The Corrupted Daily Life of an Alchemist Who Returned on His Own - Episode 8: An Early Independent Study for Middle School Students

Episode 8: An Early Independent Study for Middle School Students

A certain place in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.

In the industrial area by the bay, multiple limousines can be seen entering a center.

It is the Shiranami Aqua Holdings’ Third Marine Processing Center.

The limousines stop, and several people dressed in overly imposing suits step out from the vehicles.

And then, among them, a boy who clearly felt out of place steps out last. He has a languid expression and attitude.

“Welcome and thank you for coming! Chairman Shiranami! And Lady Saki and…”

“I’m Attendant A. Hello.”

“Izaki-kun, with that explanation, they wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

“Sorry. You must be in the middle of a busy time.”

“No! Not a problem at all! Though, we haven’t yet heard your business here…”

“Ah, it’s about my daughter and this Izaki-kun’s summer break independent study. We thought our company would be a good fit, so we came.”

“Oh! Is that so. Then I’ll immediately arrange someone to guide you through the facility!”

“So, Kanbara-kun is already the center director here?”

Chairman Shiranami says this elegantly while looking at the name tag. And Kanbara scratches his head shyly.

“If this year’s evaluation goes well, I’ll be able to walk a new path alongside the Chairman! Please look forward to it!”

“Ah! I have high hopes for you, Kanbara-kun.”

“I brought some of our team members in hopes you might grant them a short audience with the Chairman, if that would be alright.”

“Yes. If only Kanbara-kun knows, it becomes inconvenient. And it would be embarrassing to expose our ignorance about our own people. They were introduced by Kanbara-kun—so they must be highly competent individuals.”

“Yes! Well then,”

And just like that, Kanbara and Chairman Shiranami quietly disappear from the scene.

*

“Izaki-kun!”

“Oh, so—”

As the both of us are talking…

“Lady Saki, and Izaki-san… was it? I am Kamishiro, appointed to guide you both. This might be a bit early for middle schoolers, but here.”

With polite movements, he gives them a business card while slightly bowing.

“Kamishiro Chikara-san, huh. That’s a cool name.”

“People often say it doesn’t match me.”

“………”

“What’s wrong, Shiranami?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“Ah— she always gets grumpy whenever I show up. I do try to be courteous, though.”

Indeed, he gives off the impression of a clean, well-mannered young man.

His hair is neither too long nor too short.

His height is around 180 cm, with a perfectly balanced physique.

His face is above average.

Nothing especially noteworthy—in a good way.

But when I glance next to me, this girl clearly looks a bit frightened.

“Ow.”

“It’s okay. Kamishiro-san is being polite. So ignoring him isn’t nice, right?”

“W-well… yeah. Sorry about that.”

Whatever’s going on, now isn’t the time.

“Yes. It’s perfectly alright.”

Kamishiro responds with a bright smile. He bends slightly at the waist.

“Now that we’ve done introductions, may I begin guiding you?”

“Please take care of us.”

*

“This is called the primary processing line. It’s where seafood is pre-treated, sorted, and cleaned.”

Amongst the uniformed workers walking in an orderly manner, Kamishiro quietly explains. He answers our questions carefully.

“The Shiranami family is amazing, huh.”

“Fufu, it’s not my first time, but this place really is nice!”

“Looks like you’re back to your usual self.”

I poke her forehead with my finger. And she puffs up her cheeks and smiles.

“Geez!”

“……”

Huh? Just now—

“Is something wrong? Did something catch your eye?”

“Ah, no.”

It was probably *them*, right?

I felt an intense killing intent for a moment.

Well, whatever.

So far, nothing too surprising. But as expected of one of the largest marine processing centers in the industry.

Once past security, the scale is overwhelming.

In that country, science doesn’t develop much. So I’ve never seen a place this machine-controlled.

—Aside from ours.

“If you go further in from here, you’ll reach the heating, cooling, and vacuum packaging lines. To maintain product quality and freshness, we manage all processes using an in-house developed system.”

“I see. Does this facility have independent power supply?”

“Oh. I was told this was an independent study, but you’re asking very detailed questions. Yes, we have a dedicated unit underground. Due to past instability in operations, we later enhanced it.”

Hmm. Around here, huh…

“And over here is the area with the most problems.”

It looks normal. But since the guide said so, something must be up.

“This is the drainage and exhaust heat merger line. On-site staff call it a ‘dead spot’.”

“Is that so? Why is that?”

“Due to the design, load tends to concentrate here. And deterioration happens quickly. To be honest, it’s no exaggeration to say this part gets the most budget cuts.”

“If you don’t mind me speaking as a student with no real experience…”

“Please, ask freely.”

“Then I’ll speak frankly. Kamishiro-san, you said that this part is where load concentrates most and it deteriorates quickly, right? But then saying it also gets its budget cut sounds contradictory. If it wears down quickly, shouldn’t it be repaired or replaced often?”

“Fufu. As expected from the youth of the future. Your question makes sense. This line is actually extremely stable. It was built in the late Showa era. But there have been no abnormal reports, and it still looks fine. Moreover, the usage rate of this processing line is not very high. That’s why its priority drops. We also have a new line now, which performs better.”

“I see. So there are various complicated reasons.”

“Exactly. But Izaki-san, for a third-year middle schooler, your questions are sharp—it’s honestly nerve-wracking.”

“Please don’t flatter me like that.”

While speaking in a manner completely unlike myself, we continued exchanging explanation and questions back and forth.

“Now then, shall we take a short break? If we leave this area, it’ll take time and effort, so… ah, there are some chairs over there. Let’s rest there.”

Turning my back on Kamishiro as he walks ahead, I gaze at the processing line.

So this was the place.

A vibration likely invisible to ordinary eyes.

“Izaki-kun?”

“Ah. Sorry, sorry.”

I didn’t know the cause for sure. So there was a chance it wouldn’t work out… but it seems fine.

And so, I leave the processing line behind and take a short rest.