Those who ceaselessly hone their killing arts are known as "Masters."
After many generations, they have gained lethal abilities
called "Modified Bloodlines."
This is the story of one such Master, the Poison Master, Hikaru Gero,
and his attempts to get married.
Head? Of the Beast Clan?
Then, Toshiro is...
I'll be taking them with me.
I assume you don't object?
You're both good boys.
I do need to cull...
trash that doesn't know its limits.
Oh, Hikaru.
I hear you're looking for a mate.
Shall I make you my pet?
As heads of our families, we'll surely meet again,
as the Five Great Families move toward unification after hundreds of years.
Well, guess we'd better go.
Huh? You sure shift gears fast.
Uh, I mean, we did save Ms. Arashiyama,
and we managed to stop the Beast Clan's plan.
Well, you have a point.
And for you, the hard part is what comes next, right?
I'm rooting for you. On the marriage thing.
Hey! Hikaru Gero!
You okay?
We're fine.
We managed.
Taxi
Thanks, all of you.
We're gonna put all the gratitude we've got...
into showing you a good time!
Modified Bloodline Increment!
Modified Bloodline++
Go!
Ham!
Little Critters...
Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
Little
Critters
Thanks
giving
Extravaganza
She should be a Cuteness Master.
Here comes the big climax!
Ham!
Well?
Thanks, Man
How'd you like my gratitude?
This whole thing really rubbed it in...
that a small fry Master like me can't do much more.
But that's fine by me.
I'll live with my head held high.
Ham!
Awesome.
You're all cool as hell.
You bet we are!
The beyond-first-rate marriage swindler, Mei Kinosaki,
didn't miss the moment Gero and Arashiyama clicked.
This is a perfect chance to get closer.
Did you see last week's Twisted Ropes?
Yup, sure did.
You watch Ropes, too, Hikaru Gero?
I look forward to it every week.
I steer the conversation with superhuman skill.
Last week...
Speaking of exciting dates, I went on a private jet one time.
What are you, an oil baron?
In minutes, the whole boat was primed to talk romance.
Taxi
How irrational.
By the way, Piichi, what's your girlfriend like?
She's the best there is.
Seeing her smile before a job lets me give it my all.
Just having a meal with her totally refreshes me.
When I hang out with her on a day off, I can work harder the next day.
I'm not a decent person.
All the normal, human happiness I'm aiming for, I learned from her.
We share the good times and the bad.
If it's to protect my life with her...
I'd do anything.
Piichi Nakagawa, you said that so calmly, without a hint of embarrassment!
I-Is this...
how a guy girls like acts?
Talk about passion.
Want to see a picture?
Oh, for sure.
Okay.
The stage is set.
Hey.
What's with this swimsuit?
We hadn't been on vacation in a while.
Real talk. Arashiyama's into you.
These are some great photos.
She's into you, but that's a double-edged sword.
Because she idolizes you, if she gets disillusioned, it's over.
You need to keep it together more than with Himekawa or Ureshino.
Gero's grown, so a pep talk should get him pumped up.
Got it?
Keep calm and cool, like Piichi, and get her number.
And that smooth move will be your first as a brand-new Gero.
Aw, we're almost there.
And then, I guess it's goodbye.
Kinosaki-style Courting Arts: Bridge Builder!
Kinosaki-style Courting Arts: Bridge Builder
I'm sure gonna miss the hammies.
M-Me, too.
I'll bet!
Go on, Gero. That's your cue.
A-Arashiyama...
You mean she likes me?
For real? You're not pulling my leg?
She likes me?
She honestly likes me?!
Hey, Gero! Gero?
Was it too soon to tell him she's into him?
What now? He's stiff as a board. He might not be able to add her like this.
Hikaru Gero.
What's up? Cat got your tongue?
Ham?
Oh, it's hopeless.
I'd better calm them down and set things up for another try.
Mind if I say something, then?
I like you.
Did someone say something?
I, uh, like you.
But I...
I can't throw my hat in the ring to marry you.
I knew you were looking for a bride.
So I thought maybe I had a shot.
But no.
I'm not up to my own standards yet.
I've got no confidence in my own work, and I'm mentally a mess,
so even if by some miracle, I got you to accept me as I am,
I'd end up dependent on you, and I'd make trouble for you.
That's the last thing I want.
So I know it's half-assed and self-centered,
but I'll go get crazy independent and improve the hell out of myself,
and then I'll tell you how I feel again.
U-Um, thank—
I just carried out the job they told me to.
Forget just idolizing you. I'll become so awesome,
I'll be able to help and support you.
I'll make you fall head over heels for me.
Just you wait!
Wait. What the hell am I saying?
Thanks.
You've thought so much about me, of all people.
No one's ever said anything like that to me before, so, uh...
I'll be waiting.
G-Great.
S-So, um, would you add me on...
S-Sure.
Oh, for the love of... How are they this slow?
Friends
Okay.
I've got you in my contacts.
Me, too.
Well, they've got a decent thing going.
I'm aiming for the best possible marriage.
For both of them.
Deposit my fee, including the extra charges, in the designated account.
If you miss the payment deadline, I'll kill you!
Bye-bye!
Is she upset?
When did Piichi leave?
Welcome back, Piichi.
It's good to be back, Marin.
How did it go?
I mean, I know group activities aren't your thing.
