Girl Next Door

Chapter Forty-Eight

Soon Kyosuke and Risa reached the park where the two of them used to visit as children.

It was a large park, and had a fair amount of visitors, children and adults alike. Many were kids flying kites, or couples dating.

"Wow," said Risa, clasping her hands together. "It hasn't changed."

"Yeah," replied Kyosuke. "It still looks the same."

The two of them walked through the evergreen park, looking around at the sights and sounds everywhere. Kyosuke caught sight of an ice cream stand, and an idea popped into his head.

"Uh, Risa?" he said.

"Hm?" replied Risa.

"Wanna buy ice cream?" asked Kyosuke.

"Oh, I'd love one," said Risa cheerfully.

Kyosuke then walked up to the stand and bought the two of them each an ice cream cone. He handed Risa hers.

"Thanks," she said as she started licking her dessert.

"Wanna go sit somewhere?" asked Kyosuke.

"That'd probably be a good idea," replied Risa, smiling.

Then the two of them found a bench and sat down as they ate their ice cream.

"This is really good," said Risa as she licked her ice cream.

"I know," replied Kyosuke, eating his own dessert.

"I remember us going to this park when we were in sixth grade," said Risa, smiling sweetly.

"Yeah," said Kyosuke. "Not easy to forget."

"I remember going down the slide and through the jungle gym," said Risa.

"Me too," replied Kyosuke with a smile. "Hey, don't forget the swings."

"Oh, yeah," said Risa, laughing sweetly. "I love the swings. Remember when you got me to go on the swings?"

"Yeah, I do," said Kyosuke, smiling. "Wanna go to the swings now?"

"That'd be nice," replied Risa sweetly.

Then the two walked over to the playground where the swings were. There were many children playing around them, and Kyosuke wasn't used to having kids around him, but Risa found it all right.

Risa then found the swings and walked up to them. She then sat on one and at once she felt nostalgic. Kyosuke looked at her and felt the same.

"I remember when I first got on this swing," said Risa. "I was scared of going up real high, but you helped me get rid of the fear by going higher little by little."

Kyosuke sighed as he sat on the swing beside the one Risa was on.

"I love the swings," said Risa, smiling at him.

Kyosuke looked back at her and smiled back.

Risa went back and forth on her swing, pushing against the ground with her feet. "Kyosuke, can you  push me?"

"O-Okay," replied Kyosuke, getting up from his swing and getting behind Risa. Then he gave her a gentle push.

Risa laughed cheerfully each time Kyosuke pushed her high up on the swing. Kyosuke smiled as she did so. Then Kyosuke stopped pushing.

"Kyosuke, come on," said Risa cheerfully. "Keep pushing."

"I like hearing your laugh," said Kyosuke with a gentle smile.

Risa looked back at him and blushed slightly.

"M-My laugh?" she asked.

"Yeah," replied Kyosuke. "It's... cute."