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Sweat and Soap #3
Sweat and Soap, Vol. 3
The office romance between the quiet and sweet accountant Asako, who's spent her life ashamed of how much she sweats, and rising star of the bath and toiletry world Kotaro got off to a fast and steamy start! Kotaro's status at the company has made her wary of revealing their relationship to their colleagues at Liliadrop, and she's stumbled into the discovery that Kotaro has been mentoring an attractive, young product developer named Korisu. He doesn't seem to have feelings for her, but might she be harboring a secret crush? Awkwardness explodes into anxiety when Kotaro tells her he's scheduled to take a four-day business trip with Korisu -- just the two of them! Can Asako's budding relationship survive, and what's Korisu planning to do over three nights with her supposedly-single boss?
The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the "too real!" workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!
The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the "too real!" workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2019
154 people are currently reading
1522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
April 16, 2021
Why is this manga about a dude with a scent kink so adorable and wholesome???
November 25, 2022
Ahhhh, how are they so cute??? 🥹 I was going to give this volume four stars, but the last few chapters had my heart SOARING. They’re adorable. I also love the conversation he had with Ichise in this volume, and how they spent Kotaro’s birthday!!! 🥰
August 23, 2020
A romance manga where the characters talk to each other about their problems, all sex scenes are done with enthusiastic consent, and their relationship and not made up problems moves the plot forward?!
Yes, please.
Yes, please.
July 4, 2022
Ya'll. This series is so damn cute and I can definitely see it easily becoming one of my favorites. In this volume we continue to follow the relationship between Natori and Asako. There is more exploration of the insecurities that exists in their relationship and I appreciated that Yamada took the time to make them real and relatable. Asako definitely gains more confidence in this volume and it was great to see her let her guard down a little. The pacing, the character development, the romance was just perfect. Like other reviewers, I will say that it may a little weird for some readers noticing that Natori has a kink that involves him smelling Asako's sweat, but I promise you it is the most adorable thing in the world. I highly highly highly recommend this series if you haven't started it already.
January 2, 2021
Wow. I am blown away with how maturely and compassionately Ichise's feelings for Natori was handled. Seriously, I am so stunned that that whole situation was handled with care, clear communication, and maturity. I'm sure some people will say that this isn't a realistic ending, but guess what? I DON'T FUCKING CARE. I would easily rather watch two mature women talk things out and come away with an amicable friendship (as well as an amicable friendship between Natori and Ichise) than the stereotypical girl-hating for the sake of drama and "realism". Yamada, you have my undying love and respect for the way this ended, thank you!
Speaking of Natori and Asako, their relationship continues to be healthy, adorable, and free of miscommunication bullshit, which is the highest compliment I can offer. I love how open Natori is about what he wants in their relationship and how he treats Asako's feelings with respect and care. I love how Asako is taking small steps to be more assertive in their relationship and trying new things. Their relationship is so super awesome and I adore it!
Oh, and Chief Okura continues to be the best man EVER and I adore him. Please give him more screen time, Yamada, I'm begging you! And Ichise is also delightfully wonderful and I love her too! So many great side characters, I could just burst with joy!
Enough ranting, let's get to the point. This was another great volume that is showing that adults not only can have healthy, happy relationships with open communication, but you can have two women who love(d) the same man settle their differences and have a happy, healthy friendship. FOR FUCK'S SAKE ROMANCE WRITERS, TAKE EXAMPLES FROM THIS SERIES AND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!!
Speaking of Natori and Asako, their relationship continues to be healthy, adorable, and free of miscommunication bullshit, which is the highest compliment I can offer. I love how open Natori is about what he wants in their relationship and how he treats Asako's feelings with respect and care. I love how Asako is taking small steps to be more assertive in their relationship and trying new things. Their relationship is so super awesome and I adore it!
Oh, and Chief Okura continues to be the best man EVER and I adore him. Please give him more screen time, Yamada, I'm begging you! And Ichise is also delightfully wonderful and I love her too! So many great side characters, I could just burst with joy!
