“Office romance is prohibited. It may interfere with work.”
At her desk in the General Affairs Department, Misaki let out a deep sigh as she flipped through the company handbook.
This rule had long been embedded in the company culture. She had never questioned it before.
In fact, she believed it was part of what kept the workplace running smoothly.
“Senpai, do you have a moment?”
The voice belonged to Sota, a new employee.
He had only been with the company for three months, yet he was outgoing and talked easily with everyone.
He approached Misaki’s desk, holding a stack of documents.
“Do you think the office romance rule is really necessary?”
Misaki blinked in surprise at the sudden question.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, it says it could interfere with work, but is that really true?
I mean, wouldn’t it be fine as long as people aren’t in the same department?”
“But once you start allowing it, where do you draw the line?
The company has to manage risk, which is why the rule exists.”
“Still, doesn’t that restrict people’s personal freedom?
Isn’t it strange to have rules that limit who someone can fall for?”
His clear, sincere gaze made it hard to dismiss him.
Rules are rules—Misaki reminded herself.
Yet a small doubt began to form in her heart.
Just because relationships were forbidden didn’t mean they would necessarily hurt work performance… right?
“But what if a relationship does cause problems at work?”
“Then that’s the responsibility of the people involved.
A rule can’t prevent that.”
Misaki was silent, turning his words over in her mind.
Weeks passed, and Misaki found herself talking with Sota more often.
Preparing for meetings, ordering supplies—through working together, she saw how earnest and capable he truly was.
Then one day, during lunch, Sota asked casually:
“Senpai, if you fell for someone… would you follow the rule?”
Her heart skipped a beat.
“…What do you mean?”
“I mean, what if I fell for you—what would you do?”
Misaki froze, her fork suspended mid-air.
She wanted to believe he was joking, but his eyes said otherwise.
“…That would be breaking the rule.”
“Can’t rules be changed?”
His words felt like they saw straight into her heart.
That night, alone at home, Misaki opened the company handbook again.
She read the “no office romance” clause for the hundredth time.
And she realized something about her recent feelings.
She enjoyed talking to Sota.
Working with him made her happy.
When she felt his gaze, her heart lifted.
—This was love.
But as long as the rule existed, admitting it would mean trouble.
The next day, Misaki made up her mind and headed to Human Resources.
“I’d like to request a review of the office romance policy.”
It was a small act of rebellion.
But it was also the first step toward being honest with herself.
