The Corrupted Daily Life of an Alchemist Who Returned on His Own - Episode 4: Oh, I Forgot.

Episode 4: Oh, I Forgot.

“Um, Izaki-kun’s house is… th-that…”

“No need to sugarcoat it. My house is poor.”

Talking with my parents this morning, I’ve slowly started to remember things.

Right now, it’s the final summer vacation of middle school.

The me from the past was planning to study and go to a nearby public high school.

…Unfortunately, due to various things, that path changed.

“I see.”

“You’re wearing some really fancy clothes, aren’t you?”

Was it Hermes or something like that?

Even though they’re plain, the texture is clearly different.

“D-Do you want it?”

“I don’t.”

When I replied, he responded with that nervous tone. So I immediately refused.

“But, I’ve seen your mom and others a few times.”

“Eh. Really?”

“At those times, you all looked so close— I was jealous.”

“Your parents have money, right?”

“Well… I kinda understand that much. But for me, I feel more jealous of your family, Izaki-kun… saying that is probably presumptuous, huh. Ahaha.”

“Well, values are different for everyone, so it’s not wrong. And there’s nothing presumptuous about it. It’s just that thing where the grass looks greener on the other side.”

“Maybe so.”

With a smile, this person started eating something with stick-like vegetables in a plastic bag.

“I don’t want any.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

He laughed gracefully.

The moment our eyes met, he looked like he thought I wanted to eat it. Nope, denied.

“You haven’t had a bath either?”

“Hm? Yeah.”

“Hmm…”

“What’s wrong?”

“If it’s okay with you, want to come to my house? It’s only temporary, more like emergency care, just for now.”

“If a guy who looks worse than a homeless person shows up at your house, the neighbors will definitely talk.”

“B-But…”

“More importantly, why do you care so much? Did I ever do anything for you?”

He’s so kind it’s actually scary.

Also, why does he look so familiar?

“A-A long time ago…”

“A long time ago? Did I do something?”

Looking like he didn’t want to say, he nodded slowly, a bit embarrassed.

“I see. Then, I guess I’ll accept your offer.”

“R-Really!?”

“Why do you look so happy just because a filthy guy like me is coming to your house?”

He was so happy he stood up with a loud clatter.

Hmm… I wonder where it was…

*

“Eh!? Dad!?”

“Oh—Saki. Hm?”

“…Hello.”

Hey. Wasn’t he supposed to not be home?

This is super awkward.

“You’re… hmm… not her boyfriend, I suppose.”

Yeah. Being evaluated from head to toe like that is irritating, even for me. But it can’t be helped.

That’s how I’m seen now.

Before coming here… well… I was with ladies from noble families or top-tier courtesans.

“Dad, don’t be rude to Izaki-kun!”

“I didn’t mean it that way—”

“It’s fine. I understand my position. …Well then, thanks for the bread.”

I lightly bowed toward her dad and turned to head toward the entrance—

—but then I was grabbed with a crazy amount of force. So strong.

“Dad!! Apologize!! Izaki-kun didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Hey, you don’t need to defend me. Your father is making a fair judgment.”

Just as I said that, I noticed her dad’s gaze had become way more intense than earlier.

“Is something… wrong?”

“No. Hey, Kumiko—”

He raised his hand and called someone’s name.And immediately, a graceful-looking woman showed up.

“Call a maid and have her clean him up. Also, tell them there’ll be one extra for dinner tonight.”

“Oh my… I’ll let them know.”

She gave me a quick wink and left.

I bowed slightly in return.

“Saki-chan, can you wait over there a bit? Daddy needs to—”

“No way! I don’t know what you’re gonna say to Izaki-kun!”

“No, you’d better do what he says.”

“Eh,”

Don’t make that sad face.

What are you, a puppy? Even my heart almost moved.

“Saki-chan, how about—we go on a trip with just Papa!!”

“Eh, what about Mom?”

“You don’t want to go with Papa!? Is that it!? This is why kids grow apart—”

“F-Fine!! I’ll go, okay!!”

Blushing and flustered, she ran off to the stairs.

The moment she was gone— his stare became even more intense.

Sigh.

Looks like I’ve added another problem.

With no one else around, the air suddenly turned icy cold and heavy.

“Your name?”

Leaning on the table with both elbows, he asked.

“Izaki Minato Shō.”

“Izaki-kun. How did you come into contact with my daughter? I let it go earlier.”