Enough ranting, let's get to the point. This was another great volume that is showing that adults not only can have healthy, happy relationships with open communication, but you can have two women who love(d) the same man settle their differences and have a happy, healthy friendship. FOR FUCK'S SAKE ROMANCE WRITERS, TAKE EXAMPLES FROM THIS SERIES AND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!!
January 22, 2023
They are genuinely acting like adults in this series ( unlike other Manga series that i have read where adults in relationship starts behaving like kids), they discuss things, and I'm delighted there isn't a needless miscommunication trope. Gradually, they are maturing and getting to know one another. It's a very wholesome and pleasant manga.
July 12, 2024
got bored :/
January 20, 2022
Volume 1 ★★★★★
Volume 2 ★★★★★
Volume 3 ★★★★★
Volume 4 ★★★★★
Volume 5 ★★★★★
Volume 6 ★★★★★
Volume 7 ★★★★★
Volume 8 ★★★★★
Volume 9 ★★★★★
Volume 10 ★★★★★
Volume 11 ★★★★★
Another volume of me sitting here absolutely obsessing over how precious and well-communicated this relationship is and how much I adore these two weirdos. ♥
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April 14, 2025
Cute and a heroine gaining confidence, conflict handled in a mature way. A little weird, but entertaining.
November 15, 2021
This was still cute with Asako and Natori going on their first trip together, but I didn’t love the third-wheel/love triangle conflict. I just didn’t want an outsider messing with their relationship 😤
Also I didn’t get any rush of giddiness like I did in Vol 2.
Also I didn’t get any rush of giddiness like I did in Vol 2.
March 10, 2021
It is just so refreshing to see a relationship done with maturity and realistic dialogue.
Asako comes clean and gets to talk to her boss about her love life, which is a really sweet moment when she realizes how much she likes Natori. Natori goes out of town with his co-worker and finds out she likes him too. In any other, lesser relationship manga, it would have been a love triangle blah blah blah storyline. But here Natori lets her know he doesn't see her that way and they handle it like adults. Natori and Asako also handle it after in such a cute and well done way. Then Natori and Asako go on a trip together for his birthday and it's just so dang sweet.
I just love this manga so much. So wholesome and well done with a lot of great characters and storyline. Every time I read a new volume I just enjoy myself the entire time. I never want this to end but all good stories do. Another 5 out of 5.
Asako comes clean and gets to talk to her boss about her love life, which is a really sweet moment when she realizes how much she likes Natori. Natori goes out of town with his co-worker and finds out she likes him too. In any other, lesser relationship manga, it would have been a love triangle blah blah blah storyline. But here Natori lets her know he doesn't see her that way and they handle it like adults. Natori and Asako also handle it after in such a cute and well done way. Then Natori and Asako go on a trip together for his birthday and it's just so dang sweet.
I just love this manga so much. So wholesome and well done with a lot of great characters and storyline. Every time I read a new volume I just enjoy myself the entire time. I never want this to end but all good stories do. Another 5 out of 5.
February 19, 2021
We are on Vol 3 and im loving these guys!! Sometimes I think Kotaro does push a boundary with smelling Asako lol but it doesnt seem like she minds ;) even if she's blushing up a storm. The cuteness between the two makes me gush.
I love how they handled the coworker and he never hid anything he was upfront told both woman. YASHHH GO!!
Slight ow drama, No cheating, sexy time, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶
I love how they handled the coworker and he never hid anything he was upfront told both woman. YASHHH GO!!
Slight ow drama, No cheating, sexy time, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶
August 26, 2021
Heeyyyyyyo we’re getting confidence. This is what I want to see.
February 23, 2022
This manga is taking over my life. I should not like a hero with a scent kink AND YET. 😫
June 1, 2025
My favorite volume so far hehehehehe
December 2, 2021
Read these back to back so don't know what happens in this individual one or what happens lol.
September 7, 2025
At this rate, I might go through the entire manga volume before the week has ended. It’s so cute. No dramatic occurrences this far, and guess what? It doesn’t impede the story.
