Kusuri-senpai's Grandmother (
Summary
Rentarou is still in shock as he had just "zinged" with Kusuri's grandmother! The woman states she felt dizzy all of a sudden but is tired of having the issues she has being 89 years of age. However as Rentarou finally faces the old woman face to face, it's revealed to be another 8-year old, with long hair wearing a traditional Japanese kimono who introduces herself as Yaku Yakuzen; having the same "immortality" as Kusuri and her parents despite her age!
Kusuri admires her granny stating her name means "drugs", but Yaku states she was named after the Yakusugi cedars that she loved. Rentarou asks if Yaku is another result of the "Immortality Drug"; she reveals she is but the version she took was near-perfect and that the "Negation Drug" has no effect on her whike Kusuri states she developed the "Immortality Drug" to begin with to prevent her grandmother from dying! As she keeps doting on her granddaughter, Rentarou wonders why she acts much more mature than Kusuri; Yaku reveals that since she and Kusuri's parents have matured, their mental age doesn't change between forms; while Kusuri is not an adult with a still-developing brain, something Rentarou doesn't quite believe. However, Yaku admires the "fine man" that her granddaughter had snagged, feeling like she's gone back to her own youth seeing him. Kusuri asks Yaku if he's like her late husband; but Yaku states her husband was the "paragon of masculinity" and that the answer won't be answered without dating Rentarou herself. Kusuri offers to have her grandmother join "Rentarou's Family" with her husband long dead, shocking Rentarou as Yaku states she may as well, without any real warning or input from him! Yaku and Kusuri decide to take a walk with Rentarou to discuss things, but Pentarou comes on leading to Kusuri to instead watch TV, leaving Rentarou and her grandmother alone together.
On their walk, Rentarou asks about Yaku's knowledge of drugs; the old woman states she is skilled but doesn't have Kusuri's genius. She also states she made medicine during a war where she met her husband, a soldier fighting in the same conflict; the "paragon of masculinity". Rentarou asks how it happened but Yaku states she rather not say, believing "the key to a woman's charm is in her secrets". The duo soon come across a bush of mugwort which Yaku picks speaking of food it can be used in; Rentarou finds a larger one but Yaku states it hardens if it grows too much and should be 5-6 sun (15-18cm) for ideal texture and flavor. Rentarou admires her knowledge; but Yaku states it comes with age and her life, stating she had no room to be picky with food and that this era Kusuri is in live in an era with more plenty. Rentarou admits that they only live in this era due to the world her generation develops before pricking his wrist with the larger mugwort. Yaku decides to use the plants by rubbing it on the wound as a topical salve, helping him. Rentarou is surprised seeing Yaku's face considering Kusuri keeps changing between ages; as he's confused, Yaku kisses him on the forehead as another cure, ultimately calming his nerves and healing him as they continue to investigate local greenery.
At dark, Yaku and Rentarou head back to the Yakuzen residence, the grandmother stating it was the most fun she had had in a long time and to continue to get along with her granddaughter Kusuri. Rentarou offers to also speak to her by offering a "LINE ID" which confuses the old woman, which makes her admit that modern conveniences and even "horizontal writing" are hard for her. Rentarou then offers a land-line telephone but she only knows of a tin-can telephone, forcing him to just go with writing letters. Yaku returns to the offer of joining the "family" but admits she only said it to make Kusuri happy. When Rentarou wonders about the doubt, Yaku states she's 89 years old and is too old to fall in love with a child of this era and that he should be happy with Kusuri and the other girlfriends. Wondering about the date, Rentarou realizes that Yaku was merely treating him like a child; that despite her young appearance, she is still an old woman and that she isn't going to fall in love with "a kid".
In hopes of trying to get Yaku to stop seeing him as a kid, he decides to become someone similar to her "paragon of masculinity" husband, appearing before her in a cooler outfit at a convenience store and yells at her to hang out with Yaku in the park, demonstrating his rugged ness by "taking the lead" on riding a see-saw, "reliability" in running it with his legs, "decisiveness" in just rushing next to the swings and "broadminedness" in letting Yaku choose, "thrill-seeking" by playing "The Floor is Lava", and "courage" in not caring what the floor is like, all while Yaku continues to wonder what he's doing!
However, Rentarou soon realizes he's just acting like a kid taking his grandmother to the park and his "masculinity" was superficial, thus removing his glasses and demanding Yaku to "be his woman" before sweeping her and approaching her for a kiss! But even when he nears his lips to hers, Rentarou realizes he can't do it, that he can't just "steal" a woman's lips and he isn't made out for this sort of manner. But without warning, Yaku kisses him instead.
As she leaves Rentarou's embrace, Yaku wonders why Rentarou would try to act like her late husband in order to win her heart; stating that if she was to fall for another man, it would be for a completely different reason! When Rentarou asks why she still kissed him, Yaku explains she may have fallen for his attempt at trying to be a "man" or perhaps she did fall for his "rugged" personality; but then states she's lived so many lifetimes that it's laughable to understand how a woman as fickle as her thinks.
Yaku thanks Rentarou for flirting with her despite her age but Rentarou tries to state it isn't just flirting. Without warning, Yaku points at him stating that perhaps someday, he will get her to take him seriously, which she looks forwards to as he acknowledges her acceptance.
Characters
- Aijou Rentarou
- Yakuzen Kusuri
- Yakuzen Yaku
- Kusuri's Mother
- Yaku's Mother (mentioned)
- Yaku's Husband (shown in flashback)
Quote
Cover: The Whole Family's Kusurylvanian! "Yes Yes," Yes Yes!
Beginning: Yep, she's one of his soulmates.
End: She's addictive ♥
Next Chapter: A secret ingredient jacks up the family's average age! Also, matching pairs in color!