Eloquently put. It's definitely a mature manga.
I believe neither of them ever got married, though. Kashiwagi's shown to not want to marry even in the flashback extra. And I doubt Imamiya-san would involve himself in marriage considering his family would probably feature in the world's richest list or something.
I had to re- read it when I read your comment to find out that part. I think those guys are just part of their division. Imamiya-san has his seat separate from the rest as the chief.
You are correct. Page 27 mentions the divorces, and I just saw the hair colour and in passing thought it was them. Thanks for the heads up
This was an interesting story. Set in the world of civil servants in the bureaucracy of government, working for the betterment of Japan, we got to read about the heavy demands of the job and workaholism on the MCs and their relationship. Kashiwagi studied law at Tokyo Uni and moved straight into bureaucracy roles. Serious and thorough, he is mentored by Imamaya-san (Section manager of the Policy Division of the Economic and Policy Bureau) and over the years also becomes the protective nurturer of the quirky boss who forgets to eat, drink and sleep when busy (aka always). In the story we follow the cost of a job where you may get 3 hours of sleep a night in terms of relationships (Imamiya-san divorced x 3, father of 1 and Kashiwagi divorced x 1) and health as Imamiya collapses from a heart attack at work. How can the MCs have a romance in all this? The confronting illness and caring by Kashiwagi are the impetus needed to get these two bone heads to turn to each other. Their romance is sweetly “them” because the caring they have towards each other has been evident for ages, but now they show their vulnerability more and Ofc skinship, kissing, sex etc. I have never read a story quite like this, where almost all the MCs identity was tied to work. It was confronting yet charming, and worth your time if you like something different.