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

Attachment Sequel

After that, during break time, lunchtime, lunch break, and all other times, Mizui-san would ask me to spend time with her, to eat with her, to play with her, or for any other reason, she could think of.

It’s about time she started to scare me with her “Sho-kun♡” calls. I’ve heard it ten times today alone.

What on earth is the reason she’s following me around?

Is it that she feels close to me as a friend who shares her secrets? Or is she keeping an eye on me to make sure I don’t reveal the secret of her love for picture books?

Either way, it seems like too much of a hindrance.

I can only remember spending the day with Mizui-san.

What is it that makes her do that?

Is it pure familiarity, suspicion of me, or something else…?

“Hey, Kakeru. Let’s go home together.”

“Ah, yes.”

I hurriedly stuffed my school materials into my school bag when Rinta, who was carrying a school bag, called out to me.

I’ll think about Mizui-san when I get home.

I walk next to Rinta with my school bag on my back, thinking little of it.

“――You seem to be in a daze a lot today, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess so?”

As I walked out of the classroom and down the hallway, Rinta said something like that to me.

“Ahh, just now you were looking at the desk without getting ready to leave until I talked to you.”

“That’s―― … Well, you’re probably right.”

I was going to say that it was because I was thinking about Mizui-san, but I decided to just nod and let it go, because saying that might give the wrong impression.

Besides, thinking back, when I wasn’t with Mizui-san (in class, etc.), I felt like I was always absent-minded.

Well, I was thinking about Mizui-san’s strange behavior even then.

I feel like I’m thinking about Mizui-san even when I’m not with her.

The presence of Mizui-san is invading my head.

It’s not that I’m in love with her, but I can’t stop thinking about her.

With a feeling of disbelief in my heart, I change my shoes from the top to the outside.

“If you’re not feeling well, you should get some rest.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

It’s not that I’m in a daze because I’m not feeling well, but I do want to thank Rinta for his concern.

… I shouldn’t think too much about her.

This is how I worry about Rinta.

If I worry so much that my daily life will be harmed, I could get sick as he feared.

It’s important to think about others, but it’s just as important to care about yourself.

Let’s forget about her and enjoy casual conversations with Rinta at least when we are leaving school.

“Sho-kun♡”

This was the moment when I was about to pass through the school gate with determination.

I knew that reality is only something that goes against our wishes.

Otherwise, there is no explanation for Mizui-san talking to me right after I made up my mind.

I even feel that reality is being manipulated to make it so.

“It’s a coincidence that we’re leaving at the same time♪ It’s like fate♡”

“It’s obvious you were waiting for me.”

“It’s a coincidence♪”

“But I just came out of the school gate.”

“Coincidence♪”

“But for―――”

“Coincidence♪”

“……… Yes, that’s right.”

I’m overwhelmed by Mizui-san forcefulness.

That’s the way it is now, isn’t it?

With her unyielding insistence, the inevitable became a coincidence.

“Y-Yo, Mizui.”

That’s how Rinta greeted her as he tried to join the conversation between me and Mizui-san.

I wondered if Rinta liked Mizui-san.

When I saw the confused look on his face and the tone of his voice, I remembered that.

“Hmm? Ah, Sunagawa-kun.”

She replied in a tone as if to say, “You were there?”

I can’t believe that the affable Mizui-san would react this way to a classmate… 

I wonder if Rinta did something to her.

It could be a casual body touch or a cold comment in a cool way.

――Oh, that’s all me.

The trauma was so unexpected that I almost fell into the early morning self-loathing again.

“Are you two on your way home?”

“Y-Yeah, Kakeru said it would be lonely to go home alone. I’m taking him home with me.”

Hey, come on, Rinta.

I never said anything like that.

I’m sure he lied to Mizui-san to make himself look good, but I don’t admire the use of friends for love.

I don’t know what that lie did to Mizui-san’s favorability, but it did slightly lower mine.

“Heee… I didn’t know that.”

For some reason, Mizui-san looked at me as if she were looking at her husband, who she suspected of cheating on her.

“Then――, can I come home with you?”

““Eh?””

Rinta and I were surprised at the same time.

But the emotion that came from our surprise was probably different.

As for me, I’m sorry, but it’s a proposal I want to refuse.

I’ve just decided to forget about Mizui-san and go home with Rinta.

It was also an important time for me to get to know my few friends.

I can’t let my decision be overturned so easily.

――But this is just my opinion.

“W-Well, if Mizui says so…”

I knew Rinta will come to that conclusion…!

As I have said before, he likes Mizui-san.

So naturally, Rinta would want to spend as much time as possible with her.

In his mind, this is an attractive proposal that came from her mouth.

It was a proposal from a girl he liked, and he could go home with her. It’s nothing but luck.

He had no reason to refuse her.

He feigns calm, but I can see that he’s about to accept the proposal.

If he agrees, the proposal will be accepted regardless of my approval or disapproval.

If that happens, my feelings will be fleeting, and even my time away from school will be consumed by my time with Mizui-san.

I have decided to go home alone with Rinta at this time.

It’s an important time for me to deepen my friendship with my only male friend.

I really don’t want to neglect it.

I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to force myself to say no…!

(Thought time 0.5 seconds so far)

“I’m sorry, Mizui-san! We promised we’d go home together!”

“No, I don’t want to…”

“Let’s go home together, Rinta! See you tomorrow, Mizui-san!”

I managed to use my momentum to push Rinta back.

It’s not that I want to avoid her. In fact, I even want to be friends with her.

Mizui-san is outstanding in many aspects, including her personality and abilities, and I believe that a relationship with her would be valuable in the future. And even if we don’t talk about her future potential, I like her personality.

But that doesn’t mean that I want to be with her forever.

I want to cherish my relationship with her as much as I want to cherish my relationship with other people.

With a feeling of apology in my heart, I headed home.