I thought a week wouldn't be bad, but I'd gotten far too used to seeing Mitsukuni daily. I was too used to seeing his bright smile, hearing his laughter, and just enjoying his presence.
Damn it!
I rolled over as the door opened.
"Rika-sama, it's already ten. You should wake up," Azumi said. "I don't want to," I replied.
"Rika-sama, please," she said. I sighed, sitting up. I'd been debating for a while on calling Mitsukuni. It was only day two, though. A week wasn't that long. And, if I called him, wouldn't I come across as a clingy girlfriend?
Ugh, no, I don't want that. Besides, we're emailing each other back and forth. That should be good enough.
"Rika, you're up!" Kimiko said, as I was walking down the hall. "Perfect! Masahiko-kun is coming over today in the afternoon. You'll be here, right?"
"Yeah." I nodded. It's not like I had anywhere better to be. I wandered to the kitchen to try baking an apple pie.
"Rika! He's here!"
"Hang on!" I called from the kitchen as I pulled a cherry pie out of the oven. My apple pie had come out as a success, but I wasn't too sure about this cherry one. I set it down on the counter and tossed the kitchen mitt off. Then I hurried out towards Kimiko's voice.
He was quite tall, with short and light brown hair. His face was a bit round in a cute way, although he was overall skinny and tan. He glanced at me as I came running towards them.
"Rika, this is Kitano Masahiko," Kimiko said, gesturing at her boyfriend with a bright smile. "Masahiko-kun, this is my little sister, Rika."
I bowed. "Pleased to meet you."
"Same," he said, bowing back. Then he gave me a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. "You can call me Masa if you'd like."
"Masa?" I said.
"It's what most people call me," he replied.
I glanced at Kimiko. "Why don't you call him that?"
"Cause everyone calls him Masa," she said hotly. "It's no fun to be on the bandwagon." I snickered, and Masahiko joined in with a chuckle.
"Okay, um, Masa-san," I said with a smile. "Please call me Rika. And please continue to take good care of my sister."
"Okay." He nodded. "Please take care of me as well."
Well, he certainly seemed nice. I turned to Kimiko and gave her a thumbs-up. She blushed and then rolled her eyes.
"I'll be in the kitchen then," I said before leaving the two alone. "If you want some pie, come find me!"
