Girl Next Door

Girl Next Door Special Part Two

Twelve-year-olds Kyosuke Matsumaru and Risa Takanaka have recently graduated from elementary school, and are ready to step into the gates of junior high. Kyosuke was really excited, for he knew that going to junior high meant he was all grown up and ready to face more challenges in his life. Risa, however, felt melancholy for some reason. That afternoon during the celebration of their graduation, she took Kyosuke to the old water fountain where the two of them used to play around in.

"Wow," said Kyosuke cheerfully. "What a party that was, huh, Risa?"

"Yeah," replied Risa softly, leaning on the fountain and looking into the water.

"Junior high shouldn't be too hard, right," said Kyosuke, looking at the reddening sky through the trees. "I mean, we made it through elementary school because of your intelligence."

Risa gave him a half-smile.

"Can't wait for junior high," said Kyosuke with a determined look on his face. "You and I are gonna rock the school up a storm."

Risa then uttered a soft sigh. Kyosuke noticed that she had been quiet all day.

"Risa?" wondered Kyosuke, approaching her on the fountain. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy about this?"

"Well, yeah, I am," replied Risa, sighing, "but..."

"But what?" asked Kyosuke, feeling concerned.

"Well, you see..." said Risa, "my dad called earlier this morning."

"Your dad?" asked Kyosuke. "Well, he does miss you, him being in America and all."

"Yeah, he said he does," replied Risa, "but that's not the problem."

"What is?" asked Kyosuke.

Risa took a brief pause, then walked away from the fountain.

"My dad..." she spoke, her back to Kyosuke, "asked me to come study in America."

Kyosuke's eyes widened. His heart felt heavy. "What...?"

Risa sighed. "He told me it will be good for me to study there. He says there are very good schools there."

Kyosuke paused for a while, staggered by what Risa had just said.

"When?" he asked her softly, a frown on his face.

"A few days from now," replied Risa, clutching her hands to her chest.

"What about us?" asked Kyosuke as he approached her.

"I don't know," said Risa with a resounding sigh.

Another short silence between the two children.

"I can't believe you're doing this!" said Kyosuke in a semi-raised voice.

"I have no choice," replied Risa, a tear coming to her eye. "In case you haven't realized, I haven't seen my father in years."

"Well, you could have told me this earlier!" said Kyosuke, raising his voice further. "Why didn't you?"

"I couldn't," said Risa softly. "I was afraid you might react like this."

Kyosuke then turned away from Risa, walked towards the fountain and slapped his hands onto it in frustration.

"I can't believe it," he said softly. "I can't believe this is happening. This was supposed to be the best day of of my life."

"Kyosuke, I'm sorry..." said Risa, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"No, you're not!" yelled Kyosuke as he faced the girl. Risa was taken aback. "You wanna leave? Fine! Go to America and never come back! I don't give a damn!" Then he abruptly turned and marched away in anger.