YAMADA KINTETSU

Don’t miss a romcom manga like no other! In an office romance, there’s a fine line between sexy and awkward … and that line is where Asako—a woman who sweats copiusly—met Koutarou—a perfume developer who can’t get enough of Asako’s, er, scent. Asako’s living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she’s ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company’s lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what “that smell” is, she’s terrified … but could it be … that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Yae … does she like him? The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the “too real!” workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!

Don’t miss a romcom manga like no other! In an office romance, there’s a fine line between sexy and awkward … and that line is where Asako—a woman who sweats copiusly—met Koutarou—a perfume developer who can’t get enough of Asako’s, er, scent. Asako’s living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she’s ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company’s lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what “that smell” is, she’s terrified … but could it be … that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Yae … does she like him? The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the “too real!” workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!

Yaeshima Maasako is an office lady who has a complex about her excessive sweating and works at Lilia Drop, a company that manufactures makeup and bath products that are tremendously popular with women. While sparing no expenses with deodorant in her daily routine, one day Natori Koutarou of the commodity development department tells her, "Your body odor is wonderful! To develop new soap, I'll be coming to smell you everyday from now on!" Even so, she was not so opposed to the idea of being smelled...

Both of them are straightforward people. Once they meet, they quickly get to know each other better. A heartwarming romantic comedy that begins with a certain incident. Shibata Kasane, a graphics designer at a toy design and development company, is troubled. Her troubles started when she grabbed her colleague Enokida Subaru's ass by accident! Kasane was intrigued by how similar Enokida's ass and her favourite childhood character felt. At the same time, Kasane felt guilty because Enokida might have been uncomfortable. Enokida said "I don't mind" but had a pained and frightened expression. Kasane was overcome by the urge to apologise profusely! On the other hand, it looks like Enokida is hiding something.

Nokoru Mitsuhashi, a Systems Engineer working for a black company, has improved his quality of life by introducing telework. As he arranges the interior design of his room and becomes more involved with his balcony, he meets his neighbor, Natsu Izumi, a graduate student. This is the story of how one man met his future wife through teleworking, and how they got married after many ups and downs.

Nokoru Mitsuhashi, a Systems Engineer working for a black company, has improved his quality of life by introducing telework. As he arranges the interior design of his room and becomes more involved with his balcony, he meets his neighbor, Natsu Izumi, a graduate student. This is the story of how one man met his future wife through teleworking, and how they got married after many ups and downs.

Short story by Yamada Kintetsu, author of Ase to Sekken (Sweat and Soap), featured in an anthology of stories written during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nokoru is finally afforded the chance to telework at home due to the pandemic lockdown. Rediscovering old passions and new hobbies, Nokoru is allured by his next-door neighbor, Natsu