Marriage Toxin (マリッジトキシン)

Our motto is "Provide a human touch."

Now you know we've been in the temp business 15 years.

And, yes, more than once, bankruptcy reared its head.

But I used every dirty trick in the book

to get us back on our feet.

On this fine day, I finally get to taste

the fruits of all the blood, sweat, and tears.

Delicious!

You're safe, Mr. President.

No poison.

Bon appétit.

To Tamotsu and Natsumi.

Congratulations on your marriage.

Make sure you pump out a bunch of healthy boys for me.

Cheers!

Cheers!

- -Huh?

- Mr. President! -

- You useless piece-- -

No! You've got to listen to me.

I'm telling you, I didn't poison him!

So, how'd you pull it off?

Couldn't have been easy slipping poison

past a hotshot taste tester.

The taster ate a lethal dose as well.

He just wasn't aware of it.

I'm confused.

How'd he live?

I spent the past three months

adding minuscule amounts to his food.

Until eventually, he built up an immunity to the poison.

No offense, but that sounds absurdly time consuming.

Well, yeah.

So absurd, no one would think we'd be crazy enough to try it.

The name of the game is stay one step ahead of everyone else.

So, Hikaru, have you given any thought

to the thing we talked about?

What thing?

You getting married.

Akari, do you seriously think I'm cut out for that?

It's not like I meet any women at work.

-Still-- -I know.

Grandma says there's got to be a new head of the Poison Clan.

Either you or me.

When I tried to tell her I'm out because I'm single,

she matched me up with a total stranger

from a branch family,

and nearly forced me to get hitched.

As if I'm that desperate to get married.

The Poison Masters line will end with me.

I'm spending my life single.

And you should spend yours with your girlfriend.

Well, not like I can see girls going for you anyway.

-Jerk. -

- -Hmm?

Bug Master. Been a while.

Hmm?

Glad you could make it.

Julia, cut that out.

Cheers.

Word is,

the Needle Master has three kids now.

All of them boys.

Food bill must be a nightmare.

Me? I'm planning on staying a bachelor the rest of my life.

Easiest way to keep my sanity.

Yeah, about that.

I haven't told you yet,

but I'm getting hitched pretty soon.

Mm?

She's a nice, quiet girl.

And she accepts me for who I am, bugs and all.

Seriously?

Caught you off guard, huh?

Honestly, I figured you'd have more trouble than me.

Man, you wouldn't know the pain, but I nearly died landing her.

Well, well. Look at you, turning traitor.

Hey, kiddo.

Rest assured,

marriage won't change the fact

that you and I are still best buds.

You know that, right?

Yeah.

Congrats.

See you, Gero.

Let's do this again when things settle.

Wait, Bug Master.

Respect. Really.

Finding someone you care about and who cares about you.

I don't think I'll ever be able to do that.

It's not like I've ever had a high opinion of marriage,

but after hearing you talk about it tonight,

it's crazy, but I found myself thinking that

that sounds all right.

As if it's ever going to happen for me, though.

It's such an honor to have you here, man.

It looks like the business

has been doing pretty well.

Ha! Thanks to guys like you.

We offer cleaning services and we'll get our hands dirty

for prices so affordable,

even your average Joe can swing 'em.

Oh, the ladies work here.

They're kind of assassin secretaries.

Very versatile, so feel free to use them for work,

pleasure, or however you like.

No, thanks.

No?

The ladies don't do it for you?

-Master Gero, watch out for... -

I see you're admiring

our bulletproof glass partition up close.

Meet the latest piece of human scum

I'd like your help with.

I present the heartless marriage swindler, Mei Kinosaki.

Girl's caused all sorts of trouble on our turf,

but her meddling's coming to an end

right here and right now.

Enjoy.

Hello.

And who are you?

Here's what's in store for you.

The poison will paralyze nerves in your extremities.

Then, it'll travel towards your brain

and make you feel like you're being ripped to shreds.

Keep in mind,

you're going to be fully conscious

while it's happening.

Finally, I will conclude

with this coup de grââce I concocted.

Your last thought will be regretting you were born.

Let's back up.

I'm Mei Kinosaki, and your name is what?

-Have we met before? -Shut it.

I... I'm sorry, but I, uh...

I asked because you remind me of my first love.

But alas.

So, now the marriage swindler is flirting with me

to save herself?

Yes, I'll admit it.

I have conned several people.

But the only reason I did it

is because I desperately needed the money.

My little brother's sick and needs treatment.

I took all the loans I could get

and worked jobs I'd never confess to anyone,

but I still couldn't make enough.

At least I get the chance to leave this world

while the spitting image of the man I adored watches.

Maybe I was wrong and my life isn't so bad.

But before I pass away,

at least tell me your name.

Mm.

It's Gero.

Are you absolutely sure about this Gero guy, boss?

He only works on criminal targets

he deems to be "human scum."

What kind of game is he playing?

This guy's a legit Poison Master.

The Geros are one of the oldest families

in the assassination biz.

He might have his fair share of stupid hangups,

but he's the real deal and comes highly recommended.

So let me sit back and watch him work.

Mr. Gero.

Now what?

I apologize.

Forget I said anything.

The way this woman's acting.

- - Does she...

Have the hots for me?!

- -

I'm sorry to call you on the emergency line.

What's wrong?

Nothing. I'm moving back to the main house.

I wanted to tell you before I go.

Why?

There'll be an heir to the family

when I give birth to a new Poison Master.

- -One of the branch members

needs a partner, too.

Are you really going to do this without talking to me first?

You don't get it, do you?

Grandma is serious.

She told me so herself.

If you don't carry on the line,

and I refuse to volunteer,

they'll take away my freedom,

and I'll be forced to have children.

If that's the alternative,

I'd rather go on my own terms.

Akari. Then what are you going to do about your girlfriend?

Guess we'll have to break up.

You can't!