Master of the Machete Style Manga

Chapter 18 Mio's Mother's Love Guidance

Natsume Mio was a little depressed last night, but she's come to terms with it this morning.

It seems that Ah Jian rejected her yesterday, but in reality, Ah Jian's meaning was quite clear.

Because of his past experiences, his family situation, and his financial situation, he felt a lot of pressure and was not ready to be in a relationship.

It's not that I don't like her.

On the contrary, this shows that Ah Jian cares about her a lot.

After all, if he was just looking for a casual chat, he wouldn't have taken her to that dilapidated apartment or shown her that old rental room.

His initiative in telling her these things shows his sincerity.

Hehe, Ah Jian loves me~
As Natsume Mio pondered this, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

"Mio, what are you thinking about that makes you happy?" the woman sitting across the table asked.

"Ha... Mom, no, it's nothing." Natsume Mio said with a smile, "I was just thinking that now that I've finally graduated from high school, I have a long vacation."

"Does Mio want to go on her graduation trip?" Mio's mother asked.

Mio Natsume shook her head: "No, no, I already have vacation plans."

Chiho Natsume said, "Mio, you don't actually need to rush into a part-time job. If you need money, your parents can give you some."

“It’s not just for part-time work…” Natsume Mio thought for a moment and said, “Part-time jobs can also help me develop my social skills, and I also need to practice my vocals in my spare time.”

“That’s true. The ability to interact with people is also very important.” Natsume Chiho picked up her milk glass, took a sip, and then continued slowly, “It can also broaden your social circle. It would be even better if you could meet a great guy.”

"Huh?" Natsume Mio was slightly taken aback, then quickly waved her hand and said, "Mom, what are you saying..."

“This is very important.” Natsume Chiho said in a very serious tone, “Back then, I met your father when I was working at a bookstore. Haha, he was a complete idiot when it came to love. I won him over with just a little effort.”

"Is...is that so?" Natsume Mio blinked, looking at her mother with some surprise.

I had never talked about this topic with my mother before, and she had never asked me how my parents got together.

Natsume Chiho took out a tissue to wipe her mouth, sat up straight, and looked like a mother about to teach her daughter.

She looked at Natsume Mio and said, "Mio, do you know what a perfect life is like?"

"What kind?" Natsume Mio listened quietly.

"In elementary school, you make a lot of friends and have a happy childhood; in junior high school, you have your first love and enjoy the most carefree campus romance; in high school, you should find your type and have several relationships to experience your first romance."

Chiho Natsume pointed at Mio Natsume and said, "Mio, your life during junior high and high school wasn't exactly perfect."

“I think I had a pretty good time in middle school…” Natsume Mio said, pursing her lips.

"You've never even been in a relationship, what do you mean by 'living well'?" Natsume Chiho said. "Your mother used to tell you this, but you never listened."

“Mom… how can you just apply a formula like you’re solving a math problem…” Natsume Mio said, “Was this how you did it back then?”

“Of course, what Mom said is all based on her own experience.” Natsume Chiho proudly puffed out her chest, which was just like Mio’s, when she mentioned her youth. “Back in high school, Mom managed to date every heartthrob in every class.”

"what?"

“Think about it, if Mom hadn’t accumulated some experience in high school, how would she have won over your dad? Don’t let his beer belly fool you, he was incredibly handsome back then. As far as I know, there were two other women chasing after him,” Natsume Chiho said.

"Is...is that so??" Natsume Mio was shocked, never expecting her parents to have such a past. Natsume Chiho snorted and said, "But, your mother still eliminated those two bad women."

"Oh...that must be really difficult..." Natsume Mio replied timidly.

“So, Mio, since you didn’t date at all during middle school, we can only skip directly to the fourth stage.” Natsume Chiho held up four fingers and said, “The fourth stage is university. You need to find a partner to spend your life with during university, that is, a marriage partner.”

At this point, Natsume Chiho's expression became even more serious. She said, "You must find someone before you graduate from university. Let me tell you, university is the last time you'll experience true feelings. Relationships after you enter the workforce are full of desires and interests."

As Natsume Mio listened to her mother share her life experiences, she outwardly seemed indifferent, but inwardly she silently took them all to heart.

Seeing Natsume Mio's blank expression, Natsume Chiho gently shook her head.

“Mio, you’re just like me in every way, except when it comes to relationships, you’re just like your dad, silly goose.” She said this comment word by word.

Mio Natsume did not respond. She had finished her breakfast, tidied up her plates, and put them in the sink.

When she turned her back to her mother, she playfully stuck out her tongue.

Who said I'm a fool?

We've already completed half of the fourth stage.

The first step is to find a partner to spend your life with, and the second step is to get married, so it's only half, right?

Natsume Mio put the plate down and went back to her room.

In the morning, I first practice facial muscles, vocalization, and breath control. Then I pick up the manual and recite some rhymes. These are all necessary training items to become a voice actor.

The morning sun was shining brightly, so she sat down at her desk, picked up her tablet, and opened JUMP+.

Two chapters of Ah Jian's "Chainsaw Man" have been released, and she has read them many times, even remembering every single line.

"If you want to keep it, I'll give you food, um... bread with butter and jam, salad, coffee, and desserts."

"Have you forgotten? You're my pet, and you can only answer me 'yes' or 'woof.' I don't need a dog that can say no."

"I like people like Denji-kun~"

Mio Natsume pondered Machima's tone in the manga and recited her lines.

She is a very assertive woman who has the upper hand in her relationship with the protagonist, Denji.

It even feels like there's a hint of discipline involved.

That makes sense. Denji and Pochita fused together, and Pochita is a dog demon with a chainsaw on its head, so Denji also absorbed Pochita's personality.

However, such lines would subconsciously remind Natsume Mio of that dream...

But in the dream, it's the other way around; Ah Jian is the one in control.

Moreover, she actually wanted him to control everything, and even enjoyed the feeling of being controlled by Ah Jian.

Thinking about the relationship advice her mother had just given her.

First love, first experience, life partner, etc...

Ah Jian...

If you raise me, will you feed me?
(End of this chapter)