Koibito Ijou no Koto wo, Kanojo Janai Kimi to - Ch. 5

[RakshaJaeger]

Sigh, toxic parents I bet the dad will decide who she should marry too. Maybe that’s why she was called in this chapter, an arranged marriage…
In the end, the only way to get free is to completely cut ties, I hope she’ll manage to do that here.
Thanks for the translation

 

[DungeonsDragon]

That's not a Father thats a slave owner.

 

[meltworkzz]

That’s the biggest shit move I’ve ever read so far. It’s been a while since I’ve been reading and meet this kind of drama. Dad’s literally say follow my word or you just die. Fcking worst

 

[Skater901]

A few mistakes to correct. Page 14 should be "they're" not "their" in panel 2. Also your note at the end, it's pages you have "access" to. "Excess" means you have too much of something.

 

[MewOne]

Today is Friday

 

[Kushikime]

Thanks for the chapter. I forgot to give my recommendation. I really wanted to read the last bits to “Strike or Gutter”

 

[mysteana]

Not disputing that, but how did he even know where she applied, much less who in the company is recruiting? From there, get their direct contact and then turn down a job on behalf of someone else?

Also, calling it now, the big drama is an arranged marriage that Ito is being forced to go along with. Her getting into a situation with Fuyu was sparked because of that.

Because the dad would be hanging over her shoulder with every single job application and will know what the status is whether she gets an interview, the second round interview, or gets rejected at what step. He would know which company gets applied for, and potentially even steers which ones to apply to. It'll be a topic of conversation every night if she was still living in the family home how her job applications are going.

Do NOT underestimate how shitty it is to have such a household.

 

[mysteana]

Well going by how it went into hiatus in ch 6 almost a year ago, I will just see the ending as her dad winning at his plot to ruin her life.

She went back home depressed, married whoever her dad forced her to marry, and lived a miserable and unhappy life, never seeing the MC again.

The End.

Nah, my head canon will be that they elope, escape their shitty jobs and enjoy their youth together.

 

[TinsleyNocturnal]

That's the kinda shit that makes it so your kid disconnects themselves from you and stops telling you about their life.

 

[Insignis]

Yo, a type of dad that in manga/anime ends either dead (cause the broken kid gone mental and murdered them), or confused how it can be that their perfect kid who they puppeteered their kids whole life ended killing themselves, or equally confused why said kid run away/eloped/did something shocking to them and cut all contact with them.

It always fascinates me how in such parents minds the second half of "you will have good income husband in a high society position, but have miserable loveless life controlled by our overbearing 'needs and shit'" is somehow silent.

 

[crunchyspider]

What a diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick.

 

[K_Takuya]

FYM THIS SERIES ON HIATUS

 

[henman]

And here again, out-of-bubble text: p.16

 

[coyote_vdb]

Thanks for catching up to the website release

If you want chapter 6 you gotta use either the mobile app since is only there due to the website being behind 1 chapter (screenshotting or something from there probably the quality won't be as good, chapters aren't really paywalled either), or you gotta find a rip for volume 1

There is another version of chapter 6 on Mangadex : https://mangadex.org/chapter/d6cbcad9-fa3f-4f33-977f-b7f0fbe5e0a2/4
I guess it's vietnamese.

 

[wallsg]

The Condom Engineer's dad is like that too. She commutes hours each way from the parent's home because the dad doesn't want her to move out or get a boyfriend. The mother disagrees but he's the king. She's also a 24-year-old adult.

Asoko de Hataraku Musubu-san

 

[arafatvai]

The 6 chapters covers Volume 1 from novel, i saved mangadex link on bookmark few months back. Today i found its been hiatus for a year & the original novel is completed so if anyone wants to know about the full story i am sharing on spoiler

Spoiler: Volume 1 Spoiler

In Volume 1, the story establishes the "regression" of two burnt-out adults who create a sanctuary to escape the harshness of society.


Part 1: The Reunion (The Beginning of the Regression)

The story begins with Fuyu Yamase (24), a game director's assistant at a "black company" (exploitative workplace). He is exhausted, overworked, and feels like a cog in a machine. His life is a cycle of stress and endurance. One day during his lunch break, he spots a familiar face in the park: Ito Minase (24), his ex-girlfriend from university.


The Context: They dated for three years in college but broke up due to the stress of job hunting and differing values. They haven't seen each other in years.

The Spark: Instead of the awkwardness typical of exes, they feel an immediate sense of relief and nostalgia. Fuyu invites her for drinks, and they bond instantly over their shared misery as working adults.

