All systems remain “go” for Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu after the second episode. There’s really nothing I can point to that annoys me or isn’t clicking – it’s just a very matter-of-fact, unassuming series that plays out with a ton of authenticity. I think the fact that it’s utilizing largely lesser-known seiyuu is the main roles (a couple of bigger names are farther down the credits) is synergistic with that. There’s no sense of slickness or box-checking – I Have a Crush at Work comes off that a series that isn’t trying too hard to prove itself.

Of course this charade the two leads are engaged in is (was) doomed to fail at some point. The only office romances ever successfully kept a secret are ones where the couple broke up quickly. But still, people keep trying – that’s reality so it’s also realistic. This time Yui is engaged in the rollout of a new sweet (some sort of baumkuchen). And you get the sense she’s not hugely experienced at being the point person on a project. A couple of her fellow planning department foot soldiers direct her to someone in the accounting division who’s becoming a go-to in such situations – but it’s not who she thinks.

Morizono Maria (Taichi You), who we met briefly in the premiere, is that person. She has a sweets blog (though she asks Yui not to spread that around) and offers some insight on the various samples Yui shares with her. Morizono also dishes a little bit on Masugu, who’s perceived as Yui’s nemesis. He’s a busybody, a meddler, fastidious and  a little anal. Yui finds herself agreeing with all that, but then when Morizono starts laying out why everyone likes him anyway Yui’s agreement would be a major threat to up the jig if Morizono were a more observant (or suspicious) person.

Since Yui gets some dirt from one of Masugu’s colleagues, it’s only fair that he get some from one of hers. That will eventually be Somei Keisuke (Tsuchida Reiou), the new guy. You get the sense that both Somei and Morizoni are a lit isolated – in her case it’s because she’s (gasp) someone not part of a douki (she joined in midyear), robbing her of her socially approved support system. In his it’s because he seems to prefer it that way – Somei is a pretty reserved guy to the point of coming off as a bit anti-social.

Masugu’s boss invites he and Morizono out for drinks, and as Yui has a nomikai with her department he agrees. Naturally both groups wind up in the same izakaya, and just as naturally the more extroverted amongst them (so not Somei) take this as an excuse to get to know each other better. Yui, perhaps stressed out by having Masugu there in a social situation with other co-workers, drinks way too much way too fast. She winds up in the men’s room so she must be pretty tanked, and a concerned Masugu finds her there and offers some comfort. But they aren’t as alone as they think they are, and Somei – a teetotaller – winds up hearing things which only make sense with one explanation.

Again, this had to happen sooner or later. For now it’s lucky that it was with Somei, who’d just as soon keep to himself anyway and generally seems the sort to respect others’ privacy. But it’s only a matter of time until their little Dutch boy routine can’t support the dam any longer, even if Somei keeps their secret (which I believe he will). I liked both Somei and Morizono as additions to the mix. Again they aren’t flashy characters at all – just nice, normal company cohorts with a small quirk here or there. Somei does force Masugu to think about things he’s not ready to think about but again – those thoughts are inevitably going to happen sooner or later.

After the premiere I noted that Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu wasn’t surprising me in any way – and that it was a good thing, as I expected it to be good. Part of the reason is that I feel as if I’ve lived this story – some part of every office or location where I’ve ever worked is incorporated in this premise and its execution. I don’t need any more than that – and the romance – in order to enjoy this show a lot. If it goes in surprising directions and does so successfully so much the better, but I’m more than happy with what we’re already getting.