Chapter 80: Want To Sleep With Him?
In the morning, Natsume Mio went to the beauty salon next to Shueisha to get her hair done.
Shampoo, haircut, perm and dye, the beautician also gave her a massage on her shoulders and neck, arms and arm, the service was particularly exquisite.
If it was the one she used to go to often, the one close to home with mom’s membership card, doing this full set would cost around 15,000 yen.
She checked the price of this shop today, and the haircut with in-salon perm and dye full set actually costs 50,000!
Even with some discounts for members, it’s still super expensive, she definitely wouldn’t come here to spend herself.
But, it looks good, really good!
The color that was mixed matches exactly the hair color on A Jian’s color page, shimmering under the light without looking greasy, as natural as if the hair itself was that color.
At noon, she ate a bento with Editor Kaji at the office, then started doing makeup until filming began.
She wore Makima’s uniform costume set, struck a pose with quite a queenly vibe, holding a sample book with the official version cover but blank inside, and said the recommendation in front of the camera.
The entire shoot went very smoothly, passed after three takes, next she could wait to see this video on JUMP’s various official accounts.
Editor Kaji said that if Chainsaw Man’s popularity continues to rise, and the initial print run is high enough, there’s even a possibility to advertise on TV station.
Then I’d be someone who’s been on TV.
Natsume Mio was in a great mood today, didn’t even want to remove her makeup, and went home just like that.
She excitedly ran to the living room, spun a circle in front of her mom Natsume Chiho, her braids behind her swinging with her action.
“Mom! Look at my new hairstyle~”
The pink hair strands sparkled under the light, making her whole person look like the heroine who walked out of a manga.
Natsume Chiho carefully looked at her daughter, a relieved smile on her face: “It looks really good, almost can’t recognize our Mio at home anymore.”
“Hehe, it’s for filming the promotional video for A Jian’s work, specially done styling.” Natsume Mio said.
“The boy you like?”
“Yeah!”
“That’s impressive, Mio, you have to keep it up, writers are very popular.” Natsume Chiho said.
Natsume Mio sat down next to her mom and said, “On the weekend I brought him a bento, he really likes eating it.”
“Oh?” Natsume Chiho asked, “What was his reaction? Did he eat it without hesitation?”
“And he even praised that the bento I made was delicious.” Natsume Mio said.
“Hmm… not bad.” Natsume Chiho nodded in satisfaction and said, “Then mom thinks, you can try taking it a step further next.”
“A step further?”
“Like… holding hands? Or hug.” Natsume Chiho guided patiently.
“Eh? Only now?” Natsume Mio’s voice suddenly got much smaller.
Natsume Chiho keenly caught the meaning in her daughter’s words: “You’ve already done it?”
Natsume Mio’s little face instantly flushed red, but she still nodded lightly, making a barely audible “mm.”
“Just… hugged once.” Natsume Mio said softly.
“You initiated it?”
Natsume Mio nodded again.
“From the front or the back?” Mom’s questions got more specific.
“…Back.”
“Then what was his reaction?” This was what Natsume Chiho cared about most.
Natsume Mio recalled the scene at the time and described softly: “A bit… hard…”
“Hmm?”
Natsume Chiho’s eyes widened instantly, staring straight at Natsume Mio.
Natsume Mio was startled by her mom’s reaction, hurriedly waving her hands and explaining in panic: “Ah! No, not that! Mom, I mean, when I hugged him, his whole body was a bit stiff, body tensed very tight…”
Hearing this explanation, Natsume Chiho finally let out a long sigh of relief, then showed an understanding smile: “Oh, like that… that means little Jian is very pure, he probably hasn’t been in romance before, right?”
“Yeah, probably hasn’t.” Natsume Mio was certain of this, after all they’ve been in the same class, and she was always paying attention to him.
“Oh…” Natsume Chiho nodded thoughtfully, “That’s really rare, Mio, you have to cherish him well.”
“I will!” Natsume Mio grinned and nodded vigorously.
“Now you’ve gotten involved in his work, that’s good, it means you’re becoming part of his career.” Natsume Chiho continued sharing her experience, “Also, you said last time his editor is a woman, right? If there’s a chance, definitely win over his editor, become friends with her, chat more, maybe she can give you a boost.”
“Editor… I have a good relationship with her.” Natsume Mio said, “She’s teaching me some things about the industry, I’ve learned a lot recently.”
Natsume Mio earnestly noted down every word from her mom, feeling like her romance level was rising rapidly.
“By the way, Mio, I want to ask you, you’re not just thinking about sleeping with him, right?” Natsume Chiho said.
“Ah? No no! Not at all!” Natsume Mio waved her hands repeatedly.
“Although boys all like naughty things, if you’re too hasty, the emotions won’t be stable, you have to take it slow.” Natsume Chiho thought for a moment, then added, “Of course, these aren’t set in stone, now that you’ve reached this point, mom has given all the advice she can, next it depends on your own performance.”
“Mm!”
“Right, Mio, you just did the hairstyle of the heroine in his manga, makeup looks good too, actually going to see him at this time would be perfect, even if just a simple meet-up.” Natsume Chiho said, “After all, normally you wouldn’t do makeup this exquisite yourself.”
“Right, staying home with this makeup would be such a waste!” Natsume Mio felt her mom was right.
“However,” Natsume Chiho’s expression suddenly became serious, “Mom has to remind you, definitely pay attention to safety.”
She paused, giving her daughter a “you know” look: “If you use them up, you can still ask mom for more.”
Natsume Mio was stunned for two seconds before realizing what her mom meant, her face instantly turned beet red, but luckily with makeup on, the blush wasn’t visible.
“Mom! What are you thinking…”
She hurriedly got up and ran upstairs thump thump thump, back to her own room.
Natsume Mio leaned against the door, her heart still pounding wildly.
She sat in the chair for a good while, rubbed her somewhat hot face, and only slowly calmed down after a while.
Decided, head out right away to A Jian’s house, he should be at home working on his manuscript.
No bento prepared in advance, so can’t use bringing bento as an excuse…
No no, don’t overthink it!
Just going to see A Jian, what’s wrong with that? No need for an excuse at all.
Natsume Mio opened her shoulder bag, rummaged through it, and took out that small square box from the innermost compartment.
It was the one mom secretly slipped her last time.
Not to mention using it, she hadn’t even taken it out…
She looked around front and back, then carefully put the box back into the compartment of the backpack.