The "Mistake": Caught up in the alcohol and the comfort of the past, they end up going to a hotel and sleeping together.

Part 2: The Arrangement (Defining the Undefined)

The next morning, Fuyu panics, thinking he has ruined their potential friendship. He tries to apologize, but Ito stops him. She tells him: "Don't apologize. It's fine not to be 'proper'." This sets the tone for their new relationship. They agree to be "Partners" who do things lovers do (dates, sex, emotional intimacy) but without the label of "girlfriend" or "boyfriend."


The Logic: They are too tired to handle the responsibilities of a real relationship (marriage talks, meeting parents, serious future planning). They just want the "fun" parts—the comfort and the escape.

The Rule: To protect this fantasy, they create a rule: If one of them says something too realistic (like complaining about work or the future) during their fun time, they must pay a 1,000 yen fine.

Part 3: The "Natto" Incident (Symbol of Change)

A key scene involves Natto (fermented beans). In college, Ito famously ate Natto at the cafeteria without caring about the smell, which Fuyu loved about her.


The Change: At lunch as adults, Ito refuses to order Natto because "I'm a working adult now, I have to worry about the smell." Fuyu is devastated that society has "tamed" her wild side.

The Rebellion: Seeing Fuyu eat it, Ito breaks. She orders the Natto, declaring she wants to eat what she likes. It’s a small but significant moment where they choose their own happiness over social expectations.

Part 4: The "Fairy Tale" (Escapism via Sex)

Ito dislikes the word "sex" because it sounds too raw and real. She coins the term "Fairy Tale" (フェアリーテイル) for their intimacy.


Meaning: It implies that when they are together in bed, they are in a fantasy world, disconnected from their harsh reality.

Quote: "Whatever happens in the Fairy Tale stays in the Fairy Tale."

Part 5: The "Stalker" Date (Shared Immorality)

Ito is forced to attend a matchmaking party (Goukon) by her senior. She hates it but can't refuse.


The Twist: She asks Fuyu to come to the same bar and "stalk" her from a nearby table.

The thrill: Fuyu watches her get hit on by other men, and they secretly text each other, making fun of the situation. Instead of jealousy, they feel a thrill from this shared secret. They leave early together to have "Fairy Tale" time, reinforcing that they are accomplices in a secret life against society.

Part 6: The Crisis & The Escape

Towards the end of the volume, the pressure on Ito reaches a breaking point. Her toxic father is harassing her, and her workplace is collapsing.


The Breaking Point: On a Friday morning, Fuyu meets Ito on the train. She is trembling, terrified of going to work.

The Decision: Fuyu realizes words aren't enough. He grabs her hand just as the train doors open and pulls her off the train, forcing her to skip work.

The Climax: He confiscates her phone (so she can't see the angry messages from work/dad) and buys Shinkansen tickets. He tells her, "Let's run away." They aren't going on a planned trip. They are physically running away from Tokyo and "Reality" to protect their sanity.

Summary of Volume 1

Volume 1 is the setup of their escapism. Fuyu and Ito realize that being "proper adults" is destroying them. To survive, they regress into a comfortable, label-free relationship where they can pretend to be carefree students again. The volume ends with them running away together, solidifying their bond as partners in crime against the world.

Spoiler: Volume 2 Spoiler

In Volume 1, Fuyu and Ito established a relationship based on escapism. They created a "Fairy Tale" to run away from the stress of their jobs. In Volume 2, the story shifts. They can no longer just run away. Reality—in the form of aging, society, and death—begins to crash into their little world, forcing them to decide if their "fake" relationship is actually the most "real" thing they have.


Part 1: The "Autumn Fairy Trap" (Seeking the Thrill)

Time has passed since their escape to the beach in Volume 1. It is now autumn in Tokyo. The comfort of their relationship has become almost too domestic, and Ito, who thrives on a bit of chaos, gets bored with just "peaceful" dating.


She invents a game: The Autumn Fairy Trap Campaign. The rules are simple but risky. She must kiss Fuyu in public places without anyone seeing.


The Reward: If she succeeds, Fuyu pays her 500 yen.

The Penalty: If a stranger catches them, they pay a 1,000 yen fine.

They treat the city like their playground. In front of the gates of Shinjuku Gyoen, Ito pulls him in for a kiss while pretending to take a selfie. Later, at a game center, while Fuyu watches her struggle with a crane game to win a "Weird Rabbit" doll, she kisses him again. They are addicted to the "immorality" of it—the secret thrill of doing something lovers do, while technically not being lovers. It reinforces their bond as "accomplices" in a secret crime against society.