I’d describe it as a slice of life romance with some smut. BUTTTTT, because you’re so emotionally invested in the characters and how their relationship progress, the smut is so much more… intense. Despite it not being graphic at all.
Author had clearly been in or had healthy relationships as examples in her lifetime.
I’d describe it as a slice of life romance with some smut. BUTTTTT, because you’re so emotionally invested in the characters and how their relationship progress, the smut is so much more… intense. Despite it not being graphic at all.
Author had clearly been in or had healthy relationships as examples in her lifetime.
September 15, 2021
Just adorable. Heartwarming, fluffy goodness.
August 22, 2021
The communication between these two is OUT OF THIS WORRRLD.
January 5, 2022
Could it be any more cute?! I'd be lying if I say I'm not jealous of this kind of relationship! I mean, I'm so moved at how they treasure each other! This is just so pure and healthy. I love it, love it, love it so much! And can we talk about how energetic Kotaro is? I can't help but laugh!
This volume never disappoints. If anything, it just gets better and better. I love how adorably weird this is. Even though, originally, in it's basic form, the story is sensual, Yamada did not resort to making it smutty, but rather wholsome in its own. They weaved the story expertly.
This volume never disappoints. If anything, it just gets better and better. I love how adorably weird this is. Even though, originally, in it's basic form, the story is sensual, Yamada did not resort to making it smutty, but rather wholsome in its own. They weaved the story expertly.
April 21, 2023
What did they mean by the tie thing. I need to know!
December 2, 2023
➺
4/5 🌟
please, i love how they're both so new to this. it makes them looked like teenagers in love!!
please, i love how they're both so new to this. it makes them looked like teenagers in love!!
February 4, 2022
It's shocking me a lot. I didn't know that I will be in love with this story 😁
August 4, 2024
4.25 ☆ “so we’ll focus on work, maybe eat something nice. three days’ll pass in no time.” 🥺
he brought her a cat-shaped chocolate from his work trip…..i love him…
he brought her a cat-shaped chocolate from his work trip…..i love him…
August 22, 2020
Asako and Koutarou are doing quite well as a couple, but Koutarou and his attractive junior Korisu are off on a business trip together for four days. Korisu clearly has feelings for Koutaro, so this is going to be the most predictable volume yet... right...?
What I love about this book is that it takes an obvious plot with an obvious outcome (this is my biggest beef with rivals - they often add minimal complications with no real stakes) and decides to tackle it in a uniquely satisfying way.
Korisu has a pretty standard path through this arc, but it’s smartly also about Koutaro’s romantic history (and how Asako sees it, in a solid cutaway section) and how your chances can evaporate when you least expect it. Korisu has seen Koutaro’s relationships implode over and over and thus nothing changes between the both of them.
She figured this meant she’d have all the time in the world to confess, but suddenly he’s no longer doing the playful karate chops he used to - out of respect for Asako - and Korisu realizes that this time Koutaro is actually, truly invested and she doesn’t take it well, understandably.
What this book does, to its credit, is put forward that Korisu has worth beyond dating Koutaro. Yeah, she got her heart broken, but she’s mature enough to recognize how happy her friend is and while it sucks for her, Koutaro still values her as a friend and coworker and always has. The way Korisu and Asako grow closer at the end of this section is icing on the cake - Korisu was a bit of a throwaway rival before all this, but she’s fantastic in this story.
The rest of this book is all about early stages of dating and figuring out such weighty topics as birthday gifts and when to tell other people and sharing your first trip. It’s also very charming - outside of his rather intense scent fetish, Koutaro clearly adores Asako and she’s very taken with him.
It’s really nice to see Asako’s shyness slowly going away as she realizes that she does have worth and is, yes, a desirable partner. Given her sweat issues, it’s no shock how easily embarrassed she is (the buying clothes section feels like it must ring so true for excessive sweaters) but she’s surprisingly strong and assertive when she needs to be (the way she’s begun shutting down some of Koutaro’s sweat seeking behaviour is great).
