Office Rivals

Office Rivals is a slice-of-life visual novel about a workaholic and his co-worker Nanako Takagi, longtime rivals who are ordered by their boss to cooperate. Their uneasy partnership brings bottled-up feelings to the surface as the protagonist considers where their relationship went wrong and reconnects with the idea that life is about more than productivity. The story is fairly linear, with one true ending and alternate endings, and takes approximately 5–6 hours for steady-paced readers.

The setting and cast

The story takes place in Heart City, a fictional city inspired by real-life places, settings and cultures. Its flawed protagonist is a talented, well-dressed company star, but his workaholism, insecurities and trust issues complicate his relationship with Nanako. A range of grounded side characters face everyday challenges involving overtime, commuting and confidence at work.

Nanako Takagi is 29, the protagonist’s co-worker and rival. She is talented and beautiful, and secretly has feelings for him. The supporting cast includes Seon, a strict but caring boss; Gee, an upbeat, easy-going man who is nervous about meeting his girlfriend’s parents; Michelle, a composed and dedicated woman who fears coming out of her shell; Isamu, a smug, rich and arrogant figure from Nanako’s past; and Mei and Min, a father-and-daughter duo who run the protagonist’s favorite late-night food stall. More side characters appear in later chapters.

Intimate scenes

The story includes erotic scenes such as lovemaking after dates, risky public encounters and sexual talk during a company meeting. Kinks and activities include paizuri, oral sex, nipple play, lactation, impregnation and exhibitionism. The couple have protected sex early in their relationship, while the story also includes risky sexual play, pregnant sex, breastfeeding and multiple creampies.