Hammered and Pounded

Matsui is the undisputed star of the Sales department, a strikingly handsome man who effortlessly captivates everyone around him. In stark contrast stands Kensuke, an easygoing employee from Planning and Development whose tendency to be overly candid about his desires has cost him more than one romantic relationship. To their colleagues, the two men appear to be close friends, always seen together as part of an inseparable group of four. However, beneath this casual workplace dynamic lies a hidden tension: Kensuke secretly tries to keep his distance from Matsui, whose sheer perfection leaves him feeling deeply insecure. Their fragile equilibrium shatters when circumstances force Kensuke into an unexpected evening of drinking alone with the very man he has been trying to avoid. This tense, intimate encounter forms the centerpiece of the author’s debut work. The collection also features several other stories centered on muscular men, including a boxer who becomes easily flustered by a single glance, a clingy former delinquent cousin, and a middle manager who faces strict punishment for a subordinate's misbehavior.