I’m Back in the First Grade of Elementary School, so I’m Going to Live Well

AN: I ranked number one for the month by genre!

I did it!

“Okay, that’s it for the first period. Hinao-san, greetings.”

A little over an hour has passed since I entered the classroom with Mizui-san.

The bell rang for the end of the day, the first hour of class was over, and as soon as the day duty officer said, “Stand up and bow,” we went into recess.

As everyone was preparing for the next class, I stood up to do the same.

“Oh, Itosaki-kun. Do you have a minute?”

I was stopped by Misato-sensei.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Can you help me carry this luggage to the preparation room?”

Apparently, she was busy preparing for the next class and didn’t have time to clean up the materials used in the first period, so she asked me for help.

Misato-sensei has been placing a lot of trust in me since the fiasco with the free research project.

Up until now, she has been relying on Mizui-san, the class president, but now and then she asks me for help.

As a student, it feels good to be trusted by a teacher.

And for me, since internal examinations are important, this kind of opportunity to earn points is indispensable.

There’s no reason why I should neglect my grades just because I’m an elementary school student without exams.

Even grade reports in elementary school may lead to big things in the future.

If there’s something worth keeping, keep it.

That’s the spirit I live by.

“Yes, I understand.”

I shook my head.

Well, even if I’m in the classroom, I’ll have nothing to do once I finish preparing for the next class.

Then I should make the best use of my free time.

I held the teaching materials on the table in my hands and was about to head upstairs to the preparation room when suddenly――

“Sho-kun♡”

Mizui-san called out to me from behind.

Normally, she would be quickly getting ready for class and talking to a girl she get along with.

But today, for some reason, she came to me before she got ready for class.

“Umm, what’s wrong?”

“You’re going to carry the materials, aren’t you? I’ll help you.”

I asked her suspiciously, and she snatched half of the materials I was carrying a little aggressively.

She seemed to be doing it out of kindness.

However, I could have carried this amount by myself, but now that she had half of it, I couldn’t refrain from doing so.

Well, I guess I’ll just have to accept her kindness.

“Thank you. Mizui-san.”

“Fufu, it’s natural, so don’t worry.”

It’s natural to be kind, Mizui-san is really kind-hearted.

I think about it sincerely.

◆

In the middle break between the second and third periods.

This time is usually a pain.

Because there is nothing to do.

Rinta also goes out with different friends at this time, so I am always alone during this time.

For me, the only friend I can hang out with during break time is Rinta, but that’s not always the case with Rinta.

Even though he occasionally gets into trouble, he’s still very open-minded.

Even though I’ve graduated from loner, I still don’t have many friends.

I was sitting in my seat, as usual, looking out the window, feeling a little awkward.

Then, there it was.

“Itosaki-kun, are you free?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah.”

Imai-kun and his group, who played soccer the other day, call out to me as I’m looking bored.

In fact, I’m extremely bored.

“Hey, do you want to play soccer with me again?”

“……? Seriously?”

The second time he asked me was unexpected and I shouted out loud.

I thought it would be a one-time thing, but I had no idea there would be a second time!

“Y-Yes. Itosaki-kun looked like he was free.”

“Yes! I’m really bored! I had so much free time that I was dying!”

“R-Really? I’m glad to hear it.”

I leaned forward on the desk and took a bite out of it, while Imai-kun seemed to flinch slightly.

But I can’t help but feel that way.

In any case, I had unexpectedly found myself in the middle of a break with a classmate.

If this wasn’t a classroom, I’d be jumping for joy.

Of course, there was no way I could pass up this opportunity.

I would be happy to play!

Naturally, the answer is yes――

“Sho-kun♡”

I was about to answer, but Mizui-san called out to me before I could.

“Eh, Mizui-san? W-What is it?”

It’s not like the teacher is asking me for a favor right now, and I’m sure she has no business talking to me, but…… 

I can’t think of any reason.

“Would you like to spend your break with me? I found some beautiful flowers in the garden.”

It was a simple invitation to play.

I’m sorry, but I can’t take you up on that offer right now.

I’ve got a very important thing to do right now, which is to play soccer with my classmates.

Even if both of my legs are shattered, it’s something I have to do.

Well, you wouldn’t invite a guy with two broken legs to play soccer, but that’s not what I’m trying to say.

Even if it’s Mizui-san’s invitation, I couldn’t compromise on this.

“I’m sorry. I have to go out with Imai-kun now.”

“With Imai-kun?”

At the mention of his name, Mizui-san’s usual gentle smile disappeared and she turned her gaze to Imai-kun in front of me.

I’m not even sure if I’m being gawked at, but I’m creeped out for a moment by the sharp, angry glint in her eyes.

She seems to be a different person from the usual mild-mannered Mizui-san.

“…… Imai-kun, please give me Sho-kun. Sho-kun will play with me.”

“What? But we’ll get to him first.”

“Imai-kun…… You’ll give me…… right?”

“……”

A drop of cold sweat runs down Imai-kun’s cheek as he faces the sharp glare.

It’s like prey being stared at by a predator.

“Uh-huh. Fine.”

Unable to bear it, Imai-kun folded his argument and handed me over to Mizui-san.

Then, Mizui-san returned to her usual calm smile.

“Thank you, Imai-kun.”

She pulled me by the hand and led me to the back of the school building where the garden was.

Eh? Wa, wait, what’s my opinion?

For some reason, my opinion, which was supposed to be discussed, was ignored and a conclusion was drawn.

No, I want to play soccer!

I want to be included in Imai-kun group even from now, but Mizui-san grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go. And she grabbed it with quite a strong grip, so strong that even I, a man, couldn’t shake it off.

First graders don’t have much of a difference in muscle mass between boys and girls compared to adults, but her grip is certainly strong.

Now, I also feel like my fingertips are getting colder and colder…… (proof that blood flow is being blocked).

Why would you want to spend her break with me there?

Despite my doubts, I was forced to go to the garden, and Mizui-san kept holding my hand during the break to prevent me from running away.

During this time, she was muttering something strange to herself like “just like the situation in the picture book.”

In the end, I spent the entire break with Mizui-san looking at flowers, having rejected Imai-kun’s invitation.

What on earth did she want to do?