If I had to ding one thing about this volume, it’s that I do think this might get a little too indulgent with the fetish stuff during the vacation section. This book’s never been shy about sex or affection, in a healthy way, and I wouldn’t dream of kink shaming these two, but I think the author might be having too much fun with the lather at points, above and beyond the story being told.
It’s rather amusing that a book centred on a very specific fetish has one of the best overall relationships in any manga I’m reading. I’ve often noted that writing a functional couple dating feels a lot harder than the courtship, but this series makes it look easy.
I think the only book that I’ve read that tackles this nearly as well is ‘You Got Me, Sempai!’ and that had the more traditional school setting while this one is fresher by virtue of being in a workplace. You can’t go wrong with either though.
What I love about this book is that it takes an obvious plot with an obvious outcome (this is my biggest beef with rivals - they often add minimal complications with no real stakes) and decides to tackle it in a uniquely satisfying way.
Korisu has a pretty standard path through this arc, but it’s smartly also about Koutaro’s romantic history (and how Asako sees it, in a solid cutaway section) and how your chances can evaporate when you least expect it. Korisu has seen Koutaro’s relationships implode over and over and thus nothing changes between the both of them.
She figured this meant she’d have all the time in the world to confess, but suddenly he’s no longer doing the playful karate chops he used to - out of respect for Asako - and Korisu realizes that this time Koutaro is actually, truly invested and she doesn’t take it well, understandably.
What this book does, to its credit, is put forward that Korisu has worth beyond dating Koutaro. Yeah, she got her heart broken, but she’s mature enough to recognize how happy her friend is and while it sucks for her, Koutaro still values her as a friend and coworker and always has. The way Korisu and Asako grow closer at the end of this section is icing on the cake - Korisu was a bit of a throwaway rival before all this, but she’s fantastic in this story.
The rest of this book is all about early stages of dating and figuring out such weighty topics as birthday gifts and when to tell other people and sharing your first trip. It’s also very charming - outside of his rather intense scent fetish, Koutaro clearly adores Asako and she’s very taken with him.
It’s really nice to see Asako’s shyness slowly going away as she realizes that she does have worth and is, yes, a desirable partner. Given her sweat issues, it’s no shock how easily embarrassed she is (the buying clothes section feels like it must ring so true for excessive sweaters) but she’s surprisingly strong and assertive when she needs to be (the way she’s begun shutting down some of Koutaro’s sweat seeking behaviour is great).
If I had to ding one thing about this volume, it’s that I do think this might get a little too indulgent with the fetish stuff during the vacation section. This book’s never been shy about sex or affection, in a healthy way, and I wouldn’t dream of kink shaming these two, but I think the author might be having too much fun with the lather at points, above and beyond the story being told.
It’s rather amusing that a book centred on a very specific fetish has one of the best overall relationships in any manga I’m reading. I’ve often noted that writing a functional couple dating feels a lot harder than the courtship, but this series makes it look easy.
I think the only book that I’ve read that tackles this nearly as well is ‘You Got Me, Sempai!’ and that had the more traditional school setting while this one is fresher by virtue of being in a workplace. You can’t go wrong with either though.
August 29, 2020
I’m absolutely loving this series so far! Asako and Kotaro are such lovely characters, and I really love them together! They’re both so kind. 🥰 I love seeing the soft way that they’ve fallen in love, and the sex-positive way that this manga is portraying their relationship is very refreshing. It’s sweet, sexy, and extremely well done. I also love that there’s humour infused in this series with all of the smelling and scent jokes. 😂
September 22, 2023
I love this couple!! That is all.
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March 7, 2021this manga is better than i thought it would be and im so happy about that! i guess this volume is my most favorite so far since the two main characters really communicated well with their problems which is something that i don't really see a lot in romance manga. i love how they're open with each other and actually talk when they have problems. THANK THE GODS FOR GIVING ME ROMANCE WITHOUT THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE.
can't wait to read more!
can't wait to read more!
April 12, 2022
Could this series get any better?
August 16, 2022
Absolutely loved it, i'm currently sharing this series with my partner who also can't get enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews