Just what have the past would-be brides of Marriage Toxin been up to since Gero got their digits? They just can’t be sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the Poison Master to call them up. No, these women have to have lives outside of the romance realm; otherwise, they’d totally be one-dimensional characters. So it’s a surprisingly nice change of pace to see in Marriage Toxin’s twelfth volume two would-be significant others having their own exciting adventure.

The main woman in the spotlight is Himekawa, who has made a name for herself stealing back artworks and giving them back to their rightful owners. But her next mission requires a +1, as a so-called treasure hunter keeps a widow’s prized bust hidden deep within his well-guarded museum. So who’s the best person to call to aid in such a mission? I’ll give you a hint: her comrades are very fuzzy!

Yes, Hamster Master Arashiyama is back, this time giving a helping hand to Himekawa and her mission to return the bust to the widow. Thanks to her tiny pals, a plan is conjured up to take back the work of art from the Danger Museum. Alas, the plan is too easily done, which means there’s bound to be a trick up the treasure hunter’s sleeve, right? With much regret, I must say that this is the case.

For the most part, Arashiyama and Himekawa handle themselves well with the situation. They escape from the treasure hunter and find a way to reunite after they’re split. It shows the strengths they have both as separate people and as a team, proving that they need no men in their lives to protect themselves from danger; specifically, in this case, people named “Danger”. So when Himekawa is captured, it leaves me slightly irked, as it was already established how strong the women are when they’re independent.

To be fair, Marriage Toxin is Gero’s story, so it is appropriate that he’d get involved with Himekawa’s rescue. What irks me is how Gero is painted as the White Knight towards the end of this story. Yes, he’s the strongest character in this story, but both Himekawa and Arashiyama have grown to be almost as strong as he is. Even if this manga is the tale of the Poison Master’s quest for love, there’s nothing wrong with giving him a tiny break and letting a couple of other characters have their own fun.

But I digress. The aftermath of this whole episode is Himekawa going on a date with Gero. This gives the heroine a chance to truly get the gist of what she’s feeling in her heart, and that heart is pounding for the Poison Master’s love. And you have to give her and Arashiyama credit, as they become friends, even with them being romantic rivals. It is a nice change of pace, considering the swarm of harem-based comedies that do the complete opposite.

Even with its flawed deus ex machina conclusion, Himekawa and Arashiyama’s story in Marriage Toxin Volume Twelve is very fun. It does make me hope that we’ll get more stories from other possible bride picks in the future. However, if they do, Gero’s gotta sit out for the adventure. Okay, maybe he can pack the ladies a lunch or something, but nothing more than that!

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.