My Coworker Has a Secret!, Volume 2

My Coworker Has a Secret! #2

by Mushiro

Akari is an average 25-year-old office worker who harbors a secret she hides from her colleagues; she's a huge otaku, to the point that her obsession is ruining her financially! When her lunch is stolen by a pigeon, a kind, attractive stranger offers his homemade bento in its place, and after graciously accepting, Akari tells him the reason she's so destitute. Of course, she assumed she'd never see him again... but he's the newest hire at the company where she works! Will he keep her secret? And will she learn more about this kind-hearted man?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Shojo

178 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2023

Reviews

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/dEq1B4CspV8

Updated Review 7/20/23: I love this story so much! *happy sobs*

Original Review 3/11/23: I think I've got the "meme" right when I've seen some fangirls of manga characters say "screaming, crying, throwing up" because that feels pretty accurate of how I feel right now! LOL!

This second volume was SO wonderful!

My favorite part of volume one was Akari's love for Ren-Ren and how her life is the way it is because of that love for him, so I was surprised that this volume took a turn in focusing much more on the real-life romance. Did I dislike that? No way!

In fact, this is one of the few times I liked the transition of the relationship and how it naturally came to be. The author's note at the end and what she pointed out was perfection because I honestly feel these two have one of the most natural friendships to relationships I've read recently in manga. It was so very meaningful and touching!

The art in this is absolutely hilarious! It honestly reminds me of No Longer Heroine because there were these panels of SUPER dramatized expressions that left me laughing out loud A LOT when reading! But on the flip side, there were a lot of soft and lovely panels that I deeply enjoyed and strongly appreciated.

This short series was a HUGE delight to read! I DEEPLY enjoyed reading it and very much loved these two characters and their relationship. The communication was fantastic and loved how even when the characters struggled, someone would always come along to encourage them to express their feelings and not deny what they feel. It was very beautiful and made this story all the richer.

Definitely recommend to otaku and romance lovers! This is a very sweet and fun story!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coworker secret

During the middle of their passionate one-sided embrace they are interrupted and separate before he falls over from exertion. He wakes up the next morning and doesn’t remember trying to hug her or kiss her. They go to work together and it’s her turn to be jealous of him as other girls start to flirt with him. Anyway it’s revealed later that he thought him doing that was just a dream and his friend punches him for no real reason and I get it was for comedic effect but come on.

Anyway rival guy at work declares that he loves the main character. Uhhh she says no to rival and goes with the rich guy’s son. He kisses her forehead.

We kinda fast forward to them being together. This book is just…not compelling. She kind of starts to be more of an adult and he starts to let his feelings show. And then BAM he proposes. Maybe I’m too cynical but this book is just fluff and short with no real tale to tell.

[hima · Rating 3 out of 5]

considering this series is only two volumes, i guess you could say it wrapped everything up? i think i would have liked to see a bit more scenes between the couple though

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Just a sweet story with a sweet and quick conclusion.

[Mystic DreamClouds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume two doesn’t delay by helping us let go of those held breaths and continuing from where it ends in volume one. However, that’s just the beginning as both Akari and Kazama learn to understand and accept their feelings and take the next step forward.

The story in volume two shifts focus to Akari’s real life relationships while also retaining her love for Ren-Ren on the side. It was interesting to see this friends to lovers relationship develop naturally over time. I enjoyed reading how their relationship helped them grow stronger and more confident in themselves. That’s not to say it was smooth sailing. There were quite a few bumps along the way but with the help of their friends they were easily overcome.

Aside from Akari and Kazama, I really loved Rintaro’s character. He’s a unique one who’s comfortable in his own skin but also very supportive throughout. Rintaro’s character bought the guidance and comedy the manga needed when things got a little too sad or confusing. I hope he gets a spin-off series because I’d like to see Rintaro’s everyday life.

The artwork in this series is simple yet expressive. The story focuses on emotions both in the visual artwork and in the dialogues. It achieves this by using easily recognizable and dramatic facial expressions as well as iconography to define the emotions further. The artwork also uses chibis which is always a win for me.

This story has ended and it was supposed to be short, but I wish it wasn’t. I felt like I would have loved to see a bit more romance and the characters’ life after giving their relationship a name. It probably doesn’t change but that’s me being selfish because I didn’t want the series to end. At least, I think we should have been invited to see the wedding.

