IBV C55: A Strange Physique?

“Let’s cut to the chase,” says Grandpa, sitting down in a chair. “First of all, I frankly have no idea.
For some reason, our bodies just stay young! I kind of see it as a lucky thing.
Our organs still age, but they’re just a bit younger than they should be.”
“Is that so?”
“So we are aging, in a sense…”
“I still can’t wrap my head around it…”

“Well, perhaps the only clue we have might be our ancestors?” adds Grandpa, seeming deep in thought.

“Ancestors?”
“It’s our only lead, right?”

“That’s true…”
“Our family has always been known for its long-lived couples.”

“Conjugal relations? What does that have to do with it?”
“Again, if we knew that, we wouldn’t be struggling, right?”

“I guess…”
“I was surprised to hear that we have ancestors who lived up to 120 years old. Looking from that perspective, it’s like my life is only half over, and there are many things in store for me.”

“120 years old… that’s quite impressive.”
“It is, isn’t it?”

“But Dad, I still have no clue why this is happening…”
“So do I…”
“This is just confusing.”

“Of course, it would be! We even had scientists look into it, but they couldn’t figure out why either!”
“Scientists?”

“Scholars who conduct medical research.”
“Even experts couldn’t find the answer…”

“That’s right. So there’s no way normal people like us could.”
“I was roped into their investigation, too, and it seems like they don’t know.”

“Some biologists said it might be due to a genetic mutation.”
“Now we’re getting all modern!!!”
“Mutation…”
“I don’t understand at all, Grandpa…”

“But wait, if that’s the case, it doesn’t explain my wife and Mom’s appearances…”
“That’s why it might be a mutation… but even when we had a DNA test, they said there was nothing unusual…”

“So, we just have to think we’re lucky…”
Grandpa mutters, looking distant.

“Well, frankly, I don’t care about that. You must be hungry. I’m going to start making something.”

“Agreed. Even if we knew the reason, there’s nothing we could do about it. Can I request something, Mom? It’s been a while since I’ve had your cooking.”

“Leave it to me! Is there anything you want to eat, Yuki?”
“Hmm, nothing in particular? Anything you make is delicious, Grandma!”

“My, how sweet of you.”
“Ah, I’ll help, mother-in-law!”

“Thank you, dear. You boys wait here.”
“Got it! Sorry to trouble you, Mom.”
“Okay!”
“I’m looking forward to it.”

After that, we all enjoyed a family meal for the first time in a while.
The dish that was served was chicken.
As people from Gifu, we don’t eat it often, so it felt like a feast.

Plus, you could never go wrong with chicken, veggies, and miso.

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Author’s P.S.: The next part will cover the netizens’ reactions.
(When I thought about making Yuki-kun’s family look unusually young, I realized I’d have to make it a fantasy setting to explain it.)

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