In the bustling heart of Tokyo, Takuya Ohara and Rika Honjou work together at the JTC travel agency branch. Despite sharing an office, they barely exchange words. Takuya is an awkward, quiet young man whose entire universe revolves around his quiet apartment, his beloved rescued cat, and meticulously researching domestic train itineraries. Rika is equally reserved, finding absolute solace in antique maps, solo explorations, and solitary quietude. Neither desires a romantic partner, and both are thoroughly content with their quiet bachelor lifestyles.

Their peaceful routines shatter when corporate management announces the opening of an international branch in Irkutsk, Siberia. To fill the vacancy, the agency plans to dispatch unmarried single staff members on a grueling overseas transfer within the year. Desperate to preserve their quiet independence in Japan, Rika approaches Takuya with an audacious scheme: if they pretend to be engaged and announce an upcoming wedding in 365 days, corporate policy will exclude them from the relocation.

What begins as a cold, strategic partnership quickly plunges both introverts into an overwhelming social ordeal. Staging an engagement requires meeting suspicious parents, taking plausible couple photographs, and enduring the scrutiny of well-meaning colleagues. As Takuya and Rika navigate these high-stakes social interactions, their manufactured charade forces them to communicate deeply for the first time, gradually unearthing genuine emotional vulnerabilities beneath their carefully guarded walls.

What to Expect

Expect a mature, slow-burn romantic comedy that trades frantic slapstick for thoughtful psychological depth. The narrative pacing unfolds deliberately, giving substantial weight to the emotional processing and social anxiety of introverted working adults. Rather than relying on contrived romantic misunderstandings, the tension stems from the friction between personal self-preservation and unexpected emotional intimacy. Detailed workplace dynamics, authentic regional Japanese travel motifs, and nuanced character development create an empathetic, cozy reading experience.

Who Will Enjoy This

This series is ideally suited for fans of grounded seinen workplace romances, adult slice-of-life storytelling, and the slow-burn contract marriage dynamic. Readers who appreciate analytical, introverted protagonists learning to navigate vulnerability—without abandoning their core personalities—will find Takuya and Rika's journey exceptionally rewarding.

Thematic Recommendations

Readers exploring intricate dynamic relationships and unconventional partnerships will also appreciate Teto X Egen, which explores layered companion bonds and calculated survival dynamics under testing circumstances. Additionally, readers drawn to formal professional commitments intertwined with complex personal loyalty should consider The Devil Butler for its fascinating dynamic between service obligations and hidden personal objectives.