Pathway to Japanese Literature

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Romance and MatchmakingAuthor: Sasaki Kuni

Original Title	ロマンスと縁談
Author	佐々木邦
Genre	Popular Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In a Tokyo company where ambition and tradition collide, Tachibana Shōzō navigates workplace politics with sharp wit and a stubborn idealism. After three years of climbing corporate ladders, he’s learned that recognition hinges on more than merit—yet personal pride drives him to reject shortcuts, whether in promotions or love. While colleagues settle into arranged marriages with “mediocre” partners, Tachibana vows to pursue romance like “fishing for sea bream in the vast ocean,” dismissing matchmaking as stocked-pond complacency. His resolve is tested when a humiliating pun at a company party cements his reputation, and a series of romantic missteps—including an awkward flirtation with a typist—leave him questioning his principles. \nThe arrival of Miyashita, a junior colleague turned arranged-marriage advocate, sharpens the tension. As Miyashita smugly navigates engagement rituals and mocks Tachibana’s romantic failures, an unexpected reunion with a stern former teacher—and his enigmatic daughter—complicates matters. Tachibana’s past mischief clashes with newfound longing, but societal expectations and his own insecurities loom. Will idealism crumble under pressure, or can he reel in a love worth defying convention? Brimming with dry humor and quiet rebellion, this tale probes the cost of authenticity in a world of calculated compromises.