“She just helped me when I was basically dying on the street. Ah, just to be clear—I wasn’t aiming for her or anything. And I have no intention of doing anything with her.”

“Of course. My daughter isn’t that easily won over.”

Obviously. Even with that cold stare of his, anyone could tell.

“Should I just leave? Honestly, being in such a rich person’s house makes me uncomfortable.”

“My daughter doesn’t feel that way.”

“I see.”

As I replied, I felt like his guard went up even more.

He’s staring daggers at me. What did I even do?

“Uh— I’m still a middle schooler, so could you stop staring like that?”

“Izaki-kun… are you really a middle schooler?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Now I’m curious. Your reaction seemed like you really don’t know who we are. And you’re not trying anything with my daughter, I can tell from your behavior… no, just your face. You don’t act like a rebellious kid either… I mean, you’re way too calm to be a regular middle schooler.”

Well, I did say this place was fancy. But I’ve seen stuff like this plenty. Even maids.

—Well, they were Homunculus though.

“Sorry to ask this while being taken care of…”

“Hm? I’ll listen as much as I can. You want money?”

“No? Of course not.”

“Oh. Seems I was way off.”

“Could you tell me your family name?”

“…Ours?”

This guy… I’ve seen him somewhere before.

Where was it? The name “Saki” is weird too.

That person totally looks like a guy, no matter how you see it.

“Yes.”

“—Shiranami.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded slightly and bowed.

“It may be too late. But for now, you’re a guest. Enjoy our hospitality. Saki gets noisy otherwise.”

“Yes, thank you.”

*

And so.

I was shown the way by a maid (totally my type).

She looked me over with a mix of shock and sympathy and showed me the way.

Thinking I won’t get to interact with her anymore made me feel kinda sad while I was in the shower.

——*Shhhh*

“…Pathetic.”

My disgustingly dirty body was washed away by the water.

I used to be the strongest existence.

Now I can’t even attract a single woman who’s totally my type.

“…?”

*Squeak.* I turned off the water and suddenly realized something.

Wait. What am I even doing?

Watching the water drops go down the drain, I realized.

“Man, I’m an idiot.”

I’m an alchemist, you know?

Yeah, someone who was feared, admired, and sought after across the continent.

Why am I trying to live a normal life?

Right. I went back in time. That much is fine.

But the key thing is: I’m an alchemist.

“─────It’s there.”

I slowly closed my eyes… and opened them.

Something I didn’t have back then—magic power. I could clearly sense it inside me.

“Hm? Right!”

ーーWhen I go back, I’ll just store it in subspace or something.

“Ahh… right, that!”

Responding to my magic power, the subspace that can be accessed anytime…

“Hm? …Huh?”

No matter how hard I tried, the subspace wouldn’t open.

“Huhhh? Why?”

I fiddled around in thin air for a bit.

After several minutes, it still wouldn’t open.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!!!!”

“Is—something wrong?”

When I punched the wall, the maid outside asked with a worried voice.

“A-Ah, sorry… ahaha…”

Startled, I clumsily apologized.

Damn it—huh?

ーーKelvin-sama? Could you put subspace technology on the scale?

ーーHa! You think that balances out with all the noble daughters in this country? Not a chance.

ーーNo no. Even something small—

ーーWell… I have backup anyway. My subspace won’t even open with such pitiful magic power—

It flashed through my mind.

The worst, most arrogant memory.

Now, I just feel embarrassed by it.

“You bastard……!!”

Hey, me from decades ago.

How embarrassing.

Not being able to open subspace because of low magic power?

That’s beyond pathetic!!

“Ah—wait, actually?”

Right now, if my total magic power were rated as 10 at my peak, then it’s about 0.000001 now.

Sounds small, right?

But it’s just that my peak was abnormal.

I only needed that huge amount so it wouldn’t get stolen.

“Right, if I remember—”

Then with a *clunk*, a familiar space appeared before my eyes.

“Bingo.”

There should’ve been a mini-space where I kept a few Elixirs I made for the first time, hundreds of years ago.

“Fufufufufu…”

Alright, I managed somehow.

With this—hmm?

“It’s probably not a good idea to drink it here.”

It’s just a mini subspace that only opens when I deposit all of my magic power.

I put it away quickly, washed up, and got out of the bath.

By the way—this stays between us, but I had to wash five times just to see the skin under all the dirt.