Overall, this was a satisfying ending to a good series. I liked the balance of work and romance coupled with some simple slice of life elements. The artwork is gentle on the eyes and expressive, while the story is kept simple by focusing on the relationship between Akari and Kazama. This is definitely a good read if you’re looking for a short office romance that develops naturally.

Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't decide between a 3.5 or a 4. If 3.75 was a thing, I think that would be the closest star rating.

I take back what I said about this being a slow-burn romance in volume one. The romantic relationship milestones went from ten to two hundred in this volume! I do like that this volume doesn't let misunderstandings fester for too long. I hate miscommunication tropes, especially unnecessary ones that are just to generate "drama". This volume doesn't do that, it has the characters talk it out fairly quickly. Almost... too quickly. This volume seemed to run through several rom-com tropes at a breakneck speed. The potential for a love triangle is brought up and teased for about two pages and then immediately squashed. The main couple gets together in the first chapter and decides to get engaged in the last chapter. Deciding to date to getting engaged in the space of a single volume is insanely quick! Akari opens up to her friends about being a fangirl and dating Ritsu, only for it to be revealed that it was just a big misunderstanding by both Akari and Kaho. Nothing really feels satisfying, because it flies by so fast! I felt like I got plot whiplash the way it flew by so quickly. I think this is the last volume? I can't tell, but I saw a tiny "The End!" on the bottom of the last page, so I'm going to assume it's the last volume for this series. A pity, I thought it would be longer, going off of the feeling from the first volume. This series was short and sweet and is a quick read good for a fluffy pick-me-up.

[Christy Broderick⁷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was just full of cute moments - our two MCs had a moment between them, but only one remembered. As time passed, they eventually found their way to one another and this made for a quick and lovely end to a 2 part manga. Sometimes all we need is something short and romantic. I loved the funny moments between the MCs - they were the perfect opposites for one another 💜 Being a fan is the best, so it was awesome to read a manga that talked about it 😉

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute and also the shortest Manga series I think I've ever read. Because it was so short, the ending felt very abrupt. There was plenty there. It could have kept going. Like with the first one, I don't think this is the best translation. At the best of times, some of the dialog just feels odd. Overall I enjoyed it, and I would continue if there was ever more.

[Mindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww, I love this itty bitty little two book series.

This one has so much to love. An otaku office worker who is terrified of people knowing she's an otaku, a handsome guy who is always saving the day, and even a transgender character who becomes fast friends with our otaku gal.

I think this story is the perfect length, and is just adorable and so much fun.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. The pace of the romance is very rushed and cliche shoujo, but it’s fluffy for anyone that just wants to relax a bit.

It didn’t focus much on her fangirling after all. I expected Kazama to have a connection to Ren-Ren, but I guess not. Apparently the waiter at the pub is his brother, but that was sort of tossed out there with no follow up?

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

really adorable but you can feel the pacing speed up quite a bit, to be wrapped up in this volume. also, what kind of last second drama was that (let's not live together because we have NO REASON to!!!?!!?). ahh...still very cute and fluffy overall though.

[Mella aka Maron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute although a bit rushed since this is only two volumes. I do feel like for it being rushed, it also felt like they talked SO much 😂

Still, a really cute story and I would recommend to anyone looking for a sweet adult romance with no spice.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did someone just hit the fast forward button?! This went from "I like him/her" to a marriage proposal in the blink of an eye!

[B. Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright, but not nearly as fun as the first one. It felt like a super generic ending. Is it the end? I don't feel like much happened.

[Flynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's cute, light, and meh. Nothing special.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

very sweet and fine but unmemorable

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

First was more fun, but cute if not abrupt ending to the series.

[Pjyuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5.0 🌟

I love it. Binge read it in one night. It's pretty much a lighthearted read or if you want something that is short. Opposites attract will always be such a combination!

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was definitely wearing a bit thin by this volume. 😅 Or maybe it’s just that the romcom shenanigans don’t compare to A Business Proposal, which I was reading just before this, haha. 😆

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect resolutions all around. I wish this series was longer. It's definitely one of my favourites.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute with declaration of feelings and resolving friendships. I thought it wrapped up very nicely.

[Brianna James211 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute short series!

[DonutKnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute 🥰 I love seeing it from their perspectives and the natural way that they just wanted to get married ❤️❤️❤️

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, fun, lighthearted read.