Part 2: Domestic Bliss & Strip Mario Kart

As winter approaches, the story shows just how deeply their lives have intertwined. They are no longer just meeting for sex; they are living partially shared lives.


Ito decides to upgrade her apartment and drags Fuyu to IKEA. They wander through the showroom, arguing about furniture like an old married couple. Fuyu naturally slips into a "guardian" role. He worries about her health because she works too hard at her new editing job. He checks her fridge, nags her about sleep, and ensures she eats.


Back at Fuyu’s apartment, their intimacy takes a playful turn. They decide to play Mario Kart, but with a twist: The Strip Rule.


Every time one of them loses a race, they remove one item of clothing.

Ito is terrible at the game. She loses race after race, eventually ending up in just her pink lingerie.

Fuyu, feeling guilty, tries to lose on purpose. But Ito’s competitive spirit flares up. She gets angry that he’s going easy on her, demanding a fair fight even if it means being naked.

This scene is crucial because it shows their vulnerability. They have no barriers left. They can be childish, competitive, and naked in front of each other without the awkwardness of a "new couple." They are perfectly comfortable in their chaos.


Part 3: The Reunion (The Turning Point)

The "fun" is interrupted by the outside world. They are invited to a university club reunion. Since they are "not dating," they agree to attend as "exes" and keep their distance.


At the bar, the atmosphere turns toxic. A former classmate, Yamada, corners Ito. He criticizes her for quitting her stable architectural job to work at a small production company for less money. He calls her "naive" for chasing her dreams at age 24. Ito takes the insults silently, laughing it off with her "adult mask."


But Fuyu snaps. Usually passive and quiet, Fuyu stands up and publicly humiliates Yamada, defending Ito’s passion and hard work. He causes a scene, ruining the mood of the party. Ito is shocked. She didn't expect him to fight for her.


Overwhelmed by emotion, she drags Fuyu into the hallway near the restrooms. The sounds of their classmates are just a few feet away. She pushes him against the wall and kisses him—not as a game, and not for a 500 yen reward. It is a desperate, passionate kiss.


"We are supposed to be just exes here," Fuyu thinks.

But they don't stop. The thrill of the "secret" blends with genuine love, blurring the line between their "Fairy Tale" and reality.

Part 4: The Crisis (The Funeral)

December arrives. Fuyu is about to turn 25, a milestone he dreads because it feels like the definitive end of "youth." He plans to ask Ito to celebrate with him, hoping to perhaps finally define the relationship.


But tragedy strikes first. Fuyu receives a call: His mother has collapsed. By the time he processes the news, she passes away from a subarachnoid hemorrhage.


Fuyu is forced to return to his hometown in Takamatsu for the funeral. This is a dark journey for him. He hated his mother. She neglected him as a child, favoring his older brother. He feels no sadness, only a cold, hollow exhaustion. He feels like a monster for not crying. However, his brother reveals a devastating truth at the funeral: “Mom’s last words... she whispered your name, Fuyu.”


This destroys Fuyu’s defense mechanism. He wanted to hate her, but now he is left with confused guilt. He cannot forgive her, but he cannot hate her either. He is stuck in limbo.


Part 5: The Salvation

Fuyu returns to Tokyo on the night before his 25th birthday. He is physically and mentally broken. He feels he has no right to be happy.


Ito is waiting for him at Gotanda Station. She doesn't ask heavy questions. She just takes him to a sushi restaurant (since he hasn't eaten). Fuyu finally breaks down and confesses his "sin"—that he cannot cry for his mother and doesn't know how to process the guilt.


Ito listens, and then gives him the absolution he needs. She tells him:


"You don't have to forgive her. You don't have to move forward. Even if it's not the 'correct' human emotion, it's okay. You can stay right here."

She validates his pain and his stagnation. She accepts the ugly parts of him. They go back to Fuyu's apartment. As the clock ticks over to midnight, turning him 25, he realizes that he isn't alone.


The Ending

The volume ends on the morning of his birthday. They wake up in the same bed. Fuyu looks at Ito and realizes the truth: In Volume 1, he used her to escape reality. Now, in Volume 2, he realizes he needs her to survive reality.

