The Corrupted Daily Life of an Alchemist Who Returned on His Own - Episode 3: The Bread That Was Too Delicious

Episode 3: The Bread That Was Too Delicious

“Haa… haa… haa…”

I feel dizzy.

*Bwegh… EEEEEEE!!*

“Mom, that guy is spewing a crazy amount from his mouth!”

“Yoshimi, don’t look at things like that!”

…What a thing to say.

I’m still a minor, you know, hey.

If something like this happened over there, you know what it means, you damn old hag.

“Even so, right now I—”

Walking along the edge of the sidewalk, leaning my elbow against a wall of a multi-tenant building, I shuffle forward.

Almost tripping over a crack in the asphalt, I end up putting my weight on the wall — this is me now, a pitiful youth.

＊

Last night. I reunited with my parents for the first time in hundreds of years.

It was a truly joyous event.

Though, for some reason, everyone’s stares hurt when we had a heartfelt embrace.

Well, of course. A guy who was completely normal yesterday suddenly hugs you out of nowhere.

Then, after that, we all sat around the table and ate dinner.

A meal from my parents after hundreds of years was stir-fried bean sprouts.

And,

“Mom, what’s this?”

“Oh, that? We received it from Tsunemi-san next door~”

…No matter how you look at it, that’s not food.

But even the bathroom was at *that* level.

So the food could very well be the same.

…Ugh!

As expected, this is bad. Just as I thought.

Desperately forcing it down, I finished the meal.

That was yesterday.

Then, during breakfast one hour ago.

I heard something insane from my parents.

“I was wondering what you used to season these bean sprouts…”

“Oh, well, they had about a week’s shelf life left. So they were quite tasty, weren’t they? But… what was it again?”

——Huh? Seriously?

Before I knew it, I was shoveling food into my mouth in a hurry and making up some excuse to sneak out.

What I ate yesterday… was probably the same sort of thing.

“To think I’d end up eating like some kid from the slums in the back alleys…”

And that brings us to now.

Feeling guilty toward various people, but still dragging myself along this kind-of-familiar, kind-of-not path, leaning heavily on the wall as I go.

“Haa… haa… haa…”

Seriously, was the old me… actually a genius or something?

How did I even live?

It’s hot, I want water, it stinks, and I’m sticky.

What the hell, seriously.

“U-um…!”

“Haa?”

And then,

Someone suddenly spoke to me.

Responding roughly and turning toward the voice, I saw a nervous-looking kid about my age standing there.

His hair was short, not reaching the shoulders. It was shiny and well-maintained.

Clearly well-groomed.

And, well, he had a nice-looking face.

Probably popular with the girls in class. He kinda gave off a slightly feminine vibe. But his chest was flat, so probably not.

He was holding a plastic bag.

Probably just came back from shopping or something.

I mean, this is what normal looks like, right?

As I was thinking that—

“Ah…! S-sorry!”

He kept bowing and apologizing repeatedly.

Crap. My habits from over there just kicked in.

“Oh, sorry. I’m not feeling well, that’s all. What’s up?”

“U-uh… You’re Izaki-kun… right?”

“Oh, so you know me. Sorry, my memory’s been fuzzy lately.”

“Eh? Ah… I-Izaki-kun, you’re so different outside of school!”

“‘So different,’ huh. Rude.”

Who is this guy? Is he from my class?

“‘So different’…? Well, this is normal.”

“H-here—!”

He held out a 500ml plastic bottle.

I thought I still had some pride left. But before I knew it, I’d twisted off the cap, tipped it back, and drank it all in one go.

“Damn… this is way too good.”

Pushing back my slightly long hair, I thanked him.

“Sorry. I drank it all without asking. I don’t have any money right now, but I’ll pay you back someday.”

“N-no, it’s totally fine! I just… I saw you from far away and—well—”

Ahh—

“Even if it’s just pity, I appreciate it. Looks like I did have a proper friend.”

*Growl~*

“U-uh…”

“Don’t worry. My body’s just like this… Hey—”

He rummaged through the bag. He then awkwardly pulled out some bread and offered it to me.

“For real, I’m fine. You just got back from shopping, right? Your parents will scold you.”

“I-i-it’s fine! I have my allowance!”

Is this guy… my friend?

I can’t remember anything from before.

But, I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…

“Y-you have to eat it or I’ll feel bad!”

“Thanks. I’ll take it then.”

In just a few seconds, the opened bread vanished into my stomach.

“…Haa.”

“A-amazing appetite. I-Izaki-kun, if you’d like, wanna talk at the park for a bit?”

“Hm? Didn’t you have shopping to do?”

“No, it’s summer break, and my mom and dad… aren’t home.”

He shook his head a little and said it kind of sadly.

Still, seeing a kid like this just makes you feel bad.

“Oh, right. It’s summer vacation now. Kids need to play.”

“Eheh, Izaki-kun, you’re a kid too.”

“—Oi.”

“Hmm?”

This guy…

Just as I was about to say something, I stopped myself.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Eeh~? What is it?”

“Come on, let’s get to the park already.”

My body’s feeling a little better.

Even if I push it a bit more, I’ll be fine. I’m not in my twenties or anything.

“Izaki-kun—there’s no park that way.”

“………Lead the way.”

He gave me a wry smile as I started walking.

Then he stood beside me and guided me to the park.