An overnight on an island with strangers must have been rough, right?
Oh, right. It was kind of rough, but I was pretty okay with those guys.
Really? That's great.
I guess that means you made some friends.
Friends?
Oh, right.
I learned how to prep and cook a giant squid, so how about squid ink pasta?
Wow!
Let's add it to our café's menu.
Yeah.
What's next for you, Arashiyama?
I'm glad you asked.
I intend to start a detective agency!
Arashiyama Detective Agency
Ham!
Arashiyama Detective Agency
You're not going to put on more shows like that one earlier?
It was incredible.
Being a detective is cooler, you know?
Besides...
I wanna find out where my big bro disappeared to.
Ham!
See you.
Arashiyama is...
No, it's not just her.
Himekawa...
and Ureshino, too.
They're beyond amazing. And more than that, they're working so hard.
It makes me want to get way more charming,
so that I can be a good match for them.
Okay, I'll crank the intensity up to 1,000 and whip you into shape.
Uh, please do.
Teruaki.
How are you enjoying...
your new vat of poison?
I nearly died and I've never been better!
So, Teacher...
What can I do for you?
It concerns Master Hikaru's marriage.
Tell me more.
Thanks, Man
I've got a good vibe going with all three of them.
My senior at work, a guy the same age at another school,
and a guy in the grade below I was in a club with in junior high.
I love them all to bits, so there's no way could I pick just one.
Tell me, Advisor,
what should I do?
I see your problem.
All three of them really wanna take me on a date for my birthday.
Oh, really?
But you know...
Romantic counseling?
Yup.
Mei the Love Evangelist
200k followers
309 following
Followers only!
Kiss your worries goodbye!
"Mei the Love Evangelist."
"Followers only. Kiss your worries goodbye."
I want you to tag along while I'm doing my thing.
Why should I—
I-Is this it?
My training to get charming enough for Himekawa, Ureshino, and Arashiyama?
Training of a thousand torments?
I'm already up to a hundred.
Special Guest
The gorgeous guy in the glasses
Hikaru
If I manage to overcome this...
Bring it on.
Ah, what am I supposed to do now?
Well, this is just a suggestion,
but why not round up all three and triple-book your dates?
I never thought of that.
Thanks a bunch!
Good luck.
Hi there, Yu? About my birthday...
W-We're just getting started.
Yo! I want to ask out the team manager before I graduate!
The whole team likes her,
but no one's feelings are stronger than mine!
What can I do to score a try on her heart?
What do you think, Gero?
F-For a start,
put your, uh, heart into it.
Right!
And be polite.
Right!
Thanks, coach!
Good luck.
Bathroom time.
The bathroom's sparkling clean!
What the hell?
Is it a magic trick?
Was my advice good enough?
Okay, Gero. Let's get to work.
At first, I was just playing around,
but lately, my feelings have gotten serious.
Ever since I finished college,
I've been swamped with work,
and I haven't met any nice girls.
For a long time now,
I've been teaching a Spanish cooking class,
and one of my students is making my heart flutter.
Please give me tips on this song I wrote for my girl.
I'm wondering whether I should ask out this girl in my year.
I met an older woman on a trip,
and I just can't forget her.
We've been living together for five years, but we've never talked about marriage.
I've developed a passion for my Spanish cooking teacher.
I think we can fit in another 20 today.
I've got no choice. It's my only hope.
Intellectual Linguistic Enhancer Toxin: Silver Tongue.
Toxin: Silver Tongue
Whoa! Gero!
Don't kill yourself over romantic counseling!
I'm totally hopeless.
Everyone's thinking so hard about their problems,
and there's no way I can give them the answers.
That's fine.
I wanted you to get a feel for how serious they all are.
Honestly, there are no right answers.
It's proof that everyone is racking their brains for all they're worth
and just going for it.
The other day, Gero...
Arashiyama said she liked you, and you seemed totally rattled,
like you'd lost your confidence.
That look said, "I can't accept Arashiyama's feelings the way I'd like to."
But that...
just proves you're giving your all, like everyone else.
Don't worry. You're walking the path to your best marriage.
That marriage is still a long way off, though.
Thank you very much.
U-Uh...
Best of luck.
Thanks.
Why the candy kit?
I'm rewarding myself.
Now, let's go celebrate. With sukiyaki.
Sorry.
I've got plans I can't change.
Some other time.
Fancy sukiyaki, and then sushi for the after-party! Got that?
Kinosaki.
Y-You know...
Since I first met you that time...
Since you became my marriage advisor,
we've been through a whole lot, but, uh, well...
I've had a great time through all of it.
Before I met you, just about the only fun thing in my life
was DIY candy kits.
So, basically...
I hope you'll continue guiding me in my search for a bride.
Gero.
Leave it to me.
I promise I'll make sure you have a happy marriage.
Hikaru.
It's been ages.
Thanks for making time today.
How's the search going?
Well, okay, I guess.
What? You're doing okay?
That advisor of yours is good.
You sure don't expect much of me, Akari.
Still, you might have to hurry.
"The Gero branch families."
"Teruaki...
...is up to something."
Delicious!! Deli Corner
Half Price
Translator: William Varteresian Timer: Andy Ellis Editor: SMR Quality Control: Salem Alabanza Final Quality Control: Michelle Tymon