin on her face.

"I remember the first time I piggybacked you," said Kyosuke, smiling.

"Yeah," said Risa, smiling as well. "That was when I sprained my ankle during fifth grade. Then you had to piggyback me to the clinic."

"Haha," chuckled Kyosuke. "If it weren't for your clumsiness, you wouldn't have been hurt."

"Hey, who are you calling, clumsy?" said Risa jokingly, gently tapping Kyosuke's head with her fist.

The two of them laughed all the way home that night. When they got there, Kyosuke put Risa down and proceeded to open the gate to his house.

"Kyosuke?" said Risa.

"What is it?" said Kyosuke.

"Thank you for saving me," said Risa with a gentle, teary-eyed smile.

"R-Risa...?" said Kyosuke, astounded.

"I really thought today was my last," she said softly. "But I knew you'd come. You are the best friend I've ever had."

Kyosuke felt the weight of those words as they emanated from Risa's pink lips. He paused for a moment before he replied to her.

"Risa..."

"Kyosuke..." said Risa.

"Risa, I promised didn't I?" Kyosuke said.

"Huh?" wondered Risa.

"You know I'll always be here for you," said Kyosuke with a serious expression. "Whenever you're lonely, I'll be there to comfort you. Whenever you're sick, I'll be there to make you feel better. And if anyone tries to hurt you, I'll be there to protect you. That's part of the promise I made at the airport before you left, you know."

Risa was amazed at what Kyosuke had just said to her. She was touched by every word. Then without further ado, she ran into Kyosuke and gave him a big hug.

"R-Risa...?" said Kyosuke, surprised by her action.

"That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," said Risa softly as she snuggled up to Kyosuke.

Kyosuke then sighed and smiled, then hugged her as well. Risa then looked up at him and smiled.

"Tee-hee," she giggled.