Gal Yome no Himitsu - Vol. 4 Ch. 48

[ShadowSilence]

📣 MANY OF US WOULD FOLD 📣

 

[Shendelred]

I don't understand why they hiding their marriage. The company rules is also no sense. I understand if they're still dating but man... they already married, what's the point of hiding it!?

 

[outinthegardener]

The underwater kiss was sneaky and fun and all, but also they were surrounded by butts. Can't unsee it.

 

[llcide]

They need to announce their marriage with her pregnancy, what power would the company have over them then?

 

[JagdPanther]

We, the audience, are definitely top of page 5...

 

[Valle_reading_manga]

Dayum
How hard do you want to flex? YES

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Thanks for the upload!

 

[Graywing]

Boss of the company can make their own rule as long not against the law ....

Their company not against married staff ...just not allow both of them working on same company only ...

But both are too talented to actually make any of them resign when they announced their marriage

"Boss" of the company, not "owner" of the company. They should have checked with HR instead of their boss.

 

[Mythicalbulp]

Her swimsuit's hot.
Underwater kiss, but no underwater hand holding?

They technically are handholding each other

 

[Lex79]

Sometimes I wonder if Japanese have a fetish for secret relationships given how many times the tropes is used in manga regardless of the setting.

 

[shinshom]

Sometimes I wonder if Japanese have a fetish for secret relationships given how many times the tropes is used in manga regardless of the setting.

Opening your relationship to the public in many situations can be a problem.

Japanese ppl are too intrusive and collectivist so the moment it goes public, its like everyone will be surveiling...

in school can be a torture and in work can even cause problems.

Japan is weird.

 

[EulBassist]

Thanks for the chapter!

 

[dowiet]

IDK i feel it's kinda weird they are hiding it off company time but whatever it's still quite wholesome

 

[xXPenisXx]

me when I see that cute shit but remember that I pissed in the pool:

 

[wallsg]

I straight up forgot they were hiding their marriage

Maybe the only flaw in that masterpiece… don't even remember why…

EDIT : OH, right : because their boss told them to… f*cking ridiculous !!

Makes no sense that they have to hide their marriage. It would make sense if one of them was their direct supervisor but that's not the case. Thanks for the chapter!!!

Their company has a strict "no relationships" policy. Because of their value to the company, their boss gave them permission as long as they keep it secret. It's stupid but I found in a Gemini-supported search that it is a (non-legally enforceable) policy called "renai kinshi". However, just because they can't legally enforce it doesn't mean you're not suddenly dead-ended or one of you isn't transferred.

Spoiler: Gemini says

While there are no national laws in Japan that forbid workplace romance, some companies do implement internal rules or "love bans" (renai kinshi). However, the reality is a mix of strict-sounding policies and a very different legal and cultural practice.

1. The Legal Reality: Rules vs. Rights​

In Japan, broad bans on workplace relationships are generally considered legally invalid.

• Constitutional Protection: Under Articles 13 and 24 of the Japanese Constitution, the right to pursue happiness and the freedom to marry are considered fundamental. Most legal experts agree that a company cannot dictate who an employee dates in their private life.
  
  
  
• Difficulty of Dismissal: Japan has very strict labor laws that make it difficult to fire permanent employees. A company cannot legally fire someone simply for being in a relationship unless it causes concrete damage to the business (e.g., severe neglect of duties, leaking trade secrets, or creating a hostile environment).

2. The "Unwritten Rule" of Secrecy​

Despite the legal protections, many Japanese employees treat workplace romance as a "secret mission."

• Maintaining "Order": Many companies have a clause in their work rules about "maintaining internal order and morality." While vague, it’s often used as a deterrent.
• Avoiding Gossip: The cultural preference is for low-key behavior. Couples often go to great lengths to hide their relationship—even taking separate trains home or avoiding eye contact in the office—to avoid being the subject of office gossip or perceived as "unprofessional."
  
  
  
• The "Soft" Penalty: While you might not get fired, being "found out" can lead to unofficial penalties like being passed over for promotions or being transferred to a different branch or department (a common practice to separate couples).

3. Specific Industries & Exceptions​

There are a few areas where "love bans" are more common or taken more seriously:

• The Idol Industry: This is the most famous example (e.g., AKB48). For idols, "renai kinshi" is often written into their contracts because their "marketability" is tied to their perceived availability. Even here, however, these contracts have been challenged in court with varying results.
• Adultery: Japanese companies and courts take a much harsher view of relationships involving adultery (furin). If an affair causes a public scandal, involves a power imbalance, or leads to the spouse making a scene at the office, the company has much stronger grounds for disciplinary action.
• Small Businesses/Service Industry: Some smaller businesses or restaurants may try to enforce strict bans to prevent drama or perceived favoritism, though these are the most likely to be legally unenforceable if challenged.

4. Modern Trends​

The mindset is slowly shifting. With Japan’s declining birthrate and the fact that many people spend the majority of their time at work, some companies have actually started encouraging workplace dating through "marriage hunting" (konkatsu) support, viewing it as a way to improve employee retention and happiness.
In short: while some companies might say it’s forbidden, they rarely have the legal power to stop it—they just expect you to keep it completely out of the office.

 

[wallsg]

They need to announce their marriage with her pregnancy, what power would the company have over them then?

Transfer, no promotions, etc. Basically workplace discrimination. Try to prove it.