 

[arafatvai]

due to message limit i have separated into 2 blocks each

Spoiler: Volume 3 Spoiler

In Volume 1, they escaped reality. In Volume 2, they learned to survive it together. In Volume 3, the final arc, they must finally confront the future and answer the ultimate question: Can a "Fairy Tale" survive in the real world?


Part 1: The "Trial Marriage" (Living Together)

The volume opens with a significant shift. Fuyu’s apartment lease is up for renewal, and Ito suggests a bold idea: "Why don't we try living together?" However, true to their nature, they don't call it "cohabitation" (which sounds too serious). They treat it as an extension of their game—a "long-term sleepover."


They find a slightly larger apartment. The early days are filled with domestic bliss that feels like playing house.


The Kotatsu: They buy a Kotatsu (heated table) in winter. They spend entire weekends trapped under it, napping, eating tangerines, and watching movies. It represents their shared laziness and comfort.

The "Rule" Change: The old rule of "paying a fine for reality" begins to fade. Living together means they have to talk about bills, chores, and schedules. The "Fairy Tale" is naturally merging with "Real Life."

Part 2: The External Threat (Society & Family)

Just as they settle into this rhythm, the outside world attacks.


The Career Crisis: Ito’s production company faces financial trouble. She is working harder than ever, often coming home exhausted. Unlike before, Fuyu can’t just distract her with sex or dates; he has to support her career anxieties seriously.

The Parents: Ito’s toxic father resurfaces, demanding to know what she is doing with her life. He pressures her about marriage. This forces Fuyu to realize that he is currently a "nobody" in her life legally. If something happens to her, he has no rights.

Part 3: The "Tiramisu" & The Realization

A key scene involves Tiramisu. Ito loves sweets. One evening, Fuyu brings home a high-end Tiramisu as a surprise. They eat it together, and Ito makes a casual comment: "I wish this could last forever." It’s a simple sentence, but it hits Fuyu hard. He realizes that "forever" isn't possible in their current state.


If they stay "partners," eventually one of them will have to get married to someone else for social stability.

To make "forever" real, they have to become a recognized couple.

Part 4: The Breakdown (The Fear of History Repeating)

Fuyu decides he wants to propose—not marriage yet, but to be her boyfriend again. However, fear paralyzes him.


The Trauma: He remembers why they broke up in college. They loved each other then, too, but the stress of life turned them into enemies. He is terrified that if they label it "dating," the expectations will crush them again.

The Conflict: He starts pulling back slightly, overthinking. Ito notices his hesitation and misinterprets it as him getting bored of their domestic life. The atmosphere in the apartment becomes tense for the first time.

Part 5: The "Aquarium" Date (The Decision)

To fix the mood, they go on a date to the Aquarium. It’s a callback to their college days. Surrounded by the blue light of the tanks, they watch the fish drift aimlessly.


Ito's Confession: Ito admits she is scared. She loves their life now, but she knows it's a "moratorium"—a pause button on adulthood. She asks Fuyu, "Are we just wasting time?"

Fuyu's Epiphany: He looks at her and realizes that the last few months of living together haven't been a "waste." They haven't just been playing house; they have been functioning as a real team. They proved to themselves that they can handle bills, stress, and grief (from Vol 2) without hating each other.

Part 6: The Confession (The Climax)

The climax happens back at their apartment, stripped of any "games" or "rules." Fuyu confronts Ito—not with a joke or a fine, but with raw honesty.


Fuyu's Speech: "Back then (in college), we broke up because we were weak. We blamed each other for our stress. But now, we are different. When you were crushed by reality, I helped you. When I was broken by my mother's death, you saved me."

He tells her that they have already proven they can survive the "Reality" that destroyed them once.


The Proposal: "Let's start over. I want to be your boyfriend. I want to marry you, have kids, and face all the boring, painful parts of reality with you."

Ito cries. She admits she was waiting for him to say it. She didn't want a "partner"; she wanted him, with all the responsibilities that come with it.


The Ending: "More Than Lovers"

The story ends with them accepting the title of "Lovers" again, but with a new understanding. They are no longer the naive students who dated in college. They are two scarred adults who built a sanctuary together. The title Koibito Ijou (More Than Lovers) finally makes sense in a new way:


Before, it meant "friends with benefits."

Now, it means they are "Life Partners"—a bond deeper than just romance.

The final scene shows them walking out into the "boring" real world, hand in hand, ready to face the mundane life they used to run away from. The "Fairy Tale" is over, but their Real Life has just begun.

Spoiler: Volume 4 Spoiler

The title of this volume is marked as "End" (終), signaling the final conclusion to Fuyu and Ito's story.


