This show has had me reflecting a bit on the whole workplace romance question. My sense, having worked in many office and retail situations, is that keeping it a secret never works. You always get caught. But when you think about it, the only cases you’re aware of are the ones that do get outed. I suppose it’s possible there’s a whole underbelly of workplace relationships that were successfully hidden, and I never knew they existed. Stranger things have certainly happened.

I kind of doubt it, though.

Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu is playing this pretty low-key, which in my view is a positive. There aren’t as many hard-wired tropes for workplace romcoms as, say, school romcoms. Or battle shounen, or isekai. But they do exist, and it’s nice to see a series not wedded to them. This relationship is definitely progressing, but at a pretty organic rate for young adults this age. Infatuation is certainly still a part of the brew, but it’s slowly evolving into actual love.

That’s a word Yui actually uses this week – and about Masugu. It happens when he brings her some donuts from a pop-up shop at the station. But that’s not the reason she says it. She says it because of the look on his face when he’s thinking about how much she loves sweets, and how much he loves that about her. This whole scene is extremely wholesome and on-point, from the rabbits to the declaration of love to the ambush kiss. We’re past the discovery phase and starting the actual relationship trial here.

Things at the office have gotten more complicated. It’s not just two people keeping their secret now, but there’s someone else there that knows. Somei seems eminently trustworthy – and keen not to be bothered by this any more than he has to. But they both know he knows, and that makes things more difficult mentally. Yui especially is a terrible poker player – and the fact that she and Somei are in the same department makes it even worse. When the two of them are left alone collating documents Somei gives it to her straight – if she continues to be this obvious about it the secret is already doomed (but it won’t be thanks to him).

The archives scene had a bit of a school romcom air to it (I was dead sure they were going to get locked in there together). But it was so charming that I didn’t much care. The accounting archives being immaculate (thanks to the OCD Masugu) and the planning department’s a war zone was very on the money. This was a real test – they thought they were alone, in a place rarely visited. They were in close contract with each other. It couldn’t hurt, could it? But with office romances that’s how it often happens – those moments when you let your discipline slip because you’re sure it’s safe. I get their paranoia but – in a company without a no fraternization policy, is all this really worth it?

Finally, the baseball game. And the work outing to a ballgame is yet another scenario I have personal experience with. The funniest part was actually Somei with Masugu’s section chief. Even here he’s a teetotaller – does this guy ever let his hair down? Masugu loving baseball and Yui being oblivious to it is another layer in their relationship. And his passion for it is another thing for her to fall in love with (as hers for sweets is for him). Again the temptation to loosen the reins a little is inevitable – does a hug after a home run constitute an acceptable indulgence (no, ROFL)?

Sooner or later these two lovebirds are going to realize that they’re playing a losing game and let things run their course. But I’m in no hurry to see that happen – they’re fun to watch both flailing about at work and relaxing after. Somei has added a nice twist of lime to the drink – having someone else aware of things gives the premise more interesting places to go, and I’m kind of curious to learn more about him in his own right. A pretty straightforward and simple formula so far, no doubt, but it’s working – and so far I Have a Crush at Work is smart enough not to overcomplicate it.