Overview: The Final Boss (Family & Future)

In Volume 3, they agreed to become lovers again. In Volume 4, they have to defend that decision against the final obstacles: Their Parents and Their Past Trauma. They are no longer "playing house." They are fighting for the right to build a real family.


Part 1: The "Heart" (Health Scare)

The volume opens with a reality check on their physical health.


The Incident: Fuyu collapses from overwork and stress. He experiences heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat).

The Impact: This terrifies Ito. She realizes that "forever" is fragile. If Fuyu dies, she loses everything.

The Change: They start taking their health seriously. No more junk food binges or all-nighters. They start cooking healthy meals (vegetables, fish) and sleeping properly. It’s a mundane but crucial step in becoming "partners for life" rather than just "partners in crime."

Part 2: The "Demon" (Ito’s Father)

The central conflict of this volume is Ito’s Father. He is a controlling, traditional man who has always dictated Ito’s life. He disapproves of her current job (which pays less than her architectural one) and her relationship with Fuyu (who he sees as unreliable).


The Summoning: Ito is summoned back to her parents' house in Kawasaki. Fuyu insists on coming with her to formally introduce himself and ask for permission to date/marry her.

The Confrontation:

The father attacks Fuyu verbally, asking about his salary, his future, and why he thinks he can support Ito.

In the past, Fuyu would have retreated. But this time, he stands his ground. He admits he isn't rich or powerful, but he understands Ito’s pain and happiness better than anyone.

Ito’s Rebellion: Ito finally yells at her father. She tells him that she is happy now, not in the hypothetical future he wants for her. She chooses Fuyu over her father’s approval.

Part 3: The "NPC" (Fuyu’s Growth)

There is a chapter titled "NPC" (Non-Player Character).


Context: Fuyu has always felt like a background character in his own life. He just drifted along, letting things happen to him (his job, his mother’s death).

The Realization: Through loving Ito, he realizes he has become the Protagonist. He is making choices—to live together, to fight her father, to protect her.

The Jenga Game: They play Jenga at home. As the tower gets unstable, they talk about how their life is like Jenga—building it piece by piece, knowing it could fall, but building it anyway.

Part 4: The Brother & The Past

Fuyu reconnects with his older brother, Yu (who appeared briefly at the funeral in Vol 2).


The Reconciliation: Yu visits Tokyo with his wife and child. Fuyu introduces Ito to them.

The Meaning: Seeing his brother’s happy family gives Fuyu a concrete image of what he wants. He realizes that "family" doesn't have to be toxic like his parents were. He can build a new family with Ito that is warm and safe.

Part 5: The Proposal (The End of "More Than Lovers")

The climax isn't a dramatic explosion, but a quiet, certain moment. They visit the Lotus Field (Hasu).


The Scene: Surrounded by blooming lotus flowers (which grow out of muddy water, symbolizing their love growing out of their messy past), Fuyu proposes properly.

The Dialogue:

He acknowledges that they are both broken people.

But he promises that they will be broken together.

He asks her to marry him, not just date him.

The Answer: Ito accepts. The title of the series—More Than Lovers, Not Yet A Girlfriend—is finally defeated. She is no longer "not his girlfriend." She is his Fiancée.

Epilogue: The "Flower Shop" (Hanayashiki-san’s View)

The final scene is told from the perspective of Hanayashiki-san, the clerk at the Unicorn Cafe who has watched them from Volume 1.


The Scene: It is a sunny spring day. Fuyu and Ito come into the cafe.

The Change: They look different. The heavy, melancholic atmosphere they carried in Vol 1 is gone. They look light, happy, and settled.

The Action: They pay for their coffee. Fuyu pays, and Ito puts loose change into his wallet—showing they now share their finances completely.

The Departure: They leave the cafe holding hands, walking toward the station to go meet Ito’s nephew (Fuyu’s brother’s kid). They are walking into their future as a family.

Closing Line: Hanayashiki-san watches them go and smiles, thinking, "They finally became just an ordinary, happy couple."

Final Verdict on the Story

The entire series is a deconstruction of "Modern Adult Loneliness."


Vol 1: Escaping loneliness through pleasure (Sex/Dates).

Vol 2: Surviving loneliness through connection (Trauma bonding).

Vol 3: Fighting loneliness through commitment (Living together).

Vol 4: Defeating loneliness by building a Family.

It ends happily. They don't become rich or famous, but they find peace with each other in a world that is often harsh